Stranorlar: River Landscapes and a Rich, Layered History

Stranorlar combines the River Finn with an unusually layered local history: churches, railway memories and routes to historic sites give the town several different facets. If you are looking for a holiday rental in Stranorlar, you can decide whether to focus on the river landscape, cultural history or exploring on foot.

The River Finn and connections between the towns

The River Finn at Ballybofey and Stranorlar is a Special Area of Conservation, designated to protect salmon and otters. The river is also used for fishing and is considered rich in freshwater fish. These different associations make the Finn of interest both to nature enthusiasts and to people interested in fishing.

Road connections are also useful for finding your way around: the N13 and N15 national roads meet in Stranorlar. The N15 crosses the River Finn over a five-arch bridge to Ballybofey. If you want to plan your stay around both twin towns, the 4.8 km Heritage Trail offers a way to discover historic sites and explore the history, culture and architecture of Ballybofey and Stranorlar. The historic sites along the trail are accessible to visitors with an internet-enabled device. Factor the 4.8 km distance into your day’s plans.

Routes and historic sites

The Drumboe Walkway in Stranorlar restores the traditional link between Drumboe Lower and Drumboe Woods. Separate from this are the nearby Drumboe Woods, considered a pleasant place for walks. The ruins of Drumboe Castle are also close to the town and date from the Elizabethan period. On the western side of Stranorlar, the castle grounds now serve as a car park for Drumboe Wood, managed by Coillte. The area thus brings together historic remains, woodland and present-day land use.

Churches and religious diversity

The history of the Presbyterian congregation goes back a long way: it has officially existed in Stranorlar since 1709, and its roots reach back at least to 1675, when a meeting house already stood there. The Reformed Presbyterian Church was built in 1877 and is an important part of the town’s social history and religious diversity. St. John's Church of Ireland was built between 1729 and 1733 and extended in 1863 and 1897. The Church of Mary Immaculate was built between 1857 and 1862; its tower was completed in 1897. It is the only known commission in Ireland by the architect Nicholson.

The Catholic cemetery also tells the story of the town: it was originally established around 1820 and contains different types of gravestones, including memorials in the style of Celtic high crosses. Those interested in architecture, religious traditions and the development of a community will find several historical perspectives in these varied buildings and memorial sites.

Railway memories and local history

The Stranorlar Clock Tower houses Stranorlar’s restored railway station clock. The station also played an important role in emigration: people travelled by train to Derry and continued by ship from there to various parts of the world. On 3 June 1885, the first train to Glenties departed from Stranorlar station. The railway’s history is also connected with personal memories: Isaac Butts’ remains were brought by train to Stranorlar and buried there beneath the tree where he used to sit and dream as a boy. Sean MacCumhaill from Stranorlar was a well-known republican and Gael.

If you want to plan your trip around local history, the river and discoveries in the surrounding area, you can weigh these interests against each other when choosing where to stay. Find more pages about nearby places here: Drumfree, Termon, Burnfoot, Gortiness, Milford, Glendowan, Killygordon and Bunbeg.

For the broader travel overview: County Donegal.