Ardara Walking Festival

This festival, which takes place over two days in March (St. Patrick’s Day Weekend), expects walkers from Ireland, Scotland and The Netherlands. The programme includes easy, moderate and strenous routes, taking in the Maghera and Loughros Bays, the banks of the Owenrea River and an ascent by Easaranka Water fall on Glengesh Hill.

The easy walks are will take around three hours, while the strenous walks take about six hours. The Festival includes evening entertainment.

Ardara, Donegal
Phone: +353 (0)74 9541518

[mappress mapid=”25″]

Events in Donegal | Donegal Cottages | Donegal Self Catering | Derry Events

Inishowen International Guitar Festival

The 1st Inishowen International Guitar Festival, three days of guitar heaven, took place in and around McGrory’s of Culdaff, Inishowen, north Donegal, on the weekend of 5 / 6 / 7 February 2010.

In the inaugural year we were delighted to present a wide spectrum of musical styles on both acoustic and electric guitars, from some of the foremost players and pickers in the world today.

Headlining was Jennifer Batten, instantly recognisable as the blonde lead guitarist in Michael Jackson’s band since 1989. Jennifer has also played and recorded extensively with Jeff Beck.

Website: www.iguitar.ie

We had the rare combination of jazz and Nintendo tunes from Wim den Herder (Netherlands), Chet Atkins thumb-and-finger style from Gareth Pearson (Wales), bluegrass and beyond from Beppe Gambetta (Italy), acoustic blues from Johnny Dickinson (UK) and the exquisite Celtic fingerstyle of Clive Carroll.

Home-grown talent is equally represented by the mighty Henry McCullough, Arty McGlynn, Jerome McGlynn, Jimmy Smyth, Grainne Duffy, Paul Sherry, Paul Buckley, Percy Robinson and the Deans.

Culdaff, Inishowen

[mappress mapid=”24″]

Events in Donegal | Donegal Cottages | Donegal Self Catering | Derry Events

Frankie Kennedy Weekend in Gweedore

The scenery in this Gaelic-speaking part of the county is worth the trip alone, but for trad musicians there is much more on offer during the Frankie Kennedy Winter School. The festival has two main centres: Cois Locha in the village of Dunlewey at the foot of Errigal Mountain, and Ostán Gaoth Dobhair in the seaside village of Bunbeg.

The winter school features a series of classes in various instruments and an enviable line-up of performers who take part in day-time recitals and night-time concerts.

Frankie Kennedy Weekend in Donegal

Frankie Kennedy Weekend in Donegal

With plenty of musicians attending, there is no shortage of informal sessions over the weekend. This year’s line-up included Donal Lunny, Paul Brady and Paddy Glackin; Máire Brennan (of Clannad fame); Hazel O Connor; Mick Kinsella and Josephine Marsh and of course the perennial performances of Altan.

Gweedore, Donegal
Phone: +353 (0)74 9560698
www.frankiekennedy.com

More Information

This normally takes place in the last week in December/ start of Janurary.

Contact Anna, on the phone number above, for more details

[mappress mapid=”3″]

Events in Donegal | Donegal Cottages | Donegal Self Catering | Derry Events

Ballyliffin Golf Club

Ballyliffin Golf Club has recently been described as “the Ballybunion of the North” – and its not hard to see why. Located a short distance from Malin Head on the scenic Inishowen Peninsula, Ireland’s most northerly golf links covers 365 acres of magnificent duneland and is bounded by rolling hills and mountains – the only other boundary is the Atlantic Ocean.
[shareaholic app=”share_buttons” id=”6462374″]
T: +353 (0)74 9376119
W: www.ballyliffingolfclub.com

Ballyliffin Golf Club has two superb 18 hole courses – the classic Old Links and the wonderful new Glashedy Links. The Glashedy Links makes the most of a genuinely spectacular location. Designed by Pat Ruddy and Tom Craddock, it has been laid out on mostly higher ground above and beyond the Old Links.

