At Home and Abroad

Doagh Famine Village is one of Ireland’s most unique and popular tourist attractions, visited by thousands of people from all over the world every year. A guided tours will take you on a journey through life in Ireland in our local community, showing you how families learned to survive and adapt as society evolved from the Great Famine in the 1840s to the present day. A combination of informative story telling and life size exhibits provides a thought-provoking and at time humorous look at Irish life. On a devastating day for Irish heritage, a fire destroyed two-thirds of the iconic Doagh Famine Village on the Inishowen Peninsula — one of the North West’s most beloved and unique tourist attractions. Thankfully, no lives were lost, but the emotional and cultural loss is immense. Founded by Pat Doherty in 1997, Doagh Famine Village is more than just a museum. It has been a place where generations have come to understand Ireland’s past — from famine times through to the peace process — through powerful storytelling, life-size exhibits, and a deeply personal connection to the local community. Many of the thatched buildings were replicas of historical sites like a Republican safe house, an Orange Hall, a Presbyterian Meeting House, and others preserving the stories of Travellers, Irish traditions, and rural life. Now, much of that history has been reduced to ashes. The fire claimed irreplaceable parts of the village — including the buildings dedicated to the famine, the peace process, and the Traveller community. These weren’t just exhibits — they were the result of decades of care, passion, and commitment. And tragically, because the thatched buildings couldn’t be insured affordably, there is no coverage for the loss.