Glencolmcille Folk Village

The Glencolmcille Folk Village, now established for 48 years, is looking forward to a busy season in 2015 with many innovative events planned. This year their slogan is “Back to the Future” – encouraging their visitors to experience Donegal life as far back at the 1700’s. 

The great activist and community priest Fr. James McDyer, is the person who founded the Folk Village back in 1967. Alongside the local community he put huge effort into this into this unique project. Fr McDyer felt that by developing local industry and amenities it would go some way to lessening the severe emigration the area had suffered since the Great Famine.

Visitors can re connect with a way of life which is all but over in the 21st century.  The Glencolmcille Folk Village is a cluster of six cottages, called a ‘clachan’, overlooking Glenbay beach.  The cottages are neatly white-washed, each with a traditional half-door, designed to keep the animals out and the people in.  

The thatched cottages are exact replicas of those belonging to that era and are furnished accordingly. Take a look at how our ancestors lived, cooked, the beds they lay on, the tools they used, their means of lighting and heat. For visitors who can trace their ancestors to Ireland, this is an ideal opportunity to see rural life at first hand

The roof of each cottage is thatched in the distinctive rounded Donegal style, tied down securely with rope and pegs to protect the thatching from the fierce westerly winds off the ocean

Among the cottages are a Fisherman’s Cottage, a School House, a Shebeen, and a Living History Museum.  This year the Folk Village plans to re-open the much loved Nature Trail.  The trail looks over spectacular Glen Head and the Folk Village itself.

The newly re furbished Tea House provides a welcome respite for lunch providing traditional home cooking. The Tea House also houses the beautiful Father McDyer Lace Collection.  In the Craft shop the visitor can purchase a memento of their visit from a selection of locally handcrafted goods.