Malin Head omission blocks Donegal tourism strategy

Members of Donegal County Council refused to pass a tourism strategy for the next five years in Donegal due to the omission of Malin Head from a list.

Malin Head, famous for being the most northerly point of the island of Ireland, was not included on a list of Donegal’s top attractions for 2023.

The list, created using figures from Failte Ireland, ranks Glenveagh National Park as the most popular destination, followed by Sliabh Liag and Donegal Castle.

In reading the document, Inishowen councillors Albert Doherty, Martin McDermott and Ali Farren each said that Malin Head (Banba’s Crown) could not be overlooked.

Councillor McDermott stated that he could not approve the document until Malin Head was included.

He said: “It worries me as to how relevant we really are in Inishowen, I feel our relevance in tourism in Inishowen is depleting and to see Malin head not on this really annoys me."

Councillor Ali Farren, a Malin Head native, called for greater focus on the headland's potential to benefit the entire county.

“That we are not on that list is slightly embarrassing to say the least,” Cllr Farren said.

“Tourism for Donegal has the potential to be a gamechanger for employment, 12% of all the jobs are tourism-based, whereas it’s 10% in other parts of the country.

“If Donegal is to benefit from tourism, Malin Head, as the first point on the Wild Atlantic Way, has to be one of the key drivers.

"Malin Head has the potential to lift Inishowen, you have to pass through so many places to get to it."

The strategy does detail how Donegal County Council is working collaboratively with Fáilte Ireland and local stakeholders to deliver the Inishowen Destination Experience Development Plan (DEDP), which is a 3/5 -year sustainable tourism plan for the Inishowen region, incorporating catalyst experiences at Malin Head, Inishowen Blueway and Fort Dunree alongside hero experiences at Grianán of Aileach, Inch Wildfowl Reserve and Inishowen Maritime Museum among others. 

Councillor Liam Blaney pointed out that Fanad Head Lighthouse was not included in the list of visitor figures either, while Cllr Paul Canning said that he did not believe that Grianán of Aileach is being promoted to the extent that it should, partly due to the unpredictable opening hours. Just under 18,000 people visited the site in 2023.

Councillor Patrick McGowan raised the case of greater development in East Donegal, saying that figures suggest it is also lagging. Oakfield Park in Raphoe recorded 49,274 visitors in 2023.

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Garry Martin, Donegal’s Director of Economic Development, said that the list of visitor numbers was “no slight on anyone” and agreed to follow up with Fáilte Ireland to obtain figures for Malin Head.

The strategy is set to be reviewed and updated before being brought before councillors again.