Sinn Féin councillor Jack Murray has said that Inishowen has all the qualities to make it the premier tourism destination in Ireland but a lack of political will has hindered its chances to date.
He said Inishowen is one of the most beautiful and scenic areas on the island.
And he added that its beaches could rival any in Europe as well as its top class hotels and restaurants, ancient sites like Grianan of Aileach, Ireland’s most northerly point at Malin Head and Tidy Towns Gold Medal winners in Buncrana.
“We are also among the most inexpensive places to visit in Ireland, yet we receive a fraction of the more than one million visitors which Co. Kerry sees annually.
“In my view, Kerry’s only advantage is its accessibility and the reduced journey time from Dublin. Inishowen and Donegal as a whole has been failed over decades in that regard. We are the only county in the state without access to rail, while the northwest is the only region on the island without dual carriageway connection to Dublin.
“This needs to be addressed. We now need to see the political will to deliver for this area. We need a concerted effort from all parties and political representatives to promote Inishowen.
“We need to see more support for potential flagship tourism projects like Grianan of Aileach.
“Vitally, the A5 dual carriageway to Dublin must receive government support, whilst Derry Airport – on the doorstep of Inishowen – must receive subvention from the Dublin government in order to allow it to expand and open up new routes.
“Inishowen has everything a visitor needs when they arrive. We just need to make sure that they come here.”
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