Doagh Famine Village tells the story of Irish life from the Great Famine of the 1840s all the way up to the present day.
This is a unique, immersive experience and you’ll find it in a very scenic setting on the Inishowen Peninsula, by Doagh Strand.
Below, you’ll discover info on everything from the Doagh Famine Village tour to what to see and do close by.
Some quick need-to-knows about Doagh Famine Village
Although a visit to the famine village is fairly straightforward, there are a few need-to-knows that’ll make your visit that bit more enjoyable.
1. Location
You’ll find Doagh Famine Village on the Inishowen Peninsula. It’s a 30-minute drive from both Buncrana and Malin Head and a 35-minute drive from Greencastle.
2. Opening hours
The famine village is open from March 17th – October 12th from 10am – 5pm every day.
3. Prices
Entry to the village is €13.50 for adults, €7 for children under 16 and children under 4 go free.
4. Part of the Inishowen 100
The village is part of the scenic Inishowen 100 route which takes in the peninsula’s top attractions, from historical sites and beautiful beaches to mountain passes and more.
About Doagh Famine Village
Photos via Doagh Famine Village on FB
Informative, emotive and at times humorous, the exhibition at Doagh Famine Village takes visitors through a range of spaces to tell the story of life in the area across almost two centuries.
Traversing everything from the road to peace in Northern Ireland to a look at Ireland in the ‘Celtic Tiger’ years and the recent economic collapse, Doagh Famine Village contains a wide variety of attractions.
Surprisingly, some of the original dwellings at Doagh which were still inhabited up to 20 years ago!
A range of elements of Irish life are detailed at Doagh Famine village, with areas of note including insights into local food, cures and funeral customs.
Things to see at Doagh Famine Village
There’s plenty of things to see and explore at Doagh Famine Village in Inishowen, from original thatched homes to scenes that shook many Irish families in times past.
1. Original thatched homes
One of the main highlights of visiting Doagh Famine Village is the opportunity to see the original thatched homes up close.
These unique structures, lovingly maintained and rethatched annually using traditional methods, offer a captivating glimpse into Ireland’s architectural heritage and rural life.
2. The Irish wake
In this corner of Ireland, the tradition of the wake remains a significant cultural practice.
During a wake, the remains of loved ones are kept in the home until the burial, allowing family and friends to gather, pay their respects, and share memories in a familiar setting.
3. The eviction scene
A shameful chapter in Irish history, evictions were commonplace in the years after the famine as wealthy landowners sought to maximise profits from their holdings.
This section of the village highlights what was a harrowing time for many families.
4. The Orange Hall
As anybody with even a basic grasp of Irish history knows, religion has played a major role in the island’s past (just look a the differences between Ireland and Northern Ireland).
The Orange Hall charts the history of the local area’s Established Church followers, whose hero William of Orange lends his name to the building.
5. The safe house
Inspired by the experiences of Eddie Gallagher, a long term Republican prisoner, the safe house is an example of the secret places of refuge designed to hide those Republicans on the run.
Home to hiding places and passageways, this area of the village offers a unique insight.
Things to do nearby
If you’re visiting the Doagh Famine Village and you fancy exploring more of the area that surrounds it, you’re in luck – some of the best Donegal attractions are very close-by.
If you have some time on your hands, the Inishowen 100 drive is a great way to pack in lots of places to see on the peninsula. Here are some of our favourite stops.
- Beaches galore (10-minute-plus drive): Find the best beaches in Donegal close by, like Pollan Strand (9-minutes), Tullagh (16-minutes) and Five Finger Strand (25-minutes)
- Glenevin Waterfall (20-minute drive): Reached on an easy, 1-hour linear walk
- Malin Head (30-minute drive): Ireland’s most northerly point (make sure to see Mamore Gap en route)
Keith O’Hara has lived in Ireland for 35 years and has spent most of the last 10 creating what is now The Irish Road Trip guide. Over the years, the website has published thousands of meticulously researched Ireland travel guides, welcoming 30 million+ visitors along the way. In 2022, the Irish Road Trip team published the world’s largest collection of Irish Road Trip itineraries. Keith lives in Dublin with his dog Toby and finds writing in the 3rd person minus craic altogether.