[6] The area was developed in the late 20th century, with the Ballybane shopping centre opening in 1981[7] and the local Catholic parish (St Brigid's) dating to 1995.

[8] In May 2019, it was reported in the Irish Times that the Traveller halting sites of Clós na Choile and Fana Glas, both located in Ballybane, were in need of works to rectify ongoing issues with damp and mould, heating, overflowing sewerage systems, and the lack of playing areas for children.

The three occupied houses were in good condition, however the remaining five were "destroyed", having been "boarded up, their roofs either missing or almost totally stripped of slates (or) filled with rubbish".

[13] The Galway city branch of the Atlantic Technological University (formerly GMIT until April 2022) is located at the southern end of the suburb, next to the Old Dublin Road.

[16][17] A pub named the Lantern Bar operated in Ballybane until 2019 when it was closed following complaints and incidents in which Garda Síochána (Irish police) callouts were required.