Heritage Week in Donegal: Highlights to look forward to

Donegal is all set to celebrate National Heritage week with over 120 events taking place all around the county. 

From Saturday 17th August to Sunday 25th August, about 80 different heritage groups, community organisations or individuals have planned unique events to enjoy – and most of them are free.

You can pick up a pocket-size Donegal Heritage Week Event Guide free-of-charge from tourist offices, libraries, public service centres, museums and heritage centres and on-line at www.heritageweek.ie  or  www.donegalcoco.ie/heritage.

Browse the guide online here, or check out our highlight picks in the day-to-day preview below:

SATURDAY, AUGUST 17, 2019

• Stories, Music & Traditions of Donegal on Rosses Radio from 9 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
• ‘African Dreams’ Art Exhibition by Brian O’Doherty at The Art House, Dunfanaghy from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Photographic Exhibition by Bart Whelan at Ardara Heritage Centre from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Art Crafts & Maritime Museums in Burtonport Welcome Centre from 10:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• ‘Journey Through History’ Walking Tour with Dessie McCallion leaving from Carndonagh Community Library at 10:30 a.m.
• Guided Heritage Walk leaving from Páidí Óg’s car park, Crolly at 11 a.m. organised by Ealaín na Gaeltachta.
• ‘The Great Name Book of Inishowen’ Talk by Seoirse Ó Dochartaigh in Buncrana Community Library at 11 a.m. organised by O’Doherty’s Keep Development Group.
• Sketchaton with Dee Shanny at Cafe Cois Farraige, Magheraroarty Pier at 11 a.m.
• ‘Past Times’ Photographic Exhibition by Ballybofey, Stranorlar & District Historical Society on 1st Floor Foyer, McElhinney’s Department Store, Ballybofey from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Country Market at Donegal Castle from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• En Plein – Air Art Workshop at Glebe House & Gallery, Church Hill from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
• Augmented Reality Heritage Hunt leaving from Donegal County Museum, Letterkenny at 1 p.m.
• ‘Ciall na Ceirdre’ Event at Teach Mhicí Mhic Gabhann, Derryconor, Magheraroarty from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
• Dry-Stone Wall Building Restoration at Salthill, Mountcharles from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. organised by Mountcharles Heritage & Walking Group.
• AGM & Launch of ‘The Phoenix’ Magazine at Donegal Railway Heritage Centre, Donegal Town at 3 p.m.
• Malin Head Heritage Exhibition in Malin Head Community Hall from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. organised by Malin Head Heritage Group.
• Wildlife-Spotting Boat Trip to Horn Head from Portnablagh Pier, Dunfanaghy at 6 p.m. organised by Seas the Bay.
• Evening Red Grouse Walk starting at Shallogans, Fintown at 6:45 p.m. organised by Cró na mBraonáin Red Grouse Sanctuary.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 18, 2019

• Medieval Family Fun Day at Donegal Castle, Donegal Town from 10 a.m. to 5:15 p.m.
• ‘Past Times’ Photographic Exhibition at Donegal Castle, Donegal Town from 10 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. 
• ‘Battle of Scarrifhollis 1650’ Event with Tomás Ó Brógáin at Raphoe Diocesan Archive, Sentry Hill, Letterkenny from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
• Aifreann Tulach a’Bheaglaoich, Reilig Tulach a’Bheaglaoich, An Fál Carrach ag 12:30 p.m.
• Vintage Car & Tractor Run at Donegal Livestock Mart, Donegal Town from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. organised by the Donegal Railway Heritage Centre.
• Dungloe Heritage Trail leaving from Ionad Teampall Chróine, Dungloe at 2 p.m. organised by Dungloe Heritage Group & Dungloe Tidy Towns.
• ‘Lough Foyle’s Nature & Culture’ Talk by Dr. Liam Campbell in Inishowen Maritime Museum, Greencastle at 2 p.m. organised by Inishowen Rivers Trust & Local Authority Waters Programme.
• ‘The Spanish Armada & Killybegs’ Talk starting at St. Catherine’s Well car park, Killybegs at 2 p.m. organised by Killybegs History & Heritage Committee. 
• Doon Fort Walk to the Past from Kilclooney Dolmen Centre at 2 p.m. organised by Donegal GAP Heritage & History Group.
• Ros Bán Open Garden, Raphoe from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. 
• Malin Head Heritage Exhibition in Malin Head Community Hall from 2 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. organised by Malin Head Heritage Group.
• Afternoon of Music, Song & Laughter at Glebe House & Gallery, Church Hill from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. 
• Showband Exhibition Launch in Bundoran Community Centre at 4 p.m. organised by Magh Ene Historical Society.
• ‘The Road to Glenlough’ Talk by Christy Gillespie in Glencolmcille Folk Village at 7:30 p.m.
• ‘Raking in the Years’ Storytelling & Music Event at SVP Centre, Rathmullan from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. organised by Rathmullan & District Local History Society.
• ‘Local History Heroes’ Lecture by Seamus MacAnnaidh in Bundoran Community Centre at 8 p.m. organised by Magh Ene Historical Society.

MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2019

• Meet-the-Makers Arts & Craftsmaking Event at Local Hands Arts & Crafts, Ballyshannon from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• Poetry & Writer’s Evening at Teach Niall Ó Dónaill, Loughanure from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
• ‘Stranorlar Rural District in the Revolutionary Years 1912-1925’ Talk by Dr. Arlene Crampsie in the Villa Rose Hotel, Ballybofey at 7:30 p.m. organised by Ballybofey, Stranorlar & District Historical Society.
• Newtowncunningham Orange Hall Exhibition in Newtowncunningham Orange Hall from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. organised by Newtowncunningham Community Outreach Project.
• Launch of Book of Photographs of Kilcar in Áislann Chill Chartha, Kilcar at 8 p.m. organised by Kilcar Parish Council.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2019

• Build a Miniature Lego Model of Burt Castle in Newtowncunningham Orange Hall from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. organised by Newtowncunningham Community Outreach Project.  
• Traditional Fair Fun Day at Central Library, Letterkenny from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Hands on Heritage at Glencolmcille Folk Village from 12 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
• Fr. Tommy Doherty Film & Archival Tour at Raphoe Diocesan Archive, Sentry Hill, Letterkenny from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.  
• Fun in the Forest at the Log Cabin in Glenveagh National Park from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
• Culdaff Estuary Exploration with Aengus Kennedy leaving from beach car park, Culdaff at 2 p.m. organised by Local Authority Waters Programme & Nature North West.
• ‘Pastimes from Past Times’ Old School Fun Day at Central Library, Letterkenny from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
• Wild Flower Walk with Anne Donovan at Killourt, Malin Head at 4 p.m. organised by Malin Head Heritage Group.
• ‘Brehon Law’ Talk by Martin Mellon in An Grianan Hotel, Burt at 7:30 p.m. organised by Inishowen Development Partnership.
• ‘Pastimes in the Past – Archives 20’ with Dr. Niamh Brennan in Donegal County Museum, Letterkenny at 7:30 p.m. organised by Donegal County Archives.
• Historical Talk at Old Inver Graveyard at 7:30 p.m. organised by Inver Heritage Group.
• ‘Traidisiúin na Farraige’ Event at An Clachán and Oideas Gael, Gleann Cholm Cille at 7:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2019

