Donegal East Tourism

16/10/2022

A lovely day of walking coming up at the end of October in Donegal East.

02/10/2021

With less than one week to go, have you booked your tickets for The Frances Browne Literary Festival?

The festival has a wide range of events for people of every interest including:

** Creative Writing Workshops in English, Irish and Ulster Scots
** Theatre Premiere of Frances Browne's 'The Legends of Ulster' at The Balor Arts Centre
** Theatre Reading of In My Mind's Eye, a play about Frances Browne at An Grianan Theatre
** FREE Children's Activity Afternoon
** Book launches by Dr Brian Lacey and Dubhán Ó Longáin
** A panel discussion on the meaning of Home and Language
** Awards Ceremony for the Multilingual Poetry Competition, including music and readings from our poets

With lots of changes to meet and talk with our guest authors, poets, dramatists and journalists, be sure to book your tickets early.

There are a number of free events, but Covid restrictions mean booking in advance is essential.

BE SURE TO JOIN THE TEAM ON THURSDAY 7TH FOR THE KICK-OFF EVENT FEATURING AUTHOR ANNA CAREY, AND THE PREMIERE OF THE LEGENDS OF ULSTER AT THE BALOR THEATRE.

We're excited to welcome such a brilliant lineup of guests for our 2021 Frances Browne Literary Festival. Leading creative writing workshops, taking part in panel discussions. launching books and giving keynote speeches! Our guests will be kept on their toes with our busy programme :-)⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Come along to meet:⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Anna Carey - journalist and author⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Angeline King - author and Writer in Residence at Ulster University⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Averil Meehan - Poet, dramatist and author⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Dr. Brian Lacey - Author⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Dr. Charlotte McIvor - NUI Galway Drama Department⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Denise Blake - poet⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Dubhán Ó Longáin, poet⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Mary Harte - Broadcaster, journalist and producer⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Cr Pauline Holland - Author and Lecturer⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Rebecca Mair - Lyric Theatre Belfast⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Shirley Anne Godfrey (Bonner) - Playwright⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Come and join us. Tickets are available now on our website⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
www.francesbrowneliteraryfestival.com⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

Go Visit Donegal Donegal Diaspora Donegal Daily Donegal News Highland Radio News and Sport Balor Arts Centre An Grianan Theatre Ocean FM Ireland Donegal Daytripper Donegal Page Jackson's Hotel Villa Rose Hotel & Spa

02/07/2020

21/05/2020

Great excitement with the arrival of hot nuts created by Lifford Cinema. New ways of working !

22/04/2020

Our beautiful Villa Rose Hotel is 20 today!! Well done to the team and all the staff for hosting so many memories over the years. We look forward to when the doors are open again. 🥰

𝙄𝙩’𝙨 𝑶𝒖𝒓 𝘽𝙞𝙧𝙩𝙝𝙙𝙖𝙮… Our 20th Birthday to be precise 🎈

Although this isn’t the way we thought we’d be celebrating 20 years in business, we would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge everyone who has travelled the journey with us helping us to reach this wonderful milestone.

Firstly, we would like to thank our customers for supporting us. Every 𝑶𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒚 and 𝑴𝒆𝒂𝒍 booked, every 𝑭𝒂𝒎𝒊𝒍𝒚 𝑷𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒚 and 𝑾𝒆𝒅𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑹𝒆𝒄𝒆𝒑𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 celebrated, every 𝑺𝒑𝒂 𝑫𝒂𝒚 indulged and every 𝑺𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑭𝒐𝒓𝒈𝒆 𝑩𝒂𝒓 has contributed to building our business.

Secondly, we’d like to thank our loyal staff, both past and present who have played a part in making the Villa Rose experience what it is today. If you have ever worked with us or are currently part of Team Villa Rose we thank you.

Finally, we want to acknowledge our fellow businesses in the Finn Valley and our Tourism partners in County Donegal. Over the past 20 years there have been good days and bad days with some fantastic highs and we are hopeful that there are brighter days ahead for us all.

