A much-loved building which was due to be flattened last year has been saved from the bulldozer and is undergoing a splendid renovation.

A small gathering took place recently of those involved in the conservation and repair work to the Tin Shop in Barnesmore outside Donegal Town.

The former shop, which was erected around 1915 and closed in 2006, is listed as being of regional importance by the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage (NIAH).

The Tin Shop is owned by locals Ethna Martin and Liam Travers.

See also https://www.donegaldaily.com/2025/07/18/restoration-work-begins-on-donegals-much-loved-tin-shop-1/

The gathering of some of the people involved in its first phase of conservation and repair works took place on Friday last, 12th September which coincidentally was Ethna’s 95th birthday.

Many people have fond memories of using this iconic shop and more recently couples have taken their wedding photographs in front of the Tin Shop.

Those involved in the restoration of the Tin Shop were: Left to Right Joe Travers, Eddie Mulligan, Kevin Mundy, Barney McGroary, Joseph Breslin, Nuala Travers, Liam Travers, Emer Travers, Duncan McLaren, Brendan Brady, Noel McGready, Joe Harley

The shop fell into poor repair and the future was uncertain.

Thanks to the overwhelming encouragement to the Martin and Travers family from the local community, Emer Travers on behalf of her father and her aunt, was successful in an application under the Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) 2025 for the repair and conservation of the external envelope of the shop.

Brendan Brady of Brady Construction Services rose to the challenge and working alongside Duncan McLaren, Conservation Architect from Dedalus Architecture, they carefully kept as much of the original structure as possible and painstakingly restored it like for like.

Another person who was instrumental in this project was John Friel of Friary Timber Products Limited who unfortunately, could not make the gathering.

The shop is still part of the community and a lovely gesture in this restoration project was the Donegal Men’s Shed helping hand in restoring the detailed fretted barge board on the front of the building which is now looking as good as new.

Eddie Mulligan, Duncan Mclaren, Joe Travers, Emer Travers, Barney McGroary, Ethna Martin, Joseph Breslin, Liam Travers, Kevin Mundy, Noel McGready, Joe Harley, Paul OSullivan, Brendan Brady

The Martin and Travers Family are now focusing their attention on restoring the inside of the Tin Shop.

There is a bit more work to go, but the future is looking bright for bringing this little shop back into use once again.

The Built Heritage Investment Scheme supports the repair of buildings protected under the Planning Acts and is run by the National Built Heritage Service (NBHS) and administered by the Conservation Office of Donegal County Council.

The BHIS 2026 is currently open for applications and closes on 26th September for further details visit https://www.donegalcoco.ie/en/services/planning/architectural-conservation/grant-schemes

 

Iconic Donegal Tin Shop saved from the bulldozer and looking splendid again was last modified: September 15th, 2025 by Staff Writer

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