Welcome to the Go Visit Donegal Blog

Rock Climbing in Donegal Book Launch

The County of Donegal in the North West of Ireland contains more climbable rock than the rest of Ireland combined boasting two major Irish mountain ranges, over a thousand kilometres of coastline, one hundred sea stacks and as many diverse climbing mediums and locations as you will find in the rest of the country.

Muckross Head, Co. Donegal, Ireland. Image © Iain Miller; www.uniqueascent.ie 
Currently almost 3,000 rock climbs have been recorded throughout the length and breadth of the county. These climbs include Ireland’s longest rock climb, Ireland’s largest mountain crag, Ireland’s longest ice climb and Ireland’s highest sea stack. This is in addition to many more standard single and multi pitch locations above the sea, by the road, on the offshore islands and in the mountains.

Image © Iain Miller; www.uniqueascent.ie

Image © Iain Miller, www.uniqueascent.ie
This rock climbers guidebook is a select guide to the entire County of Donegal it documents over 1000 outstanding rock climbs found throughout the length and breadth of the county from Muckross Head in the south to Malin Head at Ireland's most northerly point on the Inishowen Peninsula.

The guidebook journeys around Donegal starting at Muckross Head in the south of the county and follows the coast clockwise around to Tory Island. Along this coastline the guidebook describes several previously established and documented locations such as Sail Rock, Malinbeg, Gola Island and Skelpoonagh Bay. This coast is by far the most developed area of Donegal since the previous Mountaineering Ireland Donegal guide in 2002 with a large numbers of new routes and locations on An Port coastline and the islands of Cruit, Tory and Arranmore.

Rock Climbing in Donegal. Guidebook by Iain Miller

Rock Climbing in Donegal Guidebook by Iain Miller
On leaving Tory Island the guidebook ventures inland to document climbs from the Bluestack Mountains in the south of the county to the Derryveagh, Muckish and Crockanaffrin Mountains, finally to finish in the extreme north on the Inishowen Peninsula. The most significant additions and developments since the previous guide have been at Ballaghageeha Buttress in the Poison Glen, Crockanaffrin by Kerrykeel and at Malin Head on the Inishowen Peninsula.


The guidebook is completed with a short four page chapter outlining the massive winter climbing potential of Donegal and documents the development of winter climbing over the last 50 years in the county.
This guidebook comprises of 25 very different rock climbing areas, these areas include Ireland's longest rock climb and highest sea stack as well as many more standard single and multi pitch sites. Each area comprises descriptive text and an area map to ensure the ease of finding the location. Throughout the book over 250 colour photographs have been used to help describe every cliff, crag, sea stack and mountain listed. This ensures that 96% of the routes are shown on full colour photo topos taken from the best angle and position in optimum light to allow first time visitors to find their chosen routes.

The guidebook is available for purchase from all good outdoor shops and directly from Mountaineering Ireland at www.mountaineering.ie/shop Discounts are available for Mountaineering Ireland members.

Additional material on climbing in Donegal, including on-line PDF's are at uniqueascent.ie/undiscovered_donegal This material allows more regular visitors to explore the county further using these more comprehensive on-line guides.

The author Iain Miller has spent the past nine years exploring Donegal making the first ascents of over 400 rock climbs and 50 previously unclimbed sea stacks. It is with this in depth knowledge of rural Donegal that he has selected and documented the climbs within this guidebook. What this guidebook will provide the first time visitor and the more seasoned Donegal climber alike is a lifetime, and indeed several lifetimes of outstanding world class rock climbing in some of the most beautiful, remote and unspoilt places in Ireland.

Iain Miller speaking at his Book Launch in Letterkenny, December 2015
Iain Miller with the Book Launch attendees at the Regional Cultural Centre, Letterkenny, December 2015
Perhaps the most difficult aspect to writing a book of this nature is finding balance, the balance in the nature of the climbs your are detailing, the balance in the locations of the climbs throughout the county and off course the balance within the book to provide climbs for all readers of the book. This took a great deal of time to decide what was being included and what was not. 

I started to write the book in 2011 and for the first 3 years it was only ever going to be for my own use. But as the chapters began to come together it made more and more sense to publish a guidebook. 