We look forward to the day we can open the doors and welcome both our regulars and new guests alike.

𝑭𝒆𝒆𝒍 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒋𝒐𝒊𝒏 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒑 𝒅𝒐𝒘𝒏 𝒎𝒆𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒚 𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒆 𝒃𝒚 𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒐𝒘𝒏 𝑽𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒂 𝑹𝒐𝒔𝒆 𝒎𝒆𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒑𝒉𝒐𝒕𝒐𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒑𝒉𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔 𝒃𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒘.

Donegal Tourism CLG Donegal East Tourism Basicc Community News The BASE Donegal Daily Gabrielle's Diary Chris McNulty Jason Quigley Highland Radio News and Sport Go Visit Donegal Finn Valley Voice

01/02/2020

Lovely Valentines Menu from Oakfield Park

27/01/2020

Fresh from her appearance on The Late Late Show on Friday Night with Ryan Tubridy, Aoife Scott will be visiting Donegal East for an intimate performance at Lifford Old Courthouse on Friday 21st February.

Tickets are on sale right now and can be purchased from Lifford Old Courthouse in person at reception or over the phone on (074) 91 41733.

www.liffordoldcourthouse.com/aoifescott

27/01/2020

Love is the air at Lifford Old Courthouse this Valentines!

They're now taking booking for Valentines Day on Friday 14th February.

To book just call them on (074) 91 41733 or send them a Facebook message

26/11/2019

Community Christmas Lights Switch On....
Diamond Raphoe, Saturday 30th November 4-5pm. VIsit from Santa and Christmas carols from Raphoe Mart Choir and friends. Everyone welcome. Christmas Market in Suile Centre in Diamond. 12-00-6pm.

22/11/2019

A lovely chance for a pre-Christmas treat. Pop over to the Lifford Old Courthouse page to enter this competition.

COMPETITION! We've got another fabulous prize to give away over the weekend! To be in with a chance of winning Christmas Afternoon Tea for 2 just LIKE & SHARE this post commenting below with who you'd bring!

Afternoon Tea is available on both Saturday 14th December and also throughout December on request! Just call us for more info on (00353) 74 9141733.

13/11/2019

Treat yourself to a Bestie Break in the beautiful Villa Rose Hotel & Spa. Leave your worries at home and put your feet up in front of the fire with a glass of wine and fabulous home cooked food.

There's lots to see and do! Work up an appetite with a gentle stroll through Drumboe Woods. Satisfy your retail cravings with a visit to McElhinneys - don't miss their showcase winter window!

Catch a Christmas movie Eclipse Cinemas Lifford-Strabane. Or drop in to visit the Donkeys at the Donegal Donkey Sanctuary.

Whatever you love- we've got it this winter 😀🎅

❄️ 𝗪𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗕𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗘 𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞 𝗙𝗟𝗔𝗦𝗛 𝗦𝗔𝗟𝗘! 𝗡𝗢𝗪 €𝟵𝟵 ❄️

Perhaps it's time for a Winter Bestie Getaway?
from €99 total this Wednesday, Nov 13th! (Also valid November 18th & 19th)

Book Online ‣ bit.ly/WinterBestieBreak
Call us ‣ +353 74 91 32266

10/11/2019

Beautiful Autumnal walk at Oakfield Park today.

04/11/2019

Who doesn't love a Christmas movie! Have a look at this great competition from Lifford Old Courthouse and Eclipse Cinemas Lifford-Strabane

COMPETITION! We've got another great competition for you this week! We're giving away 2 free tickets to our next Ladies' Night on Saturday 16th November for Last Christmas!

To be in with a chance of winning, all you have to do is LIKE & SHARE this post, commenting below with who you'd bring!

Tickets are on sale for the night now and you can get a table by calling us on (00353) 74 9141733 or by sending us a Facebook message! Tickets are €22.50 for a main course, side, drink & cinema ticket for Eclipse Cinemas Lifford-Strabane!

