Ballyshannon Walking Tour

Ballyshannon is reputed to be Ireland's oldest town having received its Royal paten in 1613. The first inhabitants were the Parthalonians who landed in 2700 BC followed by the Vikings. Later the powerful O'Donnell Clan built their castle in the town and the Battle of Ballyshannon in 1597 was one of the clan's successes in the Nine Years War.

Every step of the town has a story to tell, a lot of characters have lived here during the last 3¾ millennia. Speaker Conolly 1662-1729 became the wealthiest man in Ireland, William Allingham the poet, Mary Shelley who wrote Frankenstein in 1818 and her mother Mary Woolstonecroft, a feminist author who influenced the Suffragettes.

Ballyshannon town also has connections with Bram Stoker 1847-1912. The world of commerce produced 'French' Tom Barton, of B&G wines. James Mc Gowan merchant owner of the Brig 'Mayflower' crossed the Atlantic in 18 days in 1831 and returned in 13 days equalling the then fastest crossing ever.

Mullach na Sí, the 'Fairy Hill' is worth a visit to see St Anne's Church and hear of the other buildings on the site before the church. When we are here we will tarry with Soldiers, Sailors, a murdered Police Officer, a lover killed in a duel and every graveyard should have a king.

The present town buildings have five churches, six schools, a Workhouse, two hospitals, a convent and an ancient army barracks, one dating from 1700 and the only barracks of that era in daily use in the country. The town could boast two train stations in the 1950's but alas Co. Donegal is bereft of trains now. The town has an area called the Fair Green, Pig Market and the Market Yard but that form of business is no longer carried out.

The Mall Quay and the West Port was where the sailing ships brought their cargos from Britain, Brittany, Canada, United States, Norway, Sweden and Russia. The ships also took out our exports of fish, grain, cattle hides, bog iron and agricultural goods. The O'Donnells were known as "the King of the Fish" on the Continent.

The Great Erne River, provider of wealth and sustenance, was the boundary between Kingdoms, Provinces, Counties, Diocese and parishes was harnessed for hydro power in the 1940's with the loss of the famous 'salmon leap' at the 'roar' of the Assaroe Falls.

Ballyshannon is still evolving and some of the more recent inhabitants and buildings are noteworthy. Rory Gallagher, the famous blues guitarist, was born in the Rock Hospital. See the Grocery store where British Prime Minister Tony Blair's mother lived. Hear about the commercial banks and how one of them was built in the wrong place and how the problem was solved.