Ballyshannon 400 and Forthcoming Blogs for our Worldwide Diaspora

Ballyshannon 400

Ballyshannon 400 will showcase the cultural, sporting and community activities for which the area is renowned. There will be a host of events on in the town every day from 5th-11th August. Ballyshannon 400 looks back to a moment in time when the town was granted a charter and became a borough town. Ballyshannon Town Council in association with Backing Ballyshannon are organising a week of events to mark the granting of a charter to the town 400 years ago (1613-2013). There will be daily events from the 5^th – 11^th August 2013 when it is hoped that many of our diaspora and friends will visit Ballyshannon.

Background to the Charter of 1613

• The English government as part of the conquest of Ireland set about planting the land with settlers from mainland Britain. The Ulster Plantation at the beginning of the 17^th century resulted in the dispossession of the Gaelic chieftains and their replacement by servitors and undertakers who were rewarded for their military service in the wars against the Irish amongst other things. The O’ Donnells lost all their lands in the Ballyshannon area as did the Cistercian monks at Assaroe and the Ó Cléirighs at Kilbarron Castle. 

• To maintain control of places like Ballyshannon the English demolished the O’Donnell castle in the Market Yard. They erected barracks to control this important crossing point on the Erne which led into west Ulster. Sir Henry Folliott who had served in the military wars against the Irish was granted the town and much of the surrounding areas. He later became one of three members of his family to be Barons of Ballyshannon. Trinity College was also granted lands including the area around Wardtown Castle and lands around Bundoran.

Ballyshannon Created a Borough by Royal Charter 1613

• On the 23^rd March 1613 Ballyshannon was granted a charter by King James1 which allowed it to have borough status. Around the same time Lifford and Donegal Town were also created as borough towns.
• Ballyshannon was to be developed as a town with a strong military garrison to defend the English interests and to control the native Irish.  
• Another reason for developing the town was to make it economically attractive for the settlers as a centre for trade for merchants and others. 
• Ballyshannon was ideally located as a seaport which could expand on this commercial trade through importing and exporting goods. 
• The town was to grow as a centre for supplying a wide hinterland including the strong garrison based here.

Some of the Privileges of being a Borough Town 

• Ballyshannon was granted a corporation with 12 burgesses under a Provost (Portreeve). The first 12 appointed were Bennet Payne (Provost), Henry Folliott, William Rastell, Richard Bennett, Stephen Orme, William Atkinson, John Connor, John Glasson, Hugh Allingham, John Forster, John  Stephenson and Francis Edmunds.

• The burgesses also had the right to hold fairs and markets in Ballyshannon. The memory of these markets is maintained in the Market Yard which nowadays is a car park. Until recent times the town also had a Market House and a Fair Green which nowadays is Allingham Park. The town down through the subsequent centuries was a successful market town and the cattle and horse fairs drew dealers from Ulster, Connacht and served a wide area. The biggest fair of the year was the Harvest Fair held annually in September.

• Under the Charter Ballyshannon was entitled to have a court of record which could try civil cases up to the amount of £3-6-8.

• The burgesses also could introduce bye-laws, regulate tolls and set up a guild of merchants with a common seal.

Ballyshannon had Two Members of Parliament 

• The burgesses were able to elect 2 members of parliament in this closed borough. This meant that a small elite controlled who the members of parliament would be; and needless to say whose interests they would serve. People like “The Speaker Conolly” who had been born in the town and went on to become one of the richest men in Ireland, in the early 18^th century, controlled (through the burgesses) the election of these members of parliament.The first two members of parliament for Ballyshannon were Paul Gore who resided at Magherabeg near Donegal Town and Edward Cherrye whose name is still recalled in a place name on the road to Belleek called Cherrymount. 
• When these closed boroughs were disbanded by the Act of Union 1801 the Earl of Belmore who lived at Castlecoole which stills stands close to Enniskillen golf club was paid £15,000 compensation as he controlled the 2 seats at that period. He had originally bought the 2 seats in parliament from the Conollys for £12,000. Castlecoole is a fine period house which was built with Portland stone, marble etc. which had been shipped to Ballyshannon and then brought by barge up the Erne to Enniskillen. From the Act of Union onwards Ballyshannon no longer had 2 members of parliament.

