Donegal Voted One of World's Top 10 Scenic Airports 2016

Donegal is ranked one of the world’s most scenic airport landings, in annual poll, the fifth one conducted by PrivateFly

This year’s top rated airport was Malta International, with others in the top 10 including Queenstown in New Zealand, Nice Cote D’Azur in France and Los Angeles International.

Donegal Airport has been voted one of the world’s most scenic airport landings in a poll of global travellers and travel industry experts, conducted by PrivateFly. The private jet booking service asked a panel of international travel experts and travel fans for their most scenic airport approaches in its annual survey, with Donegal making the top 10, coming in at number 7.

Donegal Airport, Image copyrights: Owen Clarke Photography, http://owenclarkephotos.com/

One voter described landing at Donegal as follows: “There's nothing more breathtaking than flying over the rugged coastline of Donegal. Awe-inspiring to say the least. The rugged landscape transports to a time long ago and much forgotten.”

Another commented: “You arrive in the Emerald Isle adjacent to one of the most beautiful beaches in the world; Carrickfinn with a backdrop of the majestic Mount Errigal on one side and an array of craggy islands on the other. The clear turquoise blue sea is just a bonus on a sunny day!”

Previous winners of the annual poll include Queenstown (2015); Nice Cote D’Azur (2014); St Maarten in the Caribbean (2013) and Barra in Scotland’s Outer Hebrides (2012).

Adam Twidell, CEO of PrivateFly and an experienced pilot, comments: “PrivateFly’s poll has become an annual checklist for the well-traveled, and this year’s voting was the most competitive yet. Malta received the highest number of votes overall this time, but Donegal is a worthy new entrant to the list, with a landing that offers travellers an unforgettable introduction to Ireland’s world class natural beauty.”

“Each airport in this year’s Top 10 offers something very special for travellers. We also have the iconic cityscape at London City; the awesome mountain scenery of Queenstown; the tiny remote airstrip of Saba in the Caribbean (the world’s shortest commercial runway); and the unique beach landing at Barra in Scotland’s Outer Hebrides.”

The full top 10 is as follows:

1. Malta International Airport, Malta
2. Nice Cote D'Azur Airport, France
3. Queenstown Airport, New Zealand
4. Barra Airport, Scotland, UK
5. Saba Airport (Juancho E Yrausquin), Caribbean
6. Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, Canada
7. Donegal Airport, Ireland
8. St Maarten Airport (Princess Juliana International), Caribbean
9. Los Angeles International Airport, USA
10. London City Airport, UK

For more information visit:

www.donegalairport.ie

Donegal Airport on Facebook

YouTube: Donegal Airport, Carrickfinn, Co. Donegal

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.