An important fire ravaged the DOAGH Famine Village, an emblematic tourist site located on the island of Doagh, in the Inishowen peninsula, Ireland. This outdoor museum, founded by Pat Doherty and managed by his family, previously offered visitors an immersion in Irish rural life from the 18th century to the end of the 20th century. The great famine, a dark episode of Irish history was well heard at the center of the exhibitions presented.
The Doagh Famine Village partially degraded by the flames
The event took place this Sunday, May 4, 2025. An unplanned start of fire destroyed many historic cottages from 4 p.m., some of which were inhabited until 1983 by the Doherty family.
Emergency services intervened quickly, but the extent of the damage is considerable.
Local authorities, whose Gardaí, assisted the firefighters on the spot. The cause of the fire remains unknown to date.
The site has announced its closure until further notice and offers full reimbursement of reserved tickets.
The Irish local community as well as the former visitors expressed deep sadness in the face of this heritage loss.
-Many pay tribute to passion and dedication invested in the creation of this village.
As a reminder, the Irish great famine (1845-1848) remains a historic episode still alive for the Irish. Whatever the generation, the population continues to maintain their duty of memory with regard to this period.
This is the way for them the means of remembering the million Irish who perished, following the Mildew epidemic which ravaged almost all of the country’s potato fields. Many died of hunger and illness …
But the village does not stop at this sad episode of Irish history. He proposed to discover Irish peasant life until the 20th century, with historic houses, epoch tools, while evoking the daily life of the population.
A very nice attraction, unfortunately degraded by the flames. Fortunately, the fire only partially touched the premises.
The supports hope that the attraction can be rebuilt quickly, stronger and better than before.
