nineteenth century, the school moved to Abbeyleix. The Brigidine Sisters came to the village in 1877 and opened a school operating under a Catholic ethos. Three sisters (nuns) from the Abbeyleix Community took up residence in their newly built convent on 25 September of that year. Their convent and school closed in 1974. Ballyroan was home to separate boys' and girls' primary schools until 2017, when they were amalgamated into a single national school in a new building. The school is named for Pope John Paul II. Sport The local Gaelic football club is Ballyroan Abbey GAA. A former club was Ballyroan GAA. Ballyroan was the first village in Leinster to play football in 1889. See also List of towns and villages in Ireland References Towns and villages in County Laois Townlands of County Laois