• Build a Miniature Lego Model of Burt Castle in Newtowncunningham Orange Hall from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. organised by Newtowncunningham Community Outreach Project.  
• St. John’s Point during Second World War walk and talk starting at ‘EIRE’ sign at St. John’s Point at 11 a.m. organised by Dunkineely Community Limited.
• ‘Origins of Letterkenny Place Names’ Talk by Seoirse Ó Dochartaigh in Dillon’s Hotel, Letterkenny at 11 a.m. organised by Letterkenny Cathedral Quarter.
• ‘To the Waters and the Wild’ Children’s Event at McGlinchey’s Field Studies Centre, Sandfield, Ardara at 12 p.m. organised by National Parks & Wildlife Service.
• Wild Child Day at Fanad Lighthouse from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.
• Walking Tour of Donegal Town from Fáilte Ireland Tourist Information Office, The Quay, Donegal Town at 1 p.m. organised by Donegal Town Walking Tours. 
• Wild Child Day at Glebe House & Gallery, Church Hill from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
• Enjoying Games from Past Times at Rathmullan District Resource Centre, Rathmullan from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. organised by Rathmullan & District Local History Society.
• Talk & Discussion on 100 Photographs in Ardara Heritage Centre at 4 p.m.
• Bee Pollinator Information Evening in Buncrana Community Library at 6:30 p.m.
• ‘Tamhnach an tSalainn in History’ Talk by Helen Meehan in St. Peter’s National School, Mountcharles at 7 p.m. organised by Mountcharles Heritage & History Group.
• Launch of Magh Ene Historical Society 2020 Calendar in Bundoran Community Library at 7 p.m.
• ‘West Donegal in Old Photographs’ Talk & Illustrated Presentation by Micheál Ó Domhnaill in Teach Niall Ó Dónaill, Loughanure at 7 p.m.
• ‘All Aboard – Railways of County Donegal’ Evening in the County Museum, Letterkenny from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
• ‘Crafts of the Past’ Exhibition in Bundoran Community Library from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
• Orange, Green & In-Between Event at Newtowncunningham Orange Hall from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. organised by Newtowncunningham Community Outreach Project. 
• ‘River Birds of Ireland’ Talk by Ralph Sheppard at Glencrow Hall at 7:30 p.m. followed by launch of the Bredagh Bird Hide organised by Celebrate Water and Local Authority Waters Programme. 
• ‘Starvation & Survival: Inishowen Workhouse during the Great Irish Famine’ Talk facilitated by Dr. Niamh Brennan at Tullyarvan Mill, Buncrana at 7:30 p.m. organised by West Inishowen History & Heritage Society.
• An Evening of Storytelling & Song at The Coffee Cup in Fort Dunree from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 22, 2019

• • Build a Miniature Lego Model of Burt Castle in Newtowncunningham Orange Hall from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. organised by Newtowncunningham Community Outreach Project.  
  • ‘Local Government 120’ Exhibition in County House, Lifford from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. organised by Donegal County Archives.
  • Fr. Tommy Doherty Film & Archival Tour at Raphoe Diocesan Archive, Sentry Hill, Letterkenny from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.  
  • ‘Ards Friary: Rivers Meet the Ocean’ Field trip with Aengus Kennedy starting at Ards Friary at 2 p.m. organised by Local Authority Waters Programme & Nature North West.
  • ‘Margaret Cousins – Irish Suffragette’ Talk by Dr. Keith Munro in Carndonagh Community Library at 6:30 p.m.
  • ‘Drumboe – Donegal’s Favourite Engine’ Event at Donegal Railway Heritage Centre, Donegal Town from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
  • Disert Archaeological Excavation Results with Dr. Fiona Beglane in the Bluestack Centre, Drimarone at 7:30 p.m. organised by the Disert Heritage Group & Sligo Institute of Technology. 
  • Reunion of Church Lane Residents at Dillon’s Hotel, Letterkenny from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. organised by Letterkenny Cathedral Quarter.
  • Doon Fort Project Presentation by Paula Harvey in Áislann Chill Chartha, Kilcar at 8 p.m. organised by Kilcar Heritage Committee.
  • Oiche Airneáin / Social Night in the Valley Bar, Finn Valley Centre, Stranorlar from 8:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. organised by Ballybofey, Stranorlar & District Historical Society.
    

