Declan Doherty’s Donegal: A Half-Century of Irish Life in Photographs
A retrospective exhibition showcasing the work of Declan Doherty, a celebrated Irish photojournalist, offers a poignant look at the people and events that have defined County Donegal over the last five decades. The collection, titled Declan Doherty’s Donegal, features 400 photographs and is currently on display at the Regional Cultural Centre in Letterkenny, offering a rare opportunity to experience the breadth of his four-decade career.
Doherty, a native of Letterkenny and longtime photographer for the Donegal News, recently retired, closing the door on his darkroom for the final time. However, his legacy lives on through this comprehensive exhibition, described as the most concise photographic collection of the county and its inhabitants.
Capturing a Changing Ireland
The exhibition spans a period of significant change in Ireland, documenting everything from local festivals and elections to moments of national celebration and hardship. Doherty’s lens captured the delivery of hay bales to sheep stranded by severe weather on Rathlin O’Birne Island in 1999, a testament to the resilience of the community. He also documented cultural icons like Nabla Doohan, the Queen of Tory Island in 1993, and the late, renowned Donegal musician Ted Ponsonby with his daughter in 2001.
The photographs extend beyond everyday life, encompassing pivotal moments in Irish history and culture. Images include the celebration of Donegal’s victory over Dublin in 1992, with the Sam Maguire cup making a special visit to Tory Island. The exhibition also features a striking photograph of actress Jessie Buckley in Dunlewey, Co Donegal, taken in 2023.
From Film to Digital: A Photographer’s Evolution
Doherty’s work has not been confined to the regional press. His images have graced the front pages of national newspapers, including The Irish Times, throughout his career. The exhibition, curated by Shaun Hannigan, the cultural centre’s former director, is particularly notable for representing one of the last photographic compilations to bridge the transition from traditional black-and-white film development to the digital age.
The photographer consistently prioritized the subject, ensuring that the human element remained at the forefront of his work. A photograph from September 2025 shows starlings gathering at Donegal fire service headquarters, a striking example of Doherty’s ability to find beauty in the everyday. Other notable images include Meryl Streep arriving in Donegal for the premiere of Dancing at Lughnasa in 1998 and scenes from the Mary from Dungloe festival and the Lennon Festival.
Doherty’s work served as the “eyes of a generation,” documenting local elections, tragic events, and the vibrant tapestry of life in Donegal. The exhibition offers a compelling narrative of a county and its people, preserved through the enduring power of photography. It is scheduled to close on Saturday, March 14th, making a visit to the Regional Cultural Centre in Letterkenny well worthwhile for those seeking a deeper understanding of Ireland’s recent past.
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