McDonnell founded a toy factory in Cushendall in 1900, employing local people and promoting wood working skills. The toys proved popular, and were sold in Ireland as well as England and the United States after they were exhibited at 1904 the St Louis World's Fair. It was craftsmen from Cushendall made dolls' house furniture for the National Museum of Ireland. The factory closed in 1914 during World War I due to a lack of available labour. At this time McDonnell helped to nurse returned wounded soldiers from the war, at which time she was in her 70s.