Ballyshannon the Largest  and Oldest Town in County Donegal in the 17th Century

• Towns as we know them today were quite small in the 17th century.  In 1695 Ballyshannon was the biggest town in County Donegal with a population of 134 made up of 71 Irish and 63 English and Scots. Donegal Town had a population of 95. Letterkenny had a population of 73.

 

• In the overall history of the town it should be remembered that Ballyshannon is recognised, in the legendary accounts, as the place where the first settlers resided over 5,000 years ago. The area has a very rich Gaelic culture which will be discussed in a future blog which will reflect on the O’Donnells, the Ó Cléirighs and the other families who have left us a proud heritage prior to the Ulster Plantation. 

Lots Happening in Ballyshannon in Early August 2013- Hope You Can Make It

In the lead up to Ballyshannon 400 visitors will be in town for the Ballyshannon Folk Festival which takes place from the 1st to the 4th August also for a Dedication Service and weekend events to commemorate the Erne Fishery Case  on 3^rd and 4^th of August. A future blog will discuss the victory in 1933 won by the people in what has become known as The Erne  Fishery Case 

So Ballyshannon will have lots of interesting events happening and it would be an ideal time for our diaspora to be here for some or all of Ballyshannon 400 from 5th-11th August when there will be daily events of a historic, cultural and community nature. 

Check out the events you might like to attend later in the year including Ballyshannon 400 on http://www.ballyshannon.ie  Lots happening in Ballyshannon in the summertime including Rory Gallagher Festival in June http://www.rorygallagherfestival.com/ 
Ballyshannon Folk Festival http://ballyshannonfolkfestival.com/ 

Forthcoming Blogs in June 2013 

1st June The Most Unusual Legal Case Ever in Ballyshannon

8th June The Conversion of Ballyshannon 

15th June A Forgotten Story plus The Top Ten Most Popular Blogs in 2013 

22nd June The Games People Played a Century Ago

Ballyshannon Musings:  Good to hear that people from the Ballyshannon area are enjoying the blog in over 40 countries. 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 on Ballyshannon Musings during 2013, the year of “The Gathering”. The blogs are original and are not taken from the book below. 

Welcome New Attractions for Visitors to Ballyshannon
  

1. The Ballyshannon and District Museum, with coffee shop available, is newly opened  in Slevin's Department Store.
2. Dicey Reilly's Micro-Brewery Market Street, the first established in County Donegal
3. "Local Hands"  Arts and Crafts Gallery  newly opened in Main Street Ballyshannon.

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 struggle, hydro-electric scheme, Gaelic games, boxing, handball, Boy Scouts, soccer, mummers, characters, organisations, folklore and lots more.

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

Next Blog posted Saturday 1st June is called "The Most Unusual Legal Case Ever in Ballyshannon"



 

Bundoran a Leading Tourist Resort and Scene of a Hurling Match in 1839

Bundoran! and your summer crowds that run                                        

From inland homes to see with joy

th’ Atlantic- setting sun; 

To breathe the buoyant salted air,

and sport among the waves

To gather shells on sandy beach,

and tempt the gloomy caves; 

To watch the flowing, ebbing tide

The boats, the crabs, the fish; 

Young men and maids to meet and smile

And form a tender wish; 

The sick and old in search of health,

For all things have their turn-

And I must quit my native shore,

And the winding banks of Erne.

“The Winding Banks of Erne”

William Allingham

An Allingham Connection with Bundoran

The poet William Allingham was born in Ballyshannon in 1824 and as the above verse from his poem “The Winding Banks of Erne” indicates he was familiar with Bundoran as a tourist town in his youth. The verse revealed the attractions of Bundoran for people living inland, breathing the bracing air, swimming in the waves, gathering shells, fishing, courting and those who came for the healthy lifestyle.

Edward Allingham, an uncle of the poet, lived at Magheracar, on the outskirts of Bundoran, and Edward’s daughter Florinda married a man called William Scott and they built Allingham Lodge which nowadays is the Allingham Hotel. This explains the name on the hotel and the McEniff-McIntyre family is to be commended on keeping the connection alive with verses from Allingham’s poetry displayed on mirrors, local names such as The Coolmore Room and prints of Helen Allingham the artist, who was the wife of William Allingham, on display in the hotel. It is also interesting to note that the Scott family were supporters of the fight to maintain a right of way to the seashore which was championed in the courts by Canon Kelaghan P.P in Bundoran.

