Date: 15 Oct 2025
Donegal County Council’s Tourism Unit, together with Fáilte Ireland and Local Enterprise Office Donegal, will host five business clinics across the county in November
The clinics mark a further collaboration between the three bodies to assist both new and existing businesses to diversify into the tourism industry.
The joint initiative will offer opportunities to discuss ideas for tourism businesses with local tourism officers from Fáilte Ireland and Donegal County Council. Together they will help operators to identify the appropriate supports and next steps to advancing their tourism business idea.
The clinics will be available to individuals and businesses in county Donegal who are considering, or at the early stages of starting a tourism business, wish to diversify into tourism from an existing business or are an existing tourism business wishing to expand their product.
Joan Crawford, Client Service Manager at Fáilte Ireland, stated, "The county and wider region present numerous opportunities for tourism growth. These business clinics serve as a valuable platform for discussions with our team. Our goal is to ensure that as many businesses as possible benefit from these clinics. If you have an idea for a new tourism attraction or activity, we encourage you to come and speak with our team. They will evaluate your concept, assess its viability, and direct you towards the appropriate supports."
Tourism Manager at Donegal County Council Joy Browne said ‘there are so many great ideas out there and so much passion for tourism in the county. We would encourage anyone who is thinking about setting up a tourism business, diversifying their current business to a tourism product or are an existing tourism business, to get in touch. There are lots of supports out there for businesses in or wishing to get into the tourism space and our knowledgeable tourism officers can help operators make the best of everything that is available.’
Brenda Hegarty, Head of Enterprise at the Local Enterprise Office of Donegal County Council said ‘time and time again we have seen how collaboration between both businesses and agencies in the county has led to fruitful results for all concerned. We are delighted to support these clinics and with tourism as such an important economic driver for Donegal, any initiative that seeks to support new tourism businesses is to be encouraged.’
Chief Executive of Donegal County Council and Chair of Donegal Tourism CLG John G. McLaughlin encouraged businesses looking to make the leap to reach out “this is a great opportunity for businesses or potential businesses to sit down and get great advice for free. Our teams are very knowledgeable about tourism in the county and will steer you in the right direction.”
Slots are allocated for 30 minutes and will be happening in venues across Donegal during the month of November.
If you’re interested in attending one of the clinics, please express your interest by emailing waw@failteireland.ie or tourism@donegalcoco.ie