24/10/2019

Can you help our member Donegal Donkey Sanctuary with their appeal for Barney?

Donegal Donkey Sanctuary rescues donkeys and gives them a safe home all year round, but Barney has found a special place in all our hearts.

Why not pop in and visit them to find out more about what they do? The sanctuary is free to visit and there is a lovely coffee shop on site.

A partially blind donkey found wandering on the side of a hill has been saved by a Donegal charity which hope to help him see again. Barney the donkey was found in a terrified and disorientated state in a field in Northern Ireland recently by two ladies. The women cared...

14/10/2019

Our Donegal East hotels are famous for their warm hospitality and open fires. Where else would you want to be on a misty damp autumn day?

Imagine getting curled up with a book and a hot chocolate over the Hallowe'en or Christmas break. Check out autumn and winter break options at Kee's Hotel & Leisure Club, Villa Rose Hotel & Spa, and Jackson's Hotel.

With lots to do and see Donegal East offers the best mix of relaxation, good food, retail therapy and the outdoors. Visit McElhinneys stores, the largest independent department store in Ireland; Benny & Co Coffee Bar & Restaurant for award-winning food; The Hatter Tea Room for the best coffee in the North West; Mc Kelveys Bar for an evening of traditional music and craic.

For family fun drop in to Lifford Old Courthouse or Eclipse Cinemas Lifford-Strabane for some R&R and popcorn. Say Hi to the donkeys at the Donegal Donkey Sanctuary. And don't miss out on Oakfield Park's Santa Express, starting on 1 December.

Don't forget to explore our beautiful countryside. Visit historical Raphoe and the Beltany Stone Circle - older than Stonehenge. And the beautiful Drumboe Woods in the heart of Stranorlar. Or book a walk with Wild Days Out for an adventure beyond the beaten track.


Go Visit Donegal Donegal Daytripper Group

Come join us inside this evening and avoid that horrible weather for a Hot Coffee and our Delicious Homemade Biscuits here at Kee's Hotel!🍪🍪☕☕🔥🔥

08/10/2019

Several of these iconic designs by the late Liam McCormack are to be seen in Donegal east. Liam, who lived in Donegal was voted the top Irish architect of the 20th century.

30/09/2019

Part of the Twin Towns Walking Festival, the Drumboe Woods Nature Trail, with Aengus Kennedy, of Naturenorthwest will be a great day for all the family.

Don't miss out and get your tickets by booking on the link below.

18/09/2019

Wow! Lots of fun to be had in Ballybofey during the last weekend in September. Come along and join in!

Make a long weekend of it and visit our other Donegal East Attractions Lifford Old Courthouse, Oakfield Park, Donegal Donkey Sanctuary and Eclipse Cinemas Lifford-Strabane. There's lots to do and see for all the family. Go for a walk in Drumboe Woods. Visit the historic town of Raphoe and it's ancient stone circle at Beltany.

Drop in to McElhinneys for a little bit (or a lot) of shopping.😀 Treat yourself to a spa treatment Villa Rose Hotel & Spa.

And if you are looking for places to stay and eat look no further! Get the best coffee around in the North West in The Hatter Tea Room. Eat out in the award winning Benny & Co Coffee Bar & Restaurant or the restaurants at the Villa Rose Hotel & Spa and Jackson's Hotel.

In fact - stay longer - you'll need a whole week to see and do everything!! 🤩

16/09/2019

Something a little different at Lifford Old Courthouse. Brush up your skills in time to make your Hallowe'en outfit!

Dressmaking Classes are now booking!

Beginning on Monday 30th September. €50 for 9 weeks.

Get in touch to book or find more out more details on (00353) 74 9141733.

15/09/2019

Woo hoo! All the walks for the Twin Towns walking festival are now live and ready to book.

After such great feedback last year (and with over 240 participants) we've made the programme even bigger and better this year.

