Date: 23 Sept 2025
Glasgow Corporation Transport & The Donegal Connection New booklet traces the role of Donegal men and women who kept Glasgow on the move
A new 50-page booklet entitled ‘Glasgow Corporation Transport and the Donegal Connection’ will be launched in the County Museum, High Road, Letterkenny at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, October 1 (with refreshments available from 6:30 p.m.). The booklet was researched and written by Glasgow-based historian, journalist and author Hugh Dougherty who will deliver an illustrated presentation at the event. The free booklet is the sixth in the Donegal Heritage Series produced by the County Donegal Heritage Office and funded by Donegal County Council and The Heritage Council as part of the County Donegal Heritage Plan. The event is open to the public but people are advised to book in advance. To book your place, please contact the Donegal County Museum on (074) 912 4613 or by e-mail at museum@donegalcoco.ie
“We’re delighted that Hugh agreed to write this insightful and engaging account of working on the Glasgow Corporation Transport buses, trams, trolleybuses and subway to highlight the work experiences of Donegal men and women” explained Joseph Gallagher, County Donegal Heritage Officer. “Glasgow Corporation Transport was an important employer of many Donegal people over the years so this company will be familiar to many Donegal families. As a history student at Glasgow University, Hugh worked part-time as a conductor on the West Scottish Motor Traction at Means and Thornliebank Garages from 1969 to 1971 and as a driver in 1972. Through his experience and his knowledge of Glasgow Corporation Transport, he is well-placed to give us a flavour of the working conditions and work experiences of Donegal people in this profession. Donegal people such as Máire Rua Gallagher from Anagaire, Mary Cullen from Carrigart, Christopher Britton from Ballintra, Madge Boyle from Meenatotten near Dungloe, and Joe Doherty from Rathmullan are among those featured in the booklet. We’d also encourage people with first-hand accounts of working with Glasgow Corporation Transport or who had family members who worked on the buses, trams, trolleybuses or subway to come along on the evening and share their memories or stories. The launch of the booklet and presentation is part of the ‘Working Over By: Donegal Emigrant Working Lives in Scotland’ project undertaken by the Culture Division of Donegal County Council in partnership with the Mellon Centre for Migration Studies.”
“Drivers, conductors and conductresses from County Donegal played a vital part in keeping Glasgow on the move” explained author Hugh Dougherty. “They proudly wore the green uniform of Glasgow Corporation which ran horse trams in the city from 1894 to 1902, electric trams from 1898 to 1962, motorbuses from 1924 to 1973, and the Subway - the city’s underground railway - after the corporation acquired it in 1924. Donegal staff also served on trolleybuses, which hummed their silent way beneath their wires from 1949 to 1967.”
Hugh Dougherty is a transport journalist and author of the ‘Bus Services of the County Donegal Railways’, ‘Seeking the Swilly’, ‘Trolleybuses, Glasgow’s Silent Service’ and ‘Holiday’s Busman’. A history graduate of Glasgow University, Hugh is a proud member of the Glasgow-Donegal diaspora with Inishowen roots and contributes regularly to The Irish Post and The Irish Voice newspapers. Free copies of the ‘Glasgow Corporation Transport and the Donegal Connection’ booklet will be available at the launch and the ’Working Over By’ exhibition will run in the County Museum until the end of January 2026. A travelling version of the exhibition is also available to view in the Glasgow City Archives in The Mitchell Library, North Street, Glasgow until January 2026.
