Donegal is just like Co. Clare but without the tourists

Dolmen, The Burren. 

I'm just back from a wonderful week down the West coast of Ireland, in The Burren in Co. Clare, wow. The Burren is hopping with tourists, it has been this way for years but now more than ever. I saw so many tour buses packed with tourists.

Donegal is a lot like Co. Clare but without the tourists and steady stream of buses. Co. Clare is overrun with visitors and Donegal is the undiscovered corner of Ireland tucked away on the edge of Europe with few visitors, although our secret is slowly getting out. I found myself wondering as I watched all the buses 'are those tourists really experiencing Ireland? I know some travellers prefer the commercial hotspots, the standard Irish experience and that can be a wonderful but perhaps they're not aware that there are alternatives. Ireland has so much more to offer. 

mngTours offer a whole other experience entirely, not just scratching the surface. Imagine, no queues, no gimmicks and no other tourists. Our tours give back to the community, we use all local services and resources, we embrace the culture by attending local events and joining other locals in activities. Its makes for a much more enriching experience, one where you make friends for life and feel connected to the Irish way of life. Not only will you experience the Ireland of your dreams but your visit will make a positive impact on the local economy and our culture. Does that appeal to you? 

Your arrival in Donegal will be unforgettable, it will feel like coming home. Imagine arriving by plane to the edge of Western Europe at Donegal airport (just 50 mins from Dublin) to the warmest Irish welcome you'll ever experience. We'd go straight to Leos' Tavern, the home of Clannad and Enya and begin your vacation with some tunes and a whiskey or two, as part of our Whiskey Pilgrimmage, all will be in true Irish style. Each day we'll guide you through our landscapes telling stories that will inspire your imagination, touch your soul, move your spirit, and bring you to a level where you feel the peace of being removed from the frantic pace of modern life.

Europe's Highest Sea Cliffs - Slieve League or Sliabh Liag - Donegal. 

“I’ve been visiting Ireland for 8 years, and Moira showed me more of Irish Culture in one day than I have ever experienced, it was what I had imagined Ireland to be, but never found it until now”

— - Nancy Gardella, Executive Director of Martha's Vineyard Chamber of Commerce

Moira Ní Ghallachóir, founder & CEO of mngTours

I was jumping over myself at that comment, it means so much to get that kind of reaction. Ultimately, I started this business when I moved back home to Donegal 3 years ago, after living away for 18 years, because I want to make a difference in my community and my culture. I want to help people get the real deal and not a manufactured version of Ireland or any "Paddy Whackery". I just love hosting Americans, and if there's one thing I've learned it's how proud they are of their Irish roots. I want to honour that, so our tours have genealogists that will research your 'clanns' before you get here, at no extra cost. And lets be honest, for many this is your one vacation in a year. We totally get that. 

“People have a dream of Ireland and I want to make that dream come true”

— Moira Ní Ghallachóír, founder of mngTours

There's no reason why your dream holiday in Ireland needs to wait any longer, get it from your bucket list and onto the lasting memory list forever, or until you return, because you always return home to Donegal. 

What date are you coming? October? November? Just choose your best date, and we do the rest for you....

*Discounts for groups of 8 or more if you mention this blogpost

*For bookings taken on or before the 10th August, we have two priceless bonuses. 

We're offering a "Whiskey Pilgrimage", in the company of the King of Tory*

AND 

*We'll make you a personal video of your Irish experience so you can take to take home and cherish. 

*Free with tours booked for October & November*

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If your visiting Ireland as part of the Web Summit - The Whiskey Pilgrimage is the ultimate experience to combine with a business trip to Ireland. Two days in heaven and Donegal is only 50mins by plane from Dublin!!

