Donegal County Museum has been undertaking research on all those from Donegal involved in World War I since 2001. Over the years the Museum has organised and participated in a variety of events examining the story of Donegal’s role in the War.

The County Donegal Book of Honour, The Great War 1914-1918 contains the names of all those from Donegal who died during World War I and was first published in 2002. Its publication was the culmination of the hard work and dedication of Paddy Harte and the original County Donegal Book of Honour Committee who oversaw the research and compilation of all the information contained within the Book. With assistance from the public and under the guidance of a new Committee the Book of Honour has been updated and the 5th edition was reprinted by the Museum in 2019. This database is based on the listings in the Book of Honour.

For many generations the story of the War and of those who participated in it was largely ignored and forgotten by families, communities and the State. Medals and letters were consigned to attics and the history we were taught in our schools rarely included the Great War. Over the last few decades things have changed. Communities throughout Ireland are acknowledging those that served and families are finally being given the opportunity to publicly remember them. The Island of Ireland Peace Park at Messines in Belgium, a project led by Paddy Harte and Glenn Barr, formally acknowledges all the soldiers from Ireland who fought and died on the battlefields of World War I. In Donegal various groups have erected memorials to remember those from their communities who fought and died in the War. It is hoped that, as we move forward in peace, we will continue to have the opportunity to remember.