Donegal County Council says one of its priorities in 2026 will be to capitalise on the success of the TBEX conference in Letterkenny in September 2025.
The council is also welcoming the continued championing of the county by Lonely Planet, which continues to position Donegal as one of the most sought after destinations in Ireland.
In it’s budget book for 2026, Donegal County Council says it will continue to work with partner stakeholders in supporting the Camping and Campervan Sector in Donegal. Funding was previously allocated to businesses and community-based groups for the provision of facilities, new signage has been piloted in a number of areas and the existing Camping Service Points in the county have been reviewed.
The importance of the Festival and Events Sector in Donegal is acknowledged, with the council administering almost €50,000 in funding from Failte Ireland.
The council says it will continue to press Failte Ireland and other national to commit to more promotion of Donegal and the North West region, while continuing to invest in its digital marketing assets including GoVisitDonegal.ie, social media, and blogging platforms to promote Donegal in a targeted and effective way.
The Council says its commitment to enhanced air access to the region is evident in its allocation of €50,000 has been made to support Donegal Airport, and Ireland West Airport in Knock.
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Excerpt from DCC’s Budget Book –
2026 will see tourism in Donegal capitalise on
recent successes including the hosting of TBEX
in Donegal in September 2025 and the
unprecedented success of the unique ‘Sharing
Donegal’ campaign as well as being named in
2024 as one of the top regions in the world to
visit by Lonely Planet. This continues to
position the county as one of the most sought
after destinations in Ireland.
4.67 The Council will continue to work with partner
stakeholders in supporting the Camping and
Campervan Sector in Donegal. Funding was
previously allocated to businesses and
community-based groups for the provision of
facilities, new signage has been piloted in a
number of areas and the existing Camping
Service Points in the county have been reviewed.
Economic Development will work with the
Councils Environment Service to upgrade
existing service point facilities.
4.68 The Council recognises the importance of the
Festival and Events Sector in Donegal, both in
terms of attracting visitors to the county as well
as creating memorable experiences for visitors
when they come to Donegal. The Council will
administer the €49,750 Failte Ireland Festival
and Events Funding Programme that supports in
the region of 30 festival and events each year. In
addition, a fund is provided to support a small
number of key strategic festivals that attract
substantial visitor numbers.
4.69 The Council’s Tourism Marketing team, in
conjunction with Donegal Tourism CLG, will
continue to promote Donegal as a holiday
destination-of-choice and target specific markets
in Ireland and overseas. The Council will work
with a range of partners including Tourism
Ireland and Fáilte Ireland to ensure that there is
a strong promotional focus on Donegal and the
North West region.
4.70 The Council will continue to invest in its digital
marketing assets including GoVisitDonegal.ie,
social media, and blogging platforms to promote
Donegal in a targeted and effective way. These
assets will continue to be central platforms for
the promotion of Donegal as a destination-of
choice for visitors.
4.71 The Council will continue to support the
development of the Donegal Golf Cluster
through a range of activities building on the
success of recent international tournaments and
private investments in clubs across Donegal.
4.72 The Council is committed to continuing to
support air access to our region. An allocation
totalling €50,000 has been made to support
Aerphort Dhún na nGall and Ireland West
Airport.
