Donegal Holiday Cottages
View a large selection of holiday cottages throughout Donegal. View traditional coastal cottages, homes with free wifi and beach front properties.
Inishtrahull Island Donegal
Inistrahull was once a thriving inshore fishing community. The island saw an almost 100% population increase between the years 1881 and 1901.
Donegal Thatched Cottages
Traditional Irish Thatched Cottages – In olden times the thatched cottages were very popular throughout Ireland.
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.
Donegal Gathering Events
Donegal Gathering Events
During 2013, local communities in Donegal will invite thousands of friends and family from all over the world, calling them home to gatherings in villages and towns throughout the county. The Donegal Gathering provides a unique opportunity to reach out to those who have moved away, their relatives, friends and descendants, and invite them home. To find an event in your area, use the search box below.
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Changes in Consumer Behaviour
Changes in Consumer Behaviour
Behaviour and Attitudes, Ireland’s largest independent Market Research company, provided key findings to recent research into the unmet opportunities for tourism SME’s. These opportunities were based around three main trends –
- ‘The Savvy Shopper’ – Consumers looking for value
- ‘Authenticity’ – Changing consumer tastes and the growing importance of authentic and personal experiences
- ‘World of Mouth’ (social media) – The growing importance of social media, particularly with regard to how information is sought and accessed and how purchase decisions are made
Amazing Grace Festival 2013
Amazing Grace Festival 2013 – 4th – 8th April
Against the stunning backdrop of Lough Swilly, celebrate the inspirational story of John Newton, his dramatic, life-changing arrival in Ireland and the 240th anniversary of his most famous hymn “Amazing Grace”.
A weekend events for all the family will combine music, history & heritage, arts & crafts and more…
The programme:
Thursday 4 April: The John Newton lecture with historian Marylynn Rouse (hosted by the West Inishowen History and Heritage Group)
NEW Friday 5 April: Night of a Thousand Stars – Songs of Freedom, Hope & Joy. Community concert in aid of The Exchange resource centre. 7.30pm at The Plaza, Buncrana. An evening of music from talented singers of all ages! (Ticket prices tbc)
Saturday 6 April: Family Fun Day in Main Street, Buncrana featuring arts and crafts, 18th century toys, face painting, balloon modelling and live music.
Belfast Community Gospel Choir in concert
Saturday 6 April: 8pm at The Plaza, Buncrana – Tickets priced €10 (€5 concessions and children under 12, under 5s free) available for pre-order from [email protected]
Sunday 7 April: 8pm (venue tbc)
The hour I first believed – stories of faith in the 21st Cenutry plus live music
Monday 8 April: 6pm (final details tbc)
Special event to mark the anniversary itself featuring Buncrana’s own choir – The Gateway Singers.
BONUS Event: Wednesday 10 April at St Columbs Cathedral, Derry. “John Newton in Derry” talk by historian Marylynn Rouse.
The Bluestack Way App
The Bluestack Way App – The Bluestack Way App is now available by clicking here: http://www.everytrail.com/guide/the-bluestack-way-app A big thanks to Mark Flagler of Flagler Films for the use of his images in the video. The Bluestack Way app is a free app with six guides for iPhone or Androids available from the EveryTrail PRO platform. With EveryTrail PRO in place on either device, you can enjoy offline usage without roaming charges with all of the audio and material on your phone.
Every aspect of the area from history to geology, poetry to placenames, anecdotes and memories are on offer in what is the most comprehensive walking app of its kind anywhere in the world. Offered by navigatour™ guided apps from Headland New Media, audio, video, text and pictures showcase the celebrated way-marked way in northwest Ireland. See www.navigatour.ie for more.
Between Donegal Town and Ardara, enjoy the host of stories and history that make this place so special; a region whose people survived on their knowledge of the elements without modern equipment, an area that drew a Harvard Professor-turned sheep farmer into its bosom for 14 years, that was the inspiration for Brian Friel’s ‘Ballybeg’ and a heritage town that has more festivals than just about anywhere else.
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Follow in the footsteps of mythological characters Diarmuid and Grainne, of Fionn and the Fianna, hear about ghosts, fairies and pookas, of customs and piseogs, fairdays and feastdays and of the finest view atop on the mountains, looking down as far as Cavan and Mayo and up as far as the Derryveagh mountains.
This is a very special journey and we hope you take a few days out to ensure you get to enjoy its beauty and its people in full for hopefully safe walking, good weather and an abundance of happy memories.
Image credit: www.whiteblaze.net
Inishowen Events for City of Culture
Inishowen Events for City of Culture
Inishowen Events for City of Culture – What has been described as the most ambitious and varied programme of arts and culture ever assembled on the island of Ireland was launched in Derry last week as the city prepares to host the UK City of Culture in 2013. Two of Inishowen’s signature festivals, the Charles Macklin Festival and Féile Grianan Áiligh have been listed among the hundreds of events taking place in Derry next year, including the prestigious Turner Prize, a new commission by the London Symphony Orchestra, performances by the Royal Ballet and the All Ireland Fleadh, which will be staged in Northern Ireland for the first time.
The Charles Macklin Festival which will take place in October in Culdaff and Féile Grianan Áiligh which will be hosted at the summer solstice in mid June in Grianan Áiliagh Fort in Burt, were selected by the City of Culture Team as they represent the rich heritage and culture that is synonymous with Inishowen and Derry’s natural hinterland. Both events were also awarded financial support by City of Culture in recognition of their contribution to the overall City of Culture Offering.
Speaking at the Launch of the programme, Jennifer O’Donnell, City of Culture Liaison Officer, Inishowen Tourism, who facilitated the application for both festivals for the programme with the City of Culture Team, said
We are thrilled that the Charles Macklin Festival and Féile Grianan Áiligh have been selected for the City of Culture Programme. It is testament of the high calibre of cultural entertainment each of these events offer and it is a great opportunity for Inishowen to be involved in what promises to be an incredible year for tourism
Representatives from both festivals attended the Programme Launch. Commenting on the inclusion of the Charles Macklin Festival, Committee Member, Anne McGrory said
We are delighted that the Charles Macklin Festival is to be designated as an official partner of the City of Culture celebrations in Derry. This new partnership is recognition of the great social and historical links between the city and the Inishowen peninsula. It is also a great opportunity to celebrate the rich literary traditions which are a further link between the Derry and Donegal