Posts

Rathmullan Seafest Donegal

Rathmullan Seafest Donegal

Come the solstice weekend, the sheltered waters of Donegal’s Lough Swilly will once again spring to life with sails big and small, with the slap of oars and paddles. The shoreline and golden sands of its beaches will play natural backdrop to games and competitions, to families and friends celebrating in the unique surroundings of our coastal environment.

Rathmullan Seafest Donegal
No celebration would be complete without plenty of our coastal food culture: fresh fish and shellfish from our local waters; lamb and pork from our local fields – all of it turned into simply exceptional regional cuisine by our talented local chefs.

The list of Donegal craft people appearing at SeaFest is an impressive one indeed. Pop into the Battery in Rathmullan on Saturday and Sunday to see stunning work from:

Martin Gallagher Furniture, Michael Parkinson Furniture, PJ Patton Metalwork, Karen O’Kane Textiles, Joanne Gamble Jewellery, Brian McGee Ceramics, Rosie Moloney Jewellery, Niomi Fluery Papercraft, Hannah McGuinness Jewellery, Sharon McGinley Textiles, Isobel Sangha Soap.

Rathmullan Seafest Donegal

More Details

More details available at this link.
www.seafestloughswilly.com
 
 

Knockalla Coast Road

Knockalla Coast Road

A set of photos taken by Paul Deeney along the Knockalla Coast Road between Rathmullan and Portsalon on the western side of Lough Swilly.

Tip: Use the four arrows button at bottom right of slideshow to view full screen.

Rathmullan Donegal

Rathmullan Donegal

Rathmullan Donegal – video of water based activities which can be enjoyed by locals and visitors on Lough Swilly.

Rathmullan is situated on the western shore of Lough Swilly and is renowned for its fabulous 3km long, tree lined, sandy beach. The village has a large pier and marina making it a popular spot for aquatic sports and fishing. There are 2 fully equipped boat available for charter from May to end of September.
[shareaholic app=”share_buttons” id=”6462374″]
In the summer months a car ferry crosses Lough Swilly from Rathmullan pier on an hourly basis connecting to Inishowen’s largest town, Buncrana. The local Golden Sands Equestrian Centre organises a range of horse riding activities. The village has a fine selection of restaurants and lively pubs. Hotels include Rathmullan House Hotel and the Water’s Edge Restaurant offers superb seafood with unparalleled views across Lough Swilly.

[mappress mapid=”64″]

More Information

www.rathmullan.net

www.rathmullancottages.com

Donegal Heritage Trails

I had the pleasure of following Deirdre on a heritage trail of the village of Rathmullan on a lovely sunny afternoon in mid-April. The trail visits the Battery, abbey, local church graveyards, the courthouse and the area around the Flight of the Earls sculpture. Hope you like the photographic record below.

Donegal Heritage Trails

Contact Deirdra on 00353 86 2421008

[nggallery id=4]

Resources

Donegal Heritage Trails

Donegal Heritage Trails on Facebook

Paddle School Donegal

Paddle School Donegal

Our new Stand Up Paddle School will be Opening this Easter in Rathmullan, Co. Donegal. Come along and try the fastest growing board sport in the world. It really is fun and does the whole body work out.
Keep tuned for more info!

For more details contact Ian at Adventure One

Paddle Boarding

Donegal Bridgestone Guide 2012

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.

The Awakening at Rathmullan House Hotel

The Awakening – Cultural Weekend at Rathmullan House Hotel

Over 3rd 4th & 5th February The Earagail Arts Festival & Rathmullan House Hotel invite you to refresh your mind, body and soul and shake off the post-Christmas blues at our new winter weekend tonic .-The Awakening.

As well as an intimate concert with Rainey Boy Sleep in the Cellar Bar on Friday night, we will be hosting The Snowball-a seasonal Feast of The Senses including performances by Little John Nee and Balkan Alien Sound.

All of this wrapped up in 2 days of interview, debate and discussion on Reinventing The Republic 2016 anchored by Diarmaid Ferriter with David Mc Williams and local contributors.

€185pps. For this you get 2 nights accommodation, tickets to the Snowball on the Saturday night, 2 debates/discussions on the Saturday (1 in the morning and 1 in the afternoon) and a light hearted reveiw of the Sunday papers with Paddy Cullivan at noon.

Rathmullan House Hotel

Rathmullan House Hotel

Images from The Awakening

[nggallery id=1]

Donegal Events

Rathmullan – Winter Wonderland

Remembering the “big freeze” – some scenes from December 2010 in Rathmullan.

Donegal could become Blue Flag capital of Ireland

Donegal has the potential to be the Blue Flag capital of Ireland with more top internationally recognised beaches than any other county in Ireland.

The county currently has 12 Blue Flag beaches, and lies third in the league table behind Mayo and Kerry, who both have 13.

But Cllr. Liam Blaney believes that Donegal Co. Council should be making every effort to ensure that more beaches in Donegal get the official Blue Flag status.

He claimed that two beaches – Rathmullan and Downings – could become Blue Flag beaches again for relatively little cost.

He pointed out that Rathmullan has a 2 km long beach but had lost its Blue Flag status in 2003, due primarily to problems with water quality. However, the water quality has improved – and has been monitored – and is set to improve further with the completion of the Letterkenny wastewater treatment works at Magherenennan. He added that Rathmullan also has the infrastructure required with toilets, lifeguards, beach management and parking. He contended that there would be little additional cost as water quality samples are already being monitored now.

Downings lost its Blue Flag a number of years ago due to problems on beach with traffic. Prior to this it has been a Blue Flag beach for four years, and he felt that not a lot would be needed to regain that status.

He also felt that Ballyheerin beach in Fanad could also meet the strict criteria.
Speaking at the monthly meeting of Donegal Co. Council in Lifford, Cllr. Blaney tabled a motion calling on the local authority to apply for blue flag status for more of the county’s beaches.
Several other councillors also spoke about the value of the Blue Flag awards and backed Cllr. Blaney’s call.

The Council’s Assistant Director of Water and Environment, Joe Poeples said that there was a marginal cost in “getting some locations over the line” but added that choices need to be made between competing demands.

A report on the matter will be brought back to a Strategic Policy Committee meeting in February.
Cllr. Blaney acknowledged the tight budgetary situation but felt that to have the highest number of blue flags in any county would be a great plus in promoting Donegal.

Donegal Events