This rather unassuming grey stone building was the scene of great hardship and fear in the 19th century, when it was one of around 100,000 workhouses set up to feed and house the poor during the Great Famine. Their approach was hardly altruistic, however; fearing that merely feeding people would engender a “something-for-nothing” culture in the poor, the authorities decreed that they should perform backbreaking labor in return for their bread. It’s estimated that workhouses killed around a million people in Ireland. This particular one housed about 300 inmates. The museum does a good job of describing their daily lives, as well as providing a history of the Famine in this area. One exhibit focuses particularly on a local girl, “Wee Hannah” Herrity, who lived here and survived to tell the tale—which she did, in extensive conversation with a local biographer.
Atlantic Highlands
Travel Guide
Atlantic Highlands› Attraction
Dunfanaghy Workhouse
Just west of Dunfanaghy on N56, Co. Donegal
Our Rating
Hours
July–Aug daily 9:30am–5:30pm; May–June and Sept–Oct 9:30am–5pm; Apr Mon–Sat 9:30am–5pm; Nov–Mar Mon–Wed 9:30am–4:30pm
Phone
074/913-6540
Prices
Admission €4.50 adults; €3.50 seniors, students, and children; €12.50 families
Web site
Dunfanaghy Workhouse Heritage Centre
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.