Ballyhaunis 5.03

Ballyhaunis is a town in County Mayo, Ireland. It is at the crossroads of the N60 and N83 National secondary roads and on the railway line linking Dublin to Westport and Ballina.It is thought that the town grew up around St Mary's Augustinian Friary (popularly referred to as "the Abbey"), which was founded in 1348, according to local tradition. The town and its hinterland is steeped in history and contains many megalithic monuments.In the 2011 Census, Ballyhaunis had a population of 2,312. Non-Irish nationals make up 42% of its population, which is much higher than the national average and is the highest of any town in Ireland. Poles and Pakistanis make up the largest groups of immigrants. Meanwhile, White Irish people make up 40% of the population. There are two Catholic churches in the town, which is also home to Ireland's first purpose-built mosque outside Dublin. Farming, private business and industry are the main sources of employment.