New Malin Head Tourism Project

New Malin Head Tourism Project – A Malin Head tourism project has been launched which will see development of a cliff top path and a viewing platform at this iconic visitor attraction. In welcoming guests to the launch of the EU funded marine tourism project at Malin Head, television personality Joe Mahon explained that the INTREERG IVA funded project will enhance, protect and promote the unique environment of Ireland’s most northerly point.

Part of the project works will see the building of passing places along the roads leading to the headland. A disabled viewing access area and cliff top trail will allow the visitor to safely enjoy the fabulous views across to Inishtrahull island and the Scottish isles beyond.

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The aim of the development of facilities at Malin Head is to enhance the visitor experience and increase tourism in the area.

Donegal County Council and Loughs Agency are working together to develop a tourism product that will create many long-term benefits for the local community.

The Malin Head project represents an example of excellent partnership working between Loughs Agency (as lead partner) and Donegal County Council (as project partner). The Loughs Agency plans several other marine tourism and angling development projects funded by a €4 million programme of investment through the European Union’s INTERREG IVA programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body.

Speaking at the launch, John Pollock (Acting Chief Executive of the Loughs Agency) highlighted that the Malin Head project presents a fantastic opportunity to enhance the tourism offer at this iconic place. He went on to praise the contribution of local landowners, the wider Malin Head community, Donegal County Council and council staff without whom the project could not have gone ahead. John went on to explain that EU funding has proved an enabler – the finance to match the goodwill of local people, the efforts of council staff and the perseverance of Loughs Agency staff.

Donegal County Council’s Tourism Development Officer commented: “Donegal County Council is delighted to be working with Loughs Agency and the SEUPB in the delivery of this project. The Malin Head project is part of Donegal County Councils ongoing efforts to develop the area as a world-class visitor destination. In addition to the support of the local landowners and Malin Head Community Association, this project is the result of the hard work of the Malin Head Steering Group, chaired by Inishowen Development Partnership”.

It is hoped that the project will complete later this year.

Traditional Irish Hand Loom Donegal

Traditional Irish Hand Loom Donegal

This video shows Cyndi Graham from St. John’s Point in Donegal making a scarf on a traditional Irish hand loom. Directed by Shauna Boyle for an IADT project.
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+353 74 973 7072

Address: St John’s Point, Dunkineely, Co Donegal, Republic of Ireland

Donegal Irish Diaspora Conference

Donegal Irish Diaspora Conference – Speakers from all over the world will be coming to Donegal early next month where they will congregate to share their own stories and their own research into the history, experiences and legacy of Donegal people who emigrated and made new lives for themselves in various parts of the world.

Plans are now well underway for the major Donegal Irish Diaspora Conference which is being hosted by Donegal County Council in LYIT on 4th and 5th June.

According to a spokesperson the conference will hear from Prof. David Emmons, a highly acclaimed expert on the legacy of the Irish and in particular the Donegal Irish in Butte Montana.

Prof Emmons is Emeritus Professor of History with the University of Montana and has published literature on this era of American history.

He is also an expert on the life of the Irish emigrants who went to work in the mining communities in Montana.

Life was hard for these emigrants but despite the gruelling and dangerous work, many of these Irish men and women have left a legacy that continues to shape and influence American society today.

A substantial number of these emigrants were from Inishowen.

Kevin Cullen, well known reporter with the Boston Globe and co-author of “Whitey Bulger: America’s Most Wanted Gangster” and of “Betrayal:The Crisis in the Catholic Church” will also be addressing the conference along with Professor Tom Devine OBE, Director of the Scottish Centre for Diaspora Studies at Edinburgh who will be discussing the Donegal Irish in Scotland since the Great War.

This conference is being held as part of the Councils ‘Hands of History’ project which is being funded under the Donegal CDB Peace & Reconciliation Partnerships PEACE III Programme

Michael Heaney, Director of Service with Donegal County Council has said it’s an important event; “We are delighted to be hosting such an event with such a broad and interesting group of speakers highlighting the importance of the Donegal connection abroad.

“This conference will address the history, experiences and legacy of the Irish Diaspora and will focus on the profound effect these Irish people have had on the countries they migrated to and on Ireland itself.

“The Diaspora is a key resource for Ireland in economic, political and cultural terms, not least as evidenced by its influence on the Irish Peace Process and its contribution to the economic development of the country”.

Irish Diaspora Conference

Wellness Workshop

Wellness Workshop in Churchill on Saturday 25th May 2013

North Donegal Community Network (N D C N) in conjunction with Suicide or Survive (S O S). N D C N & S O S are promoting a free Wellness Workshop in Colmcille Heiritage Centre, Gartan, Churchill. County Donegal on Saturday 25th May from 10 am to 5 pm.