Bundoran- A Resort for the 'Fashionables' in 1839

The Liberator was a short-lived newspaper in Ballyshannon which only published for one year. It was set up by The Sligo Champion and had an office on the Mall in Ballyshannon. It reported in 1839 that the sea-side resort of Bundoran was filling up rapidly with tourists and was a popular resort, “with the fashionables”. Early tourists in 1839 would have been landed gentry who built some of the substantial properties in and around Bundoran. These would have been the well- heeled or 'fashionables' like the Earl of Belmore from Castlecoole in Enniskillen. Some of these people would have taken houses for the week or month or stayed in the developing hotels. Important to remember that the report below was written in pre-Famine times before the Great Northern Railway was opened in the 1860s, and indicated a resort which had been catering for tourists for some time.

Tourist Promotion in the 19th Century

The reporter in the Ballyshannon newspaper, The Liberator, could certainly have been hired as a consultant for tourist promotion of this popular resort, as his glowing account of the resort below would be well received by Shane Smyth, Bundoran Tourist Officer, in the 21^st century:

This remarkably neat sea-bathing village is, at present, almost full of fashionables; they throng from various parts, even the most distant of the counties of Leitrim, Cavan,  Fermanagh and Donegal, about this season of the year, to enjoy the salubrity of its waters. No place on the North-West coast of Ireland, can present so cheerful an appearance, during the summer months, as this village; it is the rendezvous of the rank and fashion of all the adjoining counties-enlivened by myriads of bright scenes, sweet sounds, and sights of beauty.

The shore has its peculiar advantages to the bather, while the numerous hills and long chains of mountain scenery, which fill up the background, are rare objects of admiration. Nothing can be wanted here, that nature or art could produce, to enliven and diversify its features of attraction, in the eyes of the stranger.

Lodgings and the accommodation of visitors are extremely good; and, as will be seen by an advertisement of this day, the epicure however fastidious may also cater as largely and as daintily for his squeamish palate, as the incursions upon appetite, of sea air and rural rambles may possibly give occasion for. Nugent’s Hotel, one of the neatest, and most desirably situated, is fitted up for the reception of families, in a style of comfort we have nowhere seen surpassed; and the attention of its proprietor-his unremitting and constant exertions to combine advantage with economy, entitle him to the patronage of visitors, interested for the fullest enjoyment of the place, at a moderate and reasonable expense .

Bathing has commenced very generally- every house almost is either occupied or engaged, so that we strongly recommend those who wish to visit Bundoran this season to make the earliest exertions to secure accommodation.

I wonder where Nugent’s hotel named above in 1839 was situated? The Hamilton Hotel (now part of the Holyrood Hotel) was also there in the early 19^th century. 

Growth in Tourism for the Masses
 
The arrival of the GNR Railway in 1867 was to herald a major movement in people to the seaside. Later the Great Northern Hotel and golf course was built by the railway company in 1894. Interesting that the railway companies developed golf courses and hotels in various locations to attract those who could afford the holiday.As well as improving the bank balance for the railway company the GNR really speeded up the development of resorts like Bundoran.  

The first of this mass tourism was when people came on  day excursions to the seaside on the railway. Day excursions were the main holiday many people had in the early days and there were occasions when a large proportion of the population of Ballyshannon, for example, set off on the train to go to Portrush or some other far flung location for the day out. 

See last week's blog "Ten Visitor Attractions of the Past" for more on Bundoran as a holiday resort.

A Hurling Match on Tullan Strand Bundoran in 1839

A reference to a common game (Camán or Common or Hurling) in The Ballyshannon Herald resulted in an angry complaint from another local newspaper called, The Liberator, about misreporting in March 1839. The Ballyshannon Herald, the first newspaper printed in County Donegal, reported that the game was a front for illegal or Whiteboy activities.

