Ballybofey
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Ballybofey is a town located in Donegal, Ireland. It has earned the repuation of being 'The Friendliest Little Market Town in All of Europe'.
Ballybofey (Bealach Féich - Fiach's Road) or alternatively Bailebo Fiach (bailebo -that area of land assesed 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, Francis Browne, was born in Stranorlar. Her contemporary, the orator and founder of the Home Government Party, Issac 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 play their home games. Sean MacCumhail Park is also located in Ballybofey, where Donegal GAA play their home games. Ballybofey is close to Castlefin.
Comedian Conal Gallen is a native son of Ballybofey. It is also reported that Simply Red's Mick Hucknall owns the ruins of the Glenmore Castle and the hunting and fishing rights of the entire area that run with the ruins . The woods around Drumboe are owned by Coillte (the Irish forestry management service) and the fishing rights by the local angler's club. Highlights of a visit to Ballybofey would include a visit to McElhinney's Department Store, a night spent in Jackson's Hotel and fishing in the River Finn next to the ruins of the historic Drumboe Castle, there is an interesting large raised ringfort at Dunwiley and one can enjoy a very picturesque woodland walk around Drumboe. A local folly called the Steeple is worth a visit for the views and is a great area for mountainbiking also.
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