[DKB url=”http://www.donegalcottageholidays.com/towns/holiday-cottage-ballyliffin.php” color=”#3a5898″ text=”View holiday homes in Ballyliffin”]
 
The views from both courses are breath-taking. Glashedy – named after Ballyliffin’s own “Ailsa Craig – measures over 7,000 yards from the Championship tees with large undulating greens, deep bunkers and fairways that twist and roll between towering dunes. The challenge presented by the Glashedy Links is almost as formidable as it is exciting.

In June 1993 Nick Faldo visited Ballyliffin and described The Old Links as the most natural golf course he had ever seen. The Old Links is a classically old style links. It exudes charm, character and curiosity in equal measure. More than anything, it is the extraordinary terrain that makes a golf game on the Old Links such a unique experience – stand on any tee and the fairway undulates in each and every direction. The principal architect of the links was none other than Mother Nature heself.

[mappress mapid=”6″]

Events in Donegal | Donegal Cottages | Donegal Self Catering | Derry Events

Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival

The Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival takes place in the town where Ireland’s greatest Rock ‘n Blues Guitarist, Rory Gallagher has born in Ballyshannon, County Donegal. The 4-day programme of events are packed with outdoor music gigs, guitar workshops, exhibitions, nightly theatre concerts, late night gigs beginning at midnight, films, The Story of Rory, Seminar at the Rory Gallagher Theatre, non-stop Rock ‘n Blues Pub gigs.

This event takes place on the June Bank Holiday Weekend.

[mappress mapid=”9″]

Events in Donegal | Donegal Cottages | Donegal Self Catering | Derry Events

Donegal Town Food Festival

The Taste of Donegal Food Festival- Friday 26th August, Saturday 27th August and Sunday 28th August 2011 Donegal Town. Come along and celebrate great food and drink in a friendly atmosphere.

Facebook Page

[mappress mapid=”10″]

Events in Donegal | Donegal Cottages | Donegal Self Catering | Derry Events

Images of Donegal

Some great images of Donegal taken during the summer of 2011 by Paul Deeney. Donegal has some of the finest surfing beaches in Europe and attracts enthusiasts from far and near. Its links courses are second to none – and great value too. With new initiatives like Donegal Food Taverns and restaurants such as the Willow Tree at Rathmullan House and Harry’s in Bridgend using fresh, locally sourced food – the county’s food offering has reached new heights. Enjoy the short slide presentation below.

The music in the video is “Remember When” by the Heathers

Events in Donegal | Donegal Cottages | Donegal Self Catering | Derry Events

Stranorlar Schools – Strictly Come Dancing Charity Event

A unique social event bringing together three Stranorlar schools will take place in December under the mistletoe and Christmas decorations.

Saint Columba’s College, Saint Mary’s National School Stranorlar and Finn Valley College will each host a Strictly Come Dancing Night in the Villa Rose Hotel on the 2ND,9TH and 16TH of December 2011.

But what promises to be an amazing start to the New Year begins with a final night on January 6th 2012 at the same venue.

Dancers will receive full free professional training for the big occasion with a number of names alreay being mooted around the Twin Towns.

Anybody oterested in training to become a dancer Ishould leave names at their chosen school

Rumours that several teachers incluidng Paddy McDaid and Frank Dooley are alreafy attending private ballroom dancing classes could not be confirmed at the rime fo going to press!!.

[mappress mapid=”14″]

Events in Donegal | Donegal Cottages | Donegal Self Catering | Derry Events

Guth Gafa Documentary Film Festival

When we established the Guth Gafa international documentary film festival in 2006 there were a number of factors we could be certain of; we knew the location was first-rate in terms of its beauty, that’s one of the reasons we’re based here after all; we could be sure that visitors would be warmly received in the best Donegal tradition, and that they would revel in the local culture; and we knew we could run a good festival with local support and co-operation.

What was less certain was whether we could get sufficient quality films and film-makers to come, not only to Ireland, but to one of the most remote parts of the country. We think we’ve succeeded beyond anything we could have hoped for when we started out in 2006, in attracting multi-award winning directors and films to Gort an Choirce.

The challenge, after five years, is to maintain the high standards that we have set ourselves and continue to build the Festival from year to year.
10th – 14th June 2011

[mappress mapid=”21″]

Events in Donegal | Donegal Cottages | Donegal Self Catering | Derry Events