In an angry reply The Liberator newspaper denied that this was the purpose and that the game was a means of entertainment for the people: 

On Tuesday last- (and by the way, that Tuesday was March 25, then a holyday of obligation) – a Common game took place on Tullan Strand, near this town. There were at least 300 persons on either side, and there could be less than 2,000 spectators. The game was ably contested, which excited much interest. Every person in the vast multitude appeared happy. There was not the slightest disposition to riot shown by anyone. About six in the evening the strand was completely cleared of the people.

So hurling (camán) was played in this area over one hundred and seventy years ago. As can be seen it was a much different game than today with at least 300 people on each team! Referees would have operated on horseback and the identification of players must have been difficult as the players had no team jerseys. Still the numbers attending showed tremendous local interest but it was to be another seventy years before the G.A.A. was established in this area with proper rules for games and referees with whistles! Who needed Hawkeye or any cameras to decide if a score was legal? Matches were often tests of strengths between different townlands or districts and no doubt the victors were held in high esteem until the next encounter. 

Tullan Strand at Bundoran is today a hub for surfing and horse riding but in its day it saw some mighty sporting battles with 600 players engaged in a game of hurling in 1839.


Ballyshannon Musings:  Good to hear that people from the Ballyshannon area are enjoying the blog in over 40 countries. 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 on Ballyshannon Musings during 2013, the year of “The Gathering”. The blogs are original and are not taken from the book below.

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 ballyshannon.ie or mdaly@donegalcoco.ie or www.facebook.com/Ballyshannon Town Council  for further details.

The Ballyshannon and District Museum, with coffee shop available, is newly opened  in Slevin's Department Store. Well worth a visit Monday to Saturday.

In neigbouring Bundoran there is an exhibition of photographs both old and more modern in The Library and also in the Tourist Office which captures the nostalgia of the seaside town over  the past century. This exhibition will continue for the year of the Gathering and is well worth a look.

Next Blog posted Saturday 25th May called " Ballyshannon 400 and Forthcoming Blogs for our Worldwide Diaspora" commemorating 1613 when Ballyshannon got a charter which conferred many rights on the town including 2 representatives in parliament.

 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 struggle, hydro-electric scheme, Gaelic games, boxing, handball, Boy Scouts, soccer, mummers, characters, organisations, folklore and lots more.

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

Ten Local Visitor Attractions in Bygone Days

Two hundred years ago tourism in this region was in its infancy and public transport relied on horse drawn carriages for any serious moving about in the region. Railways did not appear in this area until the Great Northern Railway opened through Ballyshannon, Bundoran and Belleek in 1867. Prior to that only the wealthy and the adventurers explored the area. Below are listed 10 attractions which brought the earliest visitors to the area. They are not listed in any order of preference.
 

1. Inis Saimer Where Civilisation Began!

According to the legendary accounts written in the early manuscripts Inis Saimer at Ballyshannon was the location of the earliest settlers in Ireland. This small island is situated beside the Mall Quay and Parthalon and his followers settled here having travelled from the Mediterranean region c. 5,000 years ago. The name of the island is said to be named after a favourite dog of Parthalon’s wife who was killed in a fit of jealousy. But that is another story! (See Ballyshannon Genealogy and History below for further details).  in the 18th and 19^th centuries the Mall Quay was a hive of industry with salmon fishing, cargo boats, an adjacent distillery and a great view of the Assaroe Falls. Ships plied their trade with England, Scandanavia, France and Russia to name but a few countries. Emigrants began their long journey to the United States of America and Canada from this harbour. Early travellers all visited the Mall Quay and commented on the commercial life of the town which was unfortunately hampered by the silting of sand at the bar which over time prevented ships from entering the harbour.

2. Fishing on the Erne

The earliest tourists who would have been seen in this area would have been fishermen who fished the Erne which had a national reputation as the finest salmon river in Ireland. The fishermen added to the local economy as they had to get fishing licences from the Sheil family who lived in College Street in Ballyshannon. (Sheil House still stands today and was known to older residents of the area as the Brothers House where the De La Salle Brothers resided in the 20^th century. At present it is occupied by the Health Service Executive). The fishermen also employed local gillies to show them the best fishing haunts, to supply them with flies and bait and to carry their gear. These gentlemen fishermen stayed in local hotels such as Cockburn’s Hotel and  Browne’s Hotel , both on Main Street,where a regular feature on the landscape was the fishing gear drying off in the front of the hotels. Rogan’s Fly Tying craft was famous and this family deserve to be remembered for the international reputation of their fishing flies. Today their premises are occupied by the Credit Union building. Lough Melvin in nearby Co. Leitrim was also popular with fishermen  and continues as a fishing destination today. Belleek also shared in this fishing tourism.

