Our History

Kilbarron Parish is centred on Ballyshannon, in County Donegal. It runs to the border with Northern Ireland at the bridge in Belleek, County Fermanagh, and borders Ballintra and Rossnowlagh. The parish includes Cashelard and the Franciscan Friary at Rossnowlagh.

The parish takes its name from Kilbarron Church, founded in the seventh century by Barron, a cousin of St Colmcille. In the twelfth century the Cistercians came from Boyle and founded Assaroe Abbey. The Bishop of Raphoe lived here in the nineteenth century, which is why Ballyshannon has a Bishop Street.