History of the Parish
The Parish of Kilbarron is situated around Ballyshannon in County Donegal, stretches to the border with Northern Ireland at the bridge in Belleek in the County Fermanagh, borders with Ballintra and Rossnowlagh and includes the Cashelard district and the Franciscan Friary in Rossnowlagh.
The parish has its origins in the 7th century at Kilbarron Church - founded by Barron who was a cousin of St Colmcille. Then the Cistercians came from Boyle and founded the famous Assaroe Abbey in the 12th Century. The Bishop of Raphoe lived here in the 19th Century - hence our 'Bishop Street' here in Ballyshannon.