Donegal’s path to progress: three initiatives making a big difference

In celebration of the LGMA’s Your Council Day, Donegal County Council has prepared this article showcasing three of their innovative initiatives – the Sláintecare Healthy Communities Initiative, #LoveDonegal campaign, and the Harbour to Island Regeneration project. These initiatives demonstrate Donegal’s commitment to enhancing health, promoting local pride and improving the public realm, each of which is fostering social well-being, economic growth, and sustainable development within the community.

Sláintecare Healthy Communities Programme

The Sláintecare Healthy Communities Initiative is an inter-agency plan to improve the health and well-being of the most disadvantaged areas of society. The Department of Health, Donegal County Council and the Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) have agreed to work in partnership with a range of stakeholders to coordinate interventions that address the social determinants of health, which are the conditions in which we are born, live, grow, work and age.

Raised Bed Project at Fanad Day Centre in 2024

The 3-year programme, which was administered by the LCDC and initiated in 2022, covers two areas in Donegal: Inishowen and An Gaeltacht. Two Community Development Officers deliver the programme in the pilot areas, with respective Seed funding of €75K per area annually as well as funding to cover staff costs. A new 5-year SLA has also been signed with the Department of Health, starting in 2025 that will build on the work to date.

During 2023, in Northwest Gaeltacht, the projects included the redevelopment of a playground in Dungloe, the enhancement of accessibility to the Muckish Greenway project and the Men’s Shed Scioból na bhfear on Tory Island. In Inishowen, the projects included works at Barrack Hill in Carndonagh, the Tip O’Neill Trail and the Moville.

Raised Bed Project at Fanad Day Centre in 2024

Projects delivered in 2024 included a mobility bus, Health and Wellbeing programmes for men, Men’s Sheds, Grow Your Own initiatives in National Schools and the development of raised beds in eight community-led Day Centres.

#LoveDonegal

In 2023, #LoveDonegal broke the internet and became a worldwide phenomenon, reaching a global audience of 85 million across 24 hours and rising to nearly 125 million throughout the weekend. In 2024, the #LoveDonegal campaign received an incredible response, reaching an astounding global audience of 99.5 million throughout the day.

Council Staff at the Launch of Love Donegal Day. Photo Clive Wasson

#LoveDonegal is an important day in the calendar as it brings all of those with a connection to our beautiful county, from all corners of the world, together to proclaim their love for Donegal. The aim of this campaign is to encourage people to participate and engage from all corners of the world and spread the word to our diaspora, their networks and further afield about the many opportunities in Donegal.

Harbour to Island Regeneration Project

The Burtonport Harbour to Island Regeneration (Phase 2) project proposes a ferry terminal building and enterprise space in the new harbour environment in Burtonport. This significant regeneration project is co-funded by Donegal County Council and the Department of Rural and Community Development under the Rural Regeneration & Development Fund, which is a flagship element of Project Ireland 2040. The project is the result of collaboration with the local community, Donegal County Council and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

The Ailt an Chorráin (Burtonport) Harbour Redevelopment – Phase 2 Regeneration Project forms part of the broader and linked multi-faceted integrated phased project known as the Ailt an Chorráin (Burtonport)/Árainn Mhór (Arranmore) ‘Harbour to Island’ Regeneration Project for the regeneration of Ailt an Chorráin (Burtonport) and Oileán Árainn Mhór (Arranmore Island).  Phase 1 transformed the harbour infrastructure and environment through the demolition and removal of under-utilised, redundant or vacant buildings, to a new multi-user public realm space with modern transport infrastructure, public amenities and services, and parking. Phase 2 proposes a new Ferry Terminal Building and Enterprise Building that present as an important physical element of the overall project and provide a valuable opportunity to introduce regenerative physical development, a diversification of uses and quality architecture to the marine and harbour environment. The Ailt an Chorrain (Burtonport) Harbour Redevelopment Phase 2 Regeneration Project is scheduled for completion by Q4 2025.

On Arranmore Island, the project aims to deliver a landmark shorefront recreation area, an outdoor amphitheatre-style event space, and a high-quality community-inspired amenity. The project ultimately seeks to enhance tourism, marine leisure and economic growth in the region, with a key focus on the re-population strategy for the Islands as well. The initiative is expected to contribute to the overall development and sustainability of Donegal’s coastal communities.