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Rare old map among ‘fabulous’ finds in Donegal Archive

written by Cronan Scanlon November 13, 2022

Staff at the Donegal County Archives have made some interesting discoveries while sifting through their latest acquisition.

A map of Ballybofey from 1812 was found tucked away in the recently acquired Chris MacDonagh collection.

Mr MacDonagh was a renowned historian and collector who founded the Donegal Historical Society in 1946.

He passed away in 1960.

“This map from 1812 was just tucked away in the Chris MacDonagh collection, a recent acquisition,” the archivist stated on their Twitter account.

Part of 210 year old map of Ballybofey. Pic: Donegal County Archives

“We are listing this gem of a wee archive at present – 210 years ago, what was happening then? Only the Napoleonic wars and the 1812 War between Britain and the USA.”

And there was another ‘fabulous find’ (pictured below) in the MacDonagh collection.

It was a warning to electors about the new Franchise Bill: “Which was to greatly increase the male franchise in Ireland – basically gives out about labourers getting the vote!”