Ballyfarnon is a pretty village, which lies to the west of Lough Meelagh. The Holy Well of St. Lasair is named after the saint who founded the original church in the 6th century. There is a slab beside the well dating from 1686, which is dedicated to Roger McDermott Roe and his wife. The supported slab opposite the well is reputed to be a cure for backache. 'Stations', or traditional devotions, are performed every year on the first Sunday of September. In days gone by, it was customary for pilgrims to crawl under the stone table, but today's clergy frown on the practice.

A short distance away, there is an amenity area where children can enjoy swings and slides or even a swim in peaceful Lough Meelagh. A walk through the bluebell woods there could easily give you a sighting of a spectacular ruined castle - Kilronan Castle, built by the Earl of Kingston in 1876, replacing the original castle belonging to Colonel King Tennison.

Keadue O'Carolan Harp Festival is held annually in the month of August and commemorates the memory of Turlough O'Carolan 'the last of the bards'. He died in 1733 in Alderford Castle, near Ballyfarnon and is buried close to the ruined 12th century church in the old graveyard of Kilronan, overlooking Lough Meelagh.

Heritage Houses

For info on Alderford House situated near Ballyfarnon click here

Greenways Festival 2003

Ballyfarnon is talking part in the Greenways Festival in summer 2003 to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the legendary 1603 march of O’Sullivan Beara from the Beara Peninsula to the Breifne area. Click here for info on the events