An exhibition showing the first photographs ever to be used as evidence in an Irish court will be held in Donegal County Museum.

This is the first time the photographs have been displayed since they were taken in Donegal in the late 19th Century.

The photographs are connected to the famous 1889 ‘Land War’ trial of Fr McFadden and his parishioners. The trial followed the killing of District Inspector Martin in Gweedore. It is believed Derry photographer James Glass was commissioned by the defence to take the series of photographs depicting tenant life in the area.

The photographs subsequently became known as the Glass Album. The exhibition tells the story of the Derry photographer and will display one of only two known copies of the album. The other is in the collections of the National Museums of Northern Ireland.

As part of the exhibition the Museum would like to make contact with any relatives of people directly associated with the trial. Donegal County Museum can be contacted on 074 9124613 or by emailing museum@donegalcoco.ie.

The exhibition runs from July 5 to August 31. Admission is free.  A special launch night will be held on Friday, July 5 at 7pm.

The Museum is situated at High Road in Letterkenny and is open from Monday to Friday 10am to 4.30pm and on Saturday from 1pm to 4.30pm. Anyone wishing to stay up-to-date with events at Donegal County Museum visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/DonegalCountyMuseum?fref=ts

Original article written by myself, Siobhan McNamara  appeared on http://www.donegalnow.com  on June 26, 2013