Clonmany exhibition to explore evolution of transport in Inishowen

An exhibition looking at the evolution of transport in Inishowen – from the days of horse-drawn carts to the arrival of motor vehicles and beyond - is running in Clonmany later this month.

Clonmany Genealogy & Heritage Group is hosting Horses to Horse Power – 150 Years of Transport in Inishowen, at the Market House, Clonmany, on Saturday, April 26 and Sunday, April 27.

This exhibition explores how changing modes of transport have shaped life in our local communities over the past century and a half.

Visitors will enjoy an array of old newspaper advertisements, transport artifacts, photographs, and articles, each telling its own story of progress, innovation, and everyday life in the region.

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The Inishowen peninsula has seen extraordinary changes over the past 150 years—not least in how people move around.

From the age of the horse and cart to modern roads and the digital era of transport apps, the story of transport in Inishowen
In the 1870s, Inishowen’s transport was a slow affair.

Roads were basic—often just gravel paths—winding through hills, boglands, and along the wild Atlantic coast. Most travel was local, carried out on foot, bicycle or via horse and cart.

For longer journeys, people relied on coastal steamers operating out of Derry and Moville, which provided critical links to Glasgow and Liverpool, especially for emigrants and trade.

Boats, ferries and curraghs provided transport links between the mainland and off shore islands, and between the islands themselves.

The British Army played a significant role in the development of road infrastructure in Inishowen, particularly during the 19th century.

At that time, the British government undertook several public works projects in Ireland and one of these initiatives included building bridges and roads in remote and underdeveloped regions.

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The army was involved both in surveying the terrain and organizing local labour for the construction of military and relief roads.

These roads were crucial not only for improving local transport and communication but also for enabling military movement and control in a strategically sensitive area close to the northern coastline.

Many of the roads built or improved during this period are still in use today, forming part of Inishowen’s modern infrastructure.
The opening of the Londonderry and Lough Swilly Railway (LLSR) marked a major milestone. The narrow-gauge line connected Derry with Buncrana, Clonmany, and eventually Carndonagh.

The railway brought unprecedented mobility, enabling farmers to send livestock and produce to market, and connecting people to jobs and opportunities beyond the peninsula.

The first half of the 20th century saw the railway become a backbone of Inishowen transport. Stations like Buncrana, Clonmany and Carndonagh bustled with life, serving as hubs of activity and commerce. But as roads slowly improved and motor vehicles became more common, the railway began to decline.

Many rural families depended on tractors for longer journeys, especially to do the weekly shopping, to bring produce to markets and for other essentials.

Bus and private coach companies began to fill the void, offering scheduled routes to Derry, Letterkenny, and beyond. Cars remained a bit of a luxury until the 1960s, when tarmac roads had reached most isolated townlands.

The use of bicycles in Inishowen was common during early- to mid-decades of the 20th century, with many bicycle sales and repair shops flourishing around the peninsula.

By the 1980s, Inishowen had become a more car-centric region. The freedom of personal transport enabled people to live farther from work and services, but also contributed to rural isolation as public transport options declined. Local taxi services, school buses, and a patchwork of community transport initiatives tried to bridge the gap. The expansion of the road network made access to Derry and Letterkenny easier than ever.

Yet, the absence of a rail link became increasingly felt, especially as economic development began to demand better connectivity.

In recent decades, transport in Inishowen has adapted to new challenges—aging populations, climate change concerns, and the need for sustainability.

Community-based transport schemes have become lifelines for rural residents, offering accessible and affordable bus services tailored to smaller towns and villages.

For more information, contact the Clonmany Genealogy & Heritage Group on (086) 6092369 or at clonmanygenealogygroup@gmail.com, or keep an eye on the Group’s Facebook page.