Climbing Errigal Mountain

Here is a guest blog from Bren Whelan who decided to take a look at a classic and iconic Donegal landmark..Errigal Mountain. 

Standing at 751 meters (2,464 feet) above sea level, the distinctive cloud piercing summit and shoulders of Mount Errigal casts an alternative view across the Donegal skyline. The mountain has a diverse and varied shape depending on what direction you view it from. In 2009 the loveable Donegal landmark mountain was voted ‘Ireland’s Most Iconic Mountain’ by Walking & Hiking in Ireland, as an endorsement of it's distinctive beauty.

Whereas most of the surrounding rocky peaks of the Derryveagh Mountains are granite, Errigal’s form is somewhat different, it’s a quartzite peak. Quartzite is a sedimentary rock which has metamorphosed (changed from sandstone) under high pressure and heat into a dense hard quartzite rock type.

Errigal (possibly meaning ‘oratory’) is the 76th highest mountain in Ireland and the highest in a chain known as ‘The Seven Sisters’, which includes Muckish, Crocknalaragagh, Aghla Beg, Ardloughnabrackbaddy, Aghla More, Mackoght (Wee Errigal). This chain forms one of the great Irish mountain challenge walks, the ‘Glover Highlander’, a strenuous mountain walk which is around 23Km long and involves around 2000 meters of height gain!

Generally speaking most people will climb the mountain by starting from the car park off the R251 road. Initially the route crosses heavily eroded and boggy land that leads towards a visible track through the scree.

There is a steady climb upwards towards the summit, with excellent views in all directions towards Tory Island, the Poison Glen, Gola, Arranmore, the Blue Stacks to name but a few, for those who don’t quite have a head for heights, be warned steep and intimidating ground abounds. This culminates with a final exposed walk along the airy ridge of the ‘one man’s pass’ which allows both summits to be gained as a reward for the steep uphill journey.

Lastly, if you plan to stay locally, the 5 star Errigal Youth Hostel, with its super friendly staff and luxury accommodation is the perfect base!

For more information on Bren Whelan contact: 

www.wildatlanticwayclimbing.ie

Waterworld Bundoran Opens for Year 25!

Waterworld Bundoran, Ireland’s premier indoor aqua adventure playground will this year throw its doors open for its 25^th year of business on Good Friday March 25^th at midday.

With over 1.5 million visitors since it first opened in 1991 the complex continues to attract families from all parts of the country who come to experience over 15 water features under one roof where family fun is guaranteed!

General Manager Anderson Keys said ‘Waterworld has seen massive changes since it first opened on June 1^st 1991. From the addition of the whizzer slide and tower in 1994, to the arrival of the Gravity flume and a €1.8 million facelift in 2013 to add in even more features including a three lane multi slide, pirate galleon ship, toddler pool and more, we are thrilled to bring Waterworld into its 25^th year.  Over the years we have had a great deal of support from Bundoran Town Council and subsequently Donegal County Council as well as a dedicated board of directors who are determined to see the facility remain as one of the top water parks in the country.

Over the years, Waterworld has donated thousands of euros to local charities through the annual charity day, normally held around each year’s birthday celebrations.  This year will see four local charities become the beneficiaries of the charity day, which will be held on Saturday June 4^th – proceeds from the day’s takings will be donated to each of the charities.

Seamus Neely, CEO of Donegal County Council, operators of Bundoran Waterworld added ‘I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Waterworld Bundoran on their 25th anniversary.  This is a wonderful milestone and I am sure that Anderson and his team at Waterworld have great plans in place to celebrate this special year.  Waterworld continues to be one of our most popular visitor attractions and the fact that visitors return year after year says it all.  I would also like to acknowledge the elected members and staff of the former Bundoran Town Council who were instrumental in bringing Waterworld to Bundoran 25 years ago.  Their vision, determination and commitment has put Bundoran on the map as one of the country's premier visitor destinations and Waterworld has played a key role in this achievement.’