3. Bundoran and the Fairy Bridges

The earliest visitors to the seaside town of Bundoran were the gentry who rented or built houses and who resided there for the summer season. The visitors came mainly for the health properties associated with the bracing sea breezes and in many senses early Bundoran was seen as a health resort. As the 19^th century progressed bathing boxes were to appear on the beaches as swimming became more popular. The modern phenomenon of sunbathing and tanning was not a feature of the early days and indeed a pale complexion was valued more than a ruddy one! Local gentry such as the Allingham’s, Coanes and Sheil family in Ballyshannon rented or owned houses in Bundoran and went to stay there for a month or so at a time. Early travellers were extremely curious about natural phenomena like the Giant’s Causeway, Barnesmore Gap and Bundoran had the natural curiosity of the Fairy Bridges overlooking Tullan strand which was frequently commented on by visitors. Bundoran was also used as a base for fishing on Lough Melvin and the Drowes. Game hunting in the area towards the Leitrim mountains was also very popular. Next week’s blog carries more material about Bundoran. Bundoran really took off as a holiday resort with the coming of the Great Northern Railway in 1867.

 4. Rossnowlagh Beach

William Allingham (1824-1889) the Ballyshannon poet mentions Coolmore  in Rossnowlagh and the salted air of the Atlantic where people played in the waves in his poem called “The Winding Banks of Erne” written in the mid-19^th century. Early tourists needed to have their own private transport as Rossnowlagh at that time was not serviced by a railway and was not on the direct route from Enniskillen or Derry or Sligo. Families like the Sheils who built the hospital in Ballyshannon had an early holiday home on the ground where the Franciscan Friary is today. It was to be the early 20^th century before Rossnowlagh became a popular resort with the arrival of the County Donegal Railway in 1905-1906.  People from Ballyshannon, Donegal Town and further afield were able to travel to the seaside by train and with the arrival of motorised transport Rossnowlagh’s popularity increased with people from Northern Ireland. Creevy also became popular with the arrival of the railway. Rossnowlagh is a jewel in the crown which developed slowly and with its magnificent beach,  described by the author Stephen Gwynn as “exquisite,” will continue to be popular in the future.

  
5. The Pullens at Ballintra

The river Blackwater flows through the Brownhall estate in Ballintra and frequently disappears underground into a series of caves and rock formations which were a source of great interest to travel writers of the past. Called The Pullens (Pullins) they are a natural creation located a few miles from Ballyshannon. In bygone days Captain Hamilton opened The Pullens on 1^st June every year to entertain the public who were invited to visit this series of underground caves and river on his estate at Brownhall. The Pullens was a major attraction as far back as the early 19^th century when the first tourists to this region had it on their list of things to see. It helped that it was close to the main route from Sligo to Derry. This custom of opening the Pullens to the public continued into recent times.The estate is owned by the Hamilton family who are still in residence in this private estate today.

6.  Kilbarron Castle

The Ó Cléirigh Castle located on a majestic site overlooking Donegal Bay was recognized as a significant historical site as it was the home of the Ó Cléirigh (O’Cleary) family who produced Michael Ó Cléirigh principal author of “The Annals of the Four Masters”. Mr. and Mrs. S.C. Hall, renowned travellers, were so taken with the site and spectacular location of the castle, which was in ruins when they visited in 1843, that they included a sketch in their book. In the 19^th century it was not on any of the main routes and did not get as many visits as its location merited. The ruins of the castle are well worth a visit today as they are accessible along a panoramic pathway beginning close to Creevy Pier.  On the main road to Rossnowlagh is the easily accesible ruins of their church called Kilbarron Church.
Wardtown Castle a short distance away was built in 1739 and commands a beautiful site overlooking the Erne estuary also featured in some  of the travel writers to the area. Well worth a visit also today as there are impressive ruins and the legend of The Colleen Bawn.