Sail Rock by Slieve league is one of Donegal's longer and more established rock climb venues.
Iain Miller and Fionnuala Donnelly make an ascent of Roaring Forties which climbs the sea ward edge of the Face.


Image © Iain Miller; www.uniqueascent.ie
Rock Climbing in Donegal Guidebook by Iain Miller

Image © Iain Miller; www.uniqueascent.ie
Rock Climbing in Donegal Guidebook by Iain Miller
Image © Iain Miller; www.uniqueascent.ie

Malin Head - Ireland's Most Northerly Point

Malin Head's rocky, weather-battered slopes feel like they're being dragged unwillingly into the sea. It's great for wandering on foot, absorbing the stark natural setting. The area is renowned for the welcoming of the friendly local people, epic coastal scenery, thriving marine, bird life and plenty of historical significance. The www.malinhead.net website attempts to take you from when the first structures appeared on Malin Head’s Banba's Crown in 1804 to the present day.

Malin Head, Inishowen, Co. Donegal. Image © Peter Homer, www.malinhead.net
Located on the Wild Atlantic Way, at N55.22.861 W007.22.420 at a height of 187 feet (57m) above sea level, Malin Head (in Irish: Cionn Mhálanna) at the tip of the Inishowen peninsula in County Donegal is the most northern point of Ireland that has a rugged landscape and had a long history of communication with ships.

Its location was vital for the daily shipping as the coast line around Malin Head are some of the most treacherous waters in the world with many hundreds of ship wrecks being recorded. There are more ocean liners and German U-boats sunk off this stretch than anywhere else in the world and the majority of them were casualties of World War 1 & 2.

Banba's Crown, Malin Head, Inishowen, Co. Donegal. Image © Peter Homer, www.malinhead.net
If you visit Malin Head and prefer to stay on dry land, go for a ramble on Banba’s Crown by following the western path from here to Hell’s Hole. This dramatic chasm is 250 metres (820 feet) long and 8 metres (26 feet) wide.
This entire area is also of global significance to geologists as it has Ireland’s oldest rocks, 4 levels of ancient shoreline and the highest sand-dunes in Europe.

Malin Head, Inishowen, Co. Donegal. Image © Peter Homer, www.malinhead.net

Peter Homer
www.malinhead.net
Check out Peter's YouTube Channel.

Malin Head, Inishowen, Co. Donegal. Image © Peter Homer, www.malinhead.net

Elena Shumilova Elite Photographers Master Workshop

16th to 18th October 2015 saw history been made in the quiet village of Ballyliffin, Clonmany, Co. Donegal, Ireland.

Elena Shumilova & Brendan Diver
35 elite photographers from across the world flew for world famous Russian photographer Elena Shumilova the brain child of local photographer Brendan Diver from Photos From Ireland www.photosfromireland.com

Photographers from USA, Poland, Norway, Sweden, Italy, Russia, Latvia, Croatia, Romania, Moldova, Netherlands, Belgium, UK, Ireland merged upon the beautiful settings of the Strand hotel.  Elena Shumilova was invited over to Inishowen by Brendan Diver nearly six months ago.  Brendan said it was a huge undertaking in the logistics, planning everything from travel, accommodation, meals, props, models, animals, clothing, interpreter, etc....

Workshop Participants
Workshop Participants

Photographers during the Workshop
Photographers during the Workshop
Several local businesses came on board and helped out, Doagh Famine Village, Bradleys Buses, Jean O'Flaherty, Malin stables, and the Strand hotel.

With over sixty million followers worldwide Elena is considered by many to be in the top eight photographers in the world elenashumilova.smugmug.com  Such has the demand been for her first ever European workshop, two workshops in 2016 have already been sold out. 

Photo: Elena Shumilova
Photo: Elena Shumilova
Brendan himself whose work has been seen across the world with his famous well known images of the northern lights from across Inishowen gave a night workshop on landscape night photography and his dream came true when on two nights these elite photographers photographed the northern lights themselves.  During the photoshoot part of the workshop the photographers also got to see seals swimming in Trawbreaga bay just on the doorstep of the Doagh Famine Village.

