It was at a time where millions across the island found themselves starving, sick and displaced with tough decisions to make. Some had no choice at all. Many of us are here today because some of our ancestors survived the hardships and losses and forged new lives for themselves either here or in other parts of the world. The Famine devastated County Donegal and its lasting effects are felt to this day.

"‘The potato crop in the neighbourhood is entirely lost and unless immediate and extensive relief be afforded to the poor, the consequences will be fearful’ "

It’s difficult to imagine what our ancestors went through over 175 years ago during one of the darkest periods of our history, the Great Irish Famine.

It was at a time where millions across the island found themselves starving, sick and displaced with tough decisions to make. Some had no choice at all. Many of us are here today because some of our ancestors survived the hardships and losses and forged new lives for themselves either here or in other parts of the world. The Famine devastated County Donegal and its lasting effects are felt to this day.

Nurturing our sense of place and identity is a strategic priority for Donegal County Council’s Culture and Creativity Team and by enabling historians to explore, research and document Donegal’s cultural resource, it provides accessible points of inspiration for many forms of creativity.

The result was a booklet of four essays on different aspects of the history of the Famine in Donegal, entitled The Consequences will be fearful: The Great Famine in County Donegal. This booklet has been widely distributed to schools, libraries, colleges and heritage centres across Donegal and further afield.