Donegal County Museum facts for kids
| Músaem Chontae Dhún na nGall | |
Displays within Donegal County Museum
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| Established | 1987 |
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| Location | Letterkenny, County Donegal, Ireland |
| Type | County museum |
Donegal County Museum (Irish: Músaem Chontae Dhún na nGall) is a county museum in County Donegal in Ireland. Located on the High Road in Letterkenny, the museum building was completed in 1843 as the Warden's House of the Letterkenny Workhouse. The building was repurposed as a museum in the late 20th century.
History
Workhouse
The museum was originally housed in what was once the warden's house of the Letterkenny Workhouse. The workhouse was designed by George Wilkinson, built at a cost of £5,785 and £910 for fixtures and fittings, and was completed in May 1843.
Museum opening
The Donegal County Museum first opened to the public in 1987. It received additional European Union funding in 1989.
The museum was extended and officially re-opened by President Mary Robinson on 14 June 1992.
In November 2022, the museum launched a database of Donegal people who died in World War I.
Collection
The purpose of Donegal County Museum is to "collect, record, preserve, and display the material evidence and associated information of the History and Heritage of County Donegal". In 2013, the then Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Jimmy Deenihan, said that the museum was among the "best in Ireland" at "dealing with the past and recognising all traditions [and diversity]".
Designated Museum
Donegal County Museum is a "Designated Museum" which, under the National Monuments (Amendment) Act, 1994, and the National Cultural Institutions Act, 1997, is entitled to retain objects on behalf of the state.
