County Museum

On a visit to Donegal, the then Minister for Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht, Jimmy Deenihan, described the County Museum as 'as the best in Ireland'.  The Minister  was speaking to members of the British Irish Parliamentary Assembly and other politicians earlier this month.The Donegal County Museum is based in an old stone building, which was once part of the Letterkenny Workhouse, opened in 1845. The exhibition in the first floor gallery tells the story of Donegal from the Stone Age to the Twentieth century.  In the ground floor gallery we hold a series of temporary exhibitions throughout the year, which cover a wide range of topics.  The Museum also hosts talks, events, seminars and workshops during the year on topics as varied as history, geology, archaeology and flora and fauna.

The Museum is also the home of the Archaeological Survey of Donegal. The survey contains the field notes, maps, plans and slides of the sites and monuments listed in the archaeological survey that was published in 1983. Members of the public can consult the files by appointment.

The Museum is a Designated museum. This means that the Donegal County Museum is legally entitled to retain objects on behalf of the State. All archaeological objects found with no known owner belong to the State. All such finds must be reported to the National Museum or to a designated museum e.g. Donegal County Museum.  If the object is primarily of local importance it will be kept in the Donegal County Museum for educational or display purposes.

Donegal County Museum preserves and celebrates the collective memory of the county and its communities, through the preservation, display and interpretation of artefacts. The Museum develops and cares for a comprehensive collection of original artefacts relating to the history of the county in the areas of archaeology, geology, natural history, social and political history and folklife. We aim to make the community live through the objects.  And to be a dynamic, social, cultural institution which serves all of its communities - adult, child, unwaged, elderly, disabled, as well as people of all creeds and opinions, and to have an overt sense of purpose which will encourage all to learn and to understand the past through museum objects.

Opening hours: 

Monday – Friday 10.00 am – 4.30pm (16.30)

Saturday          1.00pm – 4.30pm (13.00 – 16.30)

Closed for lunch 12.30-1.00

Admission is free

Donegal County Museum, High Road, Letterkenny, Co. DonegalT 074 9124613.E museum@donegalcoco.ie.