Photo: Elena Shumilova
Irish TV were also up filming and did an interview with Elena and Brendan himself.  Which can be seen on Thursday 29th October at 7.30pm on Sky 191 and then repeated Saturday 3.00pm and again on Sunday at 11.00am.  It can be seen again online at : www.irishtv.ie/category/ireland/ulster/donegal

Such was the impact that Brendan and Elena's workshop had on this elite group of world class photographers that tree families are now looking to purchase property around the Ballyliffin area.
Before Elena left she said it was one of the most beautiful locations she had seen in the world and presented Brendan with one of her famous images signed personally.  You can see more images about this amazing weekend at www.facebook.com/photosfromireland

Brendan with the picture gift from Elena
Such has the interest that this has created Brendan has had over 45,000 Facebook hits in only three days and Elena Shumilova and Brendan have well and truly put Ballyliffin and Inishowen on the International stage for everyone to see how lucky we are to live here.

Elena & Brendan, Inishowen, Co. Donegal, Ireland

Wild Atlantic Way to have major benefits for Donegal

The collective marketing of Donegal and a positive attitude in presenting this to the world wide tourism market is crucial if we are to continue to benefit from the growth of the Wild Atlantic Way.
Mr Seamus Neely
That was the message from Donegal County Council’s Chief Executive and  Chairman of Donegal Tourism Ltd, Seamus Neely when he addressed the second annual ‘Connecting the Wild Atlantic Way’ tourism conference which was held in the Clanree Hotel, Letterkenny last Friday.
The theme this year, ‘Your Business, Developing Networks, Reaching Customers’ attracted a huge attendance from all over the county and beyond.


Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, Cllr Ciaran Brogan told delegates that over the past number of years the Council had made tourism one of their main priorities and they were currently spending over €½ million marketing the county while a lot of work had gone into the development of projects such as Sliabh Liag, Fanad Lighthouse and Malin Head. “I think it’s fair to say that in Donegal we have the best product development than anywhere else in the whole country. Today is about networking, sharing information and getting to know one another and maybe learning from one another how best to deal with the challenges we all have going forward,” he said.

Cllr Ciaran Brogan
He added the Council was delighted it had a very good working relationship with the tourism industry in Donegal as it was a huge employer and crucial to economic development.
Mayor of Letterkenny Municipal District, Cllr Gerry McMonagle welcomed the delegates to the town, reinforced the theme of cooperation throughout the industry and spoke of the major attractions and the ones yet to be developed that if developed to their full potential, would continue to attract tourists to the county.



Maximize Potential

Chief Executive Seamus Neely congratulated the industry for embracing the Wild Atlantic Way in such a short period of time and making the considerable effort to develop new networks that would help reach more customers, maximize the potential on their online digital platforms and showcase what their businesses has to offer.

“Visitors numbers are rising because of a collective strategic approach which has been adopted by the entire industry across the county. The opportunity to network can act as an opportunity to explore how we as a county can send an even stronger message to markets at home and right across the world – the message that Donegal and the Wild Atlantic Way is open for business and looking forward to the years ahead,” he said.

He said a key part of the conference was to update and improve marketing techniques and he knew from feedback from last year’s event that web-marketing and web-booking potential had improved because its potential had been highlighted.

He also highlighted the success of developments like the Donegal Gathering and Donegal Tourism, their successful websites and apps and the continued growth of their world wide reach in promoting the Donegal ‘brand’.
Mr Neely encouraged all tourism providers to get their business, event or festival listed for free online publicity via Donegal Tourism online channels by sending details to: info@govisitdonegal.com

He added that today tourism in Donegal in vibrant, modern, customer driven, and professional but most importantly of all, it remains authentic and this is our real strength.
He believes the Wild Atlantic Way holds great opportunities for Donegal and that we are really only beginning to see the first benefits of it and that there are multiples more by way of traffic, visitors and revenue spent.

“How we collectively tap into that will determine how much of that potential we will actually realize. My own view is Donegal is the ‘wild’ part of the Wild Atlantic Way – it’s rugged, it’s beautiful, it’s vast, it has  lovely communities, it has fabulous landscapes, it has the lot” he said.

Other Speakers

Conference Speakers
Other speakers at the conference included Joan Crawford, Wild Atlantic Way Client Services Manager with Fáilte Ireland. She delivered an overview of the project and its future potential. The conference also heard from a number of other speakers including Brian Harte, Tourism Ireland’s Head of Customer Engagement and E-Marketing; Darragh Doyle, Online Audience Strategist; Kathrin Chambers, Digital Manager at Fáilte Ireland; Stephen Cotter, General Manager at CIE Tours International and Fionn Davenport, Travel Writer.



