Plans to erect plaque to 19th-century philanthropist John Gwyn in Muff

Efforts are being made to erect a plaque to the late philanthropist John Gwyn who is buried in Muff.
Born in the 1750s in Drumskellan near Muff, he made his fortune as a linen trader. On his death in 1829, he bequeathed £40,000 for the establishment of a school for boys “of the poor or lowest class of society resident in and belonging to the city of Londonderry”.
His preference was that the school would be predominantly for boys who had lost their fathers, an aim motivated by the loss of his own father at a young age.
Gwyn's Charitable Institution was opened in temporary rented premises In 1832; and in 1840 the school, then known as Gwyn's Institute, moved to a purpose-built building on a ten-acre site which later became Brooke Park. Pupils received their education and board free and many received training for a trade.
Gwyn's Institute closed after 50 years and was later used as a museum and a library. The two-story building was fire-bombed during the 1970s and lay derelict until it was demolished in the 1990s. A cafe in the refurbished park, built on the site of the school, bears his name.

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Gwyn was buried in the graveyard of the Church of Ireland in Muff beside his parents. His tombstone states: “Ever kind and benevolent, the gifts of his charity were numerous, but dispensed without ostentation.”
A local group, Muff Village District History and Heritage, is exploring the erection of a plaque in his memory, as well as an information board, and is seeking funding for the project
Local councillor Terry Crossan, who has raised the issue of funding for the project with Donegal County Council, said he is hopeful the funding can be found.
The plans for the plaque are the latest in efforts by the group to keep the memory of John Gwyn and his philanthropy alive.
In November, a talk on Gwyn’s life, which was supported by Inishowen Development Partnership, was given in the village by author and broadcaster Ken McCormack.
Changemakers Donegal, a group that works to raise awareness of local and global citizenship issues, has funded two workshops to be held later this year on the social issues of Gwyn’s time and social issues of today.
Cathal Monaghan of Muff Village District History and Heritage, who also contributed to November’s talk, said the work to promote Gwyn’s legacy locally has come about after the realisation that there was a lack of awareness of Gwyn’s connections with the area. The group is also planning a day of events to remember Gwyn.
“There is no recognition of him at all in the village,” he said.
“The John Gwyn story somehow got lost in the locality he lived in. He is buried in the local Church of Ireland Graveyard, and when we approached the Church of Ireland they were most supportive in assisting us in the project, as are Muff Community Forum who have been supportive of the project.”
The group is inviting anyone with local knowledge of families who benefited from the work of Gwyn’s Institute to make contact and to get involved by sharing information on its Facebook page.