| Ballyshannon, |
| County Donegal, Ireland |
 |
| Ballyshannon (Beal Atha Seanaidh: The Ford-entrance of the Hill-slope) is one of the oldest towns in the land and the largest in South Donegal. It saw some of the first discoverers of Ireland settle and farm here; some four thousand years ago. Celtic chiefs built their strongholds here; Christian monks their monasteries. The ancient crossing point of the River Erne was at Ballyshannon and in 1423 the O'Donnells, chieftains of Donegal, erected a Castle overlooking this crossing. It was the scene of a siege and disastrous defeat of the Crown forces by Red Hugh O'Donnell in 1597. The town was a prosperous trading centre during 18th and 19th centuries when its main industries were flour and saw milling, tobacco manufacture, soap making, tanning, distilling and brewing The Port of Ballyshannon , in its heyday, had up to 40 ships docking each month. Nowadays, Ballyshannon is an important shopping and tourist centre. Surrounded by safe, clean beaches for swimming and surfing, rugged coastlines, panoramic scenery of mountains, lakes and forests, it is an ideal centre for visitors to North West Ireland Major Attractions in and Around Ballyshannon Why not extend your stay and sample some of the following nearby attractions? Ballyshannon Donegal Parian China Donegal Parian China and Visitor Centre. Witness at first hand the skills involved in making china. Water Wheels The Abbey, Ballyshannon. Visit St. Patrick's memorial stone, Wishing Tree and historical caves. Shopping centre Saimer Court, Main Street, Ballyshannon. Abbey Centre Cinema and arts complex Angling Within a short distance of the town anglers can sample game, coarse and sea angling. Sea angling boats can be chartered locally. Lakeside Centre (Camping and caravan site here) Environmently friendly children's playground on the shores of Assaroe Lake. Cycling Ballyshannon is on three long distance touring routes. The surrounding countryside and coastline are ideal for exploring by bicycle. Donegal Bay Sightseeing Trips - boats depart from the Mall Quay and nearby Creevy Pier Enjoy tours of the Bay, including, Slieve League - the highest sea cliffs in Europe. Walking Enjoy a leisurely stroll around the historic town of Ballyshannon or take to the nearby countryside to get away from it all. Literary William Allingham the famous poet and native of Ballyshannon is laid to rest beside St. Anne’s Church in the town, at the top of Main Street. Bundoran Walking Blow away the cobwebs on one of Bundoran's short but revitalising walks. Bundoran Sea Baths and Health Suite. Pamper yourself and let your worries drift away... Waterworld Wet and Wild fun for all the family Horse Riding Along wide-open beaches or country lanes of Bundoran. Cineplex Open daily Pitch & Putt 18 hole pitch and putt Bowling Alley Glow Bowl. Open 11:00am - 12midnight every day Donegal Adventure Centre Dinglei Coush: Including: Mountain Biking, Archery, Hill walking, Horse riding, Dive boarding, Surfing and Water sports Golf 18 hole championship links course. Angling Sea angling available locally. Amusements Excellent range of gaming arcades and funfair. Restaurants Wide choice of eating places covering a range of world cuisine Nightlife. The entertainment capital of the north west, choose from concerts, cabaret, nightclubs and traditional pub music sessions. Watersports With world class beach and reef breaks Bundoran is a popular destination for both surfers and body boarders. Blue Flag Beach EU award winning for it's cleanliness and water quality, this sandy beach located just a short distance from the main street. Popular with families and safe for bathing with lifeguards on patrol. Rossnowlagh Rossnowlagh beach The heavenly cove and 4km Blue Flag Beach accessible by car. The Franciscan Friary, Rossnowlagh Visitors centre and beautiful gardens overlooking the beach. Arts and Crafts shop Rossnowlagh Various crafts produced on premises. Donegal Town Magees Donegal Tweed View the largest selection of hand-woven Donegal Tweed in the World. Over 300 fabric samples or patterns to select from. Donegal Castle Recently restored 15th century O' Donnell Clan castle in the centre of the town. Donegal Craft Village Eight workshops: - handmade pottery batik, jewellery, metalwork, Uilleann pipes, Porcelain Ceramics and hand weaving. Donegal Bay Waterbus Tour Donegal Bay, featuring the burial place of "Red Hugh O' Donnell ", the old Franciscan Abbey, French Man's Anchor, the Coastal guard station and Seal Island. Donegal Railway Heritage Centre Restored station buildings are now home to exhibitions dedicated to guiding you through the history of the railways in County Donegal. Blue Stack Way Waymarked walking route between Donegal Town and Ardara. Donegal Golf Club 18 hole links course at Murvagh. Lough Eske. Circular touring route around the Lough and Blue Stack Mountains. Ireland's Gaeltacht Donegal safeguards Ireland's largest Gaeltacht (Irish Speaking area). Here the Irish language is an everyday community language for many of the inhabitants reflecting a rich Gaelic heritage - a heritage of hospitality, great music, song and dance. For further information visit www.gaelsaoire.ie |
| The kindly spot, the friendly town, Where everyone is known, And not a face in all the place But partly seems my own……. (William Allingham 1824-'89) |
| 26th Annual Ballyshannon Folk and Traditional Music Festival 2003 1st, 2nd, 3rd August 2003 Keep that Week-end free Use Accommodation Pages to book Early Simply the Best Music festival in Ireland |
| To navigate around the Ballyshannon site ......................... Click here |
| Welcome to Ballyshannon, the oldiest and friendliest town in all of Ireland |