“In this globalised age, authentic experiences founded on tradition and sense of place are more valuable than ever. What makes mng distinctive is that this venture harnesses Ireland’s cultural and natural heritage as living resources. Rooted in the community, it is the essence of a green business, contributing greatly to ecological stewardship.
”

— - Finbarr Bradley, educator and co-author of The Irish Edge [Orpen Press, 2013]

The Irish language is stronger than ever

Ten reasons Donegal is world class 

Three years on and its Ireland to India

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Secrets of the Wild Atlantic Way - Rock climbing in Donegal, Ireland

When I started mng three years ago little did I know of the journey it would take me. Most recently it took me on an adventure to Gola Island, one the hidden gems of the Wild Atlantic Way, or "Secrets" as they say. 'County Donegal' itself is Ireland's hidden gem, but in Western Donegal, the Gaeltacht region in particular, this place takes secrets and gems to another level. You really have to experience it to believe it. 

The mission! Spectacular images of rock climbing on Gola Island, Donegal, an undiscovered corner of Ireland. The task for me! Climb down the side of a sea cliff attached to harnesses and ropes with nothing but the Atlantic Ocean beneath you and smile. I didn't google sea cliff climbing and sign up that way, just for the record. This was work, but not the usual presenting mng’s services, adventure holidays and cultural tours or customised packages. This was “climb down the sea cliff work". Oh how I love my job!

Iain Miller & Moira Ní Ghallachóír, pre climb nerves. 

Of course I was nervous and trying not think about what I was about to do. I knew that ultimately, I trusted this man who was carefully preparing the ropes and attentively checking my gear and that my safety was paramount, I still s**t myself when Iain said:

“Step forward towards me Moira” I looked him in the face and said, I cannot step backwards off a cliff”. Iain said, sit down and face me, then turn around and ease yourself off the edge and climb down the cliff.”

It changed the whole task at hand, this sounded easy right! So I did just that. And you know what, it was kind of easy. The rope felt amazingly secure, there was lots of places for my feet to grip, and hey, the view was spectacular. It was a powerful feeling, in fact I highly recommend rock climbing as a must do when visiting Ireland. 

Moira ní Ghallachóír, mng, rock climbing on Gola Island with Iain Miller, Unique Ascent

It got me thinking about adventure activities, what does it take? Is it guts? Courage? The need for excitement or what? I’m certainly no free climber but I can climb a rock face with ropes and a helmet no bother. What I learned yesterday was that it's not about being able to rock climb but that it's about trust and I trusted Iain Miller. A sense of humour is also very important, thank God we kept the craic going throughout as that just made the whole experience more relaxed. (There was a lot of swearing, I'm glad it wasn't audio recorded)

Talk about expertise, firstly we watched Iain free climb this rock face pictured right, that was about 100 feet. I timed him, and it took two minutes. I wasn’t afraid or nervous as I watched, mostly I watched in awe of his agility, and technique  as he ascended the cliff face that could only make you think, Spiderman! 

Rock climbing is the ultimate adventure experience in Ireland, if not Europe. It's the best adventure experience in Donegal and the best part is YOU can do it. Come to mng's Rock climbing day on the amazingly spectacular Cruit Island, 8th July 2015. There are climbing and abseiling sessions throughout the day for families early in the day and later for adults. It's guaranteed to have you seeing things from a different perspective. There's a harness for kids as young as 3. Bring a picnic and your bikes, there will also be Archery. Enjoy a customised adventure in Donegal. 

Now where is that Sea Stack?

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An Scoil Gheimhridh - "Sure you couldn't beat it"

Labhair mng.ie, Conor Day faoi píobaireacht, An Scoil Gheimhridh agus a dhéanamh conaí i nGaoth Dobhair.

Conor, an cuimhneach leat an chéad uair a chuala tú na píopaí uileann?

"Yes, I remember hearing Liam o Flynn playing “Shee Beag Shee Mhór”, and that was me hooked… I didn’t start the pipes until I was 20, which is kind of late. Growing up, Irish music was always played at home, Plantxy, The Chieftains, the Mc Peakes and The Furey’s, so traditional Irish music was probably in my head".

