Donegal County Museum is to hold ‘The Glass Album’ exhibition in the Donegal County Museum starting on Friday 5th July at 7pm.
This exhibition tells the story of Derry photographer James Glass who took a unique series of photographs of the Gweedore and Cloughaneely areas in the late nineteenth century.
These photographs which have not been on display since they were first taken, are connected to the famous 1889 “Land War” trial of Fr McFadden and some of his parishioners following the killing of District Inspector Martin in Gaoth Dobhair.
It is believed that James Glass was commissioned by the defence to take a series photographs depicting tenant life in Gweedore. These photographs subsequently became known as the Glass Album.
This was the first use of photographs as evidence in an Irish court. There are two known copies of the Album – one in the collections of the National Museums of Northern Ireland, the other on display for the first time in this exhibition.
As part of the exhibition the Museum is seeking to make contact with any relatives of those who were directly associated with the trial.
The exhibition will run from 5th July – 31st August.