Micheál Martin - Current leader of the Fianna Fáil political party and former minister for Foreign Affairs, Education and Health, resides in Ballinlough.
The town was the birthplace of Count Andrew O'Reilly of Ballinlough (1742-1832), who rose to prominence as a military commander in the service of the Austrian Empire.
The 1983 Gael Linn Cup, the most important representative competition for elite level participants in the women's team field sport of camogie, was won by Leinster, who defeated Munster in the final, played at Ballinlough.
The 1984 National Camogie League, the second most important elite level inter-county competition in the women's team field sport of camogie was won by Cork, who defeated Dublin in the final, played at Ballinlough.
In their Quarter-Final Playoff tie with Ballinlough, Blackhall Gaels had Anthony Moyles sent off controversially with a straight red card.