While Waterford is Ireland’s oldest city, Ballyshannon is its oldest town! It is thought that the very first settlement in Ireland occurred on the tiny island of “Inis Saimer” in the centre of the Erne Estuary, right beside where Ballyshannon now stands. It is thought that this first group of settlers was led by “Parthalon”, a chieftain from Scythia (close to modern Macedonia), who landed here around 2700 years before the birth of Christ. He must have been a hardy individual. Venturing across thousands of miles of open sea in a primitive sailing vessel is no mean feat. But Parthalon did win a place in history for both himself and Ballyshannon, and he is well remembered for his extraordinary exploits.
Today Ballyshannon is a vibrant town, and the ideal base from which to tour Donegal and its neighbouring counties of Sligo, Leitrim and Fermanagh. The town has a particularly rich history in the areas of drama, and music. It was the birthplace of the popular poet William Allingham and also, of course, of one of the world’s greatest Rock guitarists, Rory Gallagher. Now the “Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival” is Ireland’s biggest Rock ‘n Blues Festival, and indeed the largest annual gathering of Rock ‘n Blues fans anywhere in the world. Followers of the late great Rory Gallagher descend on Ballyshannon, and its hostelries are filled with electric guitar buffs, good, and sometimes not so good! A superb festival, and a great weekend event!
The annual Ballyshannon Folk and Traditional Music Festival takes place every August. Once again the streets, and pubs of Ballyshannon are filled with the sounds of traditional music. The line-up is always first-class, with appearances by many of Irelands very best performers. The Festival also offers plenty of pub sessions, street entertainment, workshops and the annual showcase competition with its €1000 top prise. Highly recommended.
How to get to Ballyshannon
By bus or car. Follow the N15 north from Sligo, or the N15 south from Donegal town. Travelling by car will allow you explore this wonderful coastline in great detail.
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Ballyshannon is surrounded by beautiful coastal towns. Don't miss Rossnowlagh and Donegal if you are travelling north, and don't miss Bundoran, and Mullaghmore, if you are travelling south.
Where to stay in Ballyshannon
Ballyshannon in Donegal has a fine selection of places to stay including hotels, self-catering holiday homes, guesthouses and B&B's.
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Things to do in Ballyshannon
- Ballyshannon was the birthplace of one of the world’s greatest Rock guitarists, Rory Gallagher. Now the Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival is Ireland’s biggest Rock ‘n Blues Festival, and indeed the largest annual gathering of Rock ‘n Blues fans anywhere in the world. Followers of the late great Rory Gallagher descend on Ballyshannon, and its hostelries are filled with electric guitar buffs, good, and sometimes not so good! A superb festival, and a great weekend event!
- Visit the two handcrafted pottery industries Celtic Weave and Donegal Parian China. Belleek Pottery is is crafted just across the border in Northern Ireland too.
- Explore the Abbey Assaroe, near the town, with its restored mill complete with waterwheels.
FAQs
Top Attractions in Ballyshannon
Great vibe to it and if you know who Rory Gallagher is you cannot afford to missout on a visit. Each as passionate about others craft as they are of their own. Step into the life of a farmer at Campview Farm! Campview Farm is a fully functional family business in Ireland's oldest town.
Is Ballyshannon the oldest town in Ireland? ›
While Waterford is Ireland's oldest city, Ballyshannon is its oldest town! It is thought that the very first settlement in Ireland occurred on the tiny island of “Inis Saimer” in the centre of the Erne Estuary, right beside where Ballyshannon now stands.
Is Donegal Town worth visiting? ›
Traditionally a Market Town with a Diamond at its centre it is easily accessible for visitors and locals to explore the abundance of shops, dining, cultural and heritage attractions, bars and entertainment suitable for all tastes and ages.
Is Ballyshannon in northern or southern Ireland? ›
Ballyshannon (Irish: Béal Átha Seanaidh, meaning 'the mouth of Seannach's ford') is a town in County Donegal, Ireland. It is located at the southern end of the county where the N3 from Dublin ends and the N15 crosses the River Erne.
What is Ireland's number 1 tourist attraction? ›
The Cliffs of Moher are Ireland's most popular tourist attraction, welcoming more than 1 million visitors each year.
What is Ballyshannon famous for? ›
One of Ireland's most famous poets, William Allingham (1824-1889), came from Ballyshannon. He described his native town as “the kindly spot, the friendly town”. Ballyshannon is also home to rock singer and guitarist Rory Gallagher and hosts a Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival to honour him each year.
What is Ireland's best kept town? ›
Randalstown, County Antrim was named overall winner of Ireland's Best Kept Town competition, 2024. In other award categories Malin, County Donegal won the Best Kept Village category and Roscommon, County Roscommon won the Best Kept Large Town category.
Is Ballyshannon a good place to live? ›
The top reasons Nextdoor Neighbors love Ballyshannon are: clean, dog friendly, family friendly, food, nature, peaceful, quiet, safe, trees, and wildlife.
What is the prettiest town in Donegal? ›
Ramelton, one of the five designated Heritage Towns in Donegal, is a vibrant and visually stunning town, nestling on the slopes of the Lennon River. Its rich cultural heritage lends the town a distinctive visage with many well preserved Georgian buildings.
What food is Donegal known for? ›
Donegal, especially, is home to numerous Fish and Chip shops, Seafood Restaurants and pubs that specialise in a fish dinner with a pint. This is not too say that all eateries in the North West deal only in fish, far from it.
Glenveagh National Park is a remote and hauntingly beautiful wilderness of rugged mountains, pristine lakes, tumbling waterfalls and enchanted native oak woodland in the heart of the Derryveagh Mountains in the north west of County Donegal.
Is Donegal Catholic or Protestant? ›
Is Donegal Catholic or Protestant? In the 2022 census, 77% of people from Donegal were catholic (128,000), which had come down from 82% in 2016. Just to compare, 5469 people were Presbyterian (a Protestant denomination).
How big is Ballyshannon? ›
Ballyshannon is a market town in southern County Donegal, 22 km south of Donegal Town, and with a population of 2300 in 2016. It's by the estuary of the River Erne and in Irish it's Béal Átha Seanaidh, "the mouth of Seannach's ford". It's best known as the birthplace of the guitarist Rory Gallagher.
Is Donegal British or Irish? ›
County Donegal is one of the 26 counties of the Republic of Ireland. It's a border County, bounded on the southwest, west and north by the Atlantic Ocean and on the east by Counties Tyrone, Derry, Fermanagh and Leitrim.
What is the most scenic part of Ireland? ›
County Antrim
In Northern Ireland, County Antrim is arguably the most beautiful county in the country. County Antrim is a microcosm of the entire country, as within its long boundaries you can find cities, towns, villages, national parks, waterfalls, forests and coastal scenery.
What is the least visited town in Ireland? ›
The National Tourism Development Authority of Ireland states that Longford is the least visited county town in Ireland. There are a number of reasons why this could be the case. One is Longford's underdeveloped potential in tourism, according to a Co.
What is the most visited town in Ireland? ›
1. Dublin. Dublin is one of the most popular cities in Ireland, and you'll spend a good chunk of time here on our Grand Tour of Ireland. Get acquainted with some guided sightseeing through highlights like Phoenix Park, the Guinness Brewery, and St.
