Press release - Step outside and feel alive this spring

Step outside and feel alive this spring.
Press release

For immediate release: 7th Feb 2014

Mng presents the Rock agus Roam Spring Extravaganza 2014. Taking place across west Donegal on the 29th and 30th March, this is an experience not to be missed.

Founded just last year by local entrepreneur Moira ní Ghallachóir, mng has rapidly grown to become one of the most successful tourism enterprises in the Donegal Gaeltacht. Dedicated to designing adventure and culture-based experiences for the visitor. The Rock agus Roam package allows you to get a real taste of this incredible corner of Ireland.

The Rock agus Roam Spring Extravaganza challenges you to shake off the cobwebs, step outside and feel alive. The weekend is specifically designed so you can try a vibrant selection of outdoor activities, including rock climbing on Cruit Island with one of Irelands most famous climbers. Sea kayaking along the wild Atlantic coastline. Sailing around the Donegal Gaeltacht islands in a traditional lug rig or hill walking and navigation on the Poisoned Glen, where the golden eagles soar.

All of this exhilarating activity takes place in outstandingly beautiful locations where a team of local professional instructors will share their hidden gems and folklore with you as you go. Donegal is a paradise for outdoor activities, what are you waiting for, come and see for yourself.

You will stay in one of Ireland’s best Eco Friendly Hostels, nestled at the foot of the mighty Errigal Mountain as part of this exclusive weekend package. With plenty of alternative activities, there really is something for everyone to enjoy. And being in the Gaeltacht, you’ll have a chance to dust off your Irish or even learn a few new words. It has never been a more important time to show some love and attention to our native Irish language.

With an extra hour of daylight to mark the start of spring, this is going to be an amazing weekend that is guaranteed to put a real spring in our step for 2014.

Moira is available by phone or email to answer any questions and happy to offer group discounts or help you design your own experience.

We look forward to seeing you there, and remember, you never know who you’ll might.

Ends.

For further Information.

E: moira@mng.ie
M: 0831230529
W: www.mng.ie


Rock agus Roam Yoga sessions Errigal Hostel, Dunlewy

Yoga

Happy shoulders, happy heart Yoga Workshop

Sat 29th & Sun 30th March 2014. And 5th-6th April, Am & Pm times TBC
Duration: 90mins per session free as part of a package or €6

Niamh our yoga expert will offer classes in restorative and hatha yoga on Saturday and Sunday. This will take place in the hostel, please bring your own mats, or state that you need to borrow one when booking.

This class begins with a heart focused meditation, and will include a focus on shoulder, opening stretches,  the upper back and heart as well  heart led standing postures, gentle forward and back bends, as well as pranayama(breathing exercises) before savasanna (relaxation)

Build strength and invigorate !

Creating space and build strength, you’ll practice a mindfully paced sequences of postures, including sun salutations, invigorating standing warrior sequence, detoxifying twists, sidebends and hip openers. With a focus on movement with mindful breath this class includes a short guided meditation and  pranayama.

This class is open to all levels.

Booking is absolutely essential. Please state a morning or evening class.

 

 

 

Rock agus Roam testimonials and reviews Donegal Gaeltacht

Here are some of the comments and pics from Rock agus Roamers in 2013. Thank you all for taking part and look forward to having you back!

“Thanks for organising the Rock-climbing with Ian and the Hillwalking with Seamus throughout this weekend we really enjoyed Rock & Roam. It was wonderful and brilliantly organised from start to finish. Such a great night at the Cabaret Craiceailte on Saturday to top it all off! Will deffo be back, keep me posted of future events!!”. Sally Murphy, Letterkenny, September 2013.

“ I was a bit apprehensive about the hill walking at first, being a local myself and needing a guide, but when we were out there and Séamus was able to share such knowledge of the area and of the earth, it was definitely worth every penny and definitely doing it again!”. Suzanne Comerford, Ballyboffey

Suzanne Comeford, Ballybofey. She totally nailed this particular climb when nobody else could! Go on the girls!

"The climb is challenging and exhilarating, hanging on the cliffs overlooking the ocean. It's both exhausting and invigorating, a great experience, would highly recommend it".

Howard Chu, L.A. Donegal.

 

Hailing from Donegal myself I was a little embarrassed to discover that we had such amazing outdoor adventure opportunities on our doorstep that I was unaware of! All credit to mng.ie for developing local and national tourism with Rock & Roam sa Ghaeltacht. A really fun weekend that I would highly highly recommend"!! Roxanne Keaney, Letterkenny/Dublin. May 2013

Deep in the Poisoned Glen Dunlewy and happy out!

Roxanne Keeney.

