Green Guide to Donegal

Green Guide to Donegal

The Gysling Family & Harvey’s Point Team bring you the green Guide to Donegal

Plan your holiday or short break based on our personal recommendations. Discover the unique beauty of Donegal and the North West. Experience the real Ireland, what to see, where to go. Explore hidden places, find local attractions, enjoy gorgeous 360˚ virtual tours with this free guide.

Green Guide to Donegal on Issuu

Download the Donegal Green guide iPhone app

Download the App now! Enjoy!

Brought to you by the Gysling family, this advert-free App is the result of a deep affection for this special corner of Ireland and a desire to share it with you. Each place has been personally selected on the basis that it highlights the best of the North West.

WHAT’S INCLUDED
Scenic drives, golf courses, walking trails, other activities, beaches, historical sites, restaurants. Packed with information and tips for your trip, it is easy to navigate and each location is pinpointed on a map so you always know how near the next great attraction is.

WORKS OFFLINE
There is no need for a live data connection while using this App, as everything is stored on your device after you do an initial update. This means you won’t be charged for expensive data roaming.

GPS-BASED
Most listings are GPS-based to guide you to a place once you select it.

EVENTS / PUSH ALERTS
We will keep you notified about what’s on in the region. These push alerts are free and non-intrusive and you will receive no more than 1 per month. You can also enable or disable the notification in the settings at any time.

MAKE HARVEY’S YOUR HOME!
You are welcome to use Harvey’s Point as the perfect hotel base from which to tour Donegal and the North West or simply as a destination to relax and enjoy palatial accommodation, exquisite cuisine and warm Donegal hospitality. Located just outside Donegal Town, Harvey’s Point enjoys a magical setting on the shores of Lough Eske and at the foot of the Bluestack Mountains.

CÉAD MÍLE FÁILTE
We hope that you will enjoy using our Green Guide App, and it will be our pleasure to welcome you to the Hills of Donegal and beyond.

Download the App now! Enjoy!

The Gysling Family & Harvey’s Point Team.

Lennon Festival 2012

Lennon Festival 2012

Sunday 1st July

3.30 pm Leprechaun Hunt (Leprechaun licence to be bought at Gambles Square)
Sponsored by AJ Lockhart & S Crawford Construction.
Singing Pub: O’Shaughnessy’s

Monday 2nd July

7-7.30pm Car Treasure Hunt starting from Market Square
Sponsored by the Silver Tassie Hotel

Tuesday 3rd July

6.00pm Junior Soccer Blitz/Childrens Sports in Swilly Park
8.00pm x Swilly Rovers V’s x Mariners over 40’s at Swilly Park for Purple Cup
Singing Pub : Lennon Lodge

Wednesday 4th July

6.30pm Fun Raft Race Teams of 4, strictly over 18, lifejackets must be worn, oar power only; Rafts must be registered before entry.
Registration takes place at Gambles Square
8.00pm Charity singles open Bowls competition in Makemie Hall contact 9151223
All proceeds in aid of The Alzheimer’s Society
8.30pm Fashion Show in Town Hall
With local Fashion Designer Liam Grier & St Vincent DePaul shop. Liam will show a large and varied collection of beautiful fine knitwear on the night. While under the supervision of Eilish Toland the St Vincent DePaul shop will show a collection of everyday & designer labels. Also Ramelton Youth Project & The Treesome Kids are producing some unusual fashion from everyday items!!
Singing Pub : Conways

Thursday 5th July

11.00am Ramelton Guided Heritage Tour leaving Gambles Square. Lennon Festival 2012
3.00pm Open Table Tennis Tournament in Robinson’s School
(Under 10,13,16 & Seniors)
7.00pm 4km Fun Run/Walk of Ramelton Registration takes place at St Marys National School car park.
8.00pm Charity singles open Bowls competition in Makemie Hall contact 9151223 All proceeds in aid of The Alzheimer’s Society.
8.30pm Queen of the Lennon in the Town Hall With Miss Elegance also on the night! Sponsored by Tom Murray Pharmacy & The Wedding Centre, Letterkenny
Singing Pub : Bridge Bar

