Thursday 5 December 2013

Ireland's oldest town: Ballyshannon exhibition opens

A new exhibition opening today in Ballyshannon investigates the claim that Ballyshannon is Ireland's Oldest Town. The exhibition, which has been developed as part of the Donegal County Museum's 'History on your Doorstep' project, puts forward a compelling argument based on archaeological and archival evidence.

Shane Toolan of Ballyshannon Museum believes that this is a very important exhibition for the town of Ballyshannon. “It has been a long held belief that Ballyshannon is the oldest settled place in Ireland," he said. "And this exhibition sets out the case in a clear and easily understood way."

The museum team worked with a small group of people to study books, archives, objects found in the local area and archaeology and have been able to put together an evidenced account that shows settlement in the area for centuries.

The launch of the exhibition will take place at the Abbey Centre, Ballyshannon, and will be followed by a talk and Q&A about the Oldest Town claim at 8pm.

Doors open at 7.30pm. Admission is free.

After the event the exhibition will be on permanent display in the newly restored and redeveloped Ballyshannon Museum on the top floor of Slevin’s Department Store. Open Monday–Saturday, 10am to 6pm.