It is about 5 miles (8.0 km) east of Banbridge, perched on top of one of the many drumlins that are common in the county.

It is believed that these three names all come from Irish Baile Ailigh, meaning 'settlement of the stony place'.

The first County Down Senior Hurling Championship win for Ballela Hurling and Camogie Club (Baile Aileach Cumann Lúthchleas Gael) came in the 1936 final played in Castlewellan against Kilclief.

New playing fields, meeting rooms and changing facilities were developed during 2005 and the pitch was officially opened in 2007.

A National School that existed at Ballela in 1837 was described as “a small cottage” with 100 Catholic and 10 Presbyterian pupils.