Rossnowlagh beach - one of the blue flag beaches within a short distance of Cavangarden Court self-catering accommodation

Local Attractions

Ballyshannon (in Irish Beal Atha Seanaidh meaning 'the Ford-entrance of the hill-slope') is one of the oldest towns in Ireland. The O'Donnells, then chieftains of Donegal, erected a Castle overlooking the crossing point of the River Erne at Ballyshannon in 1423. This became the scene of a siege and defeat of the Crown forces by Red Hugh O'Donnell in 1597. The Town's Gaelic Athletics Association is named after this famous chieftain.

The town had many industries during the 18th and 19th centuries including flour, saw milling, tobacco, soap making, tanning, distilling and brewing and it became a prosperous trading centre. The famous poet William Allingham (1824-89), who is laid to rest beside St. Anne’s Church, said of the town:

The kindly spot, the friendly town,
Where everyone is known,
And not a face in all the place
But partly seems my own.

The town has however grown from his day to the largest town in South Donegal, attracting visitors because of its golden sands, rugged coastlines, scenery of mountains, lakes and forests, lively nightlife, shops and many other amenities. Some of its many facilities and attractions are:
  • Donegal Parian China and Visitor Centre.
  • St. Patrick's memorial stone, Wishing Tree and historical caves.
  • Abbey Assaroe is a restored water mill.
  • Assaroe Lake with an operating waterbus and children's playground.
  • Shopping centre - Saimer Court, Main Street, Ballyshannon.
  • Abbey Centre - Cinema and arts complex
  • Rory Gallagher Tribute Festival celebrated during the June Bank Holiday.
  • The Ballyshannon International Folk and Traditional Music Festival celebrated each August.
Nearby facilities within easy touring of Ballyshannon include:
  • Golf - 18 hole links courses in Murvagh, near Donegal Town, and Bundoran.
  • Angling - anglers can sample game, coarse and sea angling with sea angling boats available for local chartering.
  • Cycling- Ballyshannon is on three long distance touring routes and the local countryside is ideal for exploring by bicycle.
  • Donegal Bay - with boats depart from the Mall Quay and nearby.
  • Creevy Pier - for tours of the Bay, including, Slieve League - the highest sea cliffs in Europe.
  • Walking - take to the local countryside or further afield with the Blue Stack mountains within easy touring distance.
  • Bundoran Sea Baths and Health Suite.
  • Beaches - Rossnowlagh Beach, the heavenly cove, is a four kilometre Blue Flag Beach. Bundoran also has a blue flag beach with lifeguards on patrol.
  • The Franciscan Friary, Rossnowlagh has a visitors centre and beautiful gardens overlooking the beach.
  • Bundoran Waterworld.
  • Donegal Adventure Centre at Dinglei Coush with Mountain Biking, Archery, Hill walking, Horse riding, Dive boarding, Surfing and Water sports.
  • Railway and airport at Sligo - 40 km from Ballyshannon


The Donegal Art Gallery is located on Upper Main Street, Donegal Town, and is open Monday to Saturday, from 9am to 6pm. The Gallery is opened all year. All exhibitions feature either local artists or local scenes of County Donegal. For more information visit www.donegalartgallery.com