Archives
Here we keep a record of the highlights of our annual proceedings, mainly photographs and news that featured on the NEWS page but removed when no longer topical.
Coach Outing
Art Ó Dálaigh (guide) speaking to members of the DHS
First 2008 Field Outing
The Society visited Brown Hall (near Ballintra)
Members enjoying a talk in the local Drumholm Church
Another Field Outing
Tony O'Callaghan conducting the Killybegs Field Day
Emerson Memorial Lecture
The first Emerson Memorial Lecture was held in Ballyshannon on the 7th November 2007.
The committee had secured a room in Scoil Cholmcille and had set out about 30 chairs but it soon became evident that it would be too few. More and more chairs had to be brought in until the room was packed to capacity with people standing along the walls.
The lecture, The Flight of the Earls and its effects on Ballyshannon, illustrated and delivered by Anthony Begley, a past president of the Society, was excellent (as is everything done by Anthony!). Anthony was ably assisted by Conor Carney who sang and read extracts from various texts.
It was a fitting tribute to Lucius and his passion for history.
Back: Matt McNulty, Declan O'Carroll, Conor Carney
Front: Anthony Begly, Helen Meehan (President), Vincent O'Donnell
2007 Coach Outing
Our annual coach outing took place on 22-24 June 2007. 36 people in all travelled. En route to Westport we made 3 stops - Foxford Woollen Mills, Straide Abbey & Michael Davitt Museum and Ballintubber Abbey. After dinner on Friday night we were entertained by local Church of Ireland Rector, Garry Hastings and his feadóg mhór.
On Saturday morning we met our guide, Brona Joyce who took us out to Murrisk where we saw the remains of the abbey where Gráinne Mhaol was baptised and married (1st time), famine memorial and some of us climbed (part of) Croach Patrick. From there we journeyed to Achill Island where we got a grand tour and as much history as we could absorb, not to mind the beautiful scenery. After dinner we sang and danced till bedtime.
On Sunday morning we went to 9.30 Mass in the Catholic Church. Afterwards some went on a walking tour of Westport led again by Brona Joyce while a dozen or more attended Garry Hastings' Anglican Mass in the Church of the Holy Trinity. Afterwards both the walkers and those coming out from Garry's service had to shelter from a heavy shower. Then it was onto the coach and off to Newport for lunch. After lunch we had a slide show by Peter Mullowney depicting the rise and fall of the Newport O'Donnells. We then visited the local Catholic Church to admire a Harry Clarke window.
From there we travelled to Burrisule Abbey where lies the remains of Rory O'Donnell of Lifford who along with 2000 of his kinsmen was banished to Connacht sometime around 1660 by Oliver Cromwell. Peter Mullowney filled us in on the history of the Abbey. There also we saw the grave of Fr. Sweeney who was hanged in Newport for acting as translator for the French in 1798. We then made our way to Bundoran where we dined and agreed we had had a wonderful weekend. A huge thanks is due to our secretary Una McGarrigle for all the planning and organising. The one big question on everybody's lips as we said goodbye to one another was, "Where are we going next year?"
Outside Newport Church
The tall grey-haired man at the back is Peter Mullowney
Photo taken by Una McGarrigle who, alas, is not in the picture
50 Years of Minutes
On the 17th April 2007 the Donegal Historical Society handed over the minutes books for the first 50 years of the Society to the County Donegal Archives.
Back: Eamonn McEntire, Helen Meehan (current President), Una McGarrigle (Secretary), Eddie O'Kane, Patrick Perry
Front: Arthur Spears, Vincent O'Donnell (then President), Niamh Brennan (Archivist), Kiera Joyce (Assistant Archivist)
Liam MacMenamin (Falcarrach), the Society's first secretary was replaced in 1960 by Kathleen Emerson who served in that role until 2004. Both kept accurate and copious minutes of meetings and proceedings. Along with the minutes were many press clippings of the Society's activities. All are now part of the County Archives and are available to anyone, especially members of the Historical Society.
2007 AGM
Helen Meehan, Frosses was elected to the high office of President of the Donegal Historical Society.
Seen here with previous president, Vincent O'Donnell after the 'handing over' of the presidential chain