Ballybofey

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Ballybofey
Bealach Féich

Location

WGS-84 (GPS) Coordinates:
54.8° N 7.790° W

Irish Grid Reference
H194946

Statistics

30 m

Population (2002)
- Town:
- Rural:

3,300
3,603

Main Street, Ballybofey.

Ballybofey is a town located in Donegal, Ireland.

Ballybofey (Bealach Féich - Fiach's Road) or alternatively Bailebo Fiach (bailebo -that area of land assessed for one cow as a yearly tax) and Stranorlar (Srath an Urláir - the place in the valley beside the river) are situated on the south and north banks of the River Finn respectively, and is sometimes referred to as the Finn Valley. The 19th century poetess, Frances Browne, was born in Stranorlar. Her contemporary, the orator and founder of the Home Government Party, Isaac Butt, is buried in the Protestant graveyard in Stranorlar. The towns grew rapidly in the 19th and 20th centuries and are popular shopping and commercial centres for the people of the Finn Valley. Ballybofey is located near Castlefin, a popular small market town.

Ballybofey is home to Finn Park where eircom League side Finn Harps (official website) play their home games. Sean MacCumhail Park is also located in Ballybofey, where Donegal GAA play their home games. Ballybofey is close to Castlefin.

The woods around Drumboe are owned by Coillte (the Irish forestry management service) and the fishing rights by the local angler's club. The River Finn passes next to the ruins of the historic Drumboe Castle, there is an interesting large raised ringfort at Dunwiley and there is a woodland walk around Drumboe. There is also a folly called the Steeple.