Donegal County Museum

08/09/2026

We are certainly looking forward to opening of the annual 'Volunteering in Community & Heritage' Photographic exhibition in partnership with Donegal Volunteer Centre & Donegal News on Culture Night, Friday 18th September. https://culturenight.ie/event/exhibition-volunteering-in-the-community-and-volunteering-in-heritage/
The judging has now been completed.
This year’s judging panel were
L -R
Olena Dmytriieva (Donegal Volunteer Centre), Michela Clarke (Donegal Volunteer Centre), Shannon
Shannon Whelan Kongsted (Donegal Volunteer Centre), Eamonn B***r (Donegal Volunteer Centre), Keelan Kildea (Donegal Volunteer Centre), Caroline Carr Donegal County Museum and Declan Doherty, photographer.

Donegal County Council Culture Night Donegal Culture Night

08/09/2026

Walsh is the fourth most common surname in Ireland, and it means "the Welshman".

It is not an old Gaelic name at all. Neither are these:

Burke, Fitzgerald, Power, Barry, Roche, Costello, Dillon, Barrett, Cusack, Prendergast, Joyce, Dalton, Tobin, Purcell, Butler, Condon, Redmond, Keating, Wall, Plunkett, Hussey, Tyrrell, Lacy, Darcy, de Courcy, Fleming, Jordan, Staunton, Talbot, Savage and White.

They came into Ireland, or took shape here, in the centuries after the Normans arrived. And yet within a few generations those families were speaking Irish, marrying into Gaelic families and settling their disputes under Brehon law. Some were eventually described as more Irish than the Irish themselves.

So, a question for you today. Is one of them in your family tree? Carina's grandmother was a Barry, and I have a few further back myself.

And if your surname is not on the list, do put it in the comments anyway. That is often the more interesting conversation.

Link to the full story in the first comment.

07/09/2026

✨️The end of one chapter and the beginning of another✨️

This week will be your final opportunity to see Inishowen Maritime Museum as it has been for the past 25 years. We will close our doors to the public on Saturday 12th of September and it will be all hands on deck to complete the final and biggest phases of our redevelopment project.

We will reopen in 2027 and hope to see all of you then.

In the meantime to show our appreciation to you all, we've decided to remain open until 9pm every night this week and offer half price entry to allow everyone the chance to get a last look at the museum as it is and reminisce.

Past Board members and anyone who has contributed in any way in making Inishowen Maritime Museum the outstanding facility that it is today are welcome to visit all week free of charge!

📍And, if any of you lovely people have some free time and are handy with a paint brush or would like to show off your physical strength we would be happy to offer you the opportunity to be part of this exciting time in the history of Inishowen Maritime Museum. Tea and biscuits will be provided 😊.

Roll on 2027 🌊👋

Late night's are thanks to the After Hours at the Museum Scheme 2026 and the main project has been made possible by the Shared Island Coast to Coast Capital Investment Scheme.

Mirador Media Ltd Tower Museum
Go Visit Inishowen, Donegal Moville Heritage Donegal County Museum Donegal Democrat / Donegal Live Lough Foyle Ferry Derry Journal Go Visit Donegal Inishowen Rivers Inishowen Heritage Donegal Daily Inishowen Independent Ali Farren Albert Doherty Greencastle Regatta Festival Greencastle Centre The Ó Dochartaigh Clann Association Inish Times / Inish Live

06/09/2026

Such a lovely selection of colours and materials for shirts made by John McLaughlin and Co Ltd. The shirt factory operated in Buncrana for over a century from roughly c.1880 to 1990.

Images Donegal County Museum Collection

Donegal County Library Donegal County Archives West Inishowen History & Heritage Society Buncrana Camera Club

05/09/2026

The countdown is onto to Culture Night Donegal , happening between 6- 10pm on Friday 18th September. We hope you will join us for a variety of events from Vintage Cars, exhibitions, readings, a lively session and look out for the BANSHEE!

Culture Night Donegal County Library Donegal County Archives Donegal County Council Donegal Page ATU Design Donegal Go visit Letterkenny, Heart of Donegal Go Visit Donegal

05/09/2026

Very lovely to have Bob Geldof into to visit us today!

Donegal County Council Donegal Airport Donegal Page Donegal County Library Regional Cultural Centre, Letterkenny The Boomtown Rats

04/09/2026

Our exhibition’Rockwell Kent, An American Artist in Donegal’, continues to the end of September.
2026 marks the centenary of Kent’s visit to the remote valley of Glenlough in south-west Donegal. He stayed for the summer creating a series of artworks which remain some of the most significant artistic responses to the Donegal landscape. Many of these artworks are now in private collections – the exhibition displays the only two Donegal artworks that are in Ireland.
Through text, images and objects, the exhibition explores his extraordinary life and particularly the art created during his time spent in Donegal.
Admission is free

04/09/2026

Paddy Doherty from Ballyshannon, was a five time Irish champion at different weights and age groups, started in 1964 at Boys 9st - winning junior in 1968 and senior in 1969.
He holds three Ulster senior titles and two All-Ireland senior titles. Won a bronze medal at the 1970 British Commonwealth and boxed at the European Senior Championships.

Paddy had 20 outings in the Northern Ireland singlet while he boxed in 16 internationals for Ireland and also boxed in Nigeria, Kenya, Johannesburg, Spain, Germany.

When Katie Taylor steps into the ring tomorrow night for a momentous farewell - the last Irish boxer, who fought in Croke Park, 54 years ago, will be among the 80,000 spectators.

03/09/2026

Almost a century ago, Mr. Chetham and his geological exploration group of students from England, set up a base camp at Roshin Port on the western shores of Killybegs harbour. From here, they explored and studied the geological history, both by sea and land, the rocks, coves, caves, sea arches, islets and reefs of southwest Donegal Bay and the rugged cliff scenery of the Sliabh Liag Penninsula. This is a remarkable glimpse back in time of our wonderful area. A special thanks is extended to the local family that were kind enough to share this special archive with our local heritage group, saving it for posterity and enabling us to cherish and enjoy this unique and timeless photographic heritage record of County Donegal, Ireland of the late 1920’s.