In Pictures: Putting the wheels in motion for Donegal Town 550 celebrations

A strong turnout and a wealth of positive and creative ideas made for a positive public meeting ahead of Donegal Town’s year of celebrations to mark its 550th anniversary.

The meeting took place in the Abbey Hotel on Monday evening. It was attended by esteemed historian and Donegal Town native Dr Matthew Potter and chaired by Mary McGettigan on behalf of Bernie Mulhern who sent apologies, with input from Mayor of Donegal Town Pauric Kennedy.

Those who came together for the meeting included members of the steering committee as well as people involved in various community organisations and businesses.

Deputy Thomas Pringle (Ind) participated, as did Cllrs Micheál Naughton, Tom Conaghan, Noel Jordan and Barry Sweeny. Ven Archdeacon David Huss was also present. 

Dr Potter told those gathered that he was born and raised in the Spa Well area of town. 

“The house was demolished this year and is being replaced by a funeral home,” he said.”But I won’t take that personally!”

Dr Potter works in Limerick Museum, and is aware of the many benefits of marking significant anniversaries. 

Having carried out extensive research into his hometown, Dr Potter believes that the establishment of the friary (Old Abbey) in Donegal Town in 1474 is a good marker of the origin of the town. 

He added: “We don’t know exactly when the castle was built but we know it was around the same time as the friary, so that all marks the origin of Donegal Town.

“Both were established by Red Hugh O’Donnell.”

Dr Potter believes that Donegal Town played an important role in local and national history, with the Annals of the Four Masters reportedly being written there. 

He feels that the 550th anniversary could be a great way to promote the town.

“To that end, I suggested that a year’s festivities could be planned around the anniversary,” said Dr Potter.

“Events that are already in place can form the basis for the commemoration and a number of others can be added.”

He said these types of anniversaries and commemorations happen all over the country and are of great benefit.

“I think this is an opportunity not to be missed,” he added.

Mary McGettigan encouraged those present to brainstorm in small groups with a view to gathering a list of ideas. 

Among the ideas put forward were a themed St Patrick’s Day parade, a street party, a community garden developed over the course of the year, school participation in creative projects such as art, writing and drama, a film festival, a commemorative tweed had as a collaboration between Hanna Hats and Magee, exhibitions relating to the history of local businesses, photo exhibitions, a writing festival, a gala ball, and many more. 

It was also suggested that county-wide events such as Cruinniu na nÓg and Bealtaine could be launched in Donegal Town. 

Ven David Huss stressed the significance of the Old Abbey as part of the celebrations, and hoped it would be an opportunity to enhance the historical site.

“It falls between different stools that are involved with looking after it and there is certainly some maintenance which needs to be done to graves,” he said. 

Ven Huss also suggested new signs in the Old Abbey area, as well as a general ‘freshening up.’

“At the moment, you make your way through the unofficial campervan sites and past the sewerage works and then you get to what is supposed to be the jewel in the crown.”

Mary McGettigan said: “We will take all the ideas that you have put forward and collate all the information.

“We can’t do all of them, we have to be realistic in terms of funding, but there are little pots of funding that we will try and tap into.”

Jonathan Kennedy encouraged those gathered to pursue their own projects.

“There are some great ideas here,” he said. “We don’t want everything falling to a few people to do, so if you have an idea, own it, go with it, and we will support you.”

Mayor of Donegal Town Pauric Kennedy thanked everyone for coming out.

“It is great to see so many different groups and representatives from the town and surrounding areas here,” he said. 

“We are very proud of our town and our history and it is amazing that it goes back 550 years and so it should be celebrated.”

A mailing list was compiled, and it is expected that another meeting will take place in the coming months.