Local Attractions

Fáilte Go Cloch Cheann Fhaola - An Fál Carrach

1. Teach Bhaile Chonaill — Ballyconnell House

Ballyconnell House was built in 1763 by the Olphert family whose ancestors were Dutch settlers who received land from Charles I in 1638. They originally lived at the Bawne Manor at Ballyness, Falcarragh. The Olphert Estate was a very large one, comprising 18,363 acres. Sir John Olphert, who died in 1917, was the last Olphert in Ballyconnell. He is buried in the woodlands at Ballyconnell “among his flowers”. In 1926 the Olphert family sold the estate to the Loreto order who set up a preparatory college for girls, called Coláiste Bhríde. It has since been used as a boys’ boarding school by Coláiste na Croise Naofa, and was bought by Údarás na Gaeltachta in 1989.
There is now a beautiful golf course in the grounds of Ballyconnell.

2. Cloch Cheann Fhaola — The Cloughaneely Stone

Balor the mythological king of Tory Island, who was widely known as Balor of the Evil Eye (Balor na Súile Nimhe), supposedly stole a highly prized cow, an Glas Ghaibhleann, from Mac Aneely, who lived at Droim na Tine, Falcarragh. Mac Aneely found out who stole his cow and he set out to kill Balor. Mac Aneely’s druid told him that Balor could only be killed by his grandson. Balor knew his enemy knew his weakness, so he kept his daughter Eithne in his prison on the eastern end of Tory. Mac Aneely decided to disguise himself as a woman and he successfully got into the prison. When he removed his disguise Eithne immediately fell in love with him. Mac Aneely and Eithne had three sons together. But Balor found out and sent them to be drowned. However, one son named Lugh survived. His uncle Gavida raised him. Balor seized Mac Aneely and lay his head on a white stone and he removed Mac Aneely’s head in one go with his sword. A red stain, said to be Mac Aneely’s blood, can be seen on the white to the present day.

3. Tullaghobegley — Tulacha Bheigile

The graveyard is said to be the oldest Christian burial place of its size in northwest Donegal. From as far as Gweedore, people carried their dead across the hills (Taobh a’ Leithid) to be buried at Tullaghobegley. The teams of coffin carriers rested and prayed at seven stops — Na Seacht Leacht.
Every year a commemorative walk is held on the Sunday of the May Bank Holiday. A bus leaves from the Shamrock Lodge, Falcarragh at 12:00 pm to bring walkers to the starting point. A traditional Irish stew is served to all the weary pilgrims afterwards in the Shamrock Lodge.

4. Droichead na Caoine — Bridge of Sorrows

Má tá tú ag taisteal ón Fhál Carrach i dtreo Pháirc Náisiúnta Ghleann Bheithe, you will pass Droichead na Caoine (Bridge of Tears), which was once the place where people emigrating, usually to America, Australia and Britain, said their goodbyes to their loved ones.

5. St Anne’s Church

The grounds of St Anne’s Church of Ireland are home to a monument erected in memory of the many sailors who lost their lives aboard the wrecked Royal Navy gunboat, the “HMS Wasp”, in 1884. The ship had been on its way to Tory Island to collect rent and rates. The church itself was built in 1820.

6. An tSean Bheairic

The Old Barracks was once manned by the Royal Irish Constabulary but now is a great community centre. This authentic two-storey building was originally constructed in 1890 as the Falcarragh Police Barracks and used as such until 1920 when it became the Falcarragh Garda Station.
Many musical events are hosted there, particularly on Wednesdays during the summer months, where you can sample a wonderful selection of tapas.
There is also a nice library where you can rent out a book or use the internet any time you want. The Sean Bheairic is also home to the Solas project, who organise an annual walk on New Year’s Day. At Christmas time Santa comes to town and children gather in the Old Barracks to get presents from Santa and listen to the carol singers.

7. Leac na hAltóra — The Mass Rock

In the 18th century, the Penal Laws were in place in Ireland, which meant a complete lack of religious freedom for the Roman Catholic population. Priests often had to celebrate Mass in shelters (scáthláin), which were often sited in areas associated with saints. You will find Leac na hAltóra on the right-hand side of the main road, going towards Dunfanaghy, in the townland of Baile na mBó (Ballyboes).

8. Fulacht Fiadh

This is a horseshoe-shaped, low mound of burnt stones, and is actually a prehistoric cooking site (2,000-250 B.C.). The word “fulacht” comes from the Irish for a cooking place, while “fiadh” could mean “fian”, a band of hunting men. There is a lovely café in Falcarragh called An Fulacht Fiadh, also known as Café Thomáis.

9. Eas Fhionáin — St Fionan’s Waterfall

When St Colmcille was praying, he noticed that his student St Fionan was thirsty, but no water was available. Colmcille struck the rock with his crozier and all at once, three streams of fresh water gushed forth from it.