Tá tú ag teagasc ranganna píopaí mar pháirt de Scoil Gheimhridh, ach bíonn tú teagasc na píopaí sa Chrannog chomh maith, de mar atá ag eirí leat?

I will be teaching beginner uileann piping classes from the 28th Dec to the 31st (Book here). And, yes, I’ve been teaching the pipes at the Crannog for about 18 months. I have 4 pupils, all girls, that isn’t the norm in piping. They are all really good players and I really enjoy teaching them. One pupil won a scholarship for a week’s tuition at the Willie Clancy summer school this year.

Inish dúinn faoin "Coirm na bPíobairí" atá mar pháirt den Scoil Gheimhridh?

"Ciarán Mac Fheidhlimidh will be hosting a piping concert in association with Na Píobairí Uileanna with Gay Mc Keon (NPU), Síle Friel (Friel sisters) and myself. Ciarán is one of the top pipers going at the moment and a pleasure to listen to. I'm really looking forward to this event". (info below)

As well as teaching beginner piping classes throughout the winter school, there will be a chance to “Try the pipes” – you’ve done this before, what kind of response do you get?

"Yes this is maybe my 3rd or 4th time, it’s actually how the piping classes got started here in Gaoth Dobhair. Everyone enjoys it, and everyone is welcome and give it a go on the 28th.

An bhfuil comhairle ar bith agat do nduine tá ag smaointiú gabhal i gceann na bpíopaí (don chéad uair) ?

"Get stuck in, practice as much as possible, listen to all the old masters, Tommy Reck, Séamus Ennis, Willie Clancy, Leo Rowsome and also today’s greats who are too many to list - I think the standard of piping has never been better. I will also be teaching beginner classes as part of the winter school. 4 classes over 4 days.

Roghnaigh tú Gaoth Dobhair le conaí dhéanamh ann, an dáthairbhe go mothaíonn tú inspioraid sa cheantar?

Trá Machaire Gáthlán

"I love the outdoors, I find the natural wild beauty of Gaoth Dobhair inspiring and I suppose it does inspire you musically too. I’m originally from Belfast but always came to Donegal on holidays. I have more time here, not so much pressure like you would have in the city. I had two great musicians call to my house last week - we had a great piping session that afternoon you just wouldn’t get that in the city".

Anything exciting in the ‘pipeline’? :)

I brought the pipes round the local schools, and was really surprised at the response, so many children wanted to play them and loved the sound too, so we plan to start a new group of piping students in the New Year.

Do dhuine na raibh ag an Scoil Gheimhridh cheanna féin, caide'n cuir síos a dhéanfá air an fhéile don duine sin?

"An Scoil Gheimhridh has something for everyone, whether you’re a musical tourist, a seasoned player, or just learning. And this year there's guided walks, Irish language classes, and it all takes place in an area of outstanding natural beauty, sure you couldn’t beat it".

Ar Tuilleadh eolas ar an clár iomlán anseo www.scoilgheimhridh.com

Lá Ceoil ar an tSean Nós - Loinneog Lúnasa 2014 - Gaoth Dobhair

Mar pháirt de Loinneog Lúnasa 2014 –

Tá ceardlann ar an tsean-nós, eagraithe ag Doimnic Mac Giolla Bhríde, ceoltóir agus cumadóir áitiúil a bhfuil clú agus cáil air sa bhaile agus thar lear.

In éineacht le hÉamonn Ó Donnchadha, Saileog Ní Cheannabháin agus Connie Mhary Mhicí – cuirfidh na ceoltóirí duchasacha sean-nóis seo ceardlann ceoil den scoth ar fáil san Ghailearaí i nGaoth Dobhair ar an 9ú Lúnasa 10.30r.n. – 3.30i.n.

