The River Finn near Killygordon.
The River Finn starts at Lough Finn near Fintown in central Donegal. It flows east through the area known as Glenfin, past the towns of Ballanmore, Cloghan, Brockagh, and Welchtown until it splits the twin towns of Ballybofey and Stranorlar. From there, it flows through the parish of Donaghmore, past Killygordon, Crossroads, Clady, and Lifford where it joins the River Mourne to form the River Foyle.
The river from Lough Finn to the River Mourne is 39 miles long. It is navigable up to Castlefin. In the 19th century, Dr. Francis Rogan, a surgeon at the Derry Hospital, operated a service that brought grain to the markets at Derry from Castlefin by boat once a week. Dr. Rogan was the landlord of many properties in Castlefin.
Castles –
The O’Donnell chieftains of Donegal built castles at fords on the River Finn. One was at Killygordon that fell into the hands of the English during the Nine Years War in the early 1600s. The castle and surrounding lands were granted to Captain Mansfield for his part in the war. Mansfield and his heirs held the property up to the end of the 19th century.
Another O’Donnell castle was located on the river at Castlefin. After the Nine Years War the castle and estates adjacent to the castle were confiscated and granted to General Kingsmill for dispersing the O’Donnell forces in that area. The lands were inherited by Kingsmills daughters and later passed on to their husbands through marriage. The castle was eventually dismantled, and its stones were used in building the bridge across the river.
The castle at Lifford belonged to Manus O’Donnell, Earl of Donegal, during the time of King Henry VIII. He built his castle in 1527. It was later occupied by his grandson, Red Hugh O’Donnell, who was defeated in the Nine Years War with England. After the war, the site of the castle became the administrative center for the plantation of Ulster in Donegal. The county courthouse and jail was built there in 1746. It remained Donegal’s seat of power until 1938.
Fishing –
The River Finn is one of the best for Atlantic salmon fishing. There is a salmon leap on the upper river in the Glenfin area. The main run of salmon is in July although some appear in the spring. The spring salmon travel up the Foyle for 25 miles before arriving at the mouth of the Finn and turning west. The Spring Salmon fishing is best in March through May. The main run of Grilse Salmon is May through July. A license is required to fish the Finn.
Entertainment –
The twin towns of Ballybofey and Stranorlar are the places to go for entertainment, sports, shopping, dining, and drinking in the Finn Valley. McElhinney’s in Ballybofey is a popular place to shop.
Dr. Johnston’s Motor Car –
During Ireland’s war with England in the 1900s, members of the IRA needed to get quickly from Glenfin to the Rosses in west Donegal, about 50 miles away. They had an idea to commandeer one of the only motor cars in the area to do so. It belonged to Dr. Johnston of Stranorlar. One fellow had the idea to telegraph Dr. Johnston that Mrs. Boyle of Glenfin needed immediate medical treatment. Mrs. Boyle lived near the Reelin Bridge, so the IRA threw up a barrier at the bridge to stop the doctor on his way to see Mrs. Boyle. When he arrived, the lads confiscated his car, and they proceeded to drive to the Rosses to meet up with the other troops. A song was written in honor of this actual event by Willie Gillespie (1883-1967) of Sessiaghoneill Townland (near Balleybofey) called “Johnston’s Motor Car.” The song became very popular and is sung today by Irish musicians in pubs and concert halls around the world. It was recorded by the Clancy Brothers, the Dubliners, and too many others to mention.
Valuable information about the Finn Valley can be found in the website: www.finnvalley.ie . The website hasn’t been updated in a number of years, but there is a wealth of knowledge about the area in the existing articles already published.
Map of River Finn (from Donegal Local Development Company Ltd)
Lough Finn, Donegal
Lough Finn, Donegal
Biddy and Joe’s Cottage, Cloghan, County Donegal
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River Finn and Drumboe Woods, Ballybofey and Stranorlar, Donegal.
The River Finn at Stranorlar
The River Finn at Stranorlar
The Bridge at Killygordon
I loved the information. I have some questions about the photos. I am researching my ancestors at Stranorlar and Urney Parish in Co. Tyrone. I am trying to construct a record of how they traveled the 14 miles between their two towns. McConnells in Stranorlar and the Matthews probably near Somerstownville in Tyrone. Logically they would have crossed at Lifford but I still remain curious about bridges over the Finn.
I am trying to find location of the early bridges and roads near Stranorlar and Lifford. I am from Alabama and visited Ireland searching for cemeteries etc. 2 years ago.
Do you have any notions of how far back there was a bridge over the Finn near Stranorlar or Ballybofey? How far back was there a bridge in Lifford?. Any ideas about the Ferry Crossing over the River Finn 1611-1730?
Your book sound like it would be helpful. My Presbyterian ancestors left in 1787.
By the way did your Irish go to Pennsylvania?
If I used a couple of your river photos and linked them with your attribution link would that be satisfactory to you?
I would love to talk with you.
Hi Jeanette: My book does give information about the bridges over the Finn, but I believe that most of them were built after your ancestors left in 1787. I obtained most of my information from a website that is no longer supported, finnvalley.ie. You can try to see if any of their history articles can still be accessed. I’m pretty sure that the Stanorlar-Ballybofey bridge was one of the first bridges built across the Finn as well as the bridges into County Tyrone at Lifford. Maybe Google or Wikipedia can help. the bridge at Killygordon was built in 1782 and one at Liscooley was built in 1801. These were in my area of interest. You may use my photos of the Finn if you wish. If you wish to discuss this further, you can contact me at my email address: tgallen@rocketmail.com. Also my ancestors did emigrate the Philadelphia, PA. There were many passenger ships from Derry to Philly at the time.
We are doing our Family Tree and we believe we may have Connections with William Johnston 1705-1780 Castlefin. We were told that our ancestors were involved in the building of the Lifford Strabane Bridge. I have no information to back this up. I was just wondering if you had any information. We Have got back as far as George Johnston Carryduffy Inver Co Donegal 1745-1829 Approx. His son Johnston 1780-1863 married Jane Scott 1783-1834. They were married 1813.
Thanking you
Ann Cassidy.