Ballyshannon

Ballyshannon is a destination in Ulster, Ireland. Ballyshannon (Irish: Béal Átha Seanaidh) is the oldest town in Ireland, located in County Donegal at the mouth of the River Erne. It has a rich heritage and is known as the birthplace of the poet William Allingham. The town has a compact historic centre and is a popular angling destination. Ballyshannon sits at the gateway to Donegal from the south.

By Car

The most practical way to reach Ballyshannon is by car. Ulster (IE-U) is best explored with your own transport, as public connections are limited. The main roads are the N15 (Sligo–Donegal–Letterkenny), N13 (Letterkenny–Stranorlar), N14 (Letterkenny–Lifford), and N2 (Dublin–Monaghan–Letterkenny), all of which are good quality. Minor roads in Donegal are often narrow and winding — allow extra travel time.

By Train

There is no rail service within Ulster (IE-U). The nearest train stations are in Sligo (for Donegal) and Dundalk/Drogheda (for Cavan and Monaghan), where connecting buses are available. Irish Rail operates services to these stations from Dublin Connolly and Dublin Heuston.

By Bus

Bus Éireann operates services from Dublin and other major cities to Letterkenny, Donegal Town, Cavan, and Monaghan. Local bus services connect smaller towns but are infrequent, especially on Sundays. Advance route planning is essential, particularly for reaching remote coastal areas.

By Air

Donegal Airport (CFN) at Carrickfinn has flights from Dublin operated by Aer Lingus Regional. Ireland West Airport Knock (NOC) in County Mayo is an alternative for visitors to south Donegal. Dublin Airport (DUB) is about 2–2.5 hours' drive from Cavan and Monaghan.

Ballyshannon is compact enough to explore on foot. For exploring the surrounding countryside and nearby attractions, a car is essential. The region's public transport network is limited, so advance planning is necessary for bus-based travel. In Donegal, the stunning coastal scenery rewards drivers willing to take the slower, more scenic routes.

"The Giants Causeway is an object which is scarcely worthy of going so far to see . . . But the salmon-leap at Ballyshannon is a scene of such a singular nature, as is not to be found elsewhere, and is as peculiar to Ireland as the bullfights are to Spain . . . " - Travel guide of 1775

Cathaleen's Falls and Assaroe Falls — so here they aren't, and free to not-see 24 hours. The River Erne descends 45 m from Belleek on the border. Cathaleen's Falls were 1 km east of town, while Assaroe Falls were mid-town near the estuary, with salmon hurling themselves upstream. They were Ballyshannon's top attraction. But in 1946 a hydroelectric scheme created Assaroe Lake and obliterated Cathaleen's Falls, while the lower river was canalised and deepened to maximise the drop for power generation, destroying Assaroe Falls.

Rory Gallagher's statue is at the junction of Main St and Castle St.

Ballyshannon & District Museum ,

Market Yard, Ballyshannon

( next to bus station ),

☏

+353 87 688 8789 .

M-Sa 10:00-17:30 .

Small local history museum perched on top of Slevins Department Store.

Free .   ( updated May 2026 )

St Anne's Church (Church of Ireland) in Ballyshannon is promine

Abbey Arts Centre on Tir Connell St stages drama and music, box office +353 71 985 1375.

Eclipse Cinema is on Station Rd in Bundoran.

Ballyshannon Leisure Centre is on the north river bank just downstream from the bridge. It has fitness classes and a pool, and is open M 1-9PM, Tu-F 8AM-8PM, Sa 10:30AM-5:30PM.

Golf: the nearest course is Bundoran GC . Blue tees are 5729 m, par 70.

Bundoran Adventure Park is a funfair next to the golf course. It's open May-Sep Sa Su 1-8PM.

Waterworld is next to the Adventure Park, separately ticketed.

Surf: Bundoran beach is exposed to the Atlantic, with a clutch of nearby surf shacks: Bundoran Surf Co , Surf World and TurfnSurf. The strip extends north to Tullan Strand. Look elsewhere for kiddy-bathing.

Donegal Equestrian Centre is on Finner Rd, east edge of Bundoran. They have lessons and rides on the beaches.

Wardtown Castle 3 km northwest of Ballyshannon is the shell of an 18th century mansion that fell derelict in the 1920s. It's now home to Castle Adventure Farm , a children's petting farm.

Belleek Marina gives access to Lower Lough Erne and the extensive Irish waterway network.

The Wild Atlantic Way is a coastal itin

Ballyshannon has Shannon's Corner, Golden Dragon, Top Pizza and Trennari.

Bundoran has a string of places along Main St. They include Phoenix Tavern , Taj Mahal , McGarrigle’s, The Chasin' Bull , Mamma Rosa's , Stakes , Maddens Bridge and Fox’s Lair.

Belleek has Nina’s Pizzeria, The Thatch Coffee Shop and Lemon Tree Coffee House.

The Thatch Bar is the picture-perfect little pub at the junction of Main St and Bishop St in Ballyshannon. It's open W, F & Sa.

Ballyshannon also has Max Bar, Sean Og’s, O’Donnell’s, Finn McCool’s, Macintyre’s, and Owen Roes .

Belleek has The Fiddlestone.

Dorrian's Imperial Hotel ,

Main St, Ballyshannon F94 TKA4 ,

☏

+353 71 985 1147 .

Clean friendly central place in an 18th-century building.

B&B double €150 .   ( updated May 2026 )

Assaroe House ,

10 Assaroe View, Ballyshannon F94 KX53

( off College St, no access from N15 ),

☏

+353 87 681 8121 .

Welcoming B&B east edge of town.   ( updated May 2026 )

Lakeside Centre ,

Belleek Rd, Ballyshannon F94 T9RY ,

☏

+353 71 985 2822 .

Well-run camping and caravan site and activities centre on Lough Assaroe.

Tent €25, caravan €30 .   ( updated May 2026 )

Breesy Centre ,

Cashelard, Ballyshannon F94 VX76 ,

☏

+353 87 005 6598 .

This hostel is for groups of up to 50, but may have availability for individual travellers.   ( updated May 2026 )

Roughey Lodge is a hostel on Main St F94 HA22 open all year.

Allingham Arms Hotel ,

West End, Bundoran F94 XNH0

( 200 m west of tourist office ),

☏

+353 71 984 1075 .

Smart mid-range place in a modern building.

B&B double €120 .   ( updated May 2026 )

Fitzgerald's Hotel is next to Allingham Arms.

Holyrood Hotel is 200 m further east on Main St.

Great Northern Hotel ,

Sea Rd, Bundoran F94 Y

Spar is the main store in Ballyshannon, north end of Market St and open daily 7AM-10PM.

Lidl supermarket in Bundoran is on Station Rd, open M-Sa 8AM-10PM, Su 9AM-9PM.

Belleek Pottery is still made in that village. The shop is open M-Sa 9AM-4PM, Su 1-4PM and factory tours are available.

Cross-border shopping isn't a feature here, but visiting Belleek means exiting the European Union. Price differences on commodities like fuel arise from time to time.

Donegal Town is a friendly small place, a good centre for exploring the central county.

Enniskillen is between the two Erne lakes, connected by navigable waterway to Dublin.

Sligo has prehistoric sites and brooding limestone crags.

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