Guided Famine
Exhibition Tour

A self guided journey through the history of The Workhouse. Explore life during and after the famine.

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About the Exhibition

The Famine Exhibition is a self guided audio tour that leads visitors through the original gallery spaces of The Workhouse.

Along the way, you will learn about daily life inside the workhouse, the impact of the famine on the local community and the people who lived here. A central part of the exhibition is the story of Wee Hannah Herrity, who survived the hardships of the time and later shared her experiences in her own words.

The visit concludes with a short film showcasing Dunfanaghy from the 1930s to the 1960s. Visitors are also invited to sign the visitor book before leaving.

An immersive audio tour

Step Inside the History
of The Workhouse

Discover the story of The Workhouse through our Famine Exhibition, tracing its journey from construction in the 1840s through the famine years and into its role as a heritage and community centre today.

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Additional Information

Group Bookings

Shared Journeys Through History

The Workhouse welcomes school groups, colleges, and organised tours all year round. Our guided experiences are designed to spark curiosity and deepen understanding of Irish history, heritage, and resilience.

Nancy M

24/04/2023
This was such an interesting experience. The tour explores the experiences of those misfortunate enough to submit themselves and their families to what was said to be benevolent care but was actually quite horrible. They recorded a resident, Wee Hannah, and she describes her beyond incredible resilience. After leaving the workhouse she lives into her 90’s!

David Larmour

20/05/2024
Dunfanaghy workhouse museum may be small but it’s a fascinating and sobering reminder of those terrible, not so distant times. To put it into personal perspective, ‘Wee Hannah’ a former inmate who lived through the famine was still alive when my parents were born.

Harry L

19/08/2025
This is well worth visiting. There is much information on the system of workhouses in the terrible times of the Victorian area for anyone who was poor. We learned a lot.

Angela M

28/10/2024
A hour or so spent learning about the history of Dunfanaghy Workhouse. The local guide was so knowledgeable and personable. Fascinating exhibition

Harry L

04/08/2025
This is well worth visiting. There is much information on the system of workhouses in the terrible times of the Victorian area for anyone who was poor. We learned a lot.

Christine L

05/01/2026
We had the best time at the workhouse. It was very informative. The girls were absolutely amazing, friendly and helpful and the craic was good. The tour was thought provoking, the craft shop well stocked with a variety of crafts and goods and the coffee shop was lovely. Well worth a visit.
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