Tuesday 21 April 2015

NIAH completes survey of County Donegal

'Introductory' book versions of the surveys are
published by Wordwell Books
The National Inventory of Architectural Heritage has recently completed its survey of Donegal and found that the county boasts the greatest concentration and variety of vernacular (thatched) buildings found anywhere in Ireland.

Another highlight of the county is the ecclesiastical heritage of the local architect, the late Liam McCormick, who was responsible for so many strikingly modern churches.

The Inventory was launched by Joe McHugh TD, Minister of State for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht on Friday and will shortly be available at the NIAH website, www.buildingsofireland.ie.

The site holds the survey for each county in the Republic of Ireland and presents an illustrated resume of its architectural highlights. This can be an interesting way to acquaint yourself with your ancestor's county if you are not already familiar with it. Select a county and, on the next page follow the Survey Highlights link.

Alternatively, you might like to purchase An Introduction to the Architectural Heritage of County Donegal, which accompanies the new Donegal survey. It costs €12 and is available in bookshops or online via Wordwell Books. This is the 32nd book to be published in the series, so nearly all of the 26 counties of Ireland have now been covered (only the County Dublin North survey/book remains to be published, as far as I'm aware).