Forthcoming Blogs and Events for a Worldwide Audience

Ballyshannon Musings -Worldwide Interest -40 Countries

Ballyshannon Musings is now being received by people in the  40 countries listed below who have an interest or connection with the Ballyshannon area.

Australia, Barbados, Belize, Brazil, Canada, China, Cyprus, France, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Ivory Coast, Kenya,  Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, U.S.A., Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Vietnam, Zambia.

Ballyshannon and District Museum was officially opened by Ballyshannon man Charlie McGettigan, a former winner of the Eurovision Song Contest, in a fine new facility in Slevin's Department Store with a coffee shop available. Should be of great interest to all our visitors for the Gathering and for years to come. Also a valuable asset for local people and schools. A very large turnout for the launch showed  the continued interest in the history of the oldest town in Ireland.Well done Shane Toolan, Kevin Gallagher and all involved in a great community effort.Congrats also to Barry Sweeny, local artist, on his very interesting paintings of Ballyshannon and its historical personalities.

Forthcoming Blogs

27th April:  Masters, Murders, American Wakes and a Local Link to Florence Nightingale
4th May:  Coolmore National School Centenary Ballad 1952
11th May: Ten Local Tourist Attractions 200 Years Ago.
18th May: Bundoran an Early Tourist Resort and Location of a Hurling Match in 1839
25th May: Ballyshannon 400

The Gathering in Ballyshannon: Google “The Gathering in Ballyshannon” for more details of special events you might like to attend later in the year. Lots happening in Ballyshannon in the summertime including Rory Gallagher Festival,  Ballyshannon Folk Festival also Ballyshannon 400 celebrating the granting of a town charter in 1613 and there will also be a commemoration of the Kildoney Fishermen’s victory in 1933. Check out www.facebook.com/Ballyshannon Town Council or ballyshannon.ie for further details.

Ballyshannon Musings:  Please let people with an interest in Ballyshannon and surrounding areas know about this site, particularly people who are not living locally and those who are abroad. The site is called Ballyshannon Musings and there are a number of back issues available on the internet. Copy this link and it can be googled at  http://ballyshannon-musings.blogspot.ie/ The site can be located on the internet (or by connecting to my Facebook page). New items will be posted every week or two on Ballyshannon Musings during 2013, the year of “The Gathering”. The blogs are not taken from the book below.

A New Local History suitable for those at Home and Away 

Anthony Begley, local historian, published a new book entitled: "Ballyshannon. Genealogy and History" which reveals newly researched history and genealogy of the town, extending as far as the Rossnowlagh, Cashelard, Corlea, Clyhore, Higginstown and Finner areas. Includes the parishes of Kilbarron and Magh Ene.

The genealogy material provides detailed guidelines for anyone tracing their roots in the area or anywhere in County Donegal or Ireland. The book contains 500 pages and is richly illustrated with stunning colour, aerial photography, original illustrations and rare photographs of the area not seen before.

Topics include: How to go about Tracing your Roots/The first settlers in the area/ Newly researched history of the town of Ballyshannon and the townlands in Kilbarron and Mágh Éne parishes/ Records of the first travellers and tourists to Ballyshannon, Bundoran, Belleek and Ballintra/An aerial guide to place names along the Erne from Ballyshannon to the Bar/Flora and Fauna of the area/ A history of buildings and housing estates in the locality/Graveyard Inscriptions from the Abbey graveyard, St. Joseph’s and St. Anne’s /Rolling back the years with many memories of the Great Famine, Independence strugglle, hydro-electric scheme, Gaelic games, boxing, handball, Boy Scouts, soccer, mummers, characters, organisations, folklore and lots more.

Book Available from Anthony Begley West Rock Ballyshannon. anthonyrbegley@hotmail.com tel. 0872351044. Enquiries welcome for postal and other details, also available from The Novel Idea Bookshop Ballyshannon and The Four Masters Bookshop Donegal Town.