To book a place (limited to 40 participants), phone Noeleen @ S O S; Tel number; 1890 577 577 or e-mail; noeleen@suicideorsurvive.ie.
 

 
The Workshop will cover health & well-being issues such as; what creates your mood; how to take control of your busy life, treating yourself to ‘you time’; etc. It is a day filled with tips to help you take control of your mental health & real life experiences.
 
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wellness workshop in Churchill

 
 

Barry Britton Rossnowlagh

Barry Britton Rossnowlagh – profile of the Rossnowlagh based surfer and illustrator

Let the River Run

Let the River Run – Derry~Londonderry is the inaugural UK City of Culture. This film was produced for a roadshow to showcase the city, its talent and the fantastic programme of events put on for the City of Culture year. These include The Turner Prize, The Return of Colmcille, Royal Ballet, Lumiere, National Youth Orchestra Residency and the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann.
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Music: Let the River Run performed by Mairead Carlin and Damian McGinty

Wild Atlantic Way Launched

Wild Atlantic Way

Wild Atlantic Way Launched

Minister of State for Tourism & Sport Michael Ring (23 April 2013) unveiled the final route for the Wild Atlantic Way, a new coastal tourism route running from Donegal to Cork.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNjsFzyKJOI

The minister joined Fáilte Ireland to present the final route to 300 top overseas tour operators attending Meitheal 2013, Ireland’s largest tourism trade fair.

The Wild Atlantic Way will be Ireland’s first long-distance driving route, stretching from the Inishowen Peninsula in Donegal to Kinsale in Co Cork, and offering future visitors an opportunity to discover the west coast.

The 2,500km final route was unveiled following a comprehensive public consultation process and includes 156 strategically placed discovery points for tourists along the way.

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While the route unveiled today comprises the main spine of the Wild Atlantic Way, a series of looped itineraries off the spine are also planned to further develop the experience for visitors.

Speaking today, Minister Ring said: “The Wild Atlantic Way is a very exciting project and I’m certain it will be a major tourism attraction. But to make it happen we all need to get on board.

“There has been a great response so far and I’m encouraging tourism operators, local authorities, business people and residents to stay involved to get this over the finishing line.”

Overseas tour operators were given an advance ‘sneak-peek’ of the route last night at a Fáilte Ireland welcome event in the Convention Centre Dublin when they were treated to the premiere of the video trailer above to show them just what their clients can expect along the route from next year on.

Paddy Mathews, manager of destination development with Fáilte Ireland, believes the project will be a great addition to what Ireland has to offer visitors.

“Developing a route like this is an important part of ensuring Ireland is able to provide visitors with an unforgettable experience,” he said. “It will open up a huge number of towns and attractions to them and showcase the scenery and unique culture of the West Coast of Ireland providing easy access to a range of experiences along the route.

“Now that the route has been finalised we will be focusing our efforts on turning all this preparatory work into a reality – an international driving route to rival the best in the world.”

Fáilte Ireland has been working with all the local authorities along the West Coast from Donegal to Cork as well as the leader companies, Údaras na Gaeltachta and the Western Development Commission.

Inishowen Roadtrip

Inishowen Roadtrip – Experience the spectacular scenery along the “Inishowen 100” scenic drive. This road trip takes you from Carndonagh town to Malin Head, Ireland’s most northerly point.
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View holiday homes in Inishowen

 

Local People Exhibition Letterkenny

Local People Exhibition Letterkenny

Art and social history mixed media project that will explore the idea of what connects us all as ‘local people’ in the Derry/Donegal cross-border area. Exhibitions at Regional Cultural Centre, Letterkenny from April 19th and University of Ulster Derry from June 10th.

Local People is a major art and social history project that will explore the idea of what connects us all as ‘local people’ and the rich diversity of what now constitutes a ‘local person’ in the modern day Derry/Donegal cross-border area. It will feature a broad representation of 40 local residents, telling their stories through film, photography and personal possessions.

The programme will comprise of 2 very large-scale exhibitions at RCC Letterkenny from April 16th to May 25th 2013 and University of Ulster Derry from June 10th to July 6th 2013 to coincide with Derry/Londonderry UK City of Culture.

Local People is based on the model of the very successful Destination Donegal exhibition that was held at the RCC From March to May 2011. It featured the life stories 12 people from around the world who moved to Donegal. According to exhibition Curator Harriet Purkis, “Destination Donegal aimed to re present people’s stories, as if the visitor is ‘getting to know them’ – seeing a life size portrait photograph, listening and watching people talk about their lives, looking at family photographs and things from home, and seeing their clothes.”

Project Team
Harriet Purkis – Curator
Jeremy Howard – Filmmaker
Mitchell Davis – Designer
Declan Doherty – Photographer
Ronan McConnell – Education Facilitator
Charlie Doherty – Assistant Filmmaker