The Essence of Donegal

County Donegal is a place to sample all that is best about Ireland. Whether you come for a family holiday, a relaxing break or to take part in active pursuits, you will discover people with an easy-going nature. Vibrant towns such as Letterkenny, Donegal and Buncrana hum with activity and there is a warm sense of community in the villages.

Drive along the coastline and drink in the sights exploring the Wild Atlantic Way where secrets lie hidden in remote peninsulas. And on the mountain roads, the sweet aroma of turf smoke will greet you as you make your way around.

Walking and cycling on way-marked trails, fishing, golf, horse-riding and watersports are all waiting for you – and it doesn’t matter about your level of fitness. From leisurely forest park or bracing coastal walks to a ride from the seat of a bike or horse there are endless choices.

If you want an adrenaline-fuelled experience then Donegal is firmly on the international

 stage of big wave surfing. In recent years surfers in Bundoran have pioneered waves previously thought untouchable. You can take a Surfing Holiday in Donegal at any time of the year. Donegal’s beaches have excellent waves and breaks from Summer to Winter.

Sightseeing is always on the agenda for visitors. In the north of the county, the fairytale Glenveagh Castle with its formal gardens is one of Ireland’s premier National Parks and links culture with nature.

With its family-run hotels, cosy time burnished pubs,  Donegal’s pleasures should be enjoyed slowly.

The county can justifiably make many claims: the highest sea cliffs and the largest sand dunes in Europe, the biggest waves in Ireland … and Donegal restaurants aim to bring you a genuine taste of Donegal by obtaining the very best fresh, local ingredients and serving them with lashings of pride so  you can satisfy your appetite for good food, good company and good music.

Donegal has no fewer than 13 unspoilt golden strands, it proudly boasts the largest number of Blue Flag beaches of any county in Ireland.

Where, the visitor may ask, is the essence of Donegal?

 There is not one particular spot since it is to be found everywhere: from the burstingly fresh local seafood, in the rollers of Rossnowlagh, at the summit of Errigal mountain, on top of an ancient hillfort,in the Killybegs fishing boats bringing home the catch, in the ruins of a medieval castle, on a ferry ride to Tory Island - the northernmost outpost of Donegal’s thriving Gaeltacht culture, Tory is home to its own King, Iron Age forts, and medieval round towers. The finest musicians, storytellers, and dancers host sessions that linger into the early hours.

What are you waiting for? There’s much to see and enjoy in Donegal…

Donegal Children Feature in Unique Book and Exhibition

Excitement was in the air at the recent launch of "Crafty Kids ​Guide to Donegal​ and its Wild Atlantic Way" local visitors guide and exhibition recently in The Regional Cultural Centre Letterkenny.

Children from schools throughout Donegal filled the room with energy and squeals of joy and laughter as they each found their piece of creative work on the walls of the exhibition or in the book itself.

Launch of the Crafty Kids Guide to Donegal and its Wild Atlantic Way at the Regional cultural Centre in Letterkenny. Image courtesy of CraftyKids.ie 

Teachers and parents were excitedly pulled over  to view these works of art and for many of the children this was one of the greatest days of their life. The honour of  their drawings and stories appearing on the walls of an exhibition, telling their own story about their  Donegal.
A scribble wall at the event gave the children the opportunity to say how they were feeling about their new found fame, one little girl posted "I love today because my story was on the wall" another said "I never had my picture in a book before".

Writing on the scribble wall. Image courtesy of CraftyKids.ie

This was  made possible through the creation of the new local Donegal Visitors Guide from Crafty Kids and  Evelyn Mc Marketing "Crafty Kids ​Guide to Donegal​ and its Wild Atlantic Way", supported by Fáilte Ireland and Wild Atlantic Way.

From Left Joan Crawford Fáilte Ireland, Evelyn Mc Glynn Editor of Crafty Kids Guide To Donegal and Its Wild Atlantic Way, Toni Forrester Letterkenny Chamber of Commerce and Iga Lawne Donegal Tourism Ltd at the recent launch of the new local guide to Donegal. Image courtesy of CraftyKids.ie

The book is written by local school children through their stories and artwork telling the visitor what to see and enjoy on their visit to Donegal. Many locals at the launch commented that there were many locations in the book that they were unaware of and vowed to explore them during the Summer ahead.

The book is available to buy in Crafty Kids stores in Letterkenny Retail Park or Letterkenny Shopping Centre or online at craftykids.ie  or in various locations throughout Donegal. Check out their Crafty Kids Facebook Page  or call (074) 911 3455 for further information.

Look, there I am! Image courtesy of CraftyKids.ie

Nottingham Irish Golf Society Celebrating Their 25th Anniversary in County Donegal

60 members of the Nottingham Irish Golf Society travelled to Bundoran recently to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the group. They played rounds at Murvagh, Strandhill and of course Bundoran which was the headquarters for the trip.

Nottingham Irish Golf Society 25th Anniversary Tour of Bundoran and Donegal. Photo: Jimmy McEwan

Credit for the founding of the society back in 1991 goes to Bundoran man Eamonn Gavigan who was then working as a journalist in the Nottingham Evening Post and placed a small ad inviting likeminded golfers to join the society. 40 people showed up to the first meeting and the rest as they say is history.

In the past 25 years they have travelled all over Ireland to play their beloved game including Cork, Killarney, Bangor, Carne, Athlone, Newry and for the 25th anniversary of the society, which now boasts almost 70 members, they came to Eamonn’s home town of Bundoran. Eamonn was accompanied on this trip by his wife Margaret, daughter Abigail, and his grandson Joel who at 14 years is already showing the golfing traits and skill of his grandfather by being selected for the Nottinghamshire Junior Golf Team.  His proud brothers Jim and Billy were also in attendance at the gala presentation and dinner at the Great Northern Hotel.

Joel Gavigan being presented with the Guest prize after playing Bundoran. A gift card is presented to Joel  by the Nottingham Irish Golf Society Captain Liam Connelly. Photo: Jimmy McEwan

As a token of appreciation and welcome to Eamonn, a presentation was made to him by Bundoran Tourism Officer Shane Smyth of a Donegal Pen on behalf of Donegal Tourism.  Speaking at the presentation he said ‘we are delighted to welcome Eamonn, his family and his golf society to Bundoran for this special occasion and are honoured that he has chosen to celebrate this milestone here in Bundoran. We wish the society well for the next 25 years!’

Enjoying 19th hole at Bundoran L-R: Paul Kearns, Eamonn Gavigan, David Harris, David Bennett. Photo: Jimmy McEwan

For more information on the Nottingham Irish Golf Society visit:
www.nottinghamirishgolfsociety.com

The proud winner of the 25th Anniversary Tour of Bundoran and Donegal was Declan Greaney (on the right), here photographed with his proud Dad Jimmy and brother Liam. Photo: Jimmy McEwan