Donegal County Council Culture Division, in association with the Donegal Coutny Archives, will be providing historical reflections on the Irish Famine in the lead up to the National Famine Commemoration 2023.
Donegal County Council's Culture Division has a wealth of information in relation to the Great Irish Famine online and onsite.
To find out about the workhouses of Donegal you can access the booklet online here.
Explore Ballyshannon Workhouse in 3D here.
View a talk by Donegal County Museum based on the Ballyshannon Workhouse Virtual Walk Thru here.
A Long Farewell, The Emigration of Donegal Women, 1845 – 1950 booklet is available here.
The Board of Guardians (BG/ Poor Law Union/Workhouses) Collection of Minutes of meetings and admission & Discharge registers are available to view for free by accessing www.findmypast.ie on a PC at your local library. To view your nearest library and opening times click here.
The Irish Times Archive at Ask About Ireland provides online access to search their digitised archives free of charge within public libraries and schools in Ireland through www.askaboutireland.ie.
Browse books available in Donegal County Libraries Donegal Studies Collection on the Famine in Donegal here.
Have a browse of the other records available from Donegal County Council's Culture Division by clicking on the sources below
Donegal County Library Service
Did you know that Donegal County Council will host the National Famine Commemoration in Milford on May 21st this year? During the famine years many young Irish orphan girls, including those from Donegal were transported to Australia under the Earl Grey Scheme designed to even the sexes in Australia and relieve the pressure on Workhouses. Some as young as 14 years left their homeland for Sydney alone to be kept at the British Army's Hyde Park Barracks until they were hired. Updates about the National Famine Commemoration being held at Milford coming soon. Read more about the Earl Grey Scheme at:
Orphan Emigration from Ballyshannon
Orphan Database - Irish Famine Memorial
History - Irish Famine Memorial
A Long Farewell Exhibition Booklet
On May 21st 2023 Donegal County Council will host the National Famine Commemoration at the site of the Workhouse in Milford, Co. Donegal. While the buliding no longer stands Donegal County Archives helps us gain an insight into life at the workhouse, particularly it's fever hospital during the famine years. More details to be announced on the commemoration in the coming weeks.
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