"I am not an adventurer nor a gaeligor but I had a fantastic time rocking and roaming in the Gaeltacht with mng.ie. everything was organised really well and Seamus gave me a big stick to get up the hill . I felt like an adventurer by the end and got some gaelige on my tongue too. Go Raibh Maith Agat"! Louise Ozbay, Strabane. Sept 2013

"Ghlac mise páirt in ceann do na chead Rock agus Roam's anuaraidh. Thug sé spreagadh do cúrsa in dreapadóireacht a dheanamh. Bhí an craic ann agus na daoine sound!" Conor, Donegal, Belfast.

Louise Ozbay and Natalia Colmanejero.

Local transport - Rock agus Roam Spring Extravaganza

Getting around West Donegal can be tricky, as all the road signs are in gaeilge and people don't realise just how far the area stretches. So, we've organised with a local bus company to look after our rock agus roamers, and make sure they get to where they need to go with ease.

A bus will collect you from the hostel on Saturday morning, to take you to your first activity. The bus will then take you back to the hostel for lunch and out again in the afternoon for the next activity. All you have to do is show up. We have thought of everything to give you the best experience.

The activity locations are across all three parishes, Gweedore, The Rosses and Clochaneely. On Sunday morning, the bus will take you again to your activity and back again to the hostel for lunch and check out.

You will also get a feel for the different areas, and notice that each have their own way and their own identity. The scenery alone is spectacular, so if you have always wanted to see more of West Donegal, this is your chance. You may, like many other people who visit here, choose to come back time and time and eventually live here. There is something very special about this place and we would like to give you a taste of that. The Donegal Diaspora website wrote a great article on West Donegal, and the parishes, read more via this link.


Hillwalking & navigation with Rock agus Roam

Hill Walking & Navigation:

Altan Farm

Hill walking with Rock agus Roam is all about going off the beaten track to undiscovered areas with mesmerizing views of Dunlewey and the Glen. Take in views of the mighty Errigal from a whole other perspective and the Derryveagh mountains, (view video here) where two resident golden Eagles fly and often grace us with their majesty.

Crisp clean soul nourishing air, with the wind in your face and the earth beneath your feet, like never before.

Séamus, your guide and native speaker knows this area like the back of his hand and is going to show you some his favorite places with lot of opportunities for amazing photos.

**Wear comfortable walking boots, wet gear, in case it rains, water and definitely bring your camera!

**Click here for testimonials**

 

Poisoned Glen hill walk may 2013

A well earned refreshment.

Sea Kayaking with Rock agus Roam, West Donegal

Sea Kayaking on Kincasslagh Beach with Rock agus Roam

Sea kayaking along the coastline in West Donegal is simply stunning. World-champion trainer James O’Donnell will offer you the chance to take to the seas in an unforgettable journey along our endless coastline, showing you secret gems along the way.

This experience is designed to give you a taste of life on the water and is perfect for beginners as well as those with some experience.

You’ll get the chance to see some of the most beautiful un-spoilt and remote islands that lie off the coast of Donegal, with cavernous caves, radical rocks, sea arches and simply overwhelming rugged beauty.

This trip allows for max 8 people so you get the maximum benefit and concentrated guidance. 


**All equipment supplied. Bring old footwear that you don’t mind getting wet as well as drinks and a towel.

View video here.

For the more advanced sea kayaker.

A group of max 8 will journey along the stunning coastline of Donegal, visiting isolated beaches, islands and caves, rocks and sea arches only reached by sea.
There will be a chance of seeing and getting close to seals, dolphins or possibly basking sharks along the way, so be sure to bring a waterproof camera!

Trip includes an opportunity for sea kayak coaching on the moving water.

Crohy head Cave

Rock Climbing on Cruit Island with Rock agus Roam

“Did you know there was more climbable rock in Donegal than anywhere else in Ireland”?

Experience radical rock climbing on the vertical sea cliffs of Cruit Island with one of

Ireland's most renowned professional rock-climbers, Iain Miller and local climber and native speaker Aidan McGinley.

This is a once in a lifetime experience that is guaranteed to make you see things from a different perspective!

Each climb caters for max 10 people so you are guaranteed hands on attention to get the most fulfilling experience. Anyone can do this! All climbs will be tailored to suit individual ability.

**All you need is loose comfortable clothing and a pair of trainers. All safety equipment is supplied.

A video of rock climbing on Cruit Island.

Cruit Island is under a rain shadow, so it very rarely rains there.

Rock & Roam sa Ghaeltacht - See Donegal

Here's ten of the best reasons to come on a Rock & Roam weekend:

 

1. To experience the crisp clean air and dramatic landscape of the Donegal Gaeltacht.  

Rock and Roam weekend in May 2013. Poisoned Glen walk, where we saw two golden eagles fly above us all day. Breathtaking.  

