We have again this year, Donegal’s biggest programme for Heritage Week with something for everyone. The main highlights as covered in the Poster, are as follows:
Heritage Talk – “The Wee Donegal in pictures – An illustrated talk by Charles P Friel”
Saturday 17th August, 2:30pm. Venue: Donegal Railway Museum. (In Person & Online)
Using many previously unseen photographs, well-known railway historian, photographer, and preservationist Charles P Friel will recreate a journey over all 124 miles of the County Donegal Railway – from Victoria Road in Derry to Letterkenny, Glenties and Killybegs. The first part of the talk finishes with a trip from Ballyshannon to Donegal Town. After the break, Charles will recount the last day of public trains, some subsequent events and the lifting trains before, much more happily, reviewing the many CDRJC vehicles which survive in preservation – including some of the work on Drumboe in Whitehead.
This event is both In-Person at the Museum and can be also viewed online.
In Person tickets available at: https://donegalrailway.com/events/
This event can be viewed Live online at: https://www.youtube.com/live/pK14EIrieNs?si=2APvRvQGdHNhhRwW
Heritage Talk – “Building the Burtonport Extension Railway” – An illustrated talk by Joe Begley. Tuesday 20th August, 7pm. Venue: Donegal Railway Museum
(In Person & Online)
The Letterkenny & Burtonport Extension Railway has been variously described both as the greatest journey on the Irish Narrow Gauge, running as it did just short of 50 miles through some of the wildest of the Donegal countryside, and a Folly, given the nature of its chosen course and construction. Its development and history is well described elsewhere. Railway Historian Joe Begley’s talk will feature a trip along the extension, accompanied on the way by a “special train” and will have a focus on aspects of its construction and some of the challenges faced, illustrated with some rare photographs from Engineers involved.
This event is both In-Person at the Museum and can be also viewed online.
In Person tickets available at: https://donegalrailway.com/events/
This Lecture can be viewed Live Online at: https://www.youtube.com/live/KilUH3gyJp0?si=j9P-n8Gdjl-SeW0m
Family Heritage FunDay
Thursday 22nd August, 11am-4pm
A special Family Funday, where families can come along and learn all about the Donegal Railways. As well as tours for adults and kids, there will be various fun kids’ activities, including Ireland’s first Interactive Steam Engine Cab, outdoor games, railway models, colouring in and much much more!
Kids are FREE! No need to book.
Donegal Town 550 Exhibition – July-August 2024
The town that the County takes its name from has a fantastic history to it, and is one that needs to be told, to locals and to visitors particularly in this 550th year. We have created a mobile exhibition which has gathered the last 550 years history of the town, and using artefacts, display units, pop-ups and other tools, tell our story. We were also delighted to have received contributions for our displays from three landmark organisations in Donegal Town, Magee 1866, Hanna Hats, and Donegal Castle. This exhibition will run not only in the museum itself initially over the next two months, but will be taken out and about to community groups, schools, retail outlet, etc., where we can directly inform and educate all, on the history of our historic town. This project was kindly funded through the Donegal Culture & Creativity Project Awards Scheme.