In 1770, the building known as the barracks was constructed as military quarters. This historic building is surrounded by colorful legends and stories. One such legend is about the “Green Lady,” named for her green dress, who was the wife of an officer. She was killed in a fracas in the Barracks and is believed to haunt the building. In 1793, Robert Stuart, who later became Lord Castlereagh, was stationed in the barracks. One very wet evening, after returning from military maneuvers, Castlereagh had a heavy meal and retired to his room where a large fire provided comfort. During the night, he experienced a nightmare or vision in which he saw a naked, blood-covered child emerge from the flames and approach him, becoming more terrifying as it drew nearer before retreating back into the fire. Years later, Castlereagh recounted the experience to Sir Walter Scott, who mentioned it in his writings. William Allingham wrote a poem titled “Goblin Child of Ballyshannon”:
“With a total, frozen start,
A bound, a pausing of the heart,
Its size increasing more and more
At every step, until a dread
Gigantic form stood by his bed.“
The building’s plan is unusual, being T-shaped, with widely spaced sash windows. The entrance arch, made of channeled stone, is adorned with arms and cannon on the keystone. The interior is notable for its long spinal corridor, which is eight feet wide and one hundred and ten feet long.
This bridge spans the remnants of what was once a majestic river, originating in Cavan and winding through the lakes of Fermanagh to meet the Atlantic breakers at Ballyshannon. The ancient crossing point, known as Áth Seanaidh (Ford of the Slope), was located approximately one hundred yards upstream. In 1423, the O’Donnells, Chieftains of Tir Conaill, built a castle overlooking this strategic location. Although nothing remains of this castle today, the current bridge is of more recent construction. The original bridge, which had fourteen arches, was demolished in the 1940s, and the river’s course was altered to facilitate electricity production at Cathleen’s Falls. A plaque on the bridge commemorates one of Ballyshannon’s native poets, William Allingham (1824-1889), bearing the inscription:
“Here once he roved a happy boy
Along the winding banks of Erne;
And now please God with finer joy
A fairer world his eyes discern.”
As you head up the hill, you’ll see on your right the building that once housed the Royal Bank of Ireland, later occupied by Gallogley’s Jewellers Shop. It stands as a remarkable example of Scottish streetscape architecture, featuring a clock tower and bellcotes dating back to 1878.
Half way down on your left hand side stands the house where the poet, William Allingham, was born on March 19th, 1824. After an early career in the bank and later, in the Customs, he followed a literary career in England. Some of his best remembered works include “Adieu to Ballyshanny”, “The Fairies”, “Abbey Assaroe” and “Laurence Bloomfield”.
