Donegal County Councillors have today passed an updated tourism strategy for the next five years.
The strategy was reviewed in recent weeks after an earlier edition left out Malin Head from a list of Donegal’s top attractions for 2023.
The omission was noticed at last month’s council meeting, where concerns were raised over the lack of focus on Inishowen within the strategy.
Malin Head is the first point on the Wild Atlantic Way and, according to figures from Donegal County Council, attracted 99,073 visitors in 2023.
Inishowen councillor Martin McDermott has welcomed the new changes to the report revealed to members today and said: “It beggars belief for me that Failte Ireland had sent figures to the council and not included Malin Head.”
He asked the council to relay his concerns to Failte Ireland, saying it was “unacceptable” that the site was left out of the strategy.
The revised document also now includes visitor figures for Sliabh Liag, with 160,000 visitors, and Fanad Head, with 101,591 visitors. These figures were collected by Donegal County Council using its Visitor Monitoring Equipment.
The strategy notes that Donegal is home to three Wild Atlantic Way Signature Discovery Points at Malin Head, Fanad Head, and Sliabh Liag, offering breathtaking views. Rugged peninsulas to the north, renowned mountainous inland areas, and a large collection of islands—both inhabited and uninhabited—further enhance the county’s appeal. The strategy notes that Donegal offers a unique and authentic Irish experience, distinguished by its vibrant Gaeltacht culture, rich historical sites, warm hospitable people and strategic geographical position that fosters regional tourism collaboration.
