Donegal Climbing

22/05/2024

Unfortunate:

17/04/2024

Some photos of a very interesting trip to Iceland last week as part of an EU funded project called CE4RT*.

As the only Donegal tourism business on the programme, I spent 4 days in Iceland along with 70 other businesses from across Europe.

This Icelandic trip built upon our near weekly training with Munster Technological University (Tralee) on regenerative tourism practices, see below for more.

* Circular Economy for Regenerative Tourism (CERT) is a collaborative project funded under the Technological Universities Transfer Fund programme (TUTF). The primary objective of this proposal is to build research capacity in sustainable, innovative rural tourism experiences underpinned by the constructs of the Circular Economy (CE) and regenerative tourism in the Departments of Hotel, Culinary Arts & Tourism (Kerry) and Tourism and Hospitality (Cork).

Regenerative Tourism is about leaving a destination in a better condition than when you arrived, "A concept that goes beyond "not damaging" the environment and that looks to actively revitalise and regenerate it, resulting in a positive impact on local communities and economies” (activesustainability.com).

The Circular Economy is "a systems solution framework that tackles global challenges like climate change, biodiversity loss, waste, and pollution” (ellenmacarthurfoundation.org). This approach supports a Regenerative tourism agenda by supporting the rethinking of production & consumption patterns, improving of environmental quality and creating of new business models.

CERT research will drive a resilient and sustainable tourism ecosystem with enhanced capacity to meet evolving consumer needs, address environmental issues and provide deliverable practical outcomes to industry. By its nature, this project is multidisciplined. The tourism industry is complex, incorporating public agencies and private industry, covering a variety of sectors and connecting with multiple other industries and value chains. This facilitates greater scope for research in a variety of domains e.g. tourism carbon footprint, environmental, social and economic impacts, transport, goods and supply chains, agriculture, services, accommodation, food, beverage, construction and culture.

Although initiatives exist to assist businesses in becoming more environmentally sustainable, it still remains a niche focus within the tourism industry with little or no strategic vision for the future. MTU’s region relies more on tourism than any other in the country with up to 20% of the workforce employed in the sector (KCC). Therefore, we are perfectly positioned to address this deficit, championing a regenerative framework for tourism to be rolled out nationally, providing knowledge and best practice initiatives to create a more sustainable tourism sector and visitor experience. MTU has strong local stakeholder engagement in the tourism sector and these established relationships will build and fast-track our research agenda.

14/04/2024

Lower leg injuries, occurring during a hillwalk are a very common reason to call out a local volunteer mountain rescue team.

Here’s some good advice and/or from the MTA…

12/04/2024

Some good advice from Scottish MR!

05/04/2024

Nice wee mention for our Star Wars tour in the Irish Independent today as part of the 10-year anniversary of the Wild Atlantic Way…nice also to see Farren's Bar get a mention too!

The Wild Atlantic Way was officially launched in April 2014. The decade since has seen it transform tourism and home, and how Ireland is seen overseas. Here, three travel writers that have been exploring the route since its launch share a vibrant selection of its stories…

03/04/2024

Great news! It’s brilliant to see the waling trail network, and access grow across the Inishowen area.

NWCD delighted with the latest funding announcement 🤩 and looking forward to developing these fantastic trails in Inishowen in 2024
Inishowen Independent Inish Times / Inish Live

31/03/2024

As the bank holiday weekend gets underway, we ask you to take care on our mountains.

A walk and a hike are two very different things. When we head to our mountains (Errigal, Muckish, Sleive League, Lough Salt) we are embarking on a hike for which we need to be prepared.

Correct footwear and waterproofs are essential, as are extra layers, food, water, a hat and gloves, a head torch and a fully charged mobile phone. These things may seem extreme for some, for what seems like a few hours of a walk, but it can be very easy to be caught out and find yourself in a situation you didn't predict. It is better looking at it all than needing it!

There are a huge volume of visitors to our beautiful county this holiday season. Please can we ask that you be very careful on the roads, especially parking around popular hiking areas. Can we also ask you to leave room for emergency vehicles, particularly at Errigal Mountain.

If you do decide to ascend the peaks this Easter break, please think ahead, plan your route, check the weather and leave plenty of the before sunset.

Enjoy our peaks responsibly. They will always be there, so never be afraid to change your mind and turn back if weather conditions deteriorate. We wish you all a very lovely and safe bank holiday.

30/03/2024

Nice little educational piece…

27/03/2024

Jason and Brady from Alaska visiting Malin Head today, thankfully the weather gods were very kind!

27/03/2024

are opening a new store in Letterkenny, and are seeking staff: details below.

18/03/2024

Rock climbing tourists from all over Europe out and about today at sunny Malin Head.

10/03/2024

Jobs alert!

Below is a link to 11 jobs that are available on Rathlin Island. Some of you will know someone that will match the requirements.

Things to note regarding the salary:

1. Your accommodation is paid for.
2. Your food is paid for.
3. Your ferry’s are paid for.
4. Your mainland parking is free.
5. You will receive first aid training for free.
6. You will receive rope access and rescue training for free.
7. You will receive a wide range of other training and benefits.
8. If you are based in the ROI, you will get all your tax back (I am reliably told).
9. It’s hard to spend money on the island, so with all of the above paid for, and the tax back scenario, it’s worth considering what’s being offered.

Lastly, I’ve recently posted some photos and videos of the areas where we have been working on the island, it’s a pretty funky place.

03/03/2024

Rec 3 Refresher Course 24th March Donegal

28/02/2024

Looking towards the East Lighthouse on Rathlin Island’s north coast - with Scotland’s Mull of Kintyre in the background.

16/02/2024

One of the new locations we ended up abseiling and cleaning for future abseils, some lovely rock on this buttress!

13/02/2024

It was like a summers day on Rathlin Island today, simply beautiful…

10/02/2024

Some images from working on Rathlin Island over the past couple of weeks.

03/02/2024

Calling all photographers…

The RSPB are running a photography weekend on Rathlin Island, details are available via the link below.

A couple of things to note, firstly digital cameras are supplied, which is different from many camera courses.

Accommodation in the beautiful Manor House Hotel is included.

Rathlin Island is a stunning location, so this is a great opportunity to visit the area.

Capturing Rathlin: Photography Workshop & Overnight Stay Saturday 17 February, 12:30 Church Bay Please book through the NI Science Festival website Illuminating Rathlin Island: This exclusive package offers a […]

24/01/2024

Hanging out by the West Lighthouse on Rathlin Island today, it was a little windy…keep an eye out for one of the team abseiling.

19/01/2024

Some images from a spell of interesting work that started last year, and runs for…well a long time into the future out on Rathlin Island, County Antrim.

This complex rigging and abseiling work is connected with one of the world’s biggest ferret and rat eradication programmes, and it is organized by the RSPB.

The eradication is required to protect, and rejuvenate several important bird species, such as puffins, razorbills, and guillemots, to name but a few.

The terrain around Rathlin is pretty, wild, rugged, steep, and large at 3300 hectares or 5.2 square miles.

It’s well worth a visit!

14/12/2023

Delighted to be selected as a winner of the 2023 MAXQDA ‘Picture Your [Academic] Research’. You can read more about my PhD via the link…

14/11/2023

Nice local Inishowen related history programme on UTV this Thursday.

13/11/2023

A nice gift idea for someone who likes the outdoors…

With Christmas coming over the horizon, why not get a signed copy of 'The Wildflowers of Ireland - A Field Guide (Second edition)' for someone you know who has an interest in biodiversity and particularly our wildflowers. Let me know if you are interested - cost is €18.00 which includes p+p to anywhere in Ireland.