Conference Speakers
Case study speakers at the event included Deirdre McGlone from Harvey’s Point Hotel, Donegal Town; Helen Haworth, Portsalon Luxury Camping and Ireland By Bike founder, Seamus Gallagher from Carrick. They presented case studies in their particular areas of expertise. The event also saw the distribution of promotional materials, speed networking and question and answer sessions.

Donegal Tourism Launches New YouTube Channel and Promotional Video

Donegal Tourism Ltd, in conjunction with Donegal County Council, continues their work of promoting and marketing County Donegal as a ‘must visit’ destination with a strong regional identity within Ireland.

The launch of a range of new YouTube videos promoting Donegal will ensure that Donegal Tourism reaches millions of YouTube viewers in our international markets. These videos are set to deliver the message that Donegal is a world class must see tourism destination on the Wild Atlantic Way.



Donegal Tourism Ltd has commissioned Liquid Media to produce five videos promoting defined tourism activity themes that deliver a marketing message unique to the market segments identified by Fáilte Ireland with equal promotional representation for all regions in County Donegal.

The videos will be primarily focused on showcasing the Donegal Brand to a range of targeted tourism visitors and showcase the attractions, activities, destinations, landscapes and much more in County Donegal.

Following the success of the Tourism Holiday Guide and the App that were launched earlier this year, Donegal Tourism is launching the first of five promotional videos of Donegal focusing on the Donegal’s Wild Atlantic Way on their Go Visit Donegal YouTube Channel.


Seamus Neely, the CEO of Donegal County Council and the Chairman of Donegal Tourism Ltd said: Rich media marketing such as the production and distribution of video content across a wide range of marketing platforms has been proven to deliver success in increasing visitor numbers and brand awareness. In particular the use of YouTube which is one of the world’s largest online search engines. I am delighted that Donegal Tourism is utilising one of the most powerful online marketing tools to reach target audiences. We will endeavour to grow this platform in the months to come”. 

As part of targeted marketing/public relations activities Donegal Tourism Ltd also offered a limited number of high quality professional videos to the local tourism providers. The project is underway.


Visit and subscribe to Go Visit Donegal YouTube channel. We would ask tourism providers in County Donegal to share these videos on their websites and social media channels. Let’s work together to reach our target markets online!

Check our website www.govisitdonegal.com

Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/govisitdonegal 

Donegal Prospectus hailed a positive boost for the future


The new Donegal Prospectus has been described as having an important role in presenting this county as an excellent place to do business for companies thinking of locating in Ireland.

Donegal ProspectusThe glossy 48-page publication is to be used to attract foreign investment and showcase the county to potential investors and entrepreneurs all over the world. It highlights the world class employment and investment opportunities here and the full range of services required for an excellent quality of life.

The launch, which took place at Oakfield Park, Raphoe on Wednesday afternoon, was hosted by renowned businessman Sir Gerry Robinson and his wife Lady Heather and attended by a diverse range of business and community interests from all over the county.


Speaking at the occasion Donegal County Council Chief Executive, Seamus Neely said the new Donegal Prospectus presented the county as an excellent place to live, work and do business.

Cllr. Ciaran Brogan, Cathaoirleach, Sir Gerry Robinson, Lady Heather Robinson
and Seamus Neely, Chief Executive Donegal County Council
at the launch of the Donegal Prospectus at Oakfield Park Raphoe.
“We are delighted to have been able to showcase a small selection of the successful companies operating in the county. The Doing Business in Donegal section demonstrates the range of sectors, skills capability and success of some of the companies located here in the county.

“Donegal County Council has worked closely with many of these companies over the years and together with the other support agencies in the county will continue to support new and existing companies and to work to attract further inward investment to Donegal. 

Mr Neely added that a very important theme of the Donegal Prospectus was the availability of crucial services such as health and education to people wishing to relocate to Donegal.

