The village of Balla holds an important place in the history of the county and tradition has it that St Patrick himself rested in Balla, where there is a Patrick’s Well that marks his presence.

The "Tochar Phadraig" route, which runs from Balla to the Croagh Patrick, is supposed to be Patrick’s way eastward from the Holy Mountain through the Plains of Mayo. From here Patrick, travelling the road to Kiltimagh and Kilkelly and passing through Lower Carriage, Ailech Aristech, returned to Tara.