Ballina, Ireland Summary

The busy town of BALLINA, clustered around two graceful bridges on the River Moy, makes a good place to stock up on provisions and information; the town is especially vibrant during the two-week street festival that takes place in July. The elegant Victorian and Edwardian pub- and shop-fronts testify to a long history of vigorous trading, and this tradition continues in the rebuilding and energetic business activity that’s evident everywhere. Stock up on smoked salmon at Clarke’s Salmon Smokery on O’Rahilly Street, which also displays an impressive range of fresh, whole fish in its windows. Keehane’s in Arran Street is a reasonable bookshop.