Ballyshannon

Ballyshannon was incorporated by a charter of 10 James I with a portreeve, 12 burgesses and the commonalty, whose participation appears to have been short-lived as the two MPs were elected by the portreeve and free burgesses under the guidance of the Conolly family. In 1796 Thomas Conolly (0459) sold the borough to the Earl of Belmore (1269) for £12,000. At the Union Lord Belmore received £15,000 for its disfranchisement.