ANYONE WALKING through Dublin’s Temple Bar yesterday could have been forgiven for thinking that Donegal had just won the All-Ireland.
The county flags were fluttering in the sunshine, the air was full of balloons in the Donegal colours, there was set-dancing in the streets and Packie Bonner was being mobbed by passers-by.
It was all part of Donegal Live, a day-long promotion of the county as a tourist attraction. Some 300 people involved in the tourism sector came to Dublin to showcase their attractions, which ranged from golf courses and angling to equestrian centres and summer schools.
Fáilte Ireland northwest manager Martina Bromley said the county was fighting to get its share of the “staycation” market, as more people considered a home holiday to avoid the disruption caused by the volcanic ash cloud.
“This is Donegal rolling up its sleeves and getting stuck into the Dublin market,” said Daniel Browne, who was promoting next month’s Sea Sessions surf music festival in Bundoran. “We’re not going to take the recession lying down.”
The Donegal tourism sector always had to fight harder than other counties to attract tourists, according to hillwalker Anne Leonard of the Bluestack Ramblers. “We’ve been forgotten about because of the Troubles for so long,” she said. “We have a lot of lost ground to make up.” She said she was taken aback at the enthusiastic reaction from people who visited the event. “We’ve had a lot of people from Dublin, but also from Spain, France, America, Australia and New Zealand.”
Despite the endless requests for autographs and photographs, Mr Bonner said he was delighted to lend his support to the event with people such as Gay Byrne and Daniel O’Donnell. “I’ll do anything to help Donegal and always have since I started playing football,” he said.
“We have to be proactive and innovative to get people to come to Donegal. Once they get there and see what it’s all about they will come back.”
Also yesterday, Fáilte Ireland announced a plan to promote traditional music, song and dance in the northwest region. Some 24 venues will offer events throughout the summer with many taking place in the afternoons and early evenings to cater for families.
Venues taking part in the initiative include Leo’s Tavern in Donegal, which is home to Clannad and Enya; McGrory’s of Culdaff in Inishowen; Glenveagh National Park and the recently refurbished Coleman Centre in Gurteen, Co Sligo.
The plan is being supported by the Vintners’ Federation of Ireland, Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann and local tourism providers in Donegal, Sligo and Leitrim.
