Twitter is definitely feeling the love for Donegal today during the worldwide #LoveDonegal campaign.
Today, Wednesday, was officially declared as #LoveDonegal day by Donegal Connect to promote the county among the diaspora.
The hashtag has been a top trending topic all day long as people share tweets about their favourite things about life in the county. People, sport, food, travel and business in Donegal have all been put into the spotlight through thousands of tweets and retweets. Well known and influential people all over the world have been celebrating their connection to the county.
https://twitter.com/PackieBonner1/status/1161554414290833409
My boys and me last summer in Donegal — "Your hearts are like your mountains in the homes of Donegal.” #LoveDonegal pic.twitter.com/X3hoKaWS9n
— Martin O'Malley (@MartinOMalley) August 14, 2019
“We’ve been trending at Number 1 in Ireland almost continuously since 7am this morning,” says Michael Tunney, chief executive of Donegal Local Enterprise Office – a lead partner in Donegal Connect. “By lunchtime, we’ve had a reach of over 6.6m on Twitter – an unbelievable response.”
Michael says the #LoveDonegal team had worked hard in advance getting the word out. “But we’ve been blown away by the number of people who’ve just come on board today because they’ve seen the hashtag. People are posting about their holidays here, their ancestors, their home towns and villages. It’s fantastic.”
The Twitter Day is part of a marketing campaign to promote the Donegal Connect project and their events running from 27th September to 6th October this year.
“Donegal Connect is about linking up with all those who have Donegal roots around the world, or who simply #LoveDonegal, to boost the local economy. This Twitter campaign shows just how much people really do love our county. It’s acting as incredible showcase of the Donegal landscape but also Donegal business, and the way of life and heritage here.”
The events planned from 27th Sept to 6th Oct also aim to showcase what Donegal has to offer.
Michael said: “We want more people to visit, take jobs here, invest in the county, start business here, relocate or retire here, to grow our local economy.”
He sings it … I speak it #LoveDonegal pic.twitter.com/TVUpVsJSCH
— Noel Cunningham (@DonegalNoel) August 14, 2019
Today and everyday #LoveDonegal #Home #DúnnanGallAbú pic.twitter.com/Uj1P6kdegl
— Jason Quigley (@jay_quigley) August 14, 2019
The project’s main funder is Fáilte Ireland, via the Global Irish Festival Series Fund.
Wild Atlantic Way Manager Joan Crawford says “#LoveDonegal is a great opportunity to engage with people in the world who have a fond connection with this spectacular county and want to share a piece of ‘their’ Donegal”.
Malin Heads residents "Sunny & Banba" or Dolphins. What's not to #LoveDonegal They can be spotted from #malinhead pier most days @markyptweets @GregHughes2 @EileenMagnier @wildatlanticway @Visit_Inishowen @GoToIrelandCA @DiscoverIreland @discoverirl @Failte_Ireland pic.twitter.com/QuMi0lCfso
— Ali Farren (@SunnyMalinHead) August 14, 2019
There’s still plenty of time to get involved in #LoveDonegal day this Wednesday. All you have to do is post a Tweet with the hashtag #LoveDonegal or #DúnnanGallAbú
Ideas on what to Tweet for #LoveDonegal Day:
If you live in Donegal, Tweet about your community, your business, your family, your work, where you live, your sports team or club – basically anything! – using the hashtag #LoveDonegal.
If you don’t live here but visit or have roots here, you can Tweet about e.g. what you love about Donegal, favourite places, people & things to do here, using the hashtag #LoveDonegal.
Add a photo to your Tweet too, if you can. You can post to Instagram as well, if you have an account and have time, but Twitter is our priority on the day. Tweets/posts can talk about:
- visiting or travelling around Donegal,
- the people of Donegal,
- the landscape, coastline or islands of Donegal….
- music, arts, sport, marine, business, culture & food,
- the Gaeltacht and the Irish language
You can take part by:
- Tweeting personally from your personal account using #LoveDonegal
- Tweeting from your work, club our group Twitter accounts, if available
- Posting your Donegal pictures to Twitter (and Instagram too,) adding #LoveDonegal
- Retweeting other #LoveDonegal tweets
- Asking your friends & family at home and abroad to join in
https://twitter.com/wildatlanticway/status/1161563218793439233