Donegal Has It All this Christmas

 Donegal has so much to offer you at this magical time of the year, there are a host of events and adventures that cater for families, friends, couples, the young, and the not so young. Go Visit Donegal has put together a range of suggestions that will help to maximise your Christmas experience if you are thinking of paying us a visit. It is by no means all that Donegal has to offer this festive season but may whet your appetite to jump on board the magical sleigh ride of festive fun that will be passing your way in the coming weeks.

Santa Express at Oakfield Park

Date: 1st – 21st December 2016

Where: Oakfield Park, Raphoe, Co.Donegal

Santa can make your wishes come true…..

This Christmas, for the first time ever, Oakfield Park will be opening its gates for a very special event. The Santa Express will be running daily from the 1st to 21st December, from 3.30pm till late.

This promises to be an extraordinary Santa experience. Board the Santa Express at the Station and enjoy an enchanting train ride through Oakfield’s magnificent woodlands to meet Santa and his special helpers.
More info: here 
Donegal’s Lapland

Date: 25th November 2016 - 22nd December 2016

Where: Clonmany, Inishowen, Co. Donegal

Christmas in Donegal can be a magical and fun-filled experience, especially if you visit Santa’s Island at Donegal’s very own Lapland.

The longest running Christmas show in Donegal is back again this Christmas and you do really have to pass the North Pole to get here, we kid you not!

At Santa’s Island, they aim to create a world for the young and old that helps capture the magical spirit and enchantment of the festive period from the moment you arrive.

Christmas Carols at Glenveagh Castle 

Date: 8th December 2016 - 9th December 2016

Where: Glenveagh National Park, Churchill, Co. Donegal

Time: 8.30pm

If you are in Donegal, why not come along to the magnificent setting of Glenveagh National Park for Traditional Christmas Carols performed in 4 part harmony by the chorus of North West Opera led by professional soprano Ann Jennings. Featuring beloved works such as O Holy Night, Silent Night and many others sung in the beautiful, atmospheric surroundings of the library of Glenveagh Castle. It is a unique Christmas treat not to be missed.

Iosas Centre Christmas Trail 

Date: 10th December 2016 - 21st December 2016
Where: The IOSAS Centre, Derryvane, Muff, Co. Donegal

Follow the Star to the Celtic Garden Christmas Trail at the IOSAS Centre. A wonderful family Christmas experience in a truly unique setting. Storytelling, Christmas themed arts and crafts, a very special dramatic performance and Christmas carols.

Each little house in the garden will have its own Christmas theme and, in the tradition of the great Irish storytellers, will have characters telling the Christian stories behind some of our favourite Christmas traditions. These include the story of St Nicholas, the Christmas Tree Miracle, and of course, the greatest story ever told, the birth of Jesus.

The tranquil setting will be an oasis for families looking to escape the commercialism, and hustle and bustle which can dominate this time of year. Take some time together to enjoy an experience which will have the children discussing the real Christmas story long after this event.

‘Christmas Presence’ Craft & Design Fair

 Date: 10th December 2016 - 11th December 2016

Where: Rathmullan House, Rathmullan, Co. Donegal 

Time: 12pm - 5pm

Donegal Designer Makers present ‘Christmas Presence’ Craft & Design Fair showcasing the work of the county’s leading designers and artisan craft workers with a unique range of quality gifts.

This is the perfect place to pick up that unique gift for someone special. There will also be workshops  and demonstrations during the weekend to keep you entertained. 

Cinderella Christmas Panto

Date: 26th November 2016 - 9th December 2016

Where: Balor Arts Cente, Ballybofey, Co. Donegal

Time: 4pm / 8pm

The Balor welcomes you and your family to a captivating re-telling of a time honoured classic that is sure to enthral the bright-eyed dreamer in all of us. Packed with brilliant comedy, stunning song and dance routines, dazzling costumes and delightful sets this is an unforgettable evening of hilarity and audience participation for all the family. 

Christmas Wonderland at Gartan

Date: 15th December 2016 - 18th December 2016

Where: Gartan Outdoor Education & Training Centre, Churchill, Co. Donegal

Not long now until the start of a Magical Christmas Wonderland at Gartan.

Santa’s team are working really hard to get the setting ready and it is coming along tremendously well. 

Follow your Wonderland map and Christmas lights through the magical woods. Santa says you must bring warm clothes, waterproof jacket and wellies!
Join Santa by the fireside for your pressie, before he sets off on his very long sleigh journey with Rudolph and all of the other reindeer.

Christmas Storytelling in Donegal County Museum

Date: 12th December 2016 
Where: Donegal County Museum, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal 

Donegal County Museum invites you to free Christmas Storytelling in Donegal County Museum on Saturday 12th December. Maybe you and your family can take some time out from your festive shopping in Letterkenny to come along and enjoy some Christmas stories and songs to inspire the Christmas spirit and create memories that will stay with your precious little ones long into their adulthood!

Sessions at 1.30pm and 3pm.

Admission free –  most suitable for U10’s.
Don’t forget to wear your Christmas jumper or hat!