Waterworld will undertake a comprehensive advertising and promotional campaign over the coming weeks, which will include Cinema, TV, Radio and Press Advertising. Waterworld reopens on Good Friday March 25^th at midday and will remain open daily from 12-6pm (last entry 5pm) until Sunday April 3^rd.  Thereafter the facility will open weekends until June 1^st after which time it will open daily through the summer.

Help Us Make Donegal the Greenest County in Ireland this St Patrick's Day

Donegal Tourism Ltd in association with Donegal County Council would like to encourage everyone to help make ‘Donegal the Greenest County in Ireland for St. Patrick’s Day 2016’.

You may have seen other famous buildings, landmarks and world heritage sites go green around the world such as the Taj Mahal in India, the Moulin Rouge in Paris and the Pyramids of Egypt to name but a few, all of which receive extensive media coverage online and offline to promote Ireland as a world class tourism destination. This year we want to put Donegal firmly on the map when it comes to St. Patrick’s Day Greening!

We would encourage everyone in Donegal to come together to green local landmarks, attractions, heritage sites and any other places or buildings that would look great in green! By working together we can make Donegal the Greenest County in Ireland for 2016. The benefits of which are far reaching and will positively impact on visitor numbers in the future.

Why Go Green?
• The photo will be shared across websites and social networks for Govisitdonegal.com, donegalgathering.com, MalinWaters.com, Donegaldiaspora.ie, Donegalcoco.ie among others and mapped on the Donegal County Council website.

• The photo will be included and circulated on all e-mail marketing campaigns including links back to your website and social media channels.

• The photo will be sent to Failte Ireland and Tourism Ireland for further extensive marketing coverage and other marketing contacts.

• Your greening initiative will be included in local and national media campaigns both online and offline. This is a great way to showcase Donegal to the world!

Email photos to: greeningdonegal@gmail.com

Share to the Go Visit Donegal facebook page which has 12,000 followers and we will share them from here

Use Twitter @govisitdonegal and the images will be shared from here

Where can I purchase light filters?

• Light filters can be purchased in The lighting shop, Supervalu in Donegal for €12.00 
• Lighting Concepts in Letterkenny also have them but also check your local lighting shop

 

• Purchase the link on ebay here:  http://www.ebay.ie/itm/3-X-PRIMARY-COLOURS-Lighting-Filter-Gel-Sheets-21-x-48-PRIME-RED-BLUE-GREEN-/151368912001?hash=item233e4a4c81:g:mZ4AAOSwQYZWt2tN

How to Go Green?
• Get together with local community groups and decide on a location to go green.

• Utilise existing lighting - the campaign should be cost effective rather than cost generating

• If the attraction is flood lit, then green lighting gels are an easy and inexpensive way to go green and these can be purchased online or in some specialist lighting shops.

• Arrange for your chosen location to go green on or before St. Patrick's Day

• E-mail the photo to Donegal Tourism Ltd along with the name of the attraction and location.
• Promote on your own websites and social media channels.

• While there is no funding available, it is hoped that local communities will be able to organise greening projects themselves and in return they will receive extensive free marketing coverage

• Donegal Tourism Ltd will include your greened location on all marketing campaigns!
TIP: Lighting Filter Gels Explained

One of several options for 'greening' is to use Lighting Filter Gels, which are transparent coloured material often used in theatre lighting. Gels are a cost effective (paper) thin sheet of polycarbonate/polyester and can be placed in front of existing flood lights to give a nice colour effect, ideal for Greening!

Filter Gels are made so that they can withstand high temperatures and can be purchased online or in some lighting shops.They come in rolls that can be cut to size. Google 'lighting filter gels' for more information. It is recommended that you seek advice on purchasing the correct lighting gel for safety reasons.
For more information: visit - www.countydonegaltourism.com 
Go Green, Get Involved!