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Part of outdoor museum destroyed in fire

Hayley Halpin
BBC News NI
Getty Images A thatched cottage with a red door and a window either side of the door. The cottage is painted white. Getty Images
A thatched cottage at Doagh Famine Village in County Donegal

The owner of an outdoor museum in County Donegal has described a fire which damaged multiple buildings on the land as a "disaster".

Gardaí (Irish police) and fire services attended the scene of the blaze at Doagh Famine Village in Ballyliffin, on the Inishowen peninsula, at approximately 16:00 local time on Saturday.

A number of people were on the land when the fire broke out, but no one was injured.

The fire has been extinguished and foul play is not suspected.

The Doagh Famine Village tells the story of an Irish family living through famine times up until the present day.

Pat Doherty, owner of Doagh Famine Village, lived with his family in one of the thatched dwellings, which is now on display in the outdoor museum, until 1984.

Speaking to BBC News NI on Saturday evening, Mr Doherty said: "We show (visitors) how we lived up until the '80s, how we fished, how we farmed and how we survived here."

Mr Doherty said the Doagh Famine Village project began in 1997.

"Every year there was a bit added onto it and it grew like that. It ends today now," he said.

"It's a disaster."

Google A white thatched building with a yellow sign above the door reading "Doagh Famine Village". There is a concrete path outside the building and an electricity pole to the right of it. There is a cloudy sky in the background. Google
The Doagh Famine Village project began in 1997

A replica of an Orange Hall and a safe house which displayed information on the peace process were destroyed in the fire.

Items about the Travelling community, including caravans, were also burnt.

"Some of those things can never be replaced," Mr Doherty said, adding that many items were donations.

"Half of the centre is now destroyed."

The museum has been shut down for the foreseeable as a result of the fire.

During a visit to the museum, visitors could learn about the peace process in Northern Ireland, from various viewpoints.

The process of making poitín - a strong, clear alcoholic spirit - was also shown at the museum.

Mr Doherty credited the fire service for their response to the blaze.

"We owe a lot to the fire brigade."