04/03/19 Lift-off for Donegal Connect …

Pictured at the launch of Donegal Connect at Donegal Airport on Friday is Mairead Ní Mhaonaigh, Micheál O’Duibhir, Niamh Walsh, Garry Martin, Donegal County Council, Marie McDaid, IDA, Deirdre McGlone, Harveys Point, David Roche, Pramerica, Packie Bonner. Donegal Connect is a 10 day celebration taking place this autumn encouraging Donegal people all over the world to return home for the celebration.

The most beautiful airport landing in the world provided the stunning backdrop for the launch of ‘Donegal Connect’ a new initiative to reach out to all those who have an affinity for Donegal enticing them to come back for a 10 day celebration this autumn.  The launch took place on Friday (1 March 2019) last.

Donegal Connect will take place from 27 Sept - 6 Oct and will continue to strengthen links with Donegal people both on the island of Ireland and across the world by reaching out to them and inviting them to come home and connect again with the county.  

Speaking at the launch at Donegal Airport, Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council Cllr Seamus O’Domhnaill said “the objective of Donegal Connect is to entice people to make the journey back to Donegal to explore the county and find out why it is a great place to visit, to relocate to, to grow up in, to be educated in, to work in, to invest in or to retire in.  We hope that over the 10 days of Donegal Connect we will give participants a first-hand experience of what it is like to live and do business in Donegal.”

The 10 day celebration will have something for everyone with a strong focus on food, genealogy, culture, heritage, sport and music and in particular on employment and business development opportunities. 

Highlighting business development and career opportunities in Donegal is an important element of Donegal Connect which will include business networking events and seminars, a careers symposium and workshops on the practicalities of relocating or returning to Donegal as well as a series of events showcasing the superb quality of life opportunities on offer.

The initiative is being delivered by Donegal County Council through the Donegal Diaspora project working with a range of public and private sector organisations including IDA, LYIT, Udaras na Gaeltachta, Harvey’s Point and some of the largest private sector employers in the county including Pramerica, Randox and Abbotts Diabetes Care. 

Launching 'Donegal Connect' at Donegal Airport on Friday is Packie Bonner and Mairead Ni Mhaonaigh with her daughter Nia.  Donegal Connect is a new initiative aimed at enticing Donegal people home for a 10 day celebration this autumn.

David Roche, Director FinTech Services and Head of Corporate Social Responsibility with Pramerica, believes that this type of initiative not only highlights the ICT/FinTech opportunities within Donegal from a business investment and career progression perspective, but also showcases the superb quality of life and other opportunities, for both individuals and families looking to relocate or return home. 

Donegal Connect - is about giving a taste of what it is like to live and work in a county of breath-taking beauty, steeped in rich and unique cultural traditions, offering residents family-friendly lifestyle , fantastic qualities of life, businesses that can successfully operate and compete, all enjoying the benefits of the saying “stay local go global”.

Irish soccer legend and former Ireland goalie Packie Bonner and Irish traditional musician Mairead Ní Mhaonaigh were on hand to help launch Donegal Connect along with video messages from golfer Paul McGinley and Donegal Associations in New York and Philadelphia.

Invited guests were treated to a wonderful display of Irish traditional music by An Chrannóg.

For more information visit www.donegalconnect.com