CARNDONAGH is getting ready for the return of its Annual Easter Parade. A local committee was recently formed to revive the old tradition in the North Inishowen market town to give people a boost of fun and colour in the recession. This family-friendly event will include a parade, fancy dress and a number of fun activities including Best Easter Bonnet competition.
The event will take place onEaster Monday April 6th 2015 kicking off from Simpson’s car park. The parade will then proceed to the Diamond, down Bridge Street, onto Church Road and will return to the Diamond via Station Road and Malin Street, before ending at Simpson’s.
There will be prizes for the Best Easter Bonnet, best fancy dress and best floats. Inishowen vintage cars and tractors will also be taking part and entries are invited from far and wide. The Muff Accordion Band and the Inishowen Carnival Group will attend while there will be live entertainment from a gig rig in the Diamond.
"Ireland's beautiful Lough Swilly was the setting for a dramatic story which changed the life of a foul mouthed slave trader. John Newton went on to pen one of the most famous and well-loved songs of all time - "Amazing Grace" and to mentor William Wilberforce in his long battle to abolish the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade." (www.AmazingGrace.ie 2015)
Wednesday 8 - Sunday 12 April Celebrate the inspirational story of John Newton, his dramatic arrival in Buncrana on April 8, 1748 and the lasting impact of his life and work. The third-annual “Amazing Grace Festival” features fun and uplifting events for all ages including history, music, dance, arts and crafts, exhibitions, family fun, faith stories, and much more. This year we explore the theme of “transformation” looking at how John Newton’s life was changed forever and seeing how our lives and communities can be transformed for good! Wednesday 8 April FIREWORK DISPLAY & OPENING CELEBRATION 8.30pm @ The Fishing Greens, Cahir O’Doherty Avenue, Buncrana (just above the Amazing Grace Viewing Point) Join us for this high-energy family show featuring live music and dance culminating in a spectacular display of fireworks over Lough Swilly. Entry €2 per person at road barriers. Under 2s go free. Thursday 9 April “VOICE OF BUNCRANA” SINGING WORKSHOP 11am - 3pm @ The Exchange, Castle Avenue, Buncrana. Don’t just sing in the shower! Work with professional musicians and singers to develop your talents through voice coaching, exercises, harmonies and more. With the option of performing solo or as a group at the Festival Finale on Sunday. Ages: 10 - 14. €2 per person. Bring your own packed lunch.
"Let's Talk Food on the Wild Atlantic Way is a workshop on how Food Tourism can enhance your marketing and drive sales to your business." Click on link below!!
In her weekly tourism column in the Inish Times Heidi Woods of Inishowen Tourism talks about 'self-guided walks' within the Inishowen Peninsula.
Spring is in the
air! By day the sun is shining, by night again recently, the skies are
illuminated with the arc of Northern Lights; there is no better time to walk
this way. The Inishowen Peninsula beckons the avid explorer, or the gentle
dreamer alike; immerse in an experience of discovery and indulge in the
unspoilt beauty of nature’s best. One discerning visitor recently stated “just
go before everyone else discovers its hidden charm, be the first on this part
of “The Wild Atlantic Way”. It is in this vain that we recall some of the “best
experiences” that Inishowen has to offer; by referring to the visitor’s
perspective. To really experience Inishowen you need to feel it – its land, its
rain, it’s bursting rays of sunlight that change in a heartbeat, and most of
all, its ability to permeate to the core of your entire being.
“Inishowen” should
not be rushed, and exploring it with a combination of driving, walking,
cycling, climbing, and horseback riding. It offers the individual a variety of
ways to experience the opportunity to meet the locals, listen to the legends of
a past where residents revere there ancient heritage, and still adhere to their
familiar traditions of their ancestors.
