Colgan Heritage Weekend to showcase one hundred years of local and Irish history

National Heritage Week in Carndonagh will be marked by the Colgan Heritage Committee, with a major exhibition over two days, Saturday, August 16 and Sunday, August 17.

The historical weekend, ‘Comparing and Contrasting 1925-2025’, will be based on the theme of life in Ireland over the past 100 years, from the earliest days of the Irish Free State.

Using audiovisual and print media, the Colgan Hall exhibition will bring the past century to life with rare photos, newspapers, and artefacts relating to education, entertainment, children’s toys, work, sports, medicine and technology, as well as local and national events.

Major Henry Neville Thompson will also be featured.

Fashion trends will be represented by a variety of styles over the last century, with a display of dresses, frocks and costumes for all ages. A running audiovisual programme will feature old films from a bygone age.

A book sale will also be ongoing for book lovers throughout the weekend, with some rare publications for sale. Copies of books published by the Committee will be on sale, including the best-selling Everything to Help the Lame Dog over the Ditch; the History of Glentogher will also be available, as well as books by local authors.

Donegal County Council will showcase its hugely-successful exhibition, 'A Trek Through Time', curated by the Council Museum, with archival material from the arts, the Grand Jury (which pre-dated the Council), the Murray Archive, schools, war, GAA, maps, and women’s affairs.

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The event will highlight news from 1925, such as the death of the renowned Moville music collector, Honoria Galway (95), while a map of the Border as planned in 1925 (but never executed) will also be of interest. The boundary was originally planned to start just above Quigley’s Point and not at Muff. Copies of 1925 newspapers will be available to read.

One of the most successful and ever-popular events over the years has been the guided walk, led by Donegal’s finest guide, Dessie McCallion. The walk this year, on Sunday, August 17, will be through Trussy’s Park outside the town. Regular visitors will be aware that this is no ordinary stroll, but will be laced with refreshing anecdotes, folklore and heritage.

Lasting over three hours, mostly on country paths, walkers should wear strong footwear and appropriate clothing for some rush land and bog terrain. The starting point is the Colgan Hall at 10.30am; a bus will transport walkers to the area, off the Mountain Road, concluding about 1.30pm. Booking recommended. Fare is €5 (includes refreshments).

For more information or to book, ring 083 2021303 or email: heritagecolgan@gmail.com.

The exhibition runs at the Colgan Hall (F93 VH59) in Carndonagh, from 11am to 4pm on Saturday 16 August and Sunday 17 from 12 to 4pm. The book sale is on both days.