Famine era soup pot found sitting in a Swatragh beer garden

Also on display at the visitor centre is a list of the names of people from the area who entered workhouses or emigrated during the famine.

It is estimated that during the Great Famine, the population of Ulster fell by 340,000 people – a drop of 15.7% – because of death and emigration.

Cathy O’Neill, a local history guide, said people of Irish descent were increasingly eager to know their family history.

“People from North America and Canada are very interested in reconnecting with their roots, and this is a great way to for them to try and research their family history,” she said.

“If they have a name or a date, they can look up and find out what happened, what their circumstances were and where and why they emigrated.”