The Glencolmcille Folk Village Museum is a cluster of six small cottages,
called a "clachan," perched
on a hillside overlooking a sandy curve of nearby Glenbay beach. In 2011
we look forward to opening two new exhibition houses - a traditional thatched
shop/pub with a shoemakers in the lower room, and a Fisherman's
cottage dedicated to our history concerning the local fishermen and the sea.
Seamus Campbell remembers using a series of
implements during his childhood and youth at Lisnakelly, Ballymackney, Monaghan,
Ireland. Filmed with permission at the Folk Museum at Glencolmcille in Donegal,
Ireland. Musician Chilli Reid plays The Dingle Regatta, Sí Beg Sí Mor
and the Wind That Shakes on the Barley on the Whistle as background. Video
footage and images by Máire McSorley
The cottages are neatly white-washed, each with a traditional half-door, designed to keep
the animals out and the people in.
The roof
of each cottage is thatched in the distinctive rounded Donegal style, tied
down securely with rope and pegs to protect the thatching from the fierce
westerly winds off the ocean.
Fisherman's
Cottage
The Fishermans Cottage is dedicated to the history of Fishing
in Glencolmcille and Stories related to the sea.
This type of one bedroomed cottage is similar to the one that
Rockwell Kent and Dylan Thomas stayed at in Glenlough in the
early 20th Century. There is a tribute to them in the form
of some of their Artwork based on Glencolmcille on display here
too.
The cottage represents the living conditions of a fisherman's
dwelling. Local people have kindly donate their time, artifacets,
knowledgeable input and photographs.
Teach
Scoile na nDunhacha / Dooey School House
This building is representatiave of a 19th century local school. In it you will find a
display of old photographs and historical information plus a collection of
old artifacts.
Living History
Museum Each
cottage recreates a different era of Irish history - from the 17th, 18th, and
19th centuries. The cottage is filled with household implements, kitchen utensils,
furniture, pictures, and
clothing brought from all the surrounding homes of the valley.
In addition, there
is a reconstructed school house, sheebeen (pub), and a tea room/craft shop
displaying the works of local artists, knitters, and weavers.
Designed, assembled,
and maintained
by the local people, this folk village is one of Ireland's best living-history
museums.
The Fishermans Cottage is dedicated to the history of Fishing
in Glencolmcille and Stories related to the sea.
Each
cottage recreates a different era of Irish history - from the 17th, 18th, and
19th centuries. The cottage is filled with household implements, kitchen utensils,
furniture, pictures, and
clothing brought from all the surrounding homes of the valley. 
