First History Walk along the Erne Bridges at Ballyshannon

On Monday 4^th August 2014 the first ever history walk taking in the three bridges in Ballyshannon will be held. Aodh Ruadh (Red Hugh) O’Donnell’s bridge, William Allingham Bridge and the Assaroe footbridge are close to  the centre of town and from these bridges can be seen much of historic Ballyshannon. Along the way the walk will lead to Ballyhanna where the amazing excavations took place during the building of the by-pass. Memories will be brought to life of incidents along the Port, which was until the 1940s the main routes to and from Northern Ireland and to Bundoran, Sligo and the West. 

Open invitation to all to gather at the Market Yard at 3 p.m. and join the walk. The event is part of a week of events organised as Ballyshannon Live. Check for further details of other events. 

Many events will be recalled including:

1.      Red Hugh O’ Donnell’s connections with the town

2.      Corry McGinty eel weir

3.      Kathleen’s Falls and its history

4.      Ballyhanna a forgotten cemetery

5.      Curious link between the Convent and the Flight of the Earls

6.      Patrick Sarsfield in Ballyshannon

7.      Murders in the Port

8.      The Night of the Big Wind

9.      Bianconi and the Vanyard

10.  Rogan’s Fly Tying Craft

11.  The site of The Donegal Vindicator

12.  Memories of the War of Independence

13.  Eoin O’ Duffy and the Blueshirts

14.  Early days of the movies

15.  The Hydro-Electric Scheme

And much much more-------------

Forthcoming Events

Saturday 20^th September Nostalgic Famine Visit: A great-great grandchild of one of the Famine orphan girls will be welcomed to Ballyshannon on Saturday 20^th September in the afternoon. The orphan girls are commemorated at the Memorial opened in May of this year beside the Workhouse. We hope that lots of people from a wide  area will attend this emotional visit and there will be music, song and stories to mark the visit. All are welcome to attend to welcome home a descendant of an orphan girl who left Ballyshannon at the height of the Famine in October 1848. Further details later.

Friday 7^th November Ghostly Talk: As part of the Allingham Arts Week-end a talk entitled “Ballyshannon’s ghostly past including links to Dracula and Frankstein” will be given in the Abbey Arts Centre at 8.30 p.m. The talk by Anthony Begley will be given in memory of Kathleen and Louis Emerson of County Donegal Historical Society. All welcome to attend.

Please spread the word about the events above as support is always needed.

 

A local history book for all special occasions available at The Novel Idea Bookshop Ballyshannon, Ballyshannon and District Museum and The Four Masters Bookshop Donegal Town.

50% Reduction on postage for orders for this book to all destinations. Genuine special offer from author. Signed hard back and soft back books available at special  price for postal delivery or collection. Book Available from Anthony Begley West Rock Ballyshannon. anthonyrbegley@hotmail.com  Enquiries welcome for postal and other details