In pictures: Dr Potter's book launch in Donegal Castle

Dr Matthew Potter officially launched his new book, ‘Donegal Town 1474–1974’, on October 29.

The book launch was held at the historic Donegal Castle.

The book explores almost 500 years of Donegal Town's history, offering insight into the people, politics, and events that shaped the historic town.

The book examines the changing fortunes of Donegal Town, which has served as a Gaelic town, Plantation town, estate town, and market town. It also explores the influence of three prominent families who successively owned the town: the O'Donnells (1474–1610), the Brookes (1610–1676), and the Gores (1676–1950s).

The publication adds to Dr Potter's wider body of work on Irish urban and municipal history. His previous research includes Municipal Revolution in Ireland: A Handbook of Urban Government in Ireland Since 1800, a major study of municipal government that includes a case study of Donegal Town.

Dr Potter, who previously visited Donegal regularly during the 1980s and 1990s to deliver talks at the McGarrigle Lectures in the Courthouse, had long hoped to mark the town's founding through a community event.

His latest publication draws on extensive research, including statistical records, census figures, government gazettes and trade directories, to build a picture of everyday life in Donegal Town over several centuries.