Flight of the Earls Heritage Centre

The Flight of the Earls Heritage Centre in Rathmullan is housed in an old gun battery on Lough Swilly built in 1810 and one of six around the lough. Although built some 200 years after the Flight of the Earls, the fort is a reminder of Ireland’s troubled history and how Ireland’s history could have turned out very differently. The centre has exhibitions and displays including wax figures in period costumes, weapons, maps and manuscripts which bring the 400 year history to life. The ticket office is located in the cellar where you can also view a DVD made by the Donegal Historical Society telling the story of how Hugh O’Neill and Rory O’Donnell came to make their escape, their journey across the Continent and of their final resting-place in Rome. The story of the build-up to the Nine Years’ War, of Hugh O’Neill’s defeat, and, of course, of the fateful event in September 1607 which has gone down in history as the Flight of the Earls is presented in the gallery.