Choosing theInishowen Peninsulaas a starting
point in the Northwest, the journey of a lifetime unfolds. Buncrana, the
principal town of Inishowen is a seaside resort with (3miles) 5km of sandy
beach. Overlooking the Crana River is the ruins of Buncrana Castle. Three walks
were reviewed by people of differing capabilities, what suits one visitor may
not another, hence, the grading provides a guide for the serious
mountain-hiker, or gentle stroller just going for some fresh air, taking in
stunning scenery.
Thank You
for Helping Make Donegal the Greenest County in Ireland for St. Patrick’s
Day 2015
Donegal Tourism Ltd in association with
Donegal County Council would like to thank everyone who took part in the
'greening' of County Donegal for St. Patrick's Day 2015. The response from
community groups, local businesses and everyone in County Donegal was very
positive with over 45 locations across County Donegal going green.
Congratulations to everyone who got involved and helped green County
Donegal.
With both online and offline media coverage of the greening,
Donegal has received additional marketing exposure around the world via social
media networks, e-mail campaigns and various websites along with print media.
Initiatives such as the greening campaign for St. Patrick's Day help to increase
awareness of the wonderful County Donegal on the Wild Atlantic Way, increasing
future visitor numbers and creating economic growth. We look forward to the
season ahead and look forward to greening Donegal again next year for St.
Patrick's Day!
The following video shows photos that were sent to greeningdonegal@gmail.com of
the various locations across the County. Please share the video on social media
networks. See below YouTube video.
Donegal County Council also created a map of Donegal showing the greening locations across the county. The map technology used allowed for locations that were hash tagged online to appear automatically on the map. Click on the button below to view the map...
Please note: While every effort has been made to include every
location, if your 'greened' location is not listed on the map or video, please
e-mail the details including photos to greeningdonegal@gmail.com and we can
arrange to include it as soon as possible.
Over at Discover Bundoranthere are two great articles in relation to Fanad Head and Malin Head.
Shane Smyth describes his experiences of taking two road trips from Bundoran
using the Wild Atlantic Wayroute. He provides valuable insights and photos (do check out his images of both routes!!)of both his day trips which
others will no doubt find informative and inspiring. Do check out his blog
segments on Malin Head and Fanad Head as they are Signature Points 1 and 2 respectively
on the Wild Atlantic Way
route and do feel free to share Shane's' experiences with others.
The Sky over Ballyliffin was illuminated by the Northern Lights on St. Patrick's night. It was an amazing display so check out some of the photo's below - Thanks to Brendan Diver for posting them on Photos From Ireland Facebookpage!!
The Northern lights taken over Ballyliffin, in Clonmany, Inishowen, Co. Donegal.
Malin head's if not Donegal's most iconic building will turn green next Monday and Tuesday evening's.(Dark to 10pm) Preparation is now complete. Come get your photo to share world wide from Ireland's most northerly point on St Patrick's Day . Check out our Facebook page for more information!
For those travelling
on the main N13 route between Letterkenny and Derry
will notice during the lead up to St. Patrick Day that both An Grianan Hoteland the Old Church Visitor Centreare going “green”. Pop in after 7pm!! Also please
check out their Facebook for more information.
At present there is a major drive to make ‘Donegal the Greenest County in Ireland for St. Patrick’s Day 2015’ - see below for more information!!!!
Let’s Make
Donegal the Greenest County in Ireland for St. Patrick’s Day
2015
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 2015’. 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 2015.
The benefits of which are far reaching and will positively impact on visitor
numbers in the future.
What to do
when you go 'green'!
Once you
have arranged a 'greening' please e-mail the details to
greeningdonegal@gmail.com along with the location of the attraction, a
brief description and your contact details including a web address to direct
online visitors.
The
photo will be shared across websites and social networks for Govisitdonegal.com,
donegalgathering.com, MalinWaters.com, Donegaldiaspora.ie, Donegalcoco.ie among
others.
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 Tourism Ireland for further extensive marketing coverage and to
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!
Go Green, Get Involved!
If you are interested in going green for St. Patrick's
Day or have plans in place to go green please e-mail greeningdonegal@gmail.com
with details or click on the link below to complete our survey if you have not
already done so.
