A devastating fire has forced the indefinite closure of Doagh Famine Village in County Donegal after destroying significant portions of the popular tourist attraction on Saturday afternoon.
The blaze ravaged two key exhibits at the family-run heritage site: a replica Orange Hall that chronicled Ireland’s peace process and a section dedicated to the history of the travelling community. Fire crews responded promptly but were unable to prevent substantial damage to the museum’s thatched structures.
“All that story of bringing people together from both sides of the community up here are now gone completely,” said Pat Doherty from the museum during an interview with RTÉ Radio One’s Morning Ireland. He revealed that the thatched roofs of the staged homes were uninsured, creating significant financial challenges for restoration efforts.
Operating since 1997, Doagh Famine Village offered visitors immersive guided tours depicting Irish life from the 1840s Great Famine to the present day. The museum had continuously expanded its exhibits over the past 27 years, serving both as a tourist destination and community hub for Ballyliffin residents.
The family-owned attraction has announced its closure until further notice and is offering full refunds to ticket holders. A forensic investigation is currently underway to determine the cause of the fire.
Despite the extensive damage, Doherty expressed cautious optimism about the museum’s future, noting that portions of the exhibits were saved and “there’s a chance that the museum can still survive.”
In a statement, the museum management described the incident as “heartbreaking” while thanking the community for messages of support and emergency services for their rapid response, adding: “We are committed to rebuilding and will share updates as soon as possible.”