Isaac Butt Heritage Centre

Small heritage centre in a former school near Ballybofey, devoted to Home Rule leader Isaac Butt, Dr Nancy McGlinchey and the history of Glenfin.

Opening hoursFree admission

Directions

About the museum

The Isaac Butt Heritage Centre stands at Cloghan in the Glenfin valley of County Donegal, north-west of Ballybofey. The core of the building is the former Brockagh National School, built in 1921. It later served as a private house before being turned into a heritage centre and given a modern extension at the rear around 2004. The centre first opened to visitors in August 1998 and was officially opened in July 1999.

It is dedicated to two people from the area. Isaac Butt (1813–1879) was born at the nearby Church of Ireland rectory in Cloghan. He became a barrister and a member of parliament and is regarded as the founder of the Home Rule movement; he is buried at Stranorlar. Dr Nancy McGlinchey is remembered for her long service to the local community.

Besides the displays on the two lives, the centre has an exhibition on the history of Glenfin parish from the fifth century onwards and another on the development of the local schools, with many photographs of pupils from the past. Tools and instruments used by local craftsmen are shown inside, and a growing collection of old horse-drawn farm machinery stands outside the building.

Highlights

Exhibition on the life of Home Rule founder Isaac Butt
Display on the local doctor Dr Nancy McGlinchey
History of Glenfin parish from the fifth century
Photographs and stories of the local schools
Horse-drawn farm machinery outside the centre

Permanent exhibitions

Isaac Butt and Dr Nancy McGlinchey – Displays on the lives of the Home Rule leader Isaac Butt and the local doctor Nancy McGlinchey.
History of Glenfin parish and its schools – The story of the parish from the fifth century, the development of local schools with photographs of pupils, and craftsmen’s tools.

Founded: 1998