Donegal Connect aims to entice people back to the county

‘Donegal Connect’ a new initiative to reach out to all those who have an affinity for Donegal enticing them to come back for a 10 day celebration this autumn was launched on Friday at Donegal Airport.

The objective of Donegal Connect is to entice people to make the journey back to Donegal to explore the county and find out why it is a great place to visit, to relocate to, to grow up in, to be educated in, to work in, to invest in or to retire in. 

Donegal Connect will take place from 27 Sept - 6 Oct and will continue to strengthen links with Donegal people both on the island of Ireland and across the world by reaching out to them and inviting them to come home and connect again with the county.  

Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council Cllr Seamus O’Domhnaill said: “We hope that over the 10 days of Donegal Connect we will give participants a first-hand experience of what it is like to live and do business in Donegal.”

Donegal Connect Committee members at the launch at Donegal Airport on Friday. Front row David Roche, Pramerica, Deirdre McGlone, Harvey's Point, Garry Martin, Donegal County Council, Barney McLaughlin, Donegal County Council, Micheal O'Duibhir, Udaras na Gaeltachta, Marie McDaid, IDA and back row Niamh Walsh, Michael Tunney, Donegal Local Enterprise Office and Mary Daly, Donegal County Council

The 10 day celebration will have something for everyone with a strong focus on food, genealogy, culture, heritage, sport and music and in particular on employment and business development opportunities. 

Highlighting business development and career opportunities in Donegal is an important element of Donegal Connect which will include business networking events and seminars, a careers symposium and workshops on the practicalities of relocating or returning to Donegal as well as a series of events showcasing the superb quality of life opportunities on offer.

Deirdre McGlone, Harvey's Point attending the launch of Donegal Connect at Donegal Airport on Friday

The initiative is being delivered by Donegal County Council through the Donegal Diaspora project working with a range of public and private sector organisations including IDA, LYIT, Udaras na Gaeltachta, Harvey’s Point and some of the largest private sector employers in the county including Pramerica, Randox and Abbotts Diabetes Care. 

 David Roche, Pramerica at launch of Donegal Connect at Donegal Airport on Friday

David Roche, Director FinTech Services and Head of Corporate Social Responsibility with Pramerica, believes that this type of initiative not only highlights the ICT/FinTech opportunities within Donegal from a business investment and career progression perspective, but also showcases the superb quality of life and other opportunities, for both individuals and families looking to relocate or return home. 

Donegal Connect - is about giving a taste of what it is like to live and work in a county of breath-taking beauty, steeped in rich and unique cultural traditions, offering residents family-friendly lifestyle , fantastic qualities of life, businesses that can successfully operate and compete, all enjoying the benefits of the saying “stay local go global”.

Irish soccer legend and former Ireland goalie Packie Bonner and Irish traditional musician Mairead Ní Mhaonaigh were on hand to help launch Donegal Connect along with video messages from golfer Paul McGinley and Donegal Associations in New York and Philadelphia.

Invited guests were treated to a wonderful display of Irish traditional music by An Chrannóg.

At the launch, Mairead Ní Mhaonaigh, David Roche, Pramerica, Marie McDaid, IDA, Niamh Walsh, Garry Martin, Donegal County Council, Deirdre McGlone, Harvey's Point, Micheál O’Duibhir, Udaras na Gaeltachta and Packie Bonner. Donegal Connect is a 10 day celebration taking place this autumn encouraging Donegal people all over the world to return home for the celebration.