Friday, January 6, 2012

DONEGAL ~ IT'S NEARER THAN YOU THINK

From Highland Radio news 5th January 2012:

"The head of Oideas Gael in Gleann Cholm Cille has hit out at the Chairman of the Irish Tourist Industry Confederation questioning his logic as it relates to tourism in Donegal.  John Healy, in reference to the lack of growth in tourism in Donegal, stated that unless visitors are staying in the country for at least ten days they are unlikely to visit the northwest. 
Liam Ó Cuinneagáin says such a view from a tourism leader is unacceptable pointing out that areas further from Dublin than Donegal recorded an increase in overseas tourists last year.  Mr Ó Cuinneagáin says a change of attitude is required."

Beautiful Donegal ~ it's nearer than you think!
Sadly it seems the attitude of many involved in the tourist industry in Ireland, and indeed as it appears from the above news item here, even the Chairman of the Irish Tourist Industry Confederation, John Healy inadvertently continue with the mistaken perception that Donegal is just too far away.  In fairness to Mr. Healy I must point out that he would not have been trying to put people off coming to Donegal, but his words might infer that Donegal is too far away to make it your Irish destination and it most certainly is not.  Just check these distances from Dublin to two of the most popular destinations by visitors to Ireland, Kerry and Cork:

Dublin to Kerry: 286km/178 miles ~ Dublin to Donegal ~ 231km/143 miles
Making Donegal A SHORTER DISTANCE by 55km/35 miles

Dublin to Cork: 253km/157 miles ~ Dublin to Donegal: 231km/143 miles
Making Donegal A SHORTER DISTANCE by 22km/14 miles

Our tourist industry must promote Donegal as a place to visit and let's please now drop this archaic belief that Donegal is just too far away for tourists to visit.  As shown by the figures above we are nearer to Dublin than two of Ireland's most busy tourist regions.  And Donegal can definitely stand proud with the best of what Ireland has to offer in terms of the scenery, the food, the friendliness of the people and of course, the craic.

To read more about why you should visit Donegal, read my post: Why Make Donegal Your Irish Destination.
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2 comments:

  1. Joseph ManganJanuary 6, 2012 at 4:55 PM

    Well done on a very well written article. I think you state the facts perfectly and have a clear message, Donegal is no on Mars. It's only a few hours from Dublin.
    You can go to Spain, Austria or Italy in 10 days overland by coach from Donegal back to Donegal. You can go on a 5 days tour to Kerry or Cork from Donegal, no problem. This comment was just crazy but worrying!
    Joseph Mangan
    Donegal Tours & Mangan Tours, Letterkenny.

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  2. PeterMarch 20, 2013 at 4:29 AM

    looking for some mention of Donegal in yesterday's Irish independent's tourism supplement, I was not surprised to see no mention at all of Donegal.

    The whole country was covered except for the North and Donegal, this supplement was aimed at Irish people, encouraging them to holiday in Ireland.

    I wonder if Donegal had been left with Ulster in N. Ireland, would Belfast have neglected us as much as Dublin has....

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