Friday 6th July

4.00pm Little Miss Ramelton & Prince Charming in the Town Hall
6.00pm Crab fishing at the quay (children must be accompanied by an adult, string & bait will be provided)
6.30pm Official Reception in Robinson’s School
7.00pm Music at Gambles Square by Chalk & Cheese Sponsored by Kevin Mc Fadden
8.00pm Official opening at Gambles Square by DESSIE GALLAGHER Irish Actor of Stage & Screen
8.00pm Charity singles open Bowls competition in Makemie Hall contact 9151223 All proceeds in aid of The Alzheimer’s Society
10 – 1am SUPPER DANCE in the Town Hall Music by Country Traditions with Waltzing, Jiving competition and Glamorous Granny.

Saturday 7th July

10.00am Country Market in the Town Hall
10.30am Art Competition Draw your masterpiece on the Spot!
& Wildflower Competition (flowers must be in 1lb Jam Jars). In the Community Centre. Paper, crayons etc will be provided.
10.30am Vintage Car Display at Gambles Square
2.30pm CARNIVAL PARADE (TOTAL PRIZE MONEY €400)
4.15pm Childrens Adventure Trail starting at Festival H.Q.
4.30pm Gladiator Challenge on the Bing
5.00pm Live Music by COPPERHEAD Sponsored by Hugo Whoriskey
7.00pm Playstation Challenge
9.30-12pm Two Hand & Ceili dancing music by James Sandlilands in Town Hall

Holiday Homes in Ramelton

Sunday 8th July

2.00pm Open Tennis Tournament at Tennis Courts
2.00pm Bonny Baby Competition in the Town Hall
1.30pm Ulster Marching Band Competition at Gambles Square
2.30pm Fling on the Bing Teams of 4 (2men & 2women)
4.30pm Horseshoe throwing on the Bing
5.00pm Live Music at Gambles Square featuring Malcolm Fisher, Paul McCahill & Ann McConigley
6.00pm Safety Inspection of vehicles before race at Back Lane. Helmets & Safety gear to be worn, vehicles must have brakes and freewheeling only, strictly over 18. Prizes for best Novelty Cart. (no sharp edges or protruding steel)
6.30pm Wheelie Wacky Waces (soap box derby) at Castle Street
8.30pm Kids Concert in Town Hall. A showcase of our young local talent!

Monday 9thJuly

12 noon Children’s Talent Competition in the Town Hall Sponsored by the Ramelton Pantomime Society
3.30pm Pet Show at Gambles Square (All animals must be vaccinated) Sponsored by The Animal Health Centre, Ramelton
5.30pm Children’s Fancy Dress at Gambles Square
6.45pm Adults Adventure Trail starting at Festival H.Q.
7.00pm Orienteering Competition (12-14yrs) (14-16yrs) (16-18yrs)

Lennon Festival 2012 Closing Ceremony

****************************************
8.30pm Music at Gambles Square by MARTIN ORR & HONKY TONK HEROES
10.30pm LENNON FESTIVAL CLOSING CEREMONY

AND FINALLY….. ……………. EXTRAVAGANZA!!!
The closing ceremony of the Lennon Festival has taken on a life of its own over the last few years. It begins with the entrance of The Lennon Dragon, with other creatures of the deep blue in attendance, weaving his way along the river to pass major icons of the world lighting up and culminating in a spectacular dazzling display of fireworks beyond the Quay.

Side Events: Best Large Garden, Best Painted New House, Best Painted Old House, Best Kept Area, Best Hanging Baskets, Best Small Garden, Best Window Boxes, Best Kept Business Premises, Best Floral
Display.

Dunree Commemoration

Dunree Commemoration

The annual remembrance service for the men and women of Inishowen who died during World War 1 will be held on Sunday June 30th 2013 in Fort Dunree Military Museum at 2.30pm.

A Prayer Service led by clergy from the Catholic, Church of Ireland, and Presbyterian faiths will be followed by a reading of the Roll of Honour and the Last Post. Wreaths will be laid by a number of organisations as well as private family flowers. Music will be provided by The Buncrana Accordian Band and The Tullintrain Pipe Band.

