Inishowen Aurora – superb timelapse taken by Martina Gardiner along the coast of Lough Swilly near Fort Dunree in April 2012.
Aurora display at Dunree Head, Inishowen, Co Donegal, Ireland
Date:23rd/24th April 2012.
Details: The timelapse contains almost 200 still frames taken on a Canon 5D Mark II. Each frame was captured at ISO 1600, 24mm, f2.8, 30secs over a period of around 90 minutes
Isolation, Islands and Intrigue
Celebrating 60 years of National Trust for Scotland Cruises
Inishowen has literally been put on the map following the news that the National Trust of Scotand are to include the Inishowen Peninsula in their cruise itinerary for next year. Each year the NTS charter a luxury cultural cruise which ferries thousands of tourists around some of the top sites in the British Isles, and with the sixieth anniversary of the now famous excursion approaching next year, the Trust have included Inishowen in the schedule for their diamond anniversary tour.
The Inishowen Peninsula, part of County Donegal, lies at the very north of Ireland and is one of the country’s hidden treasures. On the shore of Lough foyle, on the north-eastern extremity of the peninsula, is the small village of Greencastle where we will come ashore to explore this remote part of the country. The village is home to the Inishowen Maritime Museum and planetarium and is a great starting point for coastal walks. The peninsula coastline is dotted with sandy beaches, secluded coves, staggering cliffs and some of the most beautiful scenery in Ireland.
The northernmost tip of the peninsula, Malin head, is a Special Area of Conservation and an ideal location for bird-watching with its observatory and over 250 recorded species of bird, including the elusive corncrake.
Doagh Famine Village
The challenges that the area’s remoteness and isolation have caused residents from the time of the Irish potato famine to the present day can be discovered at the thatched village of Doagh, inhabited until 1983 but now an intriguing museum of life on the edge. While there is much to see in Inishowen itself, within easy reach is Northern Ireland and two of its unmissable sites: the walled city of Derry and the Giant’s Causeway. An overnight sail takes us across the Straits of Moyle to the Isle of Islay, Queen of the hebrides. With its human history start.
2013
Saturday 18 May: Inishowen Peninsula, Ireland
Sunday 19 May: Isle of Islay, Inner Hebrides
Monday 20 May: St Kilda World Heritage Site
Tuesday 21 May: Isle of Lewis, Outer Hebrides
Wednesday 22 May: Knoydart Peninsula
Thursday 23 May: Isle of Rum, Small Isles
View full details at this link
Inishowen Spitfire
The remarkable story of the discovery of a World War II Spitfire in an Inishowen bog is to be published in early May 2012.
‘The Story of the Donegal Spitfire’, was penned by Claudy aviation historian, Jonny McNee, who discovered the fighter plane’s whereabouts after almost giving up hope. He also led the incredible excavation of the fighter, which was flown by an US pilot who joined the RAF, and the ambitious restoration project
Jonny’s new book tells of the ups and downs of tracing the last movements of the plane, pinpointing its exact location due to a chance conversation in an Inishowen shop, the ambitious year-long project to have it excavated and preserved and meeting with those closely associated with both the plane and the pilot.
The soft-back publication, which contains 130 pages including 12 pages of colour photographs, charts the story behind the discovery and excavation in 2011 of Spitfire serial number P8074 from 133 (Eagle) Squadron RAF.
During WW2, this squadron was based for a few months at RAF Eglinton. The story became known in the media as ‘The Donegal Spitfire’ and was the first licenced excavation of a WW2 aircraft anywhere on the island of Ireland.
The book also covers the fascinating career of its American pilot, Pilot Officer Roland ‘Bud’ Wolfe who abandoned his stricken aircraft in November 1941 which then nosedived and buried itself deep beneath the peat on the Glenshinny mountain, in the townland of Moneydarragh, near Gleneely village in Inishowen.
It recollects the joyous highs and stressful lows in obtaining the required archaeological licences and permissions for a project that had never been attempted before. The tale of the pilot’s internment in neutral Eire, followed by a short-lived escape back to his squadron at RAF Eglinton and his subsequent re–internment under the orders of the RAF immediately grabbed the public imagination.
