Donegal County Museum remembering the shared histories of Donegal JUDITH McCARTHY
Introduction1 “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it” George Santayana, Spanish born American Philosopher. Donegal County Museum is part of the Cultural Services Division of the Community Culture and Enterprise Directorate of Donegal County Council. The Museum is based in the reception block of Letterkenny workhouse built in the 1840s. The aims of the Museum are to collect, record, preserve, display and communicate the material heritage and associated information of County Donegal to the widest community possible. Since it opened, the Museum has endeavoured to remember and communicate the shared histories of its communities. Donegal has been shaped by its history. Its culture, language, landscape, and people have all been influenced by the past. From the ulster Scots words and phrases in use in everyday language to the war graves to be found around the County the impact of this history can be seen in every community. The influence of the past can also be ‘seen’ in less tangible ways. This is particularly true when we examine the legacy of the last 400 years on the story of Donegal. From the Flight of the Earls in 1607 to the Good Friday Agreement and beyond, from how we were taught history in school to the stories our parents and grandparents told us, the ‘story’ of Donegal has influenced how we view the past, our communities and ourselves.
— 1. This article is adapted from a presentation made at the Irish Museums Association Education and Outreach Forum on 27 June 2014, Dublin
Therefore it is not enough to just remember. Museums should endeavour to understand the past and use this understanding to enable communities to shape a better future. How have we in Donegal County Museum remembered and explored our histories and what have we learned through this remembering?
Donegal County Museum remembering the shared histories of Donegal
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