Donegal County Councillors have approved an updated five-year tourism strategy.
This update follows a recent review prompted by the initial strategy’s exclusion of Malin Head from a list of Donegal’s key attractions in 2023.
The omission was highlighted at the previous council meeting, where concerns were voiced about the strategy’s insufficient focus on the Inishowen peninsula.
Malin Head, the starting point of the Wild Atlantic Way, recorded 99,073 visitors in 2023, according to Donegal County Council data.
Inishowen Councillor Martin McDermott welcomed the revised report, stating, “It beggars belief for me that Failte Ireland had sent figures to the council and not included Malin Head.”
He urged the council to convey his concerns to Failte Ireland, deeming the exclusion of Malin Head “unacceptable.”
The updated strategy now includes visitor numbers for Sliabh Liag (160,000 visitors) and Fanad Head (101,591 visitors), data collected by Donegal County Council’s Visitor Monitoring Equipment.
The strategy emphasizes that Donegal boasts three Wild Atlantic Way Signature Discovery Points – Malin Head, Fanad Head, and Sliabh Liag – which offer spectacular vistas. The county’s rugged peninsulas, mountainous interior, and numerous islands (both inhabited and uninhabited) further enhance its appeal. Donegal’s unique and authentic Irish experience, characterized by its thriving Gaeltacht culture, rich historical sites, warm hospitality, and strategic geographic location promoting regional tourism cooperation, are also highlighted.
Donegal’s tourism strategy revised and passed following “unacceptable” omission was last modified: June 30th, 2025 by