2. If you have a cupla focal and would like to brush up, not only will you be in the heart of the Gaeltacht but your walking guide from Walking Donegal is fluent and will tell the history of the area and other interesting stories and local folklore in Irish. A class can easily be arranged as part of your Rock & Roam weekend.  

3. Rock climbing in Donegal has some of the best if the not the best in the country, according to Iian Miller of Unique Ascent, our expert rock climber, "there is more rock in Donegal than anywhere else in Ireland". This man knows what he's talking about.

The rock climbing is tailored to every group. This looks a lot higher than it was, it was a lot easier than one would imagine as well.  

View from Poisoned Glen

4. One of the most popular walks is Poisoned Glen, Dunlewy, where there are two resident Golden Eagles and a new addition of late, you can often see them flying above which is a spectacular sight.

 

5 . Getting to Donegal is easy, by car, by coach, Mc Ginley, Mangan Tours, Bus Feda or Patrick Gallagher, or you can fly to Donegal from Dublin or Glasgow, this package also includes accommodation, car hire and flights via Donegal Airport.   

6. There is some of the best Irish traditional music nights in the country here, including Caberet Craicailte (Electric Picnic) at Teach Hiudaí Beag, reonowned for having the best trad seisiúins in Ireland.  

7. If one of your group would rather do something relaxing there is a spa nearby at An Cúirt Hotel.

Teach Sean Óg

8. After the walk, we always stop off at Teach Sean Ógs for some of the best Seafood chowder and catch the match (if there's no match, there'll be a seisúin!). Sean Ógs is also a great place for a party, its known to get a little wild, their cocktail nights are very popular!

9. Rock & Roam is the perfect weekend getaway to experience the outdoors, destress, have some craic, relax and be ready for work again Monday morning, without going too far away.

10. It’s a healthier stag and hen alternative, still time for plenty craic along with the activities. Email us if this is what you have in mind, all budgets can be catered for.

First timers getting ready for the sea cliff climb. 

Local Celtic tale re-enacted at The Evil Eye Festival Falcarragh

Every place name has a story but the parish of Cloch Cheann Fhaola has a very unique Celtic tale that involves pagan gods, evil rulers, magical cows and druid’s spells!

The Evil Eye Gathering festival from the 23rd-25th August will tell the story of how Cloch Cheann Fhaola got its name. Through live dance, battles, music, and outdoor drama re-enactments the mythological tale of Balor of the Evil Eye will be brought to life.

Festival director, Kathleen Gallagher felt that it was a story worth telling. “It’s a fantastic story that wouldn’t be out of place in a Tolkien book. However, even locally, it’s not that well known and we thought that it would be fun to tell it through a number of different art mediums. As a former member of Cosa Meata, the local carnival group, I knew that the talent and resources required to recreate this story in an innovative way was available in our own community”.

The festival crew are harnessing all local and countywide resources to make this festival happen. Between making art sculptures, designing costumes, giant puppets and carrying out drumming workshops, the creative effort and community spirit going into this festival is truly inspiring. Funds for the festival came about in a creative way as well, when Kathleen was asked to organise a “Couch to 5K” running club locally. There was a great response to the event, and all monies raised were put towards the cost of organising The Evil Eye festival!

The weekend will kick off with a vibrant procession on the eve of Friday the 23rd August to introduce the story’s characters through giant puppets, art sculptures and stilt walkers. Balor’s army will be transformed into a samba band and will lead Balor into town to steal the Glas Gaibleann cow. A quest will take place on Saturday to find Lugh Mor and Lugh Beag – the hero in the story! If you aren’t familiar with the story you can join the local actors who will re enact various scenes in Ballyconnell Forest throughout the weekend. There will also be a guided tour of Balor’s stronghold on Tory Island.

Festival goers will witness the slaying of Balor by the pagan God and celebrate the victory with music and wine. The culmination to the festival is an Irish dance battle which will see Lugh of the legendary Tuatha De Dannan defeat the Formorian king.

Multi award winning actor Diarmuid De Faoite had this to say about the Evil Eye Festival “The mythological gap in Ireland's calendar has been filled with Féile na Súile Nimhe/ The Evil Eye Gathering, a festival dedicated to the universal language of mythology, emanating from the great stone itself to move our soul. Balor's Story is the dramatically stunning landscape of Donegal, embracing us in its beauty and whispering to us the story of our humanity. Local and universal, rooted and engaging, Féile na Súile Nimhe/The Evil Eye Gathering is our ancient past and living present in all its wild beauty”.

Unlike any other festival the area has showcased before, it promises to be a magical weekend of, heritage, music, dance, drama, mythology and fun for all the family.

Bígí linn ag Féile na Súile Nimhe!

One of the characters who will bring this Celtic tale to life at The Evil Eye Festival

All the costumes made by the festival crew.  

Full festival programme, click picfor facebook page