The Workhouse

The Workhouse was restored and opened in 1995 as a Heritage Centre exploring local history and culture. It has been run since then by a voluntary Board of Management and is a not for profit Charitable organisation. The Workhouse aims to be community focused and community led and to develop to meet the changing needs of the community while remaining a valuable community resource. It has evolved into a popular destination for locals and visitors alike with a coffee shop specialising in home baking, a craft shop that is slowly extending it’s range of local Donegal crafts and a Community Playground and Toddler Park.The Wee Hannah Exhibition is still very worthwhile a visit as it explains the life story of local lady Hannah Herrity who was a survivor of the famine and lived in the Workhouse. The New Lake Exhibition is also a fascinating display of story boards about the flora, fauna and geology surrounding New Lake and a DVD explains the full story in detail. There is now outside seating so on those rare sunny days you can enjoy your coffee or lunch sitting in the sun. The Workhouse also runs a summer scheme for children and an after schools programme with a variety of activities. There is also a youth project which runs on a Tuesday night 7.00pm to 9.00pm. From Easter to the end of September local and visiting artists display their work in well advertised Exhibitions.