Perhaps an Overnight Stay?

There are many great deals on accommodation in Donegal if you fancy popping by for a visit. So whether you want to avail of one of the many charming self-catering cottages, apartments or holiday homes available, or are looking to sample some first class service in one of our many hotels, B&Bs and guesthouses. Come and enjoy the feast of festive fare on offer as Donegal prepares to celebrate the holiday period in style.

Finally, we at Go Visit Donegal wish you and your family a Christmas that is as breath-taking as our landscape, as heartfelt as our welcome, as pure as our water, and as peaceful as our lakes! 

Nollaig Shona Daoibh!     

Donegal Tourism Businesses ‘Go Digital’

Over 100 of Donegal’s key tourism industry stakeholders gathered in the An Grianan Theatre, Letterkenny on Tuesday for a 'Tourism Marketing Seminar'. 

Organised by Donegal Tourism and Donegal County Council, the event provided an ideal opportunity for local stakeholders to come together and gain a better understanding of the online marketing strategies from leading Marketing experts in the Irish Industry.

Speakers on the day L-R: Darragh Doyle, Online Engagement Strategist; Seamus Neely, Chief Executive of Donegal County Council and Chairman of Donegal Tourism Ltd; Cllr Terence Slowey, The Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council; Joan Crawford, Client Services Manager, Fáilte Ireland; Barry Walsh, Digital Marketing Executive, OSD.

The goal of the seminar was to provide useful advice on promoting various Donegal tourism businesses online using the latest Digital Marketing techniques. The feedback from attendees after the seminar was very positive and it was very clear that this goal was achieved. Those that were there left feeling inspired, motivated and ready to take on the world of online marketing for the benefit of their business.

Cllr Terence Slowey, Cathaoirleach
of Donegal County Council

Two of Ireland’s leading Marketing experts, namely, Barry Walsh, Digital Marketing Executive in OSD; and Darragh Doyle, Online Engagement Strategist provided a magnificent insight on topics such as social media, e-mail marketing, SEO, the latest tourism trends, website internationalisation and much more.

Cllr. Terence Slowey Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council commented that, “Donegal Tourism Ltd has a vision and a strategy for the development of the tourism sector in County Donegal. This vision is to develop and promote Donegal as a world class tourism destination on the Wild Atlantic Way.”

Chairman of Donegal Tourism Ltd and Chief Executive of Donegal County Council, Mr. Seamus Neely presented the latest tourism strategies for County Donegal and future plans for 2017 marketing initiatives. “We will continue to promote Donegal to the UK and US market, but will also increase marketing activities towards other EU markets such as France and Germany with plans in place towards internationalisation of our online presence, including aspects such as translation and multi-lingual focused marketing campaigns.”

Seamus Neely, Chief Executive of Donegal County Council/Chairman of Donegal Tourism Ltd

Donegal Tourism would like to thank all those who attended the seminar and encourage businesses to get in touch, register on their database, and have their tourism business listed on the website www.govisitdonegal.com 

This can be done by emailing: info@govisitdonegal.com

Speakers with Donegal Tourism staff L-R: Sarah Meehan, Donegal Tourism; Darragh Doyle; Seamus Neely, CE; Cllr Terence Slowey; Barney McLaughlin; Joan Crawford; Barry Walsh; Iga Lawne, Donegal Tourism; Joy Harron, Donegal Tourism.

Byrne Brothers to Help Promote Donegal to Global Market

They captured the hearts of the nation at the recent Fleadh Cheoil Na hÉireann in Clare performing the Siege of Ennis and have since amassed over 2.8 million views on their Facebook video of it. Now Luca, Finn and Dempsey Byrne from Mountcharles in County Donegal are set to perform to event organizers from both home and abroad.

L-R Sarah Meehan & Barney McLaughlin of Donegal Tourism, Luca, Dempsey & Finn Byrne and Shane Smyth Donegal Tourism

The performances will be one part of the Donegal Tourism  stand, which will be promoting all aspects of the county at the Connect 16 trade show happening at the RDS in Dublin on Wednesday September 28th.  The event itself is expected to attract companies organizing events, conferences and meetings in Ireland over the coming years with Donegal set to display venues, activities and travel options to the county.

Chairman of Donegal Tourism Ltd and Donegal County Council CEO Seamus Neely said ‘this is a wonderful and unique opportunity for the county to present itself to buyers both domestic and international. It has become quite the norm for large multinational companies to reward their employees by bringing them overseas or indeed have their annual conference abroad and there’s every reason why that destination should be Donegal.  The county can offer a wealth of facilities up to 5 star, as well as outdoor activities, its own airport and convenient access to other transport hubs.’

Mr Neely added ‘On the day, 6 hotels from the county will be exhibiting as well as activities and transportation options. And while we can’t bring the county to the RDS a number of fun activities will be available for attendees to try out. Our food stand will carry items that are “uniquely Donegal” with food and drink suppliers from the county providing samples of their produce.’

The Connect 16 event happens on Wednesday 28th September at the RDS in Dublin and attendees can register for tickets on www.connectshowcase.ie