Today, people across the country are volunteering to help on the frontline in the fight against coronavirus, and many others are working in their local communities to support those in need and maintain some sense of normality.
This isn’t the first time that Irish people have been called upon to make sacrifices for their communities and their country.
In 1944, towards the end of World War Two, or the Emergency as the period 1939-1945 was known in Ireland, rumours persisted of an imminent invasion. Although Ireland claimed to be neutral throughout the war, there was a general pulling together of volunteers.
In Carndonagh, this culminated in a rally of volunteers, nurses and members of the defence forces, in the field on Church Road which is now the site of the Community School. Many of these men and women may not have been fully trained or qualified at the time of these photos, but just like today, they were prepared to put themselves forward for the greater good.

Many thanks to Vincent Lynn for these fantastic photos.


#ClapTheCarers #StayAtHome

One Reply to “The Emergency in Carndonagh”

  1. Hi, Thanks for the continuing updates. I know it may be a difficult question but does anyone have any idea of the numbers involved in this exercise. Also can I presume that the attendees were from the entire penninsula– surely the parish could not have mustered the turnout evident ?. Could a similar number be motivated today ?

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