Communications in the Isle of Man were taken over by the GPO. The internal telegraph system was extended within a year to Castletown and Peel, however by then the previous lack of modern communications in Castletown had already started the Isle of Man Government on its move to Douglas. Due to increasing usage in the years following nationalisation, further cables between Port Cornaa and St Bees were laid in 1875 and 1885. By 1883 Smith's Directory listed several telegraph offices operated by the Post Office, in addition to those at Douglas, Ramsey, Castletown and Peel the telegraph was also available at Laxey, Ballaugh, and Port St.
Ballabeg Ballabeg derives from the Manx which means small homestead; although the spelling is different, it is pronounced approximately the same as the English name. Nearby is the "Ball and Bag", a free house which was built by Sir David Mark Jordan, a Victorian army captain who settled there upon his retirement. It also has Arbory Primary School, serving the villages of Ballabeg and Colby, as well as the outlying areas. The parish church has a large churchyard with many graves dating back at least to the mid-18th century, although there has been a church on the site for much longer.