Know Your Region- Failte Ireland team up with Tourism Industry providers to “Take a trip on the Wild Atlantic Way” - Part Two

Know Your Region- Failte Ireland team up with Tourism Industry providers to “Take a trip on the Wild Atlantic Way” - Part Two

 By Heidi Woods – Inishowen Development Officer

 In Part Two of the Know your Region Familiarisation Trips 2015 organised by Failte Ireland, Inishowen Tourism staff, take the opportunity to join other tourism industry counterparts to continue the journey around the County of Donegal.

 Day Trip Two

This is an opportunity to share “what to see and do” when you stay in Donegal.

The second day trip starts from Letterkenny and takes in Signature point two of the Wild Atlantic Way located at Fanad Head. For the purposes of a convenient meeting point to start the day trip, the Mount Errigal Hotel was the designated point for the group of participants to convene; listening to the local representative from Failte Ireland giving an overview of the benefits of the Wild Atlantic Way to the tourist industry. A particular update to this section ensued, and in general terms of the project for those that may not have been on the first trip.

As the journey starts in the morning leaving Letterkenny, the first port of call is the town of Ramelton via the R245.This Georgian historic town is situated at the mouth of the Lennon River where it enters the Lough Swilly. This location centralises a world-famous event; The Flight of The Earls from Kinnegar Beach in 1607 .The Heritage Centre in the town also has an impressive exhibition displaying the life and time of the Earls. There are several busy restaurants, pubs, self-catering cottages, shops, craft shops, hair salons, family activities and array of historical antiquities & attractions. Just over the other side of the river is “The Bridge Bar” one of the best music bars in the country.  It has a cosy restaurant with good food, and renowned for its excellent fish.

 

“Picture Perfect” in Inishowen

“Picture Perfect” 

Inishowen Photographer Brendan Diver was pleased to welcome world famous Russian photographer Elena Shumilova to host an elite master photography workshop here in the Inishowen Peninsula. The overwhelming response to her visit captivated interest from not just Ireland, participants attended from all corners of the globe; USA, Poland, Norway, Sweden, Italy, Russia, Latvia, Croatia, Romania, Moldova, Netherlands, Belgium and the UK. The event took place over the weekend 16-18 October, 35 photographers in total attended. Some of the participants were already very talented photographers in their own right, one of them won top photographer in the UK for 2014, and another actually photographs U2 on a regular basis.

Know Your Region- Part One

Know Your Region- Failte Ireland team up with Tourism Industry providers to “Take a trip on the Wild Atlantic Way” Inishowen Take the Day Trips and share the “Experiences”

 By Heidi Woods – Inishowen Tourism Development Officer

Since the launch of the “Wild Atlantic Way”, a major tourism initiative for the western seaboard in March 2014, interest in the long distance route has superseded expectations of the service providers and visitors alike. Tourist Offices such as Buncrana, here in Inishowen have seen a dramatic increase in visitor numbers during 2014, and furthermore during the first half of 2015. Inishowen Tourist Office has had a 34% increase in footfall in comparison to the same period in the previous year.

The Donegal section of the Wild Atlantic Way showcases 1,100 kilometres of coastline, and boasts the most Blue Flag beaches, a total of 13.

Bundoran, Rossnowlagh, Murvagh/Laghy, Fintra/Killybegs, Naran/Portnoo, Carrickfinn/Anagary, Killahoey/Dunfanaghy, Downings/Rosguill Peninsula, Magherwarden/Portsalon, Fanad, Lisfannon/Fahan, Shroove, Culdaff.  

	Donegal has been described in Failte Ireland literature as “Untouched, off the radar and crying out for exploration”. Locals resonate that in terms of tourism, improvements in infrastructure as a gateway to the North “we are the forgotten county”. However, the WAW new route has finally highlighted an opportunity to discover the beauty of this county driving through some of the most picturesque areas in Ireland. It encapsulates rugged and remote iconic sights, in a region that is rich in archaeological content, steeped cultural tradition, expressed through music and language that expands the mind, body, and soul in Donegal.

‘Tis the season in Inishowen

For some Christmas may seem far away, but in Inishowen this November the festive season is beginning to come upon us. Across the peninsula there are many Christmas Craft fairs, the perfect way to spend a Saturday or Sunday afternoon browsing among all the unique products and perhaps picking up a few Christmas gifts along the way.

Inishowen is home to many brilliant Santa Experiences. Santa’s is very busy in the Isle of Doagh and Buncrana spreading the Christmas cheer while entertaining the whole family and presenting gifts to the little ones. With ample accommodation, some even make a weekend break for the family in the lead up to Christmas.

So if you are in the Inishowen area or plan to visit this November, be sure to check out some of the following:

v  Christmas Craft Fair – Sunday 15^th Nov – Wee Hall, Culdaff

v  Christmas Craft Fair – Sunday 22^nd Nov – Malin Head Community

v  Santa’s Island returns with a new purpose built visitors centre and improved facilities. Shows run from Saturday 21^st November until Wednesday 23^rd December, Doagh Famine Village, Isle of Doagh, Clonmany.

v   Santa will be switching on the lights at 7pm on Friday, the 27^th November in Buncrana. The parade will be assisted by the Fire Service, and accompanied by Mrs Claus, the elves, Minions, Frozen, and some of everyone’s favourite Disney characters, with entertainment from Buncrana’s marching band among only some of the attractions

v  Launch night of Santa’s Kingdom at the Inishowen Gateway Hotel, Buncrana with Santa’s arrival, disco and photo opportunity with shows commencing on Saturday 28^th through the lead up to Christmas –27^th November at 7:30 PM

v  Christmas Craft Fair – Saturday 28^th Nov – Carndonagh Girl’s School

v  Christmas Fair – Sunday 29^th November – Inishowen Maritime Museum, Greencastle 

More details on November events in Inishowen – Click here

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