MalinWaters was launched on 1st July at Seafest in Rathmullan by Councillor Noel McBride, Mayor of Donegal.
This exciting new brand is the consumer brand of the Sail West Project – a €7.4M Marine Tourism initiative, linking the coastlines of Donegal, Sligo, Northern Ireland and West of Scotland.
MalinWaters is part financed by the European Union’s European Regional Development Fund through INTERREG IVA Cross-Border Programme managed by the Special European Unions Programmes Body with co-funding provided by the Department of the Environment in Northern Ireland and the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government in the Republic of Ireland.
To celebrate the brand launch, television personality Derek Davis took the plunge on board a boat in Rathmullan to test the fantastic MalinWaters area himself.
In welcoming the new Malin Waters Brand, he referred to the strong maritime history between Ireland and Scotland and was sure that the new brand would be a huge success.
He said that the North West in particular had a wealth of maritime attractions and alongside that there is excellent accommodation and restaurants that made the region particularly attractive to marine tourists.
A new consumer website www.malinwaters.com will follow the launch this summer; the site will provide key information on the MalinWaters product offering, including sailing, surfing, diving, kayaking and angling among other marine leisure activities.
The brand name itself was inspired by the name given to the sea area covering the majority of the Sail West project area. The sea area of Malin is officially recognised and referenced by the Met office and therefore is a term widely recognised by marine leisure enthusiasts.
Commenting on the MalinWaters brand Donegal County Manager Seamus Neely said the MalinWaters marketing initiative will be a great boost to all working and involved in the tourism industry.
“It will provide comprehensive information on the quality marine leisure product we have on offer and through working with our partners in Northern Ireland and Scotland, enable us to package and promote this fantastic product.
“Most importantly upon completion it will create sustainable employment opportunities and significantly increase the number of tourists coming into the area.”
Speaking at the Launch, newly appointed Mayor of County Donegal, Cllr. Noel McBride commented:
“I am absolutely delighted to be part of launching this exciting brand in Donegal. Personally for me County Donegal has everything that a tourist could want; stunning scenery, an endless coastline with an abundance of blue flag beaches, excellent bars, restaurants, shops, and welcoming people. I wish all involved in the brand every success and look forward to hear about MalinWaters in the future”.
* ALL PICTURES BY KIND PERMISSION OF CLIVE WASSON PHOTOGRAPHY
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