Heritage Week 2015 Registration Deadline June 7-2015

This years National Heritage Week takes place from Saturday, August 22 to Sunday, August 30, 2015.  In light of this  The Heritage Council will be producing a countrywide programme of events supported by both Fáilte Ireland and Local Authority Heritage Officers.  If you are a community organisation or event organiser you can register your event at www.heritageweek.ie and all events must be registered by Sunday, June 7 in order to be included in the National Heritage Week Event Guide.  For further information please contact Joseph Gallagher (Heritage Officer - Donegal Country Council), Telephone: (074) 917 2576; E-mail: heritage@donegalcoco.ie

“On the hoof” Ride Inishowen

Ireland is known as “the land of the horse”. There are three breeds of horse indigenous to the island of Ireland: The Irish draft, the Irish hunter, and the Connemara Pony. Inishowen boasts some of the best riding experiences a horse enthusiast could wish for. There is no better place to take to the hills, and reconnect with a bygone age. As the season begins, embark on a journey with a four-legged friend. There is an old saying that goes “there is no bond so close as that between a man and his horse”- and nowhere is this bond more treasured than within the InishowenPeninsula.

Enthusiasts can enjoy a tailor- made weekend, to suit their competence level; from first time novices to the more experienced rider. At a summer camp, children can enjoy fun and activities, wholesome food, and comfortable accommodation after bedding down their four-legged friends. With four main locations specialising in equestrian pursuits at Muff, Moville (registered Riding for the Disabled), Malin and Clonmany you are sure of getting a wide variety of Horse Riding Activities and facilities.

Inishowen “Ride the waves, or chill on the still water”

There is no better place to go “wet and wild” or to chill on the sandy shores than Inishowen Peninsula. Lakes, rivers and sea offer excitement and adventure or pure peace and tranquillity. The choice is for the discerning visitors to take.

The peninsula is traced by a scenic route now forming a part of “The Wild Atlantic Way”. Visitors can sample the many water activities en route or indulge in their chosen passion in a specific location. The water sports include surfing, diving, and snorkelling, kayaking, canoeing or angling.

Start unwinding at Inch Island; see the Whooper Swans, of international fame and other sea birds from the causeway. Birds lighting on the water, stirs the imagination and frees the mind. Let the vacation begin, chill, or thrill! At Fahan, the Lough Swilly Marnia provides anchorage for 400 yachts and boats of all sizes; a great stop for boat enthusiasts.  The onward coastal drive presents spectacular oceanic views across the Atlantic to Fanad Head. At Buncrana (Gaelic for “Lake of the Shadows”) the friendly staff at the tourist office will guide and advise on water activities to ensure their adventure unfolds and fulfils their expectations.

“Get on your Bike” Cycle Inishowen

Get up and go with Easter break here! By day the activities can be action packed or less. Cycling is just one of the pursuits that boost the entire health and wellbeing of the visitor while holidaying in Inishowen. By night, the “craic” is not to be missed; local bars and restaurants bustle with energetic exchanges of local tales, hidden gems, and experiences of discovery. Rest those weary legs over a Guinness and get that feel good factor that only natural physical fatigue can provide.

Cycling, the Inishowen Peninsula makes for a journey of exploration that encompasses all the spectacular sights of the landscape that this section of The Wild Atlantic Way has to offer. Cycling is an enjoyable means of experiencing those activities, attractions en route.

On the road with Inishowen Tourism: St.Patricks Celebrations Manchester and Nottingham

Nottingham was electric with excitement as its four day event culminated in the St .Patricks Day festivities. Nottingham’s 16thannual parade twinned with County Donegal this year, with John Doherty leading the procession. At his side, representatives from Inishowen Tourism held a banner displaying the spectacular scenes and experiences that Inishowen has to offer the potential visitor. A crowd of approximately 8,000 gathered along the route which left the city’s Forest Recreation Ground.

Irish community groups formed marching bands and various floats for a 12noon departure. Arrays of contrasting “Greens” were celebrated through music, culture, and merry-making throughout the day. Standing alongside local organisations, Inishowen Tourism shared the Shamrock, and traditional cuisine, adding a Donegal flavour to the Nottingham parade.     

In collaboration with John Doherty, the founder and owner/director of the well established Silverdale Coaches, package tours were secured to boost tourism to the peninsula. Siobhan Kelly, Manager at Inishowen Tourism stated “this is the result of good networking, and it is just the start of a campaign to attract other companies to tour Inishowen’s section of The Wild Atlantic Way.”

Inishowen “On the road, promoting the Peninsula”

Inishowen Tourism has been putting its best face forward to encourage potential tour operators to Visit Inishowen and discover the road less travelled in terms of packages for their clients visiting Ireland. The travel trade fair Meitheal took place in the RDS, Dublin, on Tuesday and Wednesday, 14^th and 15^th of April, and Inishowen Tourism took the opportunity of showcasing their product offering in Inishowen on the second day. The travel trade event hosted approximately 280 of the world’s top travel and tourism buyers from 16 overseas markets from around the world, to engage face to face with 500 Irish tourism businesses.

Inishowen Tourism set the scene to promote the peninsula as an action-packed vacation destination to “must see and explore” that  offers, splendid beaches, beautiful landscape, combined with culture, tradition, and steeped in historical content at every corner. Seated in the “Wild Atlantic Way” section in the large hall, over 25 meetings with a range of tour operators from the USA, UK, Scotland, France, Germany, Netherlands, and Italy took place.