“Individuals and families can be assured of the high quality services available right throughout the county.  The added value of the North West Gateway Initiative and our collaborative working relationship with Derry City and Strabane District Council, provides a critical mass to ensure the continued development of shared services in the North West region in areas including health and education, for example, the Altnagelvin Radiotherarpy services, the proposed A5 / A6 route and the Donegal Clinical Research Academy.”
Dr. Ciaran Richardson, Randox Teo, Seamus Neely, Chief Executive Donegal County Council,
Gerard Grant, Pramerica, Sir Gerry Robinson, Cllr. Ciaran Brogan, Cathaoirleach,
Lady Heather Robinson, Michael O hEanaigh, Donegal County Council,
Steve O'Culainn, Udaras na nGaeltachta,
Pauline Bradley, Randoc, Cllr. Martin Harley.

He added the vibrant quality of life on offer in Donegal was second to none and it is only when carrying out an exercise like developing the Prospectus that one actually takes stock of and appreciated the wonderful place in which they lived.
Guest speakers at the launch, Dr Ciaran Richardson, Research and Development Manager, Randox, Dungloe and Gerard Grant Vice-President, IT and Facilities, Pramerica, Letterkenny outlined the many reasons why their respective companies chose to set up in the county and spoke glowingly of the many positive advantages they discovered as a result.

Both said they were impressed with the people, the places and the quality of workforce they had and said they were certain it was a huge part of their continued success.  They also noted that the Donegal Prospectus will be an important tool for them in recruiting top class employees to their companies and in turn to Donegal.

Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council Cllr. Ciaran Brogan
addressing the audienceat the launch of the
Donegal Prospectus at Oakfield Park Raphoe.
 
Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, Cllr Ciaran Brogan said the new Prospectus captured the essence of the Donegal that business owners, employers, employees, families and residents of the county know and love.


“For the first time, we have encapsulated all that the county has to offer in a publication which we hope will travel near and far,” he said. 

Looking through the Prospectus, the Cathaoirleach said it was clear to him that they were presenting the county in a positive and upbeat light by highlighting not only the continued success of businesses operating and thriving in the county but also the wide range of services, supports and activities available to anyone thinking of locating in or returning to Donegal. 

“We have recently had two major business expansion announcements in the county and are delighted to have representatives from both Randox and Pramerica here today to share their experiences of doing business successfully in and from Donegal.  These expansions will hopefully bring hundreds of new jobs to the county and may even attract more inward investment to the county and to the North West region,” he said.

He added he felt the Prospectus could play an important role in presenting this location as an excellent place to do business for companies thinking of locating in Ireland - outlining the ease of access, the ever-developing infrastructure and the world-class ICT facilities.

“The publication will also assist new companies in attracting potential employees and members of our Diaspora back to the county with the promise of employment and an excellent quality of life.  This will have the impact of strengthening our communities, enhancing our society and adding to the already educated and skilled workforce in the county,” said Cllr Brogan.

The Donegal Prospectus was designed by local firm Grace Ann Consultancy and was produced by Donegal County Council working closely with a range of partner organisations in both the public and private sector.  The Donegal Prospectus will be distributed both locally and internationally through the many global connections that Donegal has developed in recent years through the Donegal Diaspora project.


The audience at the launch of the Donegal Prospectus showing their endorsement for the new publication


Here Comes the Summer … Time to team up but keep it clean!


Beach boys …comedian Conal Gallen (right) joins Donegal County Council Cathaoirleach, Cllr Ciaran Brogan at the launch of the Here Comes the Summer’ anti-litter campaign which was launched on Monday.
 It’s July and the holiday season gets under way soon as the lure of the pristine waters, golden sandy beaches, glorious highways and byways and friendly relaxed way of life becomes too attractive to resist.
Yes its Donegal time. And now with the very favourable exchange rate providing the veritable icing on the cake, more and more will be heading west to a county that has welcomed our Northern Ireland visitors for decades.
It’s been a heavenly haven for people since holidays were invented and is now attracting stars of stage and screen.
Over the years the likes of Sarah Jessica Parker, Matthew Broderick, Paul Rudd and Woody Allen to name but have found their way to Donegal and of course many household names from Northern Ireland have made no secret of the fact that Donegal is their second home.
But these amazing landscapes, extraordinary seaside cliffs and rugged mountains not to mention some of the most spectacular scenery in Ireland needs loving care and attention too.  Donegal County Council has a progressive environmental policy that protects these treasurers and now want visitors from Northern Ireland to help out.

