Operational Stories

Our Fire Service is another example of the vital services provided by our operational staff, crucial for public safety, proving essential services like fire suppression, rescue, and emergency.  They also play a vital role in fire prevention through inspections, public education, and enforcing safety regulations.

A recent operation by the Donegal Fire Service involved a number of wildfires as Donegal experienced a significant dry period in April 2025, with record high temperatures recorded by Met Éireann at the stations in Finner and Malin Head. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine also issued several Fire Danger Notices covering the period from 1^st to 14^th April where a high fire risk was deemed to exist in all areas with hazardous fuels such as dead grasses and shrub fuels such as heather and gorse.

Donegal County Fire Service responded to a series of wildfires during April and specifically during the periods of high fire risk with all fifteen retained fire brigades in the County responding to wildfires Two of the largest wildfires occurred in the vicinity of the Townland of Ardnawark outside Donegal Town and in the Knockalla area of Fanad. Multiple brigades from Donegal County Fire Service responded to both wildfires with aerial firefighting support provided by two helicopters. The wildfires in both locations were extinguished in the early afternoon of the day following ignition.

Saturday November 23rd 2024 saw one of the worst flooding events in the Donegal Municipal District, in recent times, where extensive flash flooding occurred in the early hours of the morning on Bridge Street Killybegs, Co Donegal. This flood entered houses, business premises, private rented accommodation and was so severe that some individuals effected, had to be evacuated by Fire Service Personnel. The immediate response to this incident was carried out by our Fire Services team and over the course of a number of hours, fire service staff, Roads staff, Housing staff, Senior Managers and Public representatives were all working as a team to deal with this emergency. Once the initial stages of the incident were managed and dealt with, Council staff coordinated arrangements to continue the assistance to local residents, businesses and this included the provision of food, emergency accommodation and more practical assistance such as dehumidifiers and other technical support. In the days that followed, the Council coordinated a multi- agency response which included supports from the Dept of Social Protection, to assist those people and businesses impacted in the incident. 
 
In responding to this incident, many staff worked outside office hours to deal with a variety of issues. The Council staff in a number of Departments were also key to engaging all of the other stakeholder agencies in agreeing remedial actions to prevent such an incident occurring at this location in the future. 

This level of joined up response, at a time of crisis, is one of the reasons why our Donegal MD staff have contributed their part in our recognition as Local Authority of the year.

Council staff in the Glenties MD welcome the recent success of the Council at both LAMA & Chambers Ireland award ceremonies and staff are proud of their contribution to this recognition at a national level.

Roads

The Road network on the Donegal offshore Islands suffered historical neglect as many Island roads were not under the remit of the Council and therefore were not eligible for various funding streams.

Glenties Municipal District Staff, Councillors and representatives of the offshore Island communities on the Council’s Island Committee successfully collaborated on achieving a positive solution, resulting in the adoption of an Islands Roads Takeover policy by Plenary Council facilitating the procurement of substantial Governmental funding.

In the last 3 years the Island Road network has received a major investment of €3.1 million resulting in a significant infrastructural enhancement for Islanders and increasing numbers of visitors to the many offshore Islands which are considered the jewels of the Donegal Gaeltacht.

Housing

The Council are currently progressing the construction of 43. No social housing units in Dungloe and a further 18 no. units in Creeslough, Glenties and Derrybeg are in design stage.

The Council has recently completed the allocation of 7 no. social housing units in Annagry and a further turnkey development of 29 social housing units is ongoing in Gaoth Dobhair.

The energy efficient retrofitting programme has enabled the Council to upgrade more than 100 no. units of social housing to a minimum of B2 BER rating in locations in Ardara, Annagry, Falcarragh, Burtonport, Doochary and Fintown with further energy efficiency works due to commence in Gaoth Dobhair and Gortahork.

Burtonport Redevelopment Scheme

The Ailt an Chorráin (Burtonport) Harbour Redevelopment - Phase 2 Harbour Buildings Regeneration Project is a key component of the larger phased project known as the Ailt an Chorráin (Burtonport)/Oileán Árainn Mhór (Arranmore Island) ‘Harbour to Island’ Regeneration Project for the regeneration of Burtonport (Ailt an Chorráin) and Arranmore (Oileán Árainn Mhór). 

The ‘Harbour to Island’ Project was conceived on the basis that it would take place in two stages in order to accommodate the existing uses occupying the harbour space including the Harbour Master’s office, ticket offices and the public toilets.

Phase 1 of the Project provided for the following developments:

Ailt an Chorráin (Burtonport):- Transformation of the harbour infrastructure and environment through the demolition and removal of under-utilised, redundant or vacant buildings, to a new multi-user public realm space with modern transport infrastructure, public amenities and services and parking;

Óilean Árainn Mhór (Arranmore Island):- Landmark shorefront recreation, outdoor amenity and local

community inspired amphitheