Enjoy a Virtual Tour of this major Decade of Centenaries exhibition by Donegal County Museum, Culture Division, Donegal County Council which focuses on the years 1919-1925 in County Donegal. The exhibition topics range from the War of Independence, the Civil War to Partition, the work of the Boundary Commission and the Border, all of which had a significant impact on life in County Donegal and the North West.
Donegal County Museum’s Decade of Centenaries programme recognises that the period from 1912 to 1923 is perhaps one of the most important in Irish history. The events that occurred during this decade transformed the island of Ireland and have had a lasting impact on Irish politics and society, right up to the present day.
This Virtual Tour was 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.
See the Virtual Tour here
In 2021, the Culture Division delivered 8 engaging and informative projects exploring the history of the Decade of Centenaries in County Donegal.
Margaret Hannon was commissioned to work with the Donegal County Archives Service and the Donegal County Museum as Artist in Residence to create a piece of new artistic work in response to their collections of material pertaining to the period 1919-1923. Maggie is an actor, writer and theatre maker who most recently wrote and performed her one woman show, Sister Black. The result of her residency is a drama which tells the story of a grieving woman who has a series of encounters with ghosts from the Decade of Centenaries who challenge her preconceptions of the past. The drama will be performed in November - Covid -19 restrictions permitting.
MacConmara Heritage Consulting was appointed to undertake an audit of publically accessible memorials relating to the Decade of Centenaries 1919-1923. They undertook a public consultation process as well as in-depth research which has resulted in a comprehensive audit including a report and database. The project included memorials relating to the War of Independence, Civil War and WWI. Its completion provides us with a powerful resource to interpret how events of a century ago – sometimes contentious, sometimes unifying - have been remembered ever since. Across Donegal, 81 different memorials were identified.
Dr Ben Rogers was commissioned to work with the Donegal County Archives as Historian in Residence. Dr Rogers is currently based in the School of History in University College Dublin. He carried out research on two of the County Archives Collections , The Joseph Murray Collection and selected Rural & Urban District Council minute books from 1918 – 1925. The outcome of the research is six published essays and a series of on-line talks.
The Library Service organised a series of on-line lectures delivered by both local and national experts exploring a variety of themes connected to the revolutionary period. The series ran from June to September. Speakers included: Liz Gillis, Myles Dungan and Sinead McCoole whose lectures were performed live on-line; Professor Edward Burke, Assistant Professor in International Relations at Nottingham University and Dr Niamh Hamill of the Institute of Study Abroad; and local historians Helen Meehan, Kieran Kelly and Seosamh O Ceallaigh; whose talks were premiered on the Donegal County Council YouTube channel and are available to view at any time.
Ann Quinn was commissioned to create two paintings reflecting on aspects of life in Donegal during the period 1919 to 1923. In 2020 Ann received an Artist Bursary Award from the Arts Council of Ireland and has previously exhibited in galleries throughout Ireland and at the RHA Annual Exhibition every year since 2004. She works from her own artist’s studio at Ballylennon, St Johnston, Co Donegal. The theme of both paintings is Donegal women and Donegal homes, during the period 1919-1923. The artist’s aim was to create a bridge between the present and the past by using a real life model in the present Donegal landscape.
'Legnathraw', oil on canvas, 80 x 100cm, 2021 is based on an old house in the small townland of Legnathraw, outside St. Johnston. The painting is set in Summer.
'Meenagrauv', oil on canvas, 80 x 100cm, 2022 is based on an old cottage in the townland of Meenagrauv outside Stranorlar. The painting is set in Winter.
Donegal County Museum worked with Paul Marshall of Visual Arts Media to develop a virtual tour of its exhibition From Conflict to Division, Donegal 1919-1925. This virtual tour enables people to access the exhibition from anywhere in the world. It includes a 360 degree tour of the exhibition with the ability to zoom in on each exhibition panel as well as on a select number of artefacts in the exhibition. The virtual tour will be made available through the Council website.
In October, during Wainfest Children’s Festival, the Library Service organised a number of events on the theme of the Decade of Centenaries. These included talks by authors Ann Murtagh and Brian Gallagher and historians Liz Gillis and Ida Milne. There were educational live online presentations by John D Ruddy, Creator of the YouTube history series Manny Man Does History and by Michael Moylan of Irish History Live.
The Museum developed an on-line database containing all the listings published in the County Donegal Book of Honour, The Great War 1914-1918 with additional information researched by the Museum. The searchable database contains information on each person from Donegal who died as a result of the War including, name, service number and place of birth. The database can be updated as new information is uncovered and will be publically accessible through a link on the Museum webpage.
Donegal County Museum and the RCC are also collaborating on the 'Bordering Realities' project led by Monaghan County Council, which will see the delivery of 5 animated films, exploring stories from the Decade of Centenaries in Donegal, Monaghan, Derry, Armagh and Fermanagh.
Monuments and memorials to key aspects of County Donegal’s history a century ago are to be comprehensively documented in an exciting new project. As part of the Culture Division, Donegal County Council Decade of Centenaries Commemorative Programme, the Culture Division , has appointed Mac Conmara Heritage Consulting, experts in the fields of memory, commemoration and history, to audit commemorative memorials across the county. This project will record County Donegal memorials relating to the Irish Revolutionary Period 1912-1923 - War of Independence and Civil War, as well as World War I. On completion, it will provide a powerful resource to interpret how events a century ago – sometimes contentious, sometimes unifying - have been remembered ever since. The audit places a central focus on local knowledge and community memory within Donegal’s local communities.
Memorials, statues and wall plaques, as well as church inscriptions will be included, where relevant. Grave markers - where there is a clear reference to the individual’s connection to the period will also be documented. Mac Conmara Heritage Consulting has developed a project methodology based on rigorous academic and archival standards. Ultimately a master database will be developed to include information on each memorial, including who and what it memorialises, who constructed it and why, detailed information about its condition and location and geo mapping to allow the people of Donegal and beyond to engage with their history in an enjoyable and interactive way.
This audit has been funded by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport & Media under the Decade of Centenaries 2012 -2023 Initiative through the The Decade of Centenaries Commemorations Programme, Culture Division, Donegal County Council.
This Audit is an Action of the County Donegal Heritage Plan.
Decade of Centenaries Memorials Audit Press Release
Decade of Centenaries Audit of Memorials 2021
Decade of Centenaries Audit of Memorials Statement
Donegal County Council Library Service announced their first ever digital (online) lecture series exploring the themes of the Decade of Centenaries. This free lecture series ran from June to September and consisted of indepth and engaging lectures by highly regarded historians, focusing on the everyday experience of ordinary people living in extraordinary times and and encompassing the different cultural, political and religious traditions throughout the island of Ireland.
The Decade of Centenaries Commemorations Programme Culture Division, Donegal County Council is supported by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media under the Decade of Centenaries 2012 -2023 Initiative.
Lectures dates:
Thursday 24th June at 7.00pm
Liz Gillis, author and historian - ‘Children during the War of Independence’
Thursday 15th July at 7.00pm
Myles Dungan, presenter of the History Show on RTE Radio - ‘What did you do in the War of Independence, Grandad?’
Thursday 9th September at 7.00pm
Sinead McCoole, author and historian, - ‘How to Research and Write an Irish Family History’
Please Note:
The following lectures are available to view online on the Donegal County Council YouTube Channel i
July
Thursday 22nd July at 7.00pm
Kieran Kelly, author and local historian- ‘From Nationalism to Republicanism - Letterkenny in the Decade of Change’
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5yH7Jpt9pc&list=PLDfj6YPUFQtuzFgF8BVpJDdtIq-JjdyVX&index=2
Thursday 29th July at 7.00pm
Professor Edward Burke, Assistant Professor in International Relations, Director of Conflict, Security and Terrorism, Faculty of Social Sciences at Nottingham University - “Closing the Gates: Loyalist Paramilitaries and Resistance in County Donegal, 1920-1923”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpshe-OdLP0&list=PLDfj6YPUFQtuzFgF8BVpJDdtIq-JjdyVX
September
Thursday 16th September at 7.00pm
Helen Meehan ,author and local historian - “The History and legacy of Cumann na mBan in Donegal”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqlXzwgjjqg&list=PLDfj6YPUFQtuzFgF8BVpJDdtIq-JjdyVX&index=4
Thursday 23rd September at 7.00pm
Dr Niamh Hamill (author and historian) “Broken Promises – Nationalism, Gender and the New Republic’
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ld3yizZHxVI&list=PLDfj6YPUFQtuzFgF8BVpJDdtIq-JjdyVX&index=3
Thursday 30th September at 7.00pm
Seosamh O Ceallaigh. author and local historian - ‘The War of Independence in Cloughaneely’
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYfWvgOv5g8&list=PLDfj6YPUFQtuzFgF8BVpJDdtIq-JjdyVX&index=5
For further information on all these Decade of Centenaries lectures contact the Central Library, Letterkenny on 074 9124950.
You can also follow Donegal County Library on Facebook and Twitter.
Artists of all disciplines (resident and working in/or from County Donegal) are invited to submit proposals for a creative project exploring, responding to or reflecting
on aspects of life in County Donegal during the period 1919 to 1923.
One artist and one project will be selected through this Open Call.
Deich mBliana na gCuimhneachán 2021 Treoir don Glao Oscailte d'Ealaíontóirí
DOC 21 Open Call Artist and Artist in Residence Brief
Forim Iarratais
dDeich mBliana na gCuimhneachán 2021 Foirm Iarratais Glao Oscailte ar Ealaíontói
Application Form
DOC21 ARTISTS OPEN CALL APPLICATION
Donegal County Archives and the Donegal County Museum Services are looking to engage an Artist in Residence to create new artistic work/s in response to their collections of material pertaining to the period 1919-1923
Cónaitheacht Ealaíontóra ag Seirbhís Cartlainne Chomhairle Contae Dhún na nGall
DOC 21 Open Call Artist and Artist in Residence Brief
Forim Iarratais
Cónaitheacht Ealaíontóra ag Seirbhís Cartlainne Chomhairle Contae Dhún na nGall
Application Form
A historian in residence will carry out research on two of the Donegal County Archives Collections - The Joseph Murray Collection (Vice Brigadier, 4 Brigade, 1st Northern Division, South East Donegal) and on selected Rural & Urban District Council minute books from 1918 – 1925.
The outcome of the research will be six published essays and a series of online talks.
DOC 21 Deich mBliana na gCuimhneachán 2021 Treoir don Ealaíontoir Chónaithe sa C
As part of the County Donegal Decade of Centenaries Commemorations Programme, funding has been received to undertake an audit of memorials relating to the Decade of Centenaries (1912-1923).
This will be an audit of publicly-accessible memorials relating to the Decade of Centenaries including those in outdoor settings and those in publicly-accessible buildings such as Churches.
This audit has been funded by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport & Media under the Decade of Centenaries 2012 -2023 Initiative through the The Decade of Centenaries Commemorations Programme, Culture Division.
This Audit is an Action of the County Donegal Heritage Plan.
Donegal County Museum is delighted to announce funding has been secured by Donegal County Council’s Culture Division from 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. This funding will enable the Culture Division to deliver 8 exciting and innovative projects across a wide range of themes. The projects are:
Historian in Residence
A historian in residence will carry out research on two of the Donegal County Archives Collections - The Joseph Murray Collection (Vice Brigadier, 4 Brigade, 1st Northern Division, South East Donegal) and on selected Rural & Urban District Council minute books from 1918 – 1925. The outcome of the research will be six published essays and a series of online talks.
Wainfest Children’s’ Activities
During Wainfest, the Donegal Library Service will organise a number of online talks by Irish authors aimed at primary aged children across Donegal. There will also be an educational live presentation in libraries by John D Ruddy, Creator of Manny Man and the YouTube history series Manny Man Does History.
Donegal Library Service Lecture programme
The Donegal Library Service will organise a series of online lectures exploring a variety of themes connected to the revolutionary period. The talks will be delivered by both local and national experts.
Open call for Artists
Artists of all disciplines (resident and working in/or from County Donegal ) will be invited to submit proposals for a creative project exploring, responding to or reflecting on aspects of life in Donegal during the period 1919 to 1923. One artist and one project will be selected through an Open Call.
Artist in Residence
Donegal County Archives and the Donegal County Museum Services will engage an Artist in Residence to create new artistic work/s in response to their collections of material pertaining to the period 1919-1923.
WWI database based on the County Donegal Book of Honour
Donegal County Museum will create an on-line database containing all the listings published in the 5th edition of the County Donegal Book of Honour, The Great War 1914-1918 along with additional information uncovered by the Museum in their research.
Virtual tour of the exhibition ‘From Conflict to Division, Donegal 1919-1925’
Donegal County Museum will develop a virtual tour of its exhibition ‘From Conflict to Division Donegal 1919-1925’ so visitors can access the exhibition despite the restrictions of the Covid 19 pandemic.
Audit of Memorials
As part of the implementation of the County Donegal Heritage Plan, Donegal County Council will commission an audit of publicly-accessible memorials relating to the Decade of Centenaries (1912 – 1923).
The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sports and Media works with partner Departments and stakeholders to support and facilitate commemorative actions and events under this initiative, with local authorities including Donegal County Council holding a key partner role in coordination, planning and delivery of the programme.
For information contact Donegal County Museum, High Road, Letterkenny, Co Donegal T 074 9124613 E [email protected]
Donegal County Museum, the Regional Cultural Centre and the Museum and Heritage Service of Derry City and Strabane District Council commissioned and produced a series of six short video pieces which highlight the experiences of women during the Revolutionary Period (1919-1923). These videos provide snapshots of the period, exploring the stories of women during the struggle for Irish independence.
The Donegal video pieces highlight the varied experiences of local women.
The first video features Eithne Coyle, an active member of Cumann na mBan. During the War of Independence she carried out a one woman campaign holding up trains, seizing goods and burning British newspapers. In September 1922 she was arrested and remained in jail until the end of the Civil War. She was President of Cumann na mBan between 1926 and 1941.
The second video features Mary Ballantine who was married to Head Constable Joseph Ballantine of the Royal Irish Constabulary. In May 1922, Joseph who had just retired from his position was shot and killed at his home in Raphoe.
The third video features Rose Ann Logue, an Instructress with the Congested Districts Board, who was held up by two armed and masked men who threatened her and cut off her hair.
The Derry films feature Lady Lillian Spender on a tour along the newly-established border in June 1923. Lady Spender describes in her diaries events along the Border in places such as Clady and Pettigo.
The videos were released as a weekly series beginning in February 23rd with Eithne Coyle and Lillian Spender.
To view the Donegal films visit
https://www.youtube.com/user/wwwdonegalcocoie/videos
Or https://www.facebook.com/Donegalcomuseum
To view the Derry Films, beginning on Monday 23rd February, visit www.facebook.com/towermuseum/
The video pieces were produced by Dark Daughter Productions with videography by Oath Film Studio. Use of the Diaries of Lillian Spender is by courtesy of the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland.
These videos have been supported by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media under the Decade of Centenaries 2012-2023 initiative.
Donegal County Museum has written and produced a fascinating new booklet entitled “From Conflict to Division: Donegal 1919-1925” which explores the story of the War of Independence, Partition, and the Civil War in County Donegal.
The period 1912 to 1923 is perhaps one of the most important in Irish history. The events that occurred during this decade transformed the island of Ireland and have had a lasting legacy on Irish politics and society, right up to the present day. In the 100 years since, the lines between fact and myth have become blurred and the true story of the revolutionary years was buried but not forgotten. The booklet highlights some of the events from this period that impacted the people of Donegal.
