History of Ballyshannon
Royal Charter created Ballyshannon, one of Ireland’s most historic towns, in 1613. Down through the centuries the town has been at the forefront of Irish history. The earliest invaders of Ireland, the Parthalonians, settled on Inis Saimer Island. Vikings, who in turn were succeeded by the great Celtic Warrior Clan the O'Donnell's followed them. The O'Donnell's built their castle here in Ballyshannon and in 1597 the O'Donnell defeated the English forces in the 'Battle of Ballyshannon'. Since those turbulent times Ballyshannon has been a Garrison town, an important commercial trading port and strategic bridging point over the river Erne.
The Architecture of Ballyshannon includes William Allingham the poet, Rory Gallagher the legendary rock guitarist and actor Sean McGinley.
The Bridge in the town of Ballyshannon is named after William Allingham, 'The bard of Ballyshannon'.
The Barracks dates from 1700 and was designed by Colonel Thomas Burgh. He was, in Maurice Craig’s words, the first architect. On Abbey Island, by the estuary, are the scant remains of the Cistercian Abbey of Assaroe, founded by Flaithertach O'Muldorg in 1178. The ivy covered potions of the West Gable and of the South Wall is mute reminders of its suppression in the late 16th century. The alert may see old stones of the original abbey in the churchyard wall and adjacent farm buildings. On the road to Bundoran lies Ballymacaward Castle where lived a Donegal version of the famous Colleen Bawn, whose story became the basis of a novel and of an opera.