Islanders on Arranmore have heard of the potential offered by the Árainn Mhór-Ailt an Chorráin/Arranmore-Burtonport Blueway.
A networking event on the island today heard of how the island’s Blueway can motivate visitors to explore this part of Donegal and the wider Wild Atlantic Way.
Arranmore’s Blueway was accredited by the Blueway Partnership in 2023 and is the first coastal and the first Atlantic Blueway in Ireland.
The Blueway Partnership was established to provide strategic oversight and guidance over the development of Blueways on the island of Ireland.
Fáilte Ireland sits on the Blueway Partnership alongside Waterways Ireland, Sport Ireland, Sport Northern Ireland and Tourism Northern Ireland.
The event gave local stakeholders the opportunity to meet and learn about the potential of the Blueway for local communities as well as understanding how the Árainn Mhór-Ailt an Chorráin / Arranmore-Burtonport Blueway can motivate visitors to explore this part of Donegal and the wider Wild Atlantic Way.
Orla Woods, Failte Ireland and Inga Bock, Donegal Local Development at at Failte IrelandÕs networking event, which took place in An Chulturlann, Arainn Mhor. The Arranmore Burtonport Blueway was accredited by the Blueway Partnership in 2023 and is the first coastal and the first Atlantic Blueway in Ireland. Picture: Declan Doherty
Orla Woods, Failte Ireland, Stephen Bell, Maghery Coastal Adventures and Jim Muldowney, Arranmore Charters.
Elise Gillespie, Inis Fitness (Waterfront Hotel, Dungloe) Noreen Muldowney, Arranmore Glamping and Charlene Boyle, Failte Ireland.
Michael Gallagher, Surf’s Up Surf School, Sebastian Sebo, Discover Arranmore, Charlene Boyle, Failte Ireland and Anne Kelly, Lobster Pot restaurant, Burtonport, at Failte IrelandÕs networking event, which took place on Tuesday.
A group of the attendees at the Failte Ireland Blueway networking event on Arranmore Island on Tuesday.
Attendees and speakers from Failte Ireland at the Blueway networking event, which took place on Tuesday on Arranmore. Pictures: Declan Doherty.
Orla Woods, Failte Ireland, speaking at the Blueway networking event.
Arranmore’s Blueway was launched back in June by the Minister for Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys.
Work on the plan has been ongoing for a number of years.
At the summer launch, Arranmore Island representative, Noreen Muldowney, said she hopes the blueway will help create employment, increase the number of visitors to the island and also increase business in Burtonport.
The blueway is a combination of land and sea trails along and bordering the water.
Mrs Mundowney said the blueway encapsulates a package for tourists which include activities, dining and entertainment.
“It is much more than activity, it includes dining and other things to do in the area. Hopefully it will encourage more visitors to the area, to Burtonport and to the island.”
The island also boasts a snorkel trail which is the first in the country to receive accreditation.
It is also hoped that the Blueway will encourage more people to start their own businesses on the island albeit some of them may be seasonal.
“We hope it will rejuvenate the economy and help to keep those on the island to stay on the island,” she said.
