Town's in Co Donegal.

(Mouth of Seanach's ford)

Ballyshannon which means 'mouth of Seanach's ford' after a 5th century warrior killed by Conal Gulban, who was great grandfather to St Columba. The town was once the base of the O'Donnell clan, and was in its time an English garrison town, it stands on the banks of the river Erne.

The town is a contrast of architectural styles, with Georgian shops and town house intermingled with those of more recent origin. The original 10 arch bridge over the Erne, was demolished in the 1950's as part of a hydro electric scheme, it was replace with a single span bridge.

Just outside the town on the Rosnowlagh road stand the remains of Assaroe Abbey, built by the Cistercians the 12th century. The Cistercians demonstrated their grasp of hydrodynamics by installing on the site a water driven mill. The two wheels installed by the monks have recently been restored, and power an interpretation centre and craft shop.