The book also covers the wartime donation of this iconic fighter by successful Canadian businessman Garfield Weston and its incredible state of preservation. The firing of one of its recovered Browning machine guns – watched by over a million people on the BBC website – catapulted the P8074 story onto a global stage.
‘The Story of the Donegal Spitfire’ culminates in the emotional visit to Derry by the pilot’s two daughters and other members of the extended family to commemorate their father’s war time career and launch the museum exhibition of recovered items. The discovery and excavation of Spitfire P8074 was recorded as part of a BBC NI series entitled ‘Dig WW2’ presented by Dan Snow and filmed by Derry based 360 Production. The series is due to be broadcast next month.
‘The Story of the Donegal Spitfire’ is expected to be in local bookshops within two weeks, price £8.85 or direct from the author via email at jonnymcnee@googlemail.com or by calling him on 0044 777 330 12 12.
This article was first published in the Derry Journal
Moville Donegal
Moville Donegal – a set of images on Flickr taken in April 2012 at Moville, Inishowen on the western side of Lough Foyle.
Tip: Use the four arrows button at bottom right of slideshow to view full screen.
Buncrana Diving Board
Buncrana Town Council is to reinstate diving boards in the area for the 2012 summer season in a bid to attract more visitors.
The Mayor noted that during the recent warm spell, hundreds of people visited Buncrana.
Buncrana Diving Board
And he says if diving boards were reinstated, then it would ensure that visitors would return during the Summer.
Mayor Nicolas Crossan says the diving boards could be used by visitors and people from the town.
Amazing Grace Concert – Easter Sunday 8 April, 7.30pm at The Inishowen Gateway Hotel.
Tickets for the Amazing Grace concert are on sale at the Buncrana Tourist Office or from info@amazinggrace.ie
Click here for details of 2013 Festival
Ireland’s beautiful Lough Swilly was the setting for a dramatic story which changed the life of a foul mouthed slave trader. John Newton went on to pen one of the most famous and well-loved songs of all time – “Amazing Grace”.
A violent storm in the Atlantic Ocean crippled Newton’s ship. When all hope was lost, the Greyhound found refuge in Lough Swilly, County Donegal in the North West of Ireland.
Years later, Newton wrote “Amazing Grace” to chart his personal spiritual journey which began with his miraculous escape from death.
He went on to become a prolific hymn writer and, later in life, to mentor William Wilberforce in his fight against the Slave Trade. He was a changed man thanks to his encounter with God’s Amazing Grace.
Discover more at www.amazinggrace.ie about the John Newton’s story, the song “Amazing Grace”and the beautiful Lough Swilly. And be inspired to continue Newton’s fight by discovering more about slavery today.
Buncrana Events
CHAMBER AGM – 13th March
The Chamber’s Annual General Meeting will be held in the Inishowen Gateway Hotel on Tuesday, 13th March at 8.00pm. Matters for discussion will include the election of new Committee members for 2012/13 and all current members of the Chamber are asked to attend.
ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE – 17th March (pic above by Charlie Giblin Photography)
This year’s parade will take place on the day itself, Saturday 17th March, at 3.00pm. The organising committee are looking for as many people as possible to join in, so if you are interested in entering a float or if you would like to volunteer to help out as a steward, contact 086 843 5431, 086 366 9905 or 086 600 2155.
AN POST RAS – 24th & 25th May
The biggest event in Irish cycling, the 60th annual An Post Ras, arrives in Buncrana on Thursday, 24th May. The event attracts national and international teams and wide exposure through the press and television. This year Buncrana has a Stage Start / Finish, with the riders arriving at the Main Street on Thursday afternoon then staying overnight before starting the next stage on Friday morning. As part of the celebrations, the Chamber is putting forward a ‘Buncrana Ras Queen’ who will present bouquets of flowers to the stage catergory winners on the race day. The Queen will be selected at the Mayor’s Ball at the Inishowen Gateway Hotel on 11th May.
