Stranorlar
| Stranorlar Irish: Srath an Urláir | |
| County Donegal | |
|---|---|
 Stranorlar's Roman Catholic church | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | H194946 |
| Location: | 54°48’-0"N, 7°47’24"W |
| Data | |
| Local Government | |
| Website: | ballybofeystranorlar.com |
Stranorlar is a small town in the valley of the Finn Valley in County Donegal. Stranorlar and Ballybofey (across on on the other side of the River Finn, form the Twin Towns.
The name of the town is from the Irish Gaelic Srath an Urláir, meaning the "valley of the floor" or flat bottomed valley.
The town is at the junction of the N15 and N13 primary roads. For nearly 100 years, Stranorlar was the headquarters of the County Donegal Railway system (originally the Finn Valley Railway), with services to Londonderry and Letterkenny by way of Strabane, to Ballyshannon and Killybegs by way of Donegal, and to Glenties. At its peak, the railway had 130 employees. The last train ran from Stranorlar in 1960.
Stranorlar railway station was built by the Finn Valley Railway and opened on 7 September 1863 and finally closed on 6 February 1960. The old railway station was demolished to make way for a new bus garage. To celebrate the Millennium, the old clock from the railway station was restored and installed in a new clock tower which sits at the old pedestrian entrance to the railway station yard.
Churches
- Church of Ireland: St Mary's. Isaac Butt MP, founder of the Home Rule Movement is buried in the churchyard
- Presbyerian: Stranolar Presbyterian Church
- Reformed Presbyterian: Stranorlar Reformed Presbyterian Church[1]
- Roman Catholic: St Mary Immaculate, which is an imposing 19th Century structure.
Sport
- Athletics: Finn Valley Athletics Club has its track in the town.
- Golf: An 18 hole golf course
- Fishing: game fishing is enjoyed in the River Finn, and
- Rugby: Finn Valley Rugby Club
About the village
There are numerous guest houses throughout the town and on the main street is Stranorlar's only hotel. Kee's Hotel, first established in the 19th century as a coach house. The vernacular architecture of the town is largely 19th century solid two and three-storey townhouses, one or two of some interest. Unfortunately, they are rapidly being lost to development.
Nearby is the Lough Alann bird sanctuary.
Drumboe Woods are the major attraction of Stranorlar. The woods are managed by Coillte and provide walking routes along the banks of the River Finn and the upper woods.
Outside the town, a small folly called The Steeple is a popular destination for many walkers. From the top of the tower, on a clear day, the hillfort of The Grianan of Aileach can be seen.
There is a raised ring fort at Dunwiley, outside the town.
Outside links
 |
("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Stranorlar) |