Fáilte Ireland today unveiled ten new and updated viewing points along Mulroy Drive, a looped route off the Wild Atlantic Way designed to encourage visitors to explore more and stay longer in the Mulroy Bay area in Donegal.
Developed with an investment of €160,000 from Fáilte Ireland, the new and updated viewing points will bring local stories to life and maximise the optimum vantage points along the 38km route, which was originally created by the Mulroy Drive Tourism Group.
Five new viewing points have been installed at Kerrykeel (x2), Carlan South, Tamney and Woodquarter
Joan Crawford, Wild Atlantic Way Manager at Fáilte Ireland, said: “The Mulroy Drive was designed to encourage visitors to explore Mulroy Bay, an area of remarkable unspoilt beauty connecting Fanad Lighthouse, Ballymastocker Bay and Rosguill Peninsula. While there were viewing points in existence along the route, together with Donegal County Council and the Mulroy Drive Tourism Group, we identified additional points for interpretation. Today, we are unveiling five new viewing points along the route alongside five updated viewing points, which will enhance the visitor experience and increase dwell time, supporting revenue generation and job creation in local communities in the area.”
Pictured at one of the new viewing points at Kerrykeel was from left Michael McGinley, Ernert Stewart, David Leonard, Failte Ireland, Siobhan King, Failte Ireland, John MCCarron, Joe McHugh, TD, Dolores McGee, Michael McBride, Dessie McGettigan, Danny McGee, Paddy Logue, Chairperson Mulroy Drive Tourism Grouo, Tommy Logue, Joan Crawford, Failte Ireland, Senator Niall Blaney and Barney McLaughlin, Donegal County Council. Photo Clive Wasson
Created using stories and imagery from local communities across the region, the theme for the new viewing points along the Mulroy Drive is ‘gathering the harvest of land and sea’. Constructed from locally cut stone, the viewing points aim to encourage visitors to sit and take in the beauty and stories of the local area.
Liam Ward, Director of Community Development & Planning Services at Donegal County Council, said: “Donegal County Council is delighted to work in partnership with Fáilte Ireland and the local tourism industry and community to further develop the Mulroy Drive. The Wild Atlantic Way has been a fantastic success and this looped route encourages visitors to get off the beaten track and discover the surrounding area.”
Paddy Logue, Mulroy Drive Tourism Group, said: “It is fantastic to see the Mulroy Drive continue to be developed. The Mulroy Bay area has so much to offer visitors and with ten viewing points along the route for visitors to discover now, it will encourage people to stay longer and spend more within the region.”
The Mulroy Drive will be promoted on www.discoverireland.ie and a visitor map outlining the route and highlighting the activities and attractions visitors can enjoy throughout the region is available for local businesses to use. Fáilte Ireland is working with Donegal County Council, Mulroy Drive Tourism Group and local businesses to maximise the tourism opportunities the route presents, and a motif has been created for businesses to use across their websites and marketing materials along with an Interpretation Toolkit.
