(60-90mins. allowing for viewing stops)
1. From The Allingham Bridge to the Buaile Bawns:
The bridge on which you now stand gives very little idea of the majesty of the 14 arch-bridge and the beautiful river which tumbled underneath it up to the late 1940s. Then the course of river Erne was changed when work commenced on the power stations at Cathaleen’s Fall and Cliff. On the bridge is a plaque commemorating the famous local poet William Allingham. On the opposite side of the road you can see Ballyshannon Leisure Centre which contains a swimming pool, gymnasium and sauna. It is open to the public all year round.
2. The Barracks:
Opposite also, this building started life in 1700 as a British Military Barracks.
3. The Diamond:
This is a feature found in many towns which were developed by the English in the 17th Century. Up to the early years of the 20th century it served as a market place where local farmers sold their produce. Now turn left down The Mall.
4. Allignham’s House:
Half way down the Mall on your left is the house where local poet William Allingham (1824-1889) was born.
5. The Methodist Church:
A little further on, look to your right; this fine Gothic structure was built in 1899 and is now used to house a veterinary practice.
5. The Presbyterian Church:
Still on your right, this church was built in 1840 and extended in 1880. A feature of the building is the beautiful rose window which can be seen over the main door.
6. The Mall Quay:
Walk on and to your left is the quay which was part of the once thriving port of Ballyshannon. Sailing and steam ships came and went from here to Europe and the Americas.
7. Inis Saimer:
The little island you can see is said to be the spot where the first inhabitants of Ireland landed. Parthalon, a chieftain from Scythia (near modern Greece), landed here around 2700 B.C.
8. Dungravenen/The Buaile Bawns:
Turn left as you exit from the Mall Quay. About 200 metres on you will come to the entrance to Dungravenen Promontory fort, which commanded the entrance to the Erne system.
9. From Danby House to Abbey Assaroe:
Carry on to the main road and turn left. A little further on is the gate lodge to Danby House. Once owned by a prominent landowning family, the Stubbs, today this is a private residence.
10. The Abbey Mill Bridge:
Continue left and turn left into the Abbey Lane. As you admire the lovely view of the Erne Estuary and Donegal Bay, you will soon descend to the Abbey Mill Bridge and one of the most historic areas of the town.
11. Catsby Cave:
On your right, just past the bridge, you will come to a beautiful river walk which leads you to Catsby Cave. This grotto like cave contains the remains of a stone altar on which Mass was secretly celebrated during Penal times.
12. The Abbey Mills:
These are corn and flax mills which lay in ruin for many years. The giant wheels were restored by the Abbey Mill Trust in the late 1980s and a coffee shop welcomes visitors during the summer season.
13. The Abbey Well/ Tobar Na Bachaille:
Continue on and you will find a well which is associated with St. Patrick and St, Colmcille who later founded the famous monastery of lona off the coast of Scotland. Every year on August 15th pilgrims come here to pray and tie pieces of cloth to the tree as votive offerings.
14. Abbey Assaroe:
Carry on and turn right. As you proceed to the summit of the hill, turning to your right, you will see what remains of the famous Abbey Assaroe, founded circa 1184 by Flaherty O’Muldory for the Cistercian order.
15. From the Paupers’ Graveyard to Allingham Park/ The Fair Green:
Go as far as the main road and turn right. You will cross over the Pound Bridge and opposite McGinley’s public house, look to your right towards St. Anne’s Church. In the field to the right of the Church tower lies the Paupers’ graveyard. Countless poor souls were laid to rest here during the Great Famine of 1845-1850.
16. The Thatch Pub:
Walk on for about 100 metres and you will see this pub which was frequented by fishermen in times past.
17. Mullaghnashee:
Turn right and then take the first turn on your right. In front of you is St. Anne’s Church on famed Mullaghnashee. This is the ancient burial mound of King Aedh Ruadh (Sidh Aedh), who ruled Ireland in the 3rd century B.C. He drowned at the waterfall which became known as Eas Aodha Ruaidh or Assaroe.
