Public invited to launch of New Lifford Museum

THE public are being invited to attend the official launch of the New Lifford Museum, a celebration of Donegal’s remarkable heritage and the people who helped shape its story.

The invite is being extended by Lifford Old Courthouse and the County Donegal Historical Society.

The event on Tuesday, November 25 will be officially launched by John McLaughlin, Chief Executive of Donegal County Council, and held in the atmospheric surroundings of Lifford Old Courthouse, one of the county’s most significant historic landmarks.

At the New Lifford Museum, visitors are invited to step into the past and discover Donegal’s history through an extraordinary collection of artefacts and personal stories spanning thousands of years.

The museum brings together, for the first time, three major heritage collections — the County Donegal Historical Society Collection (formerly housed in Rossnowlagh), the Donegal Ancestry Collection (formerly based in Ramelton), and artefacts from Lifford Old Courthouse itself — creating a truly comprehensive portrait of the county’s past.

The museum’s displays span from ancient times to the modern era, featuring Stone Age and Bronze Age artefacts, objects from the Penal Times (including Ireland’s oldest known Penal Cross), and treasures from the 18th and 19th centuries that speak to everyday life, Irish independence, and local industry.

Visitors will also encounter links to Donegal’s European connections and Diaspora, exquisite examples of Muckish Glassware, personal belongings of Irish revolutionary Napper Tandy, and faithful copies of the Book of Ballymote and the Annals of the Four Masters — each piece adding depth and texture to the county’s story.

The County Donegal Historical Society Museum has a proud legacy dating back to 1946, when its first exhibition was held in Stranorlar.

Over the decades, it found homes in Ballyshannon and Rossnowlagh, welcoming thousands of visitors and researchers. In 2023, the collection was relocated to Lifford Old Courthouse through the support of Lifford Association Tourism Commerce Heritage (LATCH CLG). This new chapter allows for expanded displays, including artifacts highlighting local industries, sport, and community life in East Donegal.

With free admission, welcoming staff, and engaging exhibits, the New Lifford Museum offers families, history enthusiasts, and curious visitors the chance to experience the full richness of Donegal’s heritage.

The event takes place Tuesday, November 25, from 7pm to 9pm in Lifford Old Courthouse, The Diamond, Lifford F93 CD6F.