The Irish Wheelchair Association Charity Shop in Letterkenny is launching a special ‘Selling the Past’ exhibition of donated items which have links to Donegal’s history.
The exhibition opens this Tuesday 16th August at 12pm as part of National Heritage Week.
Each item of the exhibit tells a story, organiser Taryn de Vere explains: “We have a beautiful embroidered tray cloth that connects us with the cottage industry of ‘sprigging’ (embroidery) that used to exist in Donegal.
“A pillowcase tells the story of how pillowcases were used to smuggle four across the border during World War 1, and a fireside chair connects us to the old tradition of ‘raking’ which was when people would visit one house on certain nights for games, poems, and songs. There are so many different items within the shop that have links to the past. Each of the pieces has a little story attached that connects it with County Donegal and how things used to be. You are all invited to come in and discover these items which will have a label telling you something about the history and people of Donegal in years gone by.”
Caroline Carr, Donegal County Museum, says the museum were delighted to have been approached by the Letterkenny Irish Wheelchair Association to partner in this unique project. “We were more than delighted as we’re always looking for new and novel ways to share the heritage and history of Donegal. This Heritage Week event allows people to experience the past in a new way, via items that have been donated by the people of County Donegal.”
The public are invited to the launch at 12pm on Tuesday the 16th August in the Irish Wheelchair Charity Shop, Larkin’s Shopping Centre, Pearse Rd, Letterkenny or to call in at any time to view the items during the rest of National Heritage week.