18. St. Anne’s Church:
Sir Henry Folliot, Baron of Ballyshannon, built the first colonist Church in the Market Yard in the early 17th century. Some time before 1691 a second Church was built on Mullaghnashee and the present building was completed in 1841.
19. County Donegal Railway:
Make your way to the Donegal road and after 200 metres you will see a plaque on your left, on what used to be the station master’s house, which marks the CDR. This narrow gauged railway line opened in 1905 and served Creevy, Rossnowlagh, Ballintra, Laghey and continued on through Donegal and Barnes Gap. The line closed in 1960.
20. Allingham Park/The Fair Green:
Cross the road and go back towards town for 50 metres or so. On your left is Allingham Park/ The Fair Green. In the days gone by, hiring fairs were held here. Young men and women hired themselves out as farm labourers and domestic servants to wealthy farmers from all over Ulster and Scotland. Livestock fairs were also held here.
21. From Delap’s to the Market Yard:
Go down the town as far as Dicey Reilly’s pub. These buildings were part of the Delap estate, home of Margaret Delap. She married French’ Tom Barton, one of the Wine Geese and they left Ireland for France in 1722.
22. St. Patrick’s Church
Retrace your steps for a few meters and turn right into Chapel Street. The first St. Patricks Church was built on this site circa 1795. It was completely reconstructed in 1842 and renovated in 2002.
23. Sheil House:
Go through the car park to its entrance at College Street. Turn left and immediately on your left is Sheil House. This was the former residence of the Sheil family who leased the commercial fishing rights on the Erne Estuary from the Conolly estate in the 19th century
24. Primary Care Centre/Convent of Mercy:
The Sisters of Mercy came here from Kinsale, in 1867. The Convent building was built in 1884, aided by a large donation from William Stephens. Next to this is the Sheil Hospital.
25. The Sheil Hospital:
This Hospital, which opened in 1894, was named after Dr. Simon Sheil Jnr. who died in 1889; he made a lasting contribution to his native town by leaving £6000 pounds in his will towards the building.
26. The Big Meadow:
Across the road is the Big Meadow, now occupied by Coláiste Cholmcille. This was once used as a race course and at the top of the site is a standing stone called Cloch na nOgham.
Return to the town centre.
27. The Market House:
The Market House once stood on a site opposite O Rielly’s fish shop. It was used since the 18th century as a trading centre for the sale of local produce. It was also used as a meeting place by many local organisations. It was demolished in 1988.
28. Lipsett’s Grocery Shop (no longer Lipsett’s):
On your left as you walk down Castle Street is the birth place of Hazel (Corscadden) Blair, mother of former British Prime Minister Tony Blair. It is the building with the protruding attic windows.
29. Allied Irish Bank:
Further down the street is a building once known as the Provincial Bank now the Allied Irish Bank. The poet William Allignham worked in the bank from 1838-1839; his father was then the manager.
30. The Clock Tower:
In the early 18th Century the richest man in Ireland was William Conolly, Speaker of the Irish House of Commons. Conolly was born in a house adjacent to this building, known as Conolly’s Inn. The distinctive building you now see was constructed by The Belfast Bank in 1878. Walk on towards The Market Yard on your left.
31. The Market Yard:
In 1423 Niall Garbh O’Donnell built Ballyshannon Castle, on the site now known as The Market Yard, to command the ford over the Erne. In 1597 this was the scene of The Battle of Ballyshannon.
32. Ballyshannon and District Museum
This museum, which reflects life through the ages in this area, is well worth a visit. It is to be found on the top floor of Slevin’s Department Store, which opens on to the Market Yard.
33. The Tourist Office
The Tourist Office, which is located in the Bus Station, is run by the Regeneration Group, a voluntary organisation which undertakes various projects in the town.