Snag it, bag it …and keep it clean! Ireland’s top funny man Conal Gallen is surrounded by (l-r) Donegal County Council Cathaoirleach, Cllr Ciaran Brogan, Litter Warden Martin Roarty and the Council’s Communications Officer, Anne Marie Conlon as they gently encourage everyone enjoying Donegal’s fantastic facilities to take their rubbish with them when they leave.

Now as part of the ongoing environmental campaign, Donegal County Council has just launched its ‘Here Comes The Summer’ initiative where it is asking locals and visitors to team up over the holiday season and ensure they protect the precious countryside, mountains and beaches from making the wrong impression.
And to add a little fun to their efforts the Council has drafted in Ireland’s top comedian, Conal Gallen to back up its efforts.
Conal, who is well known to audiences all over the province, officially launched the new campaign this week, said he was backing the Northern  tourists to show their support for the local team and play a part in keeping Donegal clean throughout the summer.
“People from all over the North love Donegal as much as they love their home patch and I think it’s wonderful all are being asked to be on the same team this summer. As I said before, litter is no joke and it’s up to all of us to protect what we have and make sure our beaches and countryside remains in tip top condition.
“Take yer rubbish home …or you’ll have to answer to me,” he said.
The message is simple:
·         If you are enjoying a picnic on the beach, please bring your rubbish home and leave nothing behind
·         Never throw rubbish out the car window
·         Recycle at any of the six recycling centres in Donegal or at any of the 70 bring banks throughout the county.
·         Enjoy your visit and leave only footprints behind.
Speaking at the launch the Council Cathaoirleach, (Chairman) Cllr Ciaran Brogan is keen for the partnership to work for the benefit of all concerned.
“We want tourists visiting the county to become involved and join the ongoing efforts of the locals to keep places like the Wild Atlantic Way and Donegal’s many distinctive towns and villages a good place to visit”
Donegal County Council Chief Executive, Seamus Neely added that it was important the county facilitated the needs of both the locals and the visitors well into the future.
“The concept of sustainable tourism and the need to ensure that future tourism growth needs to go hand in hand with the protection, planning and management of the quality, character and distinctiveness of our unique tourism product,” he said
Here Comes The Summer …play your part!
For more information on recycling in Donegal see www.brysonrecycling.org or visit the Donegal County Council website at www.donegal.ie

Job Opportunity: Manager of a Tourist Facility at Fanad Head Lighthouse

Forbairt Fhánada Teoranta

Wish to recruit for the following post:-

          Manager


Forbairt Fhánada Teoranta, in conjunction with the Commissioners of Irish Lights, Donegal County Council, Fáilte Ireland and Údarás na Gaeltachta, aim to develop the Fanad Lighthouse site as a key stop along the Wild Atlantic Way.  Forbairt Fhánada will take on responsibility for the management of self-catering accommodation and visitor tours from July, 2015.   Future development will include a Visitor Centre, Restaurant and Gift Shop.

Forbairt Fhánada, wish to recruit a full-time Manager for the management of a Tourist Facility at Fanad Head Lighthouse.

Salary:  Fixed salary of €35,000 per annum

Timeframe: A fixed term contract will be offered to the successful candidate.  It is anticipated that the contract will run for a period of two years.
Applicants may be shortlisted for interview on the basis of information supplied, particularly with regards to qualifications and experience.

A Job Specification may be obtained by e-mailing fanadlighthouse@gmail.com

For application, a C.V. and cover letter should be forwarded to fanadlighthouse@gmail.com by 5.00pm on Tuesday 30th June, 2015.


Forbairt Fhánada is an Equal Opportunities Employer

Glenveagh Events this Spring

Sunday 3rd May
Traditional Music Session at the Castle
Birds of Prey
Children’s Colouring Competition
Come and find our Spring Lambs that are hiding at the Castle
Craft Stalls at the Visitor Centre

Monday 4th May
Traditional Music Session at the Castle
Children’s Colouring Competition
Come and find our Spring Lambs that are hiding at the Castle
Craft Stalls at the Visitor Centre

These events will be taking place between 1-4pm
  For more information on Glenveagh events and bookings contact
0761002551