Carrigans ready for East Donegal Family History Festival

Carrigans will host the annual East Donegal Family History Festival this week, a four-day event celebrating local heritage, family history, and community life.

The festival, supported by the Ulster Scots Agency, will take place from June 23 to June 27 at Monreagh Heritage Centre, The Old Manse, Carrigans. 

Several workshops will take place during the week, including guided tours, a nostalgic film night, genealogy consultations, and an Ulster-Scots Variety Show with music, dance, and local flavours.

All events will have free admission.

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The festival kicks off on June 23 with an exhibition entitled "Working Lives in Scotland, 1940-1990," at Monreagh Heritage Centre. The exhibition is hosted by local Heritage Officer, Joseph Gallagher, and explores the stories of local people who emigrated to Scotland.

On June 24, attendees will be able to avail of a guided tour of New Mills Corn and Flax Mills nearby Letterkenny, followed by a movie night at Monreagh Community Hall the following evening on June 25. The movie night will show ‘The Wedding, the Wake & the Poteen.’ 

The film is set in 1950s Donegal and follows a ‘down-on-their-luck’ family aiming to pull off a wedding, and attempt to fund it by distilling some homemade poteen.

On June 26, Monreagh Community Hall will host an Ulster-Scots Variety Show for an evening celebrating the culture of East Donegal, including fiddlers, dancers, choirs, and singers.

Finally, one-to-one consultations with expert local genealogists are available on June 27 for advice on researching Ulster ancestors at Monreagh Heritage Centre. 

Tickets and more information for the East Donegal Family History Festival are available on Eventbrite.