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Ireland
County Donegal
Ballyshannon
Things to Do in Ballyshannon
Catsby Cave
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Catsby Cave

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See all things to do
Catsby Cave
4

Top ways to experience nearby attractions

The area
Best nearby
Restaurants
23 within 3 miles
Fire box grill
17
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Steakhouse • Vegetarian Friendly
Shannons Corner Ballyshannon
98
0.5 mi$$ - $$$ • Irish • Cafe • European
Nirvana
260
0.6 mi$$ - $$$ • Irish • European • Vegetarian Friendly
Tete-a-Tete
43
0.6 mi$$ - $$$ • Cafe • European • Contemporary
Shannon's Corner
2
0.5 mi
Shannons Corner Restaurant
2
0.5 mi
The Limit Bar & Restaurant
84
0.6 mi$$ - $$$ • Irish • Bar • Pizza
Golden Dragon
11
0.6 miChinese
Filling Station Takeaway
12
0.6 mi$ • Fast Food
Chew & Brew
13
0.7 miIrish • Cafe
See all
Attractions
22 within 6 miles
The Abbey Mill
27
134 ftPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Paupers Graveyard
1
0.4 miCemeteries
Remains of 12th Century Church
1
0.5 miChurches & Cathedrals
Local Hands Art Gallery & Gift Shop
24
0.6 miArt Galleries
Ballyshannon and District Museum
30
0.7 miSpeciality Museums
Rory Gallagher Statue
117
1.1 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Monuments & Statues
Saint Patrick's Well
13
0.6 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Fairy Bridges
208
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Bridges
Erne Estuary Fishermen Memorial Monument
3
0.7 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Monuments & Statues
Castle Adventure Open Farm
98
1.5 miFarms
See all
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
4.0
18 reviews
Excellent
7
Very good
7
Average
4
Poor
0
Terrible
0
tungaroa
Perth, Australia51 contributions
A small piece of history
Jul 2011 • Couples
You might be disappointed, a small cave with a dirt floor next to a babbling brook and surrounded by majestic trees but...if you feel the awe of a holy place and appreciate the sense of history from a place where local catholics celebrated Mass in secret with a travelling priest, strong in their faith yet denied the right to express it under the English Penal Laws, then this is a place that I highly recommend.

It is a beautiful place, quiet secluded and peaceful....and if you like climbing trees, they are very appealing :)

Nearby is St Patrick's Well, another local attraction, where rags are tied to a tree as a blessing and the water of the well is said to cure common illnesses. Next to the Catsby Cave and crossing the stream is a beautiful old bridge said to be "the oldest in Ireland"...
Written August 22, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Anthea T
Cape Town Central, South Africa98 contributions
Very peaceful and a feeling of lots of history
Aug 2011 • Couples
Enjoyed the visit to the cave, mill, bridge and then down to votive tree and shrine. Beautiful scenery and a strong feeling of history. Thoroughly enjoyed!
Written January 17, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
KenmareLisa
Orlando, FL2,193 contributions
Great for photos
May 2013 • Friends
This was a wonderful little walk behind the Abbey along a babbling brooke. Very serene and beautiful. Plenty of parking as well as a small cafe on premises. No FEE to enter
Written June 10, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
binflynn1
Enniskillen, UK630 contributions
Great wee place
Jun 2015
Picture yourself back in the dark ages hidden trying to practice your faith , well this place is putting you there great walk lovely river , and the smell of natural garlic full of history , children will like it too , the tree that grows down the rock was amazing too
Written June 14, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
S7290LMianm
Belleek, UK10 contributions
Historic mass rock from penal times
Sep 2015 • Friends
Interesting visit to mass rock,dating from penal times. impossible to find or hit on but for excellent signs,v close to the abbey mill and next to Ireland's oldest bridge. Visit 3 in one afternoon.
Written June 1, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Niamh N
Dublin, Ireland73 contributions
Different
Aug 2012
These are caves where people used to say Mass during the Penal Times. They are a nice sight to see. There are a few of them to see. They are beside the abbey mill
Written July 29, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Todd L
Terre Haute, IN12 contributions
Religion and history from a dark time
Jul 2013 • Family
This was a very simple yet impactful experience for my family and I, we are Catholics and it was very interesting to see where they practiced religion at a time when it was outlawed.
Written July 23, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
FD2013_13
Dublin, Ireland2 contributions
Catsby Cave
Jul 2013 • Friends
I visited here on Saturday 13th July. It's a short distance from The Abbey Mill. There is a path along a river surrounded by trees. It's an interesting visit and shows how faith was important to Roman Catholics in Penal Times and the lengths they went to, to participate in mass. You can still see the entry to the tunnel where the priest would escape through, if English soliders were to appear. I believe this tunnel lead to a false grave in the nearby graveyard. It's a very relaxing place and in harmony with it's natural surroundings
Written July 17, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Pot-roast66
Ballyshannon, Ireland157 contributions
Go on a dry day.
Aug 2021 • Couples
Little to see here other than the small cave. Access is slippery in wet conditions. A few seats should be placed in the glade.
Written August 30, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
SparkyG72
Bristol, UK133 contributions
Beautiful
Nov 2019 • Friends
Just a short walk from the Abbey mill, along a pretty route by the fast flowing river. It’s just a cave but worth a look. Ireland’s oldest bridge is here. Cafe closed now until Easter
Written November 4, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Catsby Cave (Ballyshannon) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

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