Behind the scenes the museum is managed by a voluntary committee, formed in 1988 to renovate and intreprete two of the five buildings at the front of the Donaghmore Workhouse site built in 1853.

The aim of the committee is to perserve the buildings, develop an agricultural collection and tell the story of Famine times and the harsh life in the Workhouse until it closed in 1886 and how the Workhouse evolved into Donaghmore Co-operative in 1927.

Donaghmore Famine Workhouse and Agricultiral Museum Co-operative Society Limited acknowledge the financial and professional support of BNS LEADER Co. and Laois LEADER Rural Development Co. for capital grant assistance over the years.

The physical work on the site was carried out by the many participants of the FAS Community Employment Scheme and the voluntary committee over a ten year period.

Currently day to day operations are assisted with the support of the Rural Social Scheme, funded by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltheacht Affairs and administered locally by Laois LEADER Rural Development Company.

The committee continue to enjoy the support of Glanbia PLC on whose site the Workhouse is located.