At least 249 men and women from Inishowen died in World War One. They came from both main traditions and fought for different reasons. They fell in France, Belgium, Gallipoli, Salonika, Iraq, Palestine, and on the high seas. For many years their sacrifice was forgotten. In the words of former President Mary McAleese, ‘Memories were put in shoeboxes’.

Last year a permanent memorial to these local men was opened by the Chairman of the Donegal CDB Peace III Partnership, Cllr Dessie Larkin (FF), and wreaths will be laid at the memorial during the ceremony.

The organisers of this annual event, the Inishowen Friends of Messine group, would like to invite everybody to come along on Sunday 24th to remember their relations and neighbours, who came from every single parish in Inishowen, and who died and were forgotten for so long.

Inishowen 100

Inishowen 100

The “Inishowen 100″ is one of Ireland’s most scenic drives. Its a 100-mile (160km) circular route around the Inishowen Peninsula in North East Donegal. Bounded on three sides by water, the peninsula is almost triangular in shape, between Lough Foyle and Lough Swilly and bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the north. With splendid coastal scenery plus a good collection of ancient forts and monuments, traditional craft centres, and a dozen or so friendly villages, many people consider Inishowen to be a miniature Donegal. Scenic highlights include the breathtaking Gap of Mamore, a scenic roadway that rises to a height of 800 feet above sea level before following a twisting corkscrew descent with panoramic views of the entire northern coastline; Malin Head, Ireland’s most northerly point; and Fort Dunree – a magnificent viewing outpost.

 
 
 

An Grianan Summer Camps

An Grianan Summer Camps

Acting for Teens
Full week-Mon 25 June

The week will be a fun-filled week of theatre games, mime and improvisation. It will cater for newcomers and experienced folk alike. Over the course of the week, the workshops will be facilitated by youth leader Ronan Carr. He is an experienced actor/writer/filmmaker whose recent radio play was broadcast on RTE.

Choral Academy Summer School
Music – 23 Jul

The aim of the Singing School is to provide a forum for young people who enjoy singing to learn and develop their talents with qualified and experienced tutors.A great opportunity for singers to improve their vocal performance in this exciting programe which offers the chance to learn about the voice, how it works and how to get the most out of it. Led by Jim Mailey

Ballet Ireland Summer School
Ballet – 30 Jul
‘Tommy Town Mouse’; Ballet Ireland Annual Summer School 2012

Since 2001 more than three thousand boys and girls have taken part in the Ballet Ireland Annual Summer School, a week filled to the brim with creativity and self-expression, workshops centred in dance and a performance held onstage, fully lit and dressed and open to friends and family. Participants work and perform alongside professional dancers from Ballet Ireland, and in collaboration with them, decide how each week’s show develops. With emphasis on all the component arts that combine to make a ballet; drama, music, painting and dance, the Ballet Ireland summer school week is filled with laughter, joy and inspiration.

PBM Perfoming Arts Summer school
Children – 13 Aug

From the team behind ‘The Red Project’ (2006), ‘The McCool Summer School’ (2007) ‘Alice The Musical Summer School’ (2008) Pinocchio (2009), Hansel & Grettel (2010) and The Red Riding Hood (2011)
A performing arts training project based on Paul Boyd’s award-nominated musical ‘Mc Cool’.
“Best Musical 2003: a musical for all ages and all seasons” Sunday Life

Are you aged between 9 and 21?
Do you love to act, sing and dance?
Have you always wanted to work with theatre professionals?

This is your chance to appear in a hit musical! Pbm is one of the most acclaimed producers and creators of original musical theatre in Ireland and the company’s professional shows have now featured at theatres all across the world.

Contact us for more details

Inishowen at McGrory’s of Culdaff

Inishowen at McGrory’s of Culdaff

We would like to introduce you to our in-house produced show:
‘Inishowen – a cultural celebration of music, song and dance’.
This is a great night out and includes a two course dinner followed by the show featuring the best local musicians, singers and dancers who bring you on a journey, through music, and let yourself be taken back to a time where life moved at a slower pace, and continue through the changes and then bring you right back up to the present day. There should be many foot tapping moments in store for
those who attend.