Leis an cheathrar thuas  rannpháirteach, beidh 2 amhrán a chur i láthair  ag gach duine acu, ag tosnú le stíl Dhún na nGall, le Doimnic, leis na hamhráin ‘Mo chreach, mo shúir” agus ‘Nuair a bhí mise óg’. Beidh Éamonn Ó Donnchadha  againn ansin le stíl Chonamara  agus na hamhráin ‘Beal Átha na hAbhann’ agus ‘Máirín Staunton’ agus fosta Saileog Ní Cheannabháin le– ‘Sadhbh Ní Bhruinnealach’ agus ‘MeiricÉa’. Tiocfaidh Connie Mhary Mhicí ar deireadh agus é ag ceol – ‘Is fada liom uaim’ agus ‘Réice Chairn tSiall’.

Ag deireadh na ceardlainne, beidh 8 n-amhrán le meascán stíle, foghlamtha ag na freastalaithe. Is cuma cé acú ceoltóir le taithí thú nó duine a bhfuil suim acú sa Sean-nós tá an ceardlann seo foirstéanach do gach leibhéal. Níos moille ar an lá céanna sin, beidh ceolchoirm leis na ceoltóirí sean-nóis seo i gcuideachta Gay Mc Keown mar aoi spéisialta ar na píopaí uilleann.

Ní seo an chéad cheardlann sean-nóis atá eagraithe ag Doimnic. Rinne sé  ceann a réachtáil i  gCultúrlann Mhic Réachtáin i mBéal Feirste, níos luaithe sa bhlian ina raibh níos mó na caoga duine páirteach ann..

Tá Doimnic ag ceol sean-nóis ó bhí sé ina ghasúr óg, ba ghnáth lena mhathair, Nellie Eoghan John Sheimí, ranganna a chuir ar fáil agus bhíodh Doimnic léi i gconaí.

Sa lá atá inniú ann bíonn Doimnic thart ar an domhan ag ceol sa stíl sean-nóis - tá sé go direach ar ais ó na Stáit Aontaithe. Faigheann sé cuireadh chuig féilte i dTír na mBascach, agus sa Ghearmain. Tá MA sa cheol aige agus ceithre cheirnín seolta go data aige. Bíonn Doimnic ag stiúradh cóir chomh maith, anseo sa bhaile agus I mBéal Feirste, áit a bhfuil leainúint iontach aige. Rinne sé an ceol do 3 leabhar amhráin – “ Ící Pící”, “Báidín Fheilimidh” agus “Ní thuigim daoine fásta”.

Deir Doimnic – “Sílim go gcaithfidh muid iarracht a dhéanamh an stíl sean-nóis a chuir chun cinn – bíonn daoine ó gach cóirneál den domhan ag mo cheardlainn sean-nóis. Tá mé bróduil a bheith páirteach i Loinneog Lúnasa, féile atá ag ceiliúradh an traidisúin beo saibhir amhranaíocht atá againn sa cheanntar Gaeltachta seo”.

Lá iomlán le ceoltóirí den scoth ar fáil ar €20 agus €8 ar an cheolchoirm a bheas ann an tráthnóna sin. Cuir d’áit in áirithe go luath fríd an Chrannog.

Cliceáil anseo do eolas ar Flybreak Loinneog Lúnasa ó BÁC agus Glaschú.

Cadhcáil farraige le Rock agus Roam

Tá cadhcáil farraige dochreidte le fáil ar  chósta  Iarthar Dhún na nGall. Beidh treoraí, ar a bhfuil cáil domhanda, James O'Donnell ag tógáil an ghrúpa  chun farraige ar thuras íontach nach ndéantar dearmad air, agus beidh sé ag buaileadh isteach chuig cúpla seod spéisialta ar an bhealach. .

Tá an turas seo curtha le chéile ionas go mbeidh an deis is fearr agat blaiseadh ar leith a fháil  ar an ghníomhaíocht uisce seo, is cuma cé acu tosaitheoir thú nó duine le roinnt taithí.

