Efforts underway to raise the profile of Inishowen’s ancient monuments

Efforts are underway to raise the profile of Inishowen’s ancient monuments and religious sites as part of a drive to attract more tourists to the peninsula.

Go Visit Inishowen, the peninsula’s tourism body, is focusing on drawing more attention to Inishowen’s accessible monastic sites, holy wells, Mass rocks and pre-Christan monuments.

The peninsula’s monastic sites are to feature in a US television show which has involved Go Visit Inishowen and local historians Jennifer Doherty and Sean Beattie.

The religious sites will also feature prominently in Go Visit Inishowen’s 2024 Visitor Guide. Local historians have also been key in working with and providing Go Visit Inishowen with information on the religious sites. 

Jennifer Doherty of Irish Ancestral tours (www.irishancestral.com) has listed all of Inishowen’s accessible monastic sites and provided historical context to the guide. Sean Beattie, a local historian and member of the heritage group Lands of Eoghan, has also contributed to this information and provided with rich Inishowen stories and history of the area that are true treasures. Seamus Bovaird and Rosemarie Moulden at Inishowen Maritime Museum have lent their support to the guide also and allowed access to their archive. 

Carndonagh historian Maura Harkin has contributed to the guide and donated Inishowen history books to Go Visit Inishowen as a local resource which can be read at the Go Visit Inishowen. An archival article by Malin’s historian Conal Byrne has also been included in the guide.

Go Visit Inishowen is also working with Ms Doherty and Mr Beattie to develop a “spiritual trail” based around the Inishowen 100.  The trail will incorporate ancient monuments used in pagan and druidic worship such as the Bocan stone circle and An Grianan of Aileach, as well as the early Christian monastic sites which formed the Magh Tóchuir or “fertile plain”.  

The Magh Tóchuir was a renowned place of pilgrimage from the early medieval period which saw a profusion of monastic settlements develop across the top of the peninsula and which included Clonca, Cooley and Carrowmore, amongst many others. 

Reverend Marty McNeely installed as Minster at Fahan Presbyterian Church

In addition to being the Minister of Fahan Presbyterian Church, Reverend Marty McNeely will also be involved in a new Church Plant in Buncrana

Go Visit Inishowen manager Lisa McLaughlin gave a presentation to the latest meeting of the Inishowen Municipal District meeting to raise awareness of the importance of promoting Inishowen’s ancient monuments sites and history.

“Inishowen is underselling its prominence in this field. Other areas of Ireland and Scotland have promoted their monastic and spiritual tourism with much success. Inishowen has the richest there is to offer in Ireland and these local historians doing fantastic work need our support. The hope is to get assistance getting these sites signposted.”

Go Visit Inishowen is announcing a competition with transition-year students in Inishowen to create a flag for Inishowen to celebrate an I Love Inishowen Day on June 8. The day is planned as an event to celebrate all that Inishowen has to offer.

Go Visit Inishowen will be having a candlelight concert in Malin hall on May 5 with the Inishowen Trad  Choir, harp ensemble, Inishowen traditional music project and a special guest performance by Anna Tanvir and Maninder Singh. Known as INDECELTIC, Irish-born Anna, and Maninder from Dehradun in Northern India, met in the foothills of the Himalayas in 2017. Now settled in Ireland, they made a guest appearance recently on the Late Late Show with Liam O Maonlai of the Hothouse Flowers.

The visitor guide will feature a new historical and vintage section to the guide so that visitors and locals can learn more about Inishowen’s rich history and culture. The guide will include information about our rich tapestry in Inishowen from it’s maritime history, textile industry and it’s agricultural history. It will include information about Inishowen’s rich music tradition, ancient arts and crafts, poitin-making and local interest stories and notable figures and events that have shaped the peninsula’s rich legacy.