The manor of Drumboe was first granted to sir Thomas Redington. A short time later it was purchased by Sir Ralph Bingley. The following extract is form public records in the British Museum on the "Plantation of Ulster".

"Sir Ralph Bingley hath built a house of lime and stone, having two returns of 50ft long and 19ft broad. The middle part being 26ft. long and 24ft. wide, being 2 storeys and a half in height, not yet furnished. Three parts there being slated and there being some material for furnishing of the residue thereof. The house is situated on the River Finn near unto the fort which is the chiefest passage into the mountains of Barnes Mor and is a principle place for the King's service. Where a bridge is very needful to be built, near adjoining this house on the other side of the river. Sir Ralph Bingley hath erected a village called Ballybofey consisting of 12 houses thatched, some stone and the rest timber."

So that was the start of Ballybofey. Bingley died in 1625 and his young widow did not let any grass grow on her lawn before she married a former lover named Robert Harrington. The Harringtons were soon in trouble with Dublin Castle because of their liberal attitude towards the common people. However, a courier by the name of Orwell secured a King's pardon, and with it a new patent which included powers to hold markets and fairs on given dates in the building town of Ballybofey.

About 1640 the Harringtons left Drumboe. A new lord of the manor arrived in their place in 1641. He was William Bassil who later became Cromwell's Attorney General for Ireland. Several generations of Bassils occupied Drumboe until the end of the eighteenth century. Young Mary Bassil, the last of her family, married an English doctor, Sir Samuel Hayes. The Hayes family who were respected by all creeds and classes, lived in Drumboe Castle until the beginning of the twentieth century.

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