What's new?
This year we've introduced an adult night hike for the first time. Get your torches out and bring a flask

We've upped the number of challenging walks! This year we've included a Very Challenging one for the truly adventurous.

As well as these new events our most popular events from last year make a return: our Drumboe Woods Nature trail, this year with Aengus Kennedy of Naturenorthwest. You may have heard Aengus over the summer on Highland Radio.

And Adventures in the Dark makes a much-requested reappearance.

So, with something for everyone, don't miss out on your chance to explore the beautiful Twin Towns area. Tickets can be bought on Eventbrite, or in person from The BASE Enterprise Centre. We strongly advise pre-booking as nearly all events sold out last year.

Bluestack Ramblers Walking Club Donegal The Bluestack Centre John Conaghan Killygordon Trek & Trail Hike Ireland Swilly Hiking Club Healthy Ireland Donegal County Council Excel Sports Coolest Place on the Planet, Donegal Evolve Health and Fitness Paul Smyth Inclusive Health & Fitness Killygordon Trek & Trail Ardara Hill Walking Guides Donegal High Hopes Hiking The Rosses Walking Festival Go Visit Donegal Jackson's Hotel Villa Rose Hotel & Spa Kee's Hotel & Leisure Club Wet 'n' Wild Awaken Adventures Wholegreen Wellness & Yoga

15/09/2019

There's still time to enter the Donegal Donkey Sanctuary summer draw. A great cause to support, and some lovely prizes.

Our Summer Draw will take place here at the sanctuary on September 30th. Please contact us if you would like to buy some tickets. You can email or PM here on Facebook. Payment can be made via PayPal on the 'Learn More' button on Facebook. Just remember to leave your name and address as a message on PayPal. Alternatively just call to the gift shop at the sanctuary. €2 per ticket or €10 per book of six. All proceeds go towards winter feed and bedding for the donkeys. A huge thank you to everyone who sponsored prizes😀 You might be the lucky one 🍾

15/09/2019

Pop over to Jackson's Hotel and enter this competition for a fantastic night out in October.

☘️ Win TWO Tickets to the Wolfe Tones! ☘️

Simply like, share and tag a friend in this post to be in with a chance of winning two tickets to 'The Wolfe Tones' on October 25th at Jackson's Hotel.

Best of luck!

13/09/2019

Have you been on a ladies night with Lifford Old Courthouse & Eclipse Cinemas Lifford-Strabane yet. Great food and a fab movie deal!

This one will sell out fast, so don't miss out!

We're delighted to announce that we'll be doing another Ladies' Night on Saturday 5th October for Judy, the new Judy Garland biopic starring Renée Zellweger!

We're now taking bookings on (00353) 74 9141733. €22.50 for a main course, side, drink & cinema ticket for Eclipse Cinemas Lifford-Strabane.

€10 deposit required to secure place.

13/09/2019

Lots of family fun at Oakfield Park this weekend! Don't miss out.

05/09/2019

A big thank you to &S Credit Union who recently renewed their Donegal East Tourism membership. The Credit Union has been a rock for the people of the Finn Valley over the past 50 years. Likewise, they’ve supported us from day-one, recognising the importance of tourism and the many benefits it brings to the locality.

We recently renewed our membership with the wonderful Donegal East Tourism and pictured is Staff member Celine presenting Cronan with the cheque.
We at B&S Credit Union would like to wish this group all the very best and congratulate them on their great work to date!

03/09/2019

The wild and wonderful Salmon Leap at Cloghan, near Ballybofey, in the heart of Donegal East. If you're lucky, you'll see wild salmon jumping the steep, sharp rocks on their journey home from the north Atlantic.

