Events

Donegal County  Museum hosts a series of talks and events during the year on topics as varied as history, geology, archaeology and flora and fauna.

 On International Museum Day on 18 May , join us for  two events 

 Thursday 18th May, 11am – 12:30pm  

Weaving & Spinning with Johnny Spinning Wheel

The sound of the spinning wheel has been part of the music of rural

Ireland for generations. Learn about spinning and weaving in this taster

session with Johnny Spinning Wheels. Johnny Shiels is a third generation

spinning wheel maker.

Fíodóireacht  & Sníomh le Johnny Spinning Wheel

Tá fuaim na rotha mar chuid de cheol na tuaithe

in Éirinn leis na glúnta anuas. Foghlaim faoi sníomh agus fíodóireacht sa

seisiún seo le Johnny Spinning Wheels. Is déantóir rotha sníomh den tríú

glúin é Johnny Shiels.

Capacity: 10 Max

Venue: Donegal County Museum, High Road, Letterkenny, Co Donegal F92 XH2R

 PREBOOKING IS REQUIRED TO  (074) 9175384

Archaeological Survey of County Donegal - Recent Discoveries

 Thursday 18th May 7.30pm

 Donegal County Museum, High Road, Letterkenny, Co Donegal F92 XH2R

Join National Monuments Service Archaeologist, Jane O'Shaughnessy to hear about the recent discovery of archaeological sites in County Donegal, dating from Prehistoric times to the early 1600's with sites from Cairns, Rock Art to Hillforts. Jane is the National Monuments Service Survey Controller for Counties Donegal, Sligo and Mayo.

This talk form part of Donegal County Museum's 'ARCH 40' celebrations, as it is 40 years since the publication of the pioneering ' Archaeological Survey of County Donegal ‘. County Donegal was the first county in Ireland to have a full survey of its archaeological sites conducted and published in book form.

 Admission is free

 For booking and information T 074 9124613

E [email protected]

County Donegal World War I database, “The County Donegal Roll of Honour 1914 – 1918”,

Donegal County Museum is delighted to launch its online County Donegal World War I database, “The County Donegal Roll of Honour 1914 – 1918”, as part of Donegal County Council’s Decade of Centenaries Commemorative Programme.

This searchable database contains information on each known person from County Donegal who died as a result of the War. Information contained in this database includes name, service number and place of birth as well as additional information intensively researched by Donegal County Museum., Culture Division, Donegal County Council. The database  listings are based on the 5th edition of the County Donegal Book of Honour, The Great War 1914-1918,  which was updated with assistance from the public and under the guidance of a new Committee and was edited and  reprinted by the Museum in 2019.

This County database is a work in progress and is designed to be updated as new information is uncovered. We have made every effort to ensure that the names and details of all those that died have been included and we acknowledge the assistance of all those who contributed information to the book and we wish to acknowledge those who worked on this project  - Judith McCarthy, Donegal County Museum, Caroline Carr, Donegal County Museum and Paul Earley, Information Systems, Donegal County Council

Information may exist on others from Donegal who died during the War, please forward any information to Donegal County Museum, High Road, Letterkenny Co. Donegal, Ireland or email us on [email protected] or contact us via the contact form on the website.

It is available to view at donegalgreatwardead.ie and donegalgreatwardead.com

Donegal County Museum has been undertaking research on all those from Donegal involved in World War I since 2001. Over the years the Museum has organised and participated in a variety of events examining the story of Donegal’s role in the War. This project has been funded by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sports and Media under the Community Strand of the 2021 Decade of Centenaries programme as part of the Decade of Centenaries Initiative 2012-2023.

 Currently on display is our latest major exhibition in partnership with Donegal County Archives 

‘A Common Humanity: Full Circle’ - The Ann Doherty Collection

 This powerful photographic exhibition of never seen before stunning photographs by Ann Doherty, renowned former Documentary Photographer features

ordinary people often living in extraordinary situations across the world from Donegal, Ireland , Scotland to Sierra Leone, from Italy to Armenia, Ukraine to Egypt.

Ann worked as a documentary photographer across the globe between 1994 – 2005. She photographed for the Sunday Times Magazine between 1997- 2004, covering the after-effects of war, Communism and poverty throughout the world. Her images bring the lives of people from many different nations and cultures sharply into focus against backgrounds of conflict, poverty, social deprivation, hardship, trauma, and remoteness. The stark beauty and honesty of Ann’s work reveals the indomitable spirit and will to survive of those pushed to the edge of human experience.

Ann is from Scotland and her family hails from Gweedore and Gola.

This project was funded through the Heritage Council Stewardship Fund 2022.

Admission is free. Donegal County Museum, High Road, Letterkenny, Co Donegal T 074 9124613 E [email protected]

Opening Hours

Monday – Friday: 10:00 - 16:30

Closed for lunch 12.30 – 13.00

Saturday: 13.00 – 16.30

 ‘Life in the Workhouse’ - Living History Workhouse Tours

There will be two tours on Culture Night on Friday 23rd September  of Donegal County Museum ‘s ‘Life in the Workhouse’ - Living History Workhouse Tours at 6.15 and 7.30pm 

‌Donegal County Museum invites you to step back in time to hear the stories of those who worked and stayed in the County Donegal Workhouses during the Revolutionary Period (1919- 1923).

By using the records preserved in the Donegal Archives Service, visitors to the  County Museum will meet the Master and Matron of the Workhouse, as well as some of the inmates of the workhouse in the final years of the system.  You will meet Frances Campbell, a Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers soldier who returned  home Shell Shocked from WWI and hear the story of  Mary Breslin who gave birth to her son James in the Donegal workhouse in 1920. Blue Eagle Production were commissioned by Donegal County Museum to produce these tour and feature local actor including local actors

Anne Gallagher - Matron

Eoghan Mac Giolla Bhrighde- Master

Andrew Tinney - Frances Campbell

Amy Kate Callaghan – Mary Breslin

The tours are Free but booking is required to Donegal County Museum, High Road Letterkenny T 0749124613 E [email protected]

These tours are funded under the Community Strand of the 2022 Decade of Centenaries programme by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.

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