The whole attraction is built around and includes original thatched dwellings which were still inhabited up until 1983 by the owners family and the tour guide, Pat Doherty. Its a selection of life size displays portraying life in Ireland from the 1840s until the present day.

One of my favourite exhibitions was “The Irish Wake”. Pat’s stories about the traditions that are associated with the wake and how similar they are to customs in other countries were amazing

Orange Hall

Religion has played a major part in Irish history. In the late eighteenth century many people from the Established Church felt under threat from Irish rebels and so they set up an organisation to help protect themselves.

The Catholic Church was not the only persecuted group – the Presbyterian Church suffered and had to met in secret in such places as barns and forges. They called their informal places of worship ‘Meeting Houses’.

Catholics met at Mass Rocks which are still to be found scattered throughout the country. mass was celebrated in secret. The stories of hedge schools was also part of this exhibition.

One of the latest additions to the Famine Village and the idea for it came from long term republican prisoner Eddie Gallagher. A safe house was a place of refuge by those running from the authorities.

It was a place with secret passage ways where the escapee could hide. Each room in the safe house tells part of the story of the road to peace in Northern Ireland. During this journey you will meet Ian Paisley and Gerry Adams sitting side by side. And, not only that, the story also covers more recent historical events including Martin McGuiness and the Queen.