Connemara Heritage & History Centre

About the museum

The Connemara Heritage & History Centre, better known as Dan O’Hara’s Heritage Centre, was opened in 1991 by the Breathnach and Walsh family on their hill farm at Lettershea, about 7 km from Clifden. It centres on the restored pre-famine cottage of Dan O’Hara, a tenant farmer who fell behind with his rent, was evicted in 1845 and emigrated with his wife and children to New York. His story became a symbol of the hardships of tenant farmers in nineteenth-century Ireland.

The visit begins in the centre, where a 20-minute audio-visual presentation, compiled by the archaeologist Michael Gibbons, traces Connemara’s history from prehistory to the Irish Free State, and a museum shows farm and household objects from different periods. Outside, reconstructions of a crannóg, a ring fort and a clochaun show how people lived in earlier times, and the Irish Roots Forest Park invites visitors to plant native trees in memory of loved ones.

A walk of about 15 minutes, or a guided tractor tour, leads up the hillside to the cottage itself, where a turf fire and half-door give a glimpse of pre-famine life, with views of the Twelve Bens and the Atlantic. The founders still take part in running the centre, which also offers guided tours for groups, a restaurant and a craft shop.

Highlights

• Restored pre-famine cottage of Dan O’Hara on the hillside
• Audio-visual presentation on Connemara’s history in English, Irish, French and German
• Museum of farm and household objects
• Reconstructed crannóg, ring fort and clochaun
• Irish Roots Forest Park and views of the Twelve Bens

Permanent exhibitions

• The Centre and Museum – A 20-minute audio-visual presentation and a collection of farm and household objects trace Connemara’s history from prehistory to modern times.
• Dan O’Hara’s famine cottage – A restored pre-famine cottage on the hillside tells the story of Dan O’Hara, who was evicted in 1845 and emigrated to New York.
• Crannóg, ring fort and clochaun – Reconstructed ancient dwellings in the grounds show how people lived in Connemara in earlier centuries.

Founded

1991

Operated by

Breathnach/Walsh family

Admission & discounts

The prices are for the self-guided visit, which includes the museum, the audio-visual presentation, Dan O’Hara’s cottage, the reconstructed dwellings, the forest park and the trail to the hilltop homestead. Guided tours for groups are priced on request.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The centre says it is fully wheelchair accessible and that staff are available to help; please tell the centre about any special requirements in advance. The walk to Dan O’Hara’s cottage is on uneven, hilly ground, so good shoes are recommended.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

The centre welcomes individuals, couples and families, with a children’s ticket and a family ticket, farm animals including Connemara ponies, and a forest park.

Getting there & parking

The centre is on the N59, 7 km from Clifden and about 60 km from Galway City. Enter the Eircode H71 EY24 into a map application.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop

The restaurant serves afternoon tea with home baking, and the craft shop sells locally made knitwear, marble, jewellery and gifts.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit