Donegal tourism and leisure interests have come together to host their first ‘Donegal Live’ promotion in Dublin later this month.
The one-day event in Temple Bar on Sunday, May 16th is a bid to attract more home holidaymakers to the county this year.
It will include a céilí and step dancing in Meeting House Square with music from performers such as Altan, Máire Brennan, The Plea and The Henry Girls. Actors will perform extracts from Brian Friel's works such as Philadelphia Here I Come and The Faith Healer.
The showcase will also include fire jugglers, face painters and balloon modelling. Some 1,000 free nights accommodation will be offered by Donegal hotels and self-catering providers at the event.
The idea is the brainchild of former INTO secretary John Carr, who is from Donegal.
Paul McLoone of Fáilte Ireland North West said this was a unique approach to bringing Donegal to the attention of residents of Dublin and surrounding counties.
"We hope to once and for all dispel the myth that Donegal is too far away for a holiday and showcase the very best of Donegal from internationally renowned artists to a memorable holiday experience," he said.
It coincides with a new Discover Ireland television advertisement, which specifically promotes Donegal. The Fáilte Ireland advertisement will be broadcast from next Monday.
Details of Donegal Live were launched by Minister for Tourism Mary Hanafin in Temple Bar this morning. She expressed concern at the affect of Iceland's volcanic ash plume on Irish tourism and said "a major job" had to be done on promoting alternative methods of getting to Ireland.