INISHOWEN CULTURAL NIGHT EVERY WEDNESDAY
Company: McGrorys Hotel
Contact: Anne McGrory
Address: Culdaff
Location: Culdaff
Tel: 074 9379104
Fax: 074 9379235
E-mail: info@mcgrorys.ie
Web: www.mcgrorys.ie

Bundoran Soap Box Race

Bundoran Soap Box Race

The Bundoran RNLI revitalised the tradition of a soapbox race to great acclaim last weekend after seeing a postcard of the event from the 1950s on the Magh Éne Historical Society Calendar 2011. Huge crowds turned out to support their teams and enjoy the craic last Sunday 3rd June which brought ultimate success for Ogie O Kelly’s OK Cabs Soapbox…

18 year old Christopher McGloin, driving the Roguey Rocket soapbox for Ogie O’Kelly’s OKCabs, on Sunday (3rd June 2012), clinched the title of Bundoran Lifeboat Soapbox RaceChampion 2012. In front of an estimated 2000 strong crowd gathered at the event at Astoria Road in Bundoran, McGloin battled for the first place with Ashley Ward driving his soapbox on behalf of Ward Automation. Ironically Ashley’s dad John was the winner of the last soapbox race held on Astoria Road in 1962.

Downings Beach gets Blue Flag Status

Downings Beach gets Blue Flag Status

There was good news for the seaside village of Downings with confirmation that its beach has received blue flag status for the first time since 1999.

Downings is one of thirteen Donegal beaches to have been awarded blue flag status after An Taisce announced the International 25th Anniversary Blue Flag Awards for 2012.

The awards were presented by the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Mr. Phil Hogan, T.D and Mr. Jan Eriksen, President of FEE at an awards ceremony held in The Portmarnock Hotel & Golf Links on Thursday.

Downings Beach gets Blue Flag Status
The full list of blue flag beaches in Donegal is: Bundoran, Murvagh, Rossnowlagh, Naran, Carrickfinn, Killahoey, Marble Hill, Portsalon, Lisfannon, Culdaff, Stroove, Fintra and Downings. In Sligo, two beaches, Enniscrone and Rosses Point, have been awarded blue flags. Mullaghmore is not being awarded the Blue Flag as there is an ongoing issue with livestock roaming on the beach.

Meanwhile, Donegal has retained its seven Green Coast awards. These beaches include Dooey, Ballyhiernan, Drumnatinney, Ladies Bay, Magheraroarty, Port Aurthur, Rathmullan,

The Green Coast beaches in Sligo are Dunmoran Strand, Rosses Point, Streedagh, Enniscrone, and Mullaghmore.

Patricia Oliver, An Taisce, speaking at the awards said, “We are delighted in this, the 25th anniversary year of Blue Flag to announce a record 87 Irish Blue Flag sites.

“The continuing high standards of our beaches are testament to the hard work carried out by Local Authorities throughout the year to improve water quality and provide clean, safe beaches for everyone to enjoy.”

New Donegal Cycling Routes

New Donegal Cycling Routes
Good News.A grant of €497,000 has been approved to provide and upgrade rural roads based cycling routes, stretching from Donegal Town to Newtowncunningham, covering a distance of 195 kilometres.

This route goes through some of the County’s most attractive landscape and links a large number of Towns along the way.

Minister McGinley states “not alone will this be of tremendous assistance to the many Donegal people who have taken up cycling as a hobby and sport, but will also attract many cycling enthusiasts to County Donegal.”

“Cycling tourism is increasingly popular around Europe. The Great Western Greenway from Westport-Achill in Mayo, is generating an estimated 140,000 trips per annum, which hugely significant for Mayo’s local economy. Let us hope that the Newtowncunningham-Donegal Town route will be similarly important for our local economy in Donegal.

New Donegal Cycling Routes
This route has been selected for Government investment. It is one of 16 routes that were selected by the Department of Transport & Tourism, from a group of over 50 proposed projects nationwide.
Work will be commencing on the project as soon as possible.