Things to Do in Ballyshannon

Things to Do in Ballyshannon, Ireland - Ballyshannon Attractions

Things to Do in Ballyshannon

Tours near Ballyshannon

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Top Attractions in Ballyshannon

These rankings are informed by Tripadvisor data—we consider traveler reviews, ratings, number of page views, and user location.

What travelers are saying

  • RichardS
    Evesham, UK2 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    At least Rory is playing a Strat on this statue, which is the guitar that he played on the three or four occasions that I saw him play in the 1970's.
    The new statue, unveiled this week, shows him with a Telecaster which is definitely not the guitar he was always associated with, although he did use it for a couple of songs.
    A rather strange choice for the new statue in my opinion.
    Written January 5, 2025
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • cazfinn
    Daejeon, South Korea11 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We've been twice now, once to the Easter and more recently the Christmas experience. We absolutely love it, as does our toddler. So much to do no matter the weather. Great value for money too. We will absolutely be back.
    Written December 22, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • GalwayGirl181
    Galway, Ireland79 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Such good experience walking with tha llamas, Bentley, Bob & Beauty I would highly recommend checking it out if you're in the area!
    Written August 18, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • John B
    Philadelphia, PA2 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    This was a great little shop in the heart of Ballyshannon. Perfect place to pick up a gift to remind you of the area, and the staff there are so kind and considerate. They took the time to chat with my kiddos and even make a small gift for them. Definitely worth a look!
    Written August 19, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • binflynn1
    Irvinestown, UK994 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    We never pass the lovely place ,bring a picnic with benches around the stations of the cross , where a thousand prayers have been said , where the river meets the sea ,where I meditate and enjoy the peace , a nice grass entrance down to the well , but can be slippy on a wet day , a lovely peaceful place to sit undisturbed .
    Written July 8, 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Pot-roast66
    Ballyshannon, Ireland140 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Visited on a week day and it was shut. Lovely old buildings, 2 mill wheels which worked in series. Has to be restored to work again!
    Written August 31, 2021
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • sarjenrob
    Kilkenny, Ireland45 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Very brief walk to see the cave just past the coffee shop. Pretty area could do with more information on it.
    Written June 25, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Paddy D
    Ballyshannon, Ireland70 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    The remains of the old church is beside the Old Water Wheels, St Patrick's Well and Catsby Cave all about a 10/15 minute walk from Ballyshannon
    Written September 12, 2018
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • cee-jay-2012
    Armagh, UK59 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    This museum may be small but it is so interesting! A really good variety of artefacts in about half a dozen sub sections. Learnt alot of interesting facts about Ballyshannon and its former residents! Really unique gifts in giftshop. Free entry but you can give a donation to help cover costs.
    Written September 23, 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Rooombiter
    Isle of Wight, UK876 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    I was staying nearby at Mae Kelly's so walked up to the memorial and was pleased to see this, a simple cauldron from the Workhouse which is still standing behind the memorial.
    Inscribed on the adjacent wall are the names of orphan girls who were sent to Australia with "a sea chest and a bible" at the time of the famine, no doubt some of their descendants may come here over the years to see it.
    The nearby Workhouse which closed in 1922 may be having a bit of restoration done in the future as there were some signs up from a local preservation society, I would like to come back one day and look round.
    Written July 24, 2017
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Frances McKernan
    Dundalk, Ireland20 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Old fashioned store yes but really well stocked shop, so much to see, lots of different departments and extremely helpful.staff. You could easily spend 2 hours just looking at everything. I have never been to a shop since I was a child whereby the money u pay with is put into a tube that takes it right across the store to.the main cash office where your change is put in and then sent back to the check out desk, I found this fascinating, really quaint but lovely. Would go back in a heartbeat.
    Written January 15, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Dónal M
    54 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    This elevated site was used as a burial ground for the poor of the area. Countless poor souls were laid to rest here during the Great Famine 1845-1850, many of whom died in Ballyshannon Workhouse, on The Rock, south of the Erne. They were mainly buried here in unmarked graves. Prior to the famine, victims of cholera were buried here. Sailors washed up along the nearby shores during World War Two were also buried here. The last burial was a Chinese man washed ashore in 1945. The site was marked in 1995 by a plaque erected by the Donegal Association of New York. There are no identifiable grave markers or headstones.

    The hill on which the Graveyard is situated is called Mullaghnashee, which literally means "The Hill of Hugh of the faeries". This was said to have been the burial place of Aedh Ruadh, and a royal residence for Conal Gulban (died c464) , son of Niall of the Nine Hostages who gave his name to Tír Chonaill. Later still the hill was the site of a military fortification in 1798 which today is incorporated in the site of the graveyard.

    To get to the site from the centre of town, walk uphill up Main street, passing Dorrian's Hotel on your left. At the top of Main street turn left onto Bishop Street, with The Thatch Pub on the corner on your left. About 150-200m down Bishop Street you will see a sign indicating that the Paupers Graveyard is off the road on the left. There is an information notice at the entrance to the site. The site lies atop a small hill about 80m from the sign on the road. The site is directly to the west of St. Anne's Church of Ireland, but there is no access to the site directly from St. Anne's). The elevated position commands fine views of the surrounding countryside, mountains and sea. The walk from the Main Street takes 10 to 15 minutes. There are good views from the site of the surrounding countryside.

    Bishop Street leads eventually to Rossnowlagh.
    Written June 20, 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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