DONEGAL INTERNATIONAL RALLY – 15th – 17 June
The Donegal International Rally brings world-class action from local, national and international rally drivers back to the peninsula between the 15th and 17th June, with stages around Buncrana and Inishowen on Friday 15th June.
NORTH ATLANTIC FIDDLE CONVENTION – 27th June – 1st July
The North Atlantic Fiddle Convention (NAFCO) will be held across Derry and Donegal, including events in Buncrana, from 27th June to 1st July. This is the first time the Convention has been held in Ireland, welcoming hundreds of participants and thousands of visitors to celebrate traditional fiddle music and dance from Ireland and across Scotland, the Shetland Islands, Canada, the USA and the Nordic countries.
View all self catering accommodation in Buncrana and Inishowen
Donegal Bridgestone Guide 2012 – Donegal businesses have featured prominently in this year’s Bridgestone Guide.
Speaking of which, Linsfort Castle B & B, located on the shores of Lough Swilly just outside Buncrana, has been selected for the second year running as one of the 100 Best Places to stay as well.
Owners Alan Rooks and Brigeen Clafferty only got into the B&B business in 2008. Alan says being one of the Bridgestone 100 makes a huge difference. “Up to 2011 our clients were mainly visitors already coming to Inishowen who found us through our web site. However, after getting in the Top 100, we found that quite a number of new customers were actually coming to Linsfort as a destination. Thanks to Bridgestone, I think that we have been able to make a useful contribution to the effort to put Inishowen on the tourist map of Ireland”
John McKenna told the Donegal Democrat: “Donegal’s major strength is consistency. “Places like Rathmullan House, Aroma in Donegal Town and The Mill are models of getting it right every time.
Laurentic Conference Buncrana
Laurentic Conference Buncrana – A major conference will take place at the end of this month to help the diaspora in the United States and Canada better connect with their roots.
When: Friday, January 27 at the Inishowen Gateway Hotel
Laurentic Conference in Buncrana
To register for the conference
email j.odonnell @visitinishowen.com
ring Jennifer on +353 7493 62600
The third annual Laurentic Conference and Business Beyond Borders seminar will be held on Friday, January 27 at the Inishowen Gateway Hotel in Buncrana, County Donegal.
Guest of honor and speaking at the conference will be the Canadian ambassador to Ireland Loyola Hearn but organizers, the Ulster Newfoundland Initiative have also put together a strong line-up of other speakers who will address attendees.
Keynote Speakers Include:
• Loyola Hearn, Canadian Ambassador to Ireland
• Shona McCarthy, CEO of Culture Company 2013 Ltd
• Mary Bunting & Margaret Stanley, Joint Secretaries of the North South Ministerial Council
• Dr Brendan O’Keefe, University of Limerick
• Uel Hoey, Route Manager Belfast International Airport
• Claire Bradshaw, Titanic Belfast Center, Head of Sales and Marketing
• Aubrey Irwin, Tourism Ireland, Head of Tourism Ireland Northern Ireland and Product Liaison
• Paul Loftus, President of Montreal Branch of the Canadian Irish Chamber of Commerce
• Tim O’Connor, Business Adviser (Former Secretary General to the President and Counsel General to New York)
• Liz Doherty, North Atlantic Fiddle Convention
(OTHER SPEAKERS TO BE CONFIRMED)
A number of local businesses will take part in the event with various stalls and displays at the conference.
All funds raised from this event go towards our ongoing mission of forging and fostering Educational, Economical and Cultural links with Atlantic Canada and the development of our planed youth project.
Our Annual Laurentic Wreath Ceremony to take place on Saturday January 28th at 2:00pm at St Mura’s Church of Ireland in Fahan and 3:00pm at Cockhill Cemetery Buncrana All Welcome
Click here to find out more about the SS Laurentic – The Gold Bullion Ship.
To register for the conference
email j.odonnell @visitinishowen.com
or
ring Jennifer on +353 7493 62600
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