Crohy Head

Chifidh tú go cinnte roinnt de na hoileáin is iargúlta agus is deise a luíonn amach ó chósta Dhún na nGall , le pluaiseana ollmhóra , stacáin farraige , áirsí móra agus áilleacht nach dtig a chur i bhfocal .

Tá an turas seo teoranta ag 8 nduine le cinntiú go mbainfidh achan nduine an tairbhe is mó as an ghníomhaíocht .

** Cuirtear gach trealamh ar fáil don ghníomhaíocht . Níl agat ach sean phéire bróga gur cuma leat iad a bheith fliuch, a thabhairt leat, chomh maith le deoch agus tuáille .

Amharc ar na híomhánna agus físeáin agus beidh a fhios agat ansin an taithí iontach atá i ndán duit

( Cuir nasc )

Fad : 3 uair a chloig

Tá seisúin dírithe ar dhaoine le taithí Cadhcála, cuir in iúl dúinn go bhfuil taithí agat.

Teoranta ag 8 nduine. Rachaidh an grúpa seo ar thuras farraige thart ar chósta  Dhún na nGall, ag tabhairt cuairt ar thránna iargúlta, oileáin agus pluaiseanna, stacáin agus áirsí farraige nach bhfeadfaí a fheiceail ar dhóigh ar bith eile .

Tá seans maith go bhfeicfidh tú ainmhí farraige cosúil le rónta, siorcanna deilfeanna nó an radharc is iontaí ar fad, liamhán gréine! Bí cinnte go mbíonn ceamara leat a dtig a fhliuchadh!

Beidh deis agat fosta roinnt cóitseála a fháil ón treoraí le linn don ghrúpa
a bheith ag gluaiseacht ar an fharraige.

Yoga mar páirt do Rock agus Roam Seó mór an Earraigh

Ceardlanna Yoga, gualainn sásta, croí sásta

Seo rang ina bhfuil béam ar spás a chruthú fá na gualainneacha agus an chroí, chomh maith le sin beidh machnamh i dtús baire agus cleachtadh análaithe.

Ta béam sa rang seo  láidaireacht agus fuinneamh a chruthú sa chorp le réimse gníomhaíochtaí yoga.

Ag bogadh leis an anál i rith an ranga. Beidh machnamh agus cleachtadh análaithe sa rang chomh maith.

Sath 29 & Domh 30 Márta 2014 agus 5ú & 6ú Áibrean, Maidin agus tráthnóna, amanna le leagadh amach
Treimhse: 90bomaite, saor mar páirt do pácáiste nó €6

Luaigh ag am cuir in áirithe maidin nó tráthnóna, an tSathairn nó an Domhnach.

Seoltóireacht le Rock agus Roam i nGaoth Dobhair

Ar smaoinigh tú i riamh triall a bhaint as  seoltóireacht?

Seo deis lá a chaitheamh ar an fharraige ag foghlaim scileanna seoltóitreacht le seoltóir áitiúil, cáilithe, Gareth Doherty.

Chuala gach duine faoi oileain Dhún na nGall, ach seo deis na hoileain seo a fheiceáil ar bhád seoltóireachta tradisiúinta. Rachaimid thart ar Ghola, Inis Oirthir agus Inis Meain.

Beidh radharcanna ar fheabhas againn de na hoileain mhóra- Toraigh agus Árainn Mhór, beidh deis ann chomh maith siúlóid a ghlacadh  thart ar cheann acú, - tá súil again!.

Tá na hoileain seo aitheanta mar gheal ar na beanna farraige agus na huaimh atá orthú , seoda ar an Atlantach lán & de stair agus oidhreacht.

Ba chóir go bhfeicfimid deilfín, go leor éanlaith shuimúila agus rónta.

Níl cead ach do 6 dhuine ar an turas seo, mar sin bí cinnte agus áit a chuir in áirithe go luath mar go bhfuil éileamh ar na turais seo.

Traditional Lug rig