01/09/2019

St Eunan's Cathedral is located in Raphoe, County Donegal and is dedicated to Saint Eunan (Adomnán of Iona) (627/8 – 704) who was abbot of Iona (679–704)
The oldest part of the present building is the south east corner, which dates back to the 12th century. The rest of the cathedral is a mixture of successive rebuilding and alterations dating from the 17th to late 19th centuries
In 1605 a major restoration, virtually a re-building of the medieval cathedral was overseen by The Rt. Rev. Dr. George Montgomery. Montgomery had been chaplain to King James I, and was nominated not only Bishop of Raphoe, but of Clogher and Derry at the same time
After centuries of modifications and restorations, much of the current building dates from the 1730s. The entrance is by the porch under the tower built in 1738 by Bishop Forster (1716-1744)
The cathedral retains the characteristic of many such medieval buildings where larger bodies of clergy offered more elaborate liturgies in that the quire or chancel is longer than the nave

Monreagh Heritage Centre

01/09/2019

What a fab night at Lifford Old Courthouse. Check out their upcoming events and join in the fun.

30/08/2019

The beautiful & very talented April Murphy Design on her recent visit to Fintown Railway 💚

29/08/2019

Are you a rally fan, or just love vintage cars!? Check out this unique event happening in Ballybofey & Stranorlar happening this weekend.

We'd like to send out a huge, warm welcome to Ballybofey & Stranorlar to everyone taking part in the Déjâ Vu Rally this coming weekend! The Chamber of Commerce has been pleased to support the rally organisers in their efforts and bring the rally to the towns.

The 160 vintage rally cars will be arriving for registration on Friday evening, and you can see them before the 10am start at Jackson's Hotel on Saturday morning. The rally will raise funds for the Donegal Hospice.

The Rally organisers are inviting everyone to come out and see these beautiful cars as they enjoy their weekend in Donegal.

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When Déjâ Vu Donegal ‘comes to town’ this weekend, Donegal will reverberate to the sound of 160 very special cars, driven by very special people, The response to the event that fires up the memories of almost fifty years of rallying in the county, will bring smiles to all and much needed funds to the Donegal Hospice.

The Hotspots on the 120 mile route on Saturday. 31st August will be the 10.00am start at Jacksons Hotel in Ballybofey; the mid-day lunch at the Singing Pub on Atlantic Drive and the Ramelton Rumble (3 – 5pm), where the cars will be on show for two hours before they head off into their parade through the famous town stage.

CHAMPIONS GALORE
The six-time winner Andrew Nesbitt leads the cavalcade in the spectacular WRC Subaru S10 once driven by World Champion Petter Solberg, and similar to the one in which the Armagh driver set the fastest time on every stage in 2000 to win the rally.

All twelve former winners have gone to enormous lengths to mirror the machines that they drove in the past or to borrow almost priceless cars. Eugene Donnelly, a three-time winner, will be in a Mk. II Ford Es**rt previously driven by the first ever Rally World Champion, Bjorn Waldegard. Look out for the five-time Belgium Champion Patrick Snijers in an ex-works Mk I Es**rt and the multiple British and Circuit of Ireland Champion, Jimmy McRae in an immaculate Group B Opel Manta 400.

The Ramelton Festival Committee are helping us to turn back the clock to recreate the days when the sound of Donegal International Rally cars ricocheted off their walls and hopped over their kerbs. During the Ramelton Rumble the public will have time to wander along the Shore Road, view the cars at close quarters, take some selfies and collect autographs from their rallying heroes.

Come and enjoy the show and help to fill the Donegal Hospice’s collection buckets when the largest ever Déjà Vu Motorsport events comes to the hills next weekend.
Keep the revs up!
Beatty and Plum.

Jackson's Hotel Ballybofey Autofactors Ltd Ulster Tyres Villa Rose Hotel & Spa Anthony Conaghan Shane Connolly Car Sales Ltd Gillespie Car Sales Dunnion's Car Sales Lawnes Motorfactors 1st Gear Driving School. Autoclean Detailing AutoClean Wash Darren Friel Motors Ltd. Doherty auto repairs Mac Security LTD Finn Travel Kia Kabs Gallagher Cars Mc Intyre Motors The Hatter Tea Room Mc Kelveys Bar McGuigan's Bar Stranorlar Co. Donegal Deja Vu Donegal