County Focus Donegal - Muintir Tír Chonaill

Our focus this month is on Ireland’s second largest county, tucked away in Ireland’s Northwest, Donegal offers spectacular sandy beaches, rugged mountains, big surf and Ireland's largest Gaeltacht region.

A highly skilled and experienced workforce is available throughout the area, benefiting from universities and colleges at Letterkenny IT and nearby University of Ulster. Donegal’s towns bustle with activity, Killybegs is one of Europe’s largest fishing ports. Further North, Letterkenny is one of Ireland’s fastest growing towns.

Living in this part of the country offers an outstanding quality of life – houses are affordable and the area is renowned for its magnificent coastal and inland landscapes. These include the breathtaking Glenveagh National Park, Slieve League Cliffs and the Inishowen Peninsula.

Donegal has always been home to famous faces; from everybody’s favourite Daniel O’Donnell, to internationally renowned musicians such as Rory Gallagher and Enya, Ireland's best-selling solo artist. Donegal is also very famous on the sports-field, Ireland’s present football goalkeeper Shay Given hails from Lifford and of course the very famous Irish goalkeeper Packie Bonner is a Donegal native.  This beautiful county has also won the hearts of many famous people from national icons such as Gay Byrne to Hollywood star, Sarah Jessica Parker, who both have holiday homes in Donegal.  >> More here.

Donegal Case Studies

HR Manager at Pramerica Systems Ireland in Letterkenny, Mary Howick was previously located in Dublin.

A better environment for her son to grow up in where he would be able to learn in smaller classes and schools, less traffic and a more affordable life are the reasons Mary gives for her move to Donegal.  >> More here

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E&I Engineering announces 71 new high-skilled jobs in Donegal

Donegal company and LookWest.ie case study , E&I Engineering Ireland, has announced a €3.6m R&D investment that will see the creation of 71 new skilled manufacturing roles at the company’s headquarters in Burnfoot, Co. Donegal over the next three years.

E&I Engineering is an excellent example of a dynamic Irish company, based in the North-West region that is competing successfully internationally.  E&I Engineering has worked on projects such as the recently-opened Aviva Stadium, Dublin and Wembley Stadium, London.  >> More here

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Donegal Businesses going Global with eBay

Donegal retailers are leading the way in using eBay to move their businesses online. Donegal County Enterprise Board has been running innovative eBay training courses since 2008 for individuals and businesses to take advantage of the huge market eBay offers.

Each course has produced several new businesses as well as helping to transform existing ones. >> More here

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Surf's Up in Bundoran

County Donegal has for many years been an international surfing hotspot, boasting some of the world’s best waves and attracting the attention of the world’s best surfers. In recent years, as Irish interest and participation in surfing has exploded in Ireland, the little sea-side town of Bundoran has effectively become the epicentre of Ireland’s burgeoning surfing industry.

Established in 2006 by husband and wife Killian and Mary O’Kelly, TurfnSurf is a great example of the passion and energy of so many people who have chosen to live and work in Ireland’s Northwest. >> More here

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Donegal shines on the streets of Dublin

The people of Donegal decided to bring the mountain to Mohammad this May, when up to 25,000 people visited Donegal Live on the streets of Temple Bar, Dublin.

Live music, song and dance were the order of the day from, with Ceili and Set Dancing with dance groups from across the county inviting people to join in their steps and soak up the atmosphere. Artists including Moya Brennan (Clannad), Mickey Jo Harte and the Donegal Tenors entertained thousands in Meeting House Square.  Altan brought special guest Paul Brady along to perform his world renowned ‘Homes of Donegal’.  >> More here

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LookWest.ie Donegal Photo Competition in association with The Red Door Restaurant

We've had an amazing response to our Galway photo competition.  You can see a great gallery of photos on our Facebook page here.

We are delighted to announce that this month’s competition is a meal for you and three guests at the wonderful Red Door Restaurant, located on the shores of Lough Swilly, just a few miles from the seaside town of Buncrana, Co. Donegal.

To win this great prize, we’d love for you to send us your Donegal photos or videos; which best show the magic of the people and places of this wonderful city and county.  >> More here

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