FRIDAY, AUGUST 23, 2019

• • St. John’s Point during Second World War walk and talk starting at ‘EIRE’ sign at St. John’s Point at 11 a.m. organised by Dunkineely Community Limited.
  • Free Family Friday at Donegal Railway Heritage Centre, Donegal Town from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. 
  • ‘Meet an Old Surfbum!’ Event with Barry Britton at Britton & Daughters Studio Gallery, The Seafront, Rossnowlagh from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Turas Béaloideas / Folklore Trail departing from Donegal Airport car park at 11 a.m. 
  • Cleendra Heritage Walk & Talk from Ionad an Mhachaire / Maghery Community Centre at 2:30 p.m. organised by Sean Scoil Tragheanach Community.
  • Letterkenny Cathedral Quarter Tour leaving from Dillon’s Hotel, Letterkenny at 3 p.m.
  • Railway Walk leaving from Ionad Pobail Dhún Lúiche, Dunlewey at 6 p.m. organised by Forbairt Dhún Lúiche.
  • Turas Niall Ó Dónaill Bus Tour leaving from Teach Niall Ó Dónaill, Loughanure at 6 p.m. 
  • ‘Donegal Women in History’ Talk by Helen Meehan in the Carpet Factory, Fintra Road, Killybegs at 7 p.m. organised by Killybegs History & Heritage Committee.
  • Lands of Eogain Conference in Clonmany, Inishowen from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. 
  • LOP: An Hut ar Ghualainn a Chnoic Fieldtrip leaving from Scoil Mhin a Chladaigh / Minaclady National School at 7:30 p.m.
  • ‘Reclaiming the Land from Lough Swilly’ Talk in Newtowncunningham Orange Hall at 8 p.m. organised by Newtowncunningham Community Outreach Project.  
  • ‘Surnames & First Names of Inishowen’ Lecture by Seoirse Ó Dochartaigh in Colgan Community & Resource Centre, Carndonagh at 8 p.m. organised by Colgan Heritage.
  • An Evening of Song, Music & Dance at Sean Scoil Traigheanach, Dromlochdruid, Lettermacaward from 9 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
    

SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2019

• • Stories, Music & Traditions of Donegal on Rosses Radio from 9 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
  • Preserving Your Own Photographs Event in The Base, Railway Road, Stranorlar from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. organised by Ballybofey, Stranorlar & District Historical Society.
  • Miseóg Trail Walk from Mullaghderg Beach car park, Kincasslagh at 11 a.m.
  • Lands of Eogain Conference in Market House, Clonmany, Inishowen from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. 
  • Beltany Stone Circle Field trip with Mary Harte departing from car park near Beltany Stone Circle at 12 p.m.
  • ‘Caring for Our Native Honeybees’ Information Afternoon organised by Boomtreebees, Tullyarvan Lane, Buncrana from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
  • ‘Talmhaíocht na Táinte’ Event at Teach Mhicí Mhic Gabhann, Derryconor, Magheraroarty from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Straw Rope Making, Crafts & Traditional Music at Teach John Mhicí Bán, Carrigart from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Whale Watch Ireland 2019 Land-Based Whale Watch by the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group leaving Foreland Heights car park, Bloody Foreland at 2 p.m.
  • Whale Watch Ireland 2019 Land-Based Whale Watch by the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group at The Tower, Inishowen Head at 2 p.m. 
  • ‘An Arranmore Holiday 1889’ Illustrated Talk by Seán Boner in the Glen Hotel, Leabgarrow, Arranmore Island at 2:30 p.m. organised by Arranmore Island Development Cooperative.
    

SUNDAY, AUGUST 25, 2019

• ‘African Dreams’ Art Exhibition by Brian O’Doherty at The Art House, Dunfanaghy from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Open Day at Railway Crossing Cottage, Gate House 9, Drumark, Donegal Town by Irish Landmark Trust from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 
• Open Day at St. John’s Point Lightkeepers’ Houses, Dunkineely by Irish Landmark Trust from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Open Day at Termon House, Maghery by Irish Landmark Trust from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 
• Medieval Family Fun Day at Donegal Castle, Donegal Town from 10 a.m. to 5:15 p.m.
• ‘Past Times’ Photographic Exhibition at Donegal Castle, Donegal Town from 10 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. 
• Photographic Exhibition by Bart Whelan at Ardara Heritage Centre from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Turas Béaloideas / Folklore Trail departing from Donegal Airport car park at 11 a.m. 
• ‘Battle of Scarrifhollis 1650’ Event with Tomás Ó Brógáin at Raphoe Diocesan Archive, Sentry Hill, Letterkenny from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
• Lands of Eogain Conference in Clonmany, Inishowen from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. 
• The Heritage of Kilbarron Castle Event in Marine Centre, Creevy from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. organised by Kilbarron Castle Conservation Group.
• Bank Walk Biodiversity with Aengus Kennedy at the Bank Walk, Donegal Town at 2 p.m. organised by Local Authority Waters Programme & Nature North West.
• Historical Field Day with Belinda Mahaffy starting at Carnowen Presbyterian Church at 3 p.m. organised by Donegal Historical Society.
• Fun Heritage Open Day at Donegal Parish Church, Donegal Town from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.