One
of Ireland and Britain’s leading businessmen told a gathering of tourism
providers in east Donegal he was delighted to be promoting, and living in, ‘one
of the best places in the world.’
Sir
Gerry Robinson was speaking at the weekend at the launch of Donegal East
Tourism, an initiative to promote one of the lesser spotted areas of the county
as a tourist destination.
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L-R: Sir Gerry Robinson, The Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council - Cllr Gerry McMonagle, Chairman of Donegal East Tourism - Mr Cronan Scanlon.
Image courtesy of Donegal East Tourism |
Only
formed last year, the organisation showcased the area – from Fintown to Burt -
to an audience of tens of thousands at the prestigious Holiday World Shows in
Dublin and Belfast January.
Their
bright new full colour brochure and website were officially launched by Mr
Robinson at Oakfield Park, Raphoe, where he now lives with his wife Heather.
The
park has been a huge success since opening to the public, with more than 50,000
visitors expected in 2018.
The
former Chairman of Granada Television told representatives of local businesses
and community groups within the tourism sector that the area had ‘huge
potential'.
He
also paid tribute to the new tourism group and hoped it would go from strength
to strength.
“This is a wonderful initiative for this part of Donegal and indeed all of
Donegal. The new brochure and website also have the potential to promote
all that is that is great about this part of the world,” he told those present.
“Generally,
the history of voluntary bodies is that they get off to a great start and then
they die away. I hope that will not be the case here. In fact, I hope Donegal
East Tourism will be something that will steadily and logically build on this
launch and that it will go on to produce something of real value - not in a
year, not in five years, but in the next 20 years - to promote an area which is
probably among one of the best places in the world.”
The
Cathaoirleach of Doneal County Council, Cllr Gerry McMonagle, who was at
Oakfield Park for the launch, said after seeing the brochure, he was hugely
impressed with what the area has to offer.
"I’m
both delighted and honoured to have been invited here today for the launch of
what is a major initiative for the east of the county and, indeed, all of
Donegal,” he said.
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Guest speakers and invited guests attending the official launch
Image courtesy of Donegal East Tourism |
Chairman
of Donegal East Tourism, Mr Cronan Scanlon, stressed that the group was not
just about promoting the area as a tourist destination. He said it was also its
aim to make locals more aware of what they have on their doorstep, take pride
in it and to boast about where they come from.
"We
would argue that, in terms of tourism promotion, this part of the county has
been kept a secret for far too long," he said.
"This is despite it being home to one of Europe's best salmon fishing
rivers, the Glenfin Gaeltacht, Bluestack Mountains, McElhinney's Stores,
Oakfield Park, Dunmore Gardens, Beltany Stone Circle, Lifford Old Courthouse
and An Grianan of Aileach. The region also has a strong tradition of Irish
music, an Ulster Scots heritage and much, much more. Donegal East is also the
perfect base from which to explore the Wild Atlantic Way, and we should be
constantly reminding ourselves of that. I would urge you not just to distribute
the brochure to potential visitors, but to give it to your friends and family.
Let them know what a wonderful place they’re living in and that it is something
to be immensely proud of. Don’t be shy about coming from Donegal East - boast
about it.”
He
also appealed to tourism providers, and businesses and community organisations,
to assist the group in its efforts to build the area as a strong tourist
destination.
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Guests and Speakers attending the official Donegal East Tourism Launch at Oakfield Park.
Image courtesy of Donegal East Tourism |
The
new Donegal East Tourism brochure can be picked up for free from various
outlets, including Letterkenny and Donegal Town Tourist Information Offices,
The BASE in Stranorlar, Kee’s, Jackson’s and Villa Rose hotels, Lifford Old
Courthouse and Oakfield Park.
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Donegal East Tourism - new brochure
Image courtesy of Donegal East Tourism |
