Ballyshannon

Seaport and market town in County Donegal, Republic of Ireland, at the mouth of the River Erne; population (2002) 2,200. A festival of traditional music is held in Ballyshannon on the first weekend of August.

Ballyshannon is the site of the medieval O'Donnell castle, where Red Hugh O'Donnell beat an English army in 1597; there are also remains, 2 km/1 mi from the town, of the Cistercian abbey of Assaroe.

The Erne has been harnessed between Ballyshannon and Belleek for the national hydroelectric scheme, which also provides a passage for salmon on their way to spawn.

The poet William Allingham was born in Ballyshannon.