A Field Day in Moville as town’s fascinating history comes to life

Dr Seán Beattie, Culdaff; Seán O'Beirne, Kilcar; Vincent Breslin, Gaoth Dobhair, who wrote the history of Donegal County Council; Joseph Harrison; Marcas Ó Murchú, Derry; and retired Moville GP Dr Don McGinley, who led the tour. | (Iconic)

placeholder image — Dr Seán Beattie, Culdaff; Seán O'Beirne, Kilcar; Vincent Breslin, Gaoth Dobhair, who wrote the history of Donegal County Council; Joseph Harrison; Marcas Ó Murchú, Derry; and retired Moville GP Dr Don McGinley, who led the tour. | (Iconic)

Retired GP leads County Donegal Historical Society tour exploring Moville’s history from ancient settlers and poitin-making to its heyday as a fishing and travel hub

Retired Moville GP Dr Don McGinley told fascinating stories about the history of the heritage town when he led a Field Day there for the County Donegal Historical Society on Sunday, September 13.

This was the fourth and last of four Field Days organised by the Society for 2026.

Once again it drew a good crowd, including Society members who had travelled from as far as Kilcar, Donegal Town and Dungloe.

Dr McGinley led the group on a walk from the town centre to the harbour area and along part of the shore path.

He spoke of the importance of the town’s situation on Lough Foyle, from the times of some of Ireland’s earliest settlers – around 10,000 years ago – to Moville’s heyday as a fishing centre and a travel hub for trans-Atlantic and cross-Channel voyages.

Dr McGinley talks about the Shore Walk in Moville on the Field Day walking tour. There are houses along the walk associated with the late John Hume, Nobel Peace Prize winner, and the late Brian Friel, acclaimed playwright, as well as with a current leading British entertainment producer, John Gore. | (Iconic)

He also spoke of the Moville area’s reputation for the production of illegal poitin, which meant that some of its earliest buildings were to house police, revenue officers and coastguards.

Some key families and personalities in the town were also touched on, from the Montgomery family, ancestors of Field Marshal Bernard Law Montgomery of WW2, to the women’s rights and Land League campaigner Marguerite Moore.

The well-known singer and musician from Moville, Patrick McLaughlin, gave an impromptu performance of the song, ‘The Star of Moville’.

At the end of the Field Day, Charles Gallagher, vice-president of the County Donegal Historical Society, thanked Dr McGinley for a highly-enjoyable and informative tour of Moville.

Moville musician Patrick McLaughlin gives a rendition of ‘The Star of Moville’ with Don McGinley and Marcas Ó Murchú | (Iconic)

Those present for the Field Day included the secretary of the County Donegal Historical Society, Hugh Devlin (Letterkenny), and the treasurer Michael Meehan (Manorcunningham). There were also two past presidents of the Society, Col. Declan O’Carroll (Letterkenny) and Seán Boner, Dungloe, and well-known historian Dr Seán Beattie, Culdaff.

The other Historical Society Field Days this summer have featured visits to Letterkenny, Ardara and Colebrooke Park estate in County Fermanagh. Colebrooke is the home of the Brookeborough family, who have important links with Donegal and the castle in Donegal Town.

Copies of the Society’s publication, the 2026 Donegal Annual, are now on sale in local shops and from the Society’s website, donegalhistory.ie. Price: €25.

Articles this year include an interview with Dr Seán Beattie, who edited the annual for more than 20 years, and one from Brian McNaught, Redcastle, on evidence of early human activity on Inishtrahull Island, off Malin.

The Society has a strong membership in Inishowen and is looking for new members. Annual membership is €25 at donegalhistory.ie and members are posted a free copy of the Donegal Annual.