Donegal and the first world war 1914 - 1918
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The following is a summary of programming delivered under the theme of the First World War.
Donegal County Museum
Exhibition “Remembering World War I: The Donegal Story” as part of the Hands of History project. The Museum also developed an activity booklet for children based on the exhibition. The booklet was funded through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Reconciliation Funds.
Touring World War I exhibition “Before I Joined the Army” was displayed at the 48th plenary meeting of the British Irish Parliamentary Assembly in Dublin.
Library Service – Hands of History project
A series of talks, workshops and seminars including a talk by Helen Meehan “Cumann na mBan in Donegal”; a lecture on World War I by Dr John O’Callaghan with a musical contribution by Tracey McRory and a living history primary school workshop with Michael Moylan.
Ireland 2016 – Donegal County Council Programme
Carnival Ballyshannon Project commemorating the 100th anniversary of both the Easter Rising and the Battle of the Somme, under the title Army Dreamers. Up to 300 young people and adults participated in its six-week, pre-event workshop programme. The project featured input from professional artists, theatre and carnival companies including LUXe landscape theatre (Inishowen), Workhouse Studios (Sligo), Dark Daughter Productions (Bundoran), Réalta (Galway) and community artist Tom Meskell (Westmeath). The Thiepval Memorial Pipe Band from Convoy, the Crickamore Fife and Drum Band from An Machaire and the Donegal Town Youth Band also featured.
Donegal County Museum
Major exhibition with the Archives Service entitled “County Donegal in 1916: Our Story”. The exhibition was part funded by the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. The Museum also produced an exhibition Activity Booklet for children.
A series of free screenings of the 1916 film ‘The Battle of the Somme’ in association with Imperial War Museums, as part of the First World War Centenary Partnership, in Century Cinema, Letterkenny; Fort Dunree Military Museum; Dungloe Public Services Centre; the Balor Theatre, Ballybofey and Donegal County Museum.
A programme of talks, “Donegal Men and the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers” by Natasha Martin; “Donegal Freemasons in World War I” by Robert Bashford; “The Geography of War” by Patrick H. Lynch and “The Battle of the Somme” by David Scott; “County Donegal in 1916”, by Caroline Carr, Donegal County Museum
Launch of the book, “WAR! HELLISH WAR! Star Shell Reflections 1916-1918”, during Heritage Week.
Special event to mark the centenary of the Battle of the Somme in the Regional Cultural Centre, and Central Library at which Col Declan O’Carroll (retired) re-enacted the first day of the Battle using a cloth floor model.
Library Service
Published bibliographies: 1916-2016: Easter Rising /World War I Bibliography.
Archives Service
Digitisation of the 1916 minutes of meetings of all County Donegal’s local authorities.
Museum
A short talk and reception took place in the Museum following the unveiling of a Blue Plaque in honour of Pte James Duffy VC at Castle Street, Letterkenny by The Ulster History Circle
Launch of book ‘Laggan Lads’ by Hilary Roulston.
A Secondary Schools’ World War I Study Day for schools in Counties Fermanagh and Donegal, in partnership with the Inniskilling Museum.
Culture Division
The Library Service organised a commemorative event by Tracey McRoary, entitled, “A Reflection on World War I – A Musical Journey”
Donegal County Museum
Following both research by the Museum and a period of public consultation, the Museum published the 5th edition of the County Donegal Book of Honour
Donegal County Museum
WWI database based on the County Donegal Book of Honour - The Museum, working with the IS Section of the Council, developed an on-line database containing all the listings published in the County Donegal Book of Honour, The Great War 1914-1918 and additional information