Holy Wells

Holy wells are located in every county in Ireland and they can be dated back to pagan times. They served as a form of natural religion in which the well was held to be sacred. The people, who grew crops and kept cattle, believed that a power of goodness came from within the earth and…

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The Famine Road

The Famine Road by Patrick Bonar I was recently asked about the location of the famine road in the Ballybofey / Stranorlar area and my immediate thoughts were that there are probably many roads which were built or improved during the famine times. History informs us that during these difficult times, around one million people…

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Drumboe Abbey

It is said that Mohona, the brother of St Maura of Fanad, founded Drumboe Abbey. The field in which the abbey was situates is known as ‘The Abbey Field’ and up until recent times people still visited the ‘Holy Well’, which is located in the adjoining woodland. Tradition has it that some stones surrounding the…

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Barnesmore Gap

  Barnesmore Gap is that big opening between Croaghconnelagh (Connall’s mountain) and Croaghonagh (Owen’s mountain). Here in this very fine mountain pass the traveller is absolutely shut in between these two great hills as he wends his way along a really excellent road that traverses the gap. These are rugged and gaunt grey mountains which,…

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Old Stranorlar National School

The porch on the left is the entrance to the Girls’ School which was on the upper floor. The porch on the right is the entrance to the Boys’ School which was on the ground floor. There was one rear door leading to upstairs back porch. The ground floor had two rooms, but top floor…

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