Inishowen

Map

A Short Guide To Buncrana

ar ais arís 2007 Festival

Without an anniversary

The Keep, The Castle And The Owners

Father Hegarty's Rock

Buncrana Picture Gallery

Grianan Aileach

Lough Swilly

Contact

Arriving at Inishowen's shore soon alters everyone's perception of setting foot for the first time on any civilized destination. On Buncrana's pier there is no shelter, no toilet, no one around. No sign to point you even towards town. Nowhere to sit or promenade. No cead mile failte. No welcome at all. A place with as much charm as a skunk in heat. Harbouring cynicism is not required for coming to the conclusion that visitors are an unfortunate burden. Last year several flood lights were smashed, still pending. Ammunition surely was provided and used as Donegal County Council moved the bottle __ down the pier for several weeks, just beside the Craft Shop. A broken glass area and damaged windows on the fishing boats were the result. Now it has been moved to the Tourist Office. They sure know how to pick their places. Welcome to Buncrana.

At least the restaurant has opened again and it is a hard pressed prayer answered. It's called The Beach House, it's serving very good food indeed , even the table wine is dangerously enjoyable and all for a reasonable price.

Lough Swilly Lifeboat had disturbing news that their lifeboat might be taken away in October if no solution will be provided for to dredge the pier in Buncrana, what leaves the safety of the ever increasing traffic on both Lough Swilly and Lough Foyle in the very capable hands of our crew equipped with one wee rubber dinghy complete with one engine on the back. So far the lifeboat has been stationed outside Ned's Point but the problem has been accessibility in bad weather. The crew has to go out in the mentioned dinghy to get on board and the danger to the crew is much higher at gael force. But so is the need of a lifeboat under treacherous conditions. It is a shattering affair, when realisation concludes that someone has to die first before long due improvements are made. There has been talk of promises in the papers not that long ago but the men and women of our lifeboat not only have given more than their time to rescue others over the years, they also fought hard and long to get a more 21^st century equipment. Experience has taught tough that promise usually comes with empty preceding it and its better not to be left to a wait and see approach.

IN PROGRESS