7. The Assaroe Waterfall

Travel writers who visited the town of Ballyshannon frequently mentioned the waterfall as the most beautiful and spectacular attraction in the town. This waterfall was a nationally known attraction which was reputed to be one of the finest in Ireland. The local poet William Allingham believed that the waterfall was the heartbeat or sound of the town. Located downstream from the bridge in the centre of town the early writers who explored the hidden Ireland always were impressed by the salmon leaping the falls. This salmon leap drew visitors and locals and was in its day a meeting place for people both for fishing, for relaxation and for conversation at the end of a days work.

No more on pleasant evenings

We’ll saunter down the Mall,

When the trout is rising to the fly

The salmon to the fall.

The Assaroe waterfall was demolished over 60 years ago when the Erne Hydro-Electric scheme was constructed.

8. Belleek and Castlecaldwell

The Caldwell family built a town house in Ballyshannon in the 18^th century where the Saimer Court Shopping Centre is today.Their main place of residence was at Castlecaldwell just beyond Belleek. Richard Twiss visited the Caldwells and stayed for a week in 1775 admiring the setting of one of Ireland’s most beautiful country houses. The following year another famous traveller Sir Arthur Young visited the Caldwells and whilst admiring the beautiful surround felt that the house itself was obscured by trees. The house and lands passed to the Bloomfields who were responsible for the building of the world famous Belleek Pottery. The Pottery commenced in 1858 beside the bridge into the pretty village, overlooked by the splendid falls of Rose Isle. Belleek possessed all the necessary ingredients for a successful pottery including china clay and felspar discovered at Castlecaldwell, great water power and the Great Northern Railway which J.C. Bloomfield promoted. The area also benefitted from the lucrative fishing on the river Erne.

 9. Abbey Assaroe

“Gray, Gray is Abbey Assaroe by Belashanny town,

 It has neither door nor window the walls are broken down.”

The Cistercian Abbey of Assaroe was built in the 12^th century and was located close to the banks of the Abbey river. It overlooked the Erne estuary and was for centuries the centre of education, religion and hospitality in the region. Most early travellers to the area visited the location of the Abbey in the 18^th and 19^th century but as it was in ruins from the 17^th century the verse from William Allingham above written in the mid 19^th century could describe their impressions. Nevertheless it is an important historical and religious site and with the grave of the last Abbot who died in the 17^th century, the Abbot Quin, still legible in the graveyard is worth a visit.

10. The 14- Arched Bridge at Ballyshannon

One of the great scenes for the early visitors coming in the Belleek road to Ballyshannon was the view of the 14- arched bridge over the winding banks of Erne at Ballyshannon. This view captured the essence of the town with the barracks at the bridge, the eel weir,  the town clock, St. Anne’s Church on Mullaghnashee and  St. Patrick’s Church with its impressive architecture. This view is captured on the cover of my book “Ballyshannon Genealogy and History” which was a painting by local woman Maud Allingham. Fishermen cast their lines from the bridge into the Erne below and there was great excitement and spectator sport when a salmon was hooked and played by the fisherman.

 Ballyshannon Musings:  Good to hear that people from the Ballyshannon area are enjoying the blog in over 40 countries. 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 on Ballyshannon Musings during 2013, the year of “The Gathering”. The blogs are original and 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 struggle, hydro-electric scheme, Gaelic games, boxing, handball, Boy Scouts, soccer, mummers, characters, organisations, folklore and lots more.

Book Available from Anthony Begley 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.
 

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 ballyshannon.ie for further details or www.facebook.com/Ballyshannon Town Council. 

The Ballyshannon and District Museum, with coffee shop available, is newly opened  in Slevin's Department Store. Well worth a visit Monday to Saturday. 

In neighbouring Bundoran there is an exhibition of photographs both old and more modern in The Library and also in the Tourist Office which captures the nostalgia of the seaside town over  the past century. This exhibition will continue for the year of the Gathering and is well worth a look.


Next Blog posted Saturday 18th  May called: "Bundoran an Early Tourist Resort and Location of a Hurling Match in 1839".