A Landmark of Old Ballyshannon.

The roofless Old Distillery building visible across the river Erne from the Mall Quay as   locals enjoy an ice cream and a bit of fishing in the May sunshine.

If you are able to go for a walk or a drive you might like to have a look at an iconic landmark in Ballyshannon as you pass along. This is also a good opportunity to help young people learn a little about their local area. If you are away from Ballyshannon hopefully you can see one of the great memories of Ballyshannon industry on your next visit. The ruins of the distillery where whiskey was made can still be seen from the Mall Quay or if you stand on the footbridge which is reachable from the Bundoran road opposite “The Limit” or from the Mall down the lane beside “Nirvana”.  

Ballyshannon Distillery was constructed on the site of a manor mill where tenants used to bring their grain in former days. That is why the area on the Bundoran road behind the distillery is known as Milltown today. The large stone distillery building has been roofless for well over a century. 

This distillery was opened in 1827 and was originally called Thomas Bennison, Andrew Hamilton and Company but this partnership dissolved in 1833. The distillery was then called the Ballyshannon Distillery Company. It re-opened in 1839 with new equipment installed by Mr. Craig of Derry. This re-opening had an unusual benefit for the poor as they depended on burn-beer and grains at a cheap price from the distillery to feed their cattle.

In the year ended 10^th October 1828; 501,939 gallons of cornwash were distilled and 48,462 gallons of whiskey produced. A big business in Ballyshannon.

In February 1846 the first ever steamer “The Unity” arrived at Ballyshannon harbour with barley for the distillery. The port of Ballyshannon was within sight of the distillery and this meant that alcohol could be easily transported by ship.The growth of the temperance movement in Ireland, from the 1840s, saw a decline in alcohol consumption, for a period, as many people took the pledge to abstain from drink.

A Fishy Tale:  In the early days of the Distillery the lessee of the Fisheries sued the Ballyshannon Distillery Company for damages. It was stated, that on the fish becoming intoxicated with the “wash” discharged from the distillery, they flounderd and flounced about the river, in a mad abandon, and some of them were seen to jump the Falls at unprecedented heights! Ballyshannon Distillery closed in 1852.

Limited edition quality hardback with dust jacket as above available in A Novel Idea and Local Hands Ballyshannon and Four Masters Bookshop Donegal Town. Also available for postage from anthonyrbegley@hotmail.com

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, Rossnowlagh 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.