This bilingual booklet was supported by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media under the Decade of Centenaries 2012 -2023 Initiative and by the Creative Ireland Programme 2017-2022.
This free booklet is available online and can be downloaded from Donegal County Museum website see
https://www.donegalcoco.ie/culture/countymuseum/publications/
A limited number of hard copies are available from Donegal County Museum.
Donegal County Museum High Road, Letterkenny,Co Donegal
E [email protected] T 074 91 24613
The Culture Division of Donegal County Council is currently putting together a programme of events to commemorate the forthcoming Decade of Centenaries (2021-2023) including the Struggle for Independence, Partition, the Civil War and the Foundation of the State. The objective is to promote an inclusive, respectful, authentic, measured and consultative approach to commemorations, which encourages a deeper understanding of the context of the time, recognising the differing perspectives on our shared history and seeking to strengthen peace and reconciliation on the island of Ireland.
One of the challenges of these centenaries is that every place and community has a story. However, these stories are largely hidden or almost forgotten. We are seeking your ideas for themes and activities which could be included in this programme and which could increase our understanding of this complex period of our history.
Themes to be considered could include but are not limited to:
• Local connections with the significant events
• The partitioning of Ireland – its impact and legacy on Donegal communities living along the newly established border and farther afield.
• The impact of the revolutionary period on families and children.
• The aftermath of World War I and the experiences of those who were part of the war effort and returned to their communities in a changing Ireland.
• The Irish language during this period.
• 'Ireland and the Wider World' – local connections with the international dimension, including the role of the Diaspora in the events from 1921 – 1923.
We would particularly welcome suggestions for on-line and virtual activities that we could deliver during the COVID-19 pandemic. Themes or activities suggested will be considered for inclusion in the programme to be delivered by the Culture Division.
Please note that the following will not be included in the programme:
- Memorials, plaques, busts, statues, commemorative medals or pins;
- Commercial activities.
The Culture Division programme is supported by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media under the Decade of Centenaries 2012 -2023 Initiative
If you wish to submit an idea or suggest a theme, please request a submission form by emailing
Closing date for submissions: 5pm on Tuesday 26th January 2021.
The Culture Division of Donegal County Council will deliver the following programme of activities in 2020 as part of the Decade of Centenaries Commemorations. These activities have been supported by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media under the Decade of Centenaries 2012-2023 initiative.
-min-558x396.jpg)
The Archives Service will digitise and make available on-line the bound volumes of the minutes of meetings which are currently stored in the Archives repository in Lifford. These archives are the minutes of meetings of County Donegal’s ten Rural District Councils, during the aftermath of the 1916 Rising, the 1918 General Election, War of Independence, partition, Civil War and early years of the Irish Free State, 1918 - 1925.
For further Information please contact
Three Rivers Centre
Lifford
Co. Donegal
F93 PN3H
Tel: 074 9153900
Email: [email protected]
Donegal County Museum will deliver a booklet on the theme of the Decade of Centenaries focussing on the current centenaries – War of Independence; Partition; and the Civil War, as they relate to County Donegal. The booklet will promote a wider understanding of these historical events and their impact in Donegal. It will explore the story from all perspectives and highlight the events of the period using both local and national resources.
For further information, please contact
High Road
Letterkenny
Co. Donegal
F92 K123
Tel: 074 9124613
Email: [email protected]
The Regional Cultural Centre working with Dark Daughter productions will deliver a series of Cross Border video pieces which explore the experiences of women during the Struggle for Independence and the changing role of women in society during the revolutionary period. The video pieces will highlight a previously unexplored aspect of our history and will be presented in a format accessible to a wide audience.
For further information, please contact
Regional Cultural Centre
Cove Hill, Port Road
Letterkenny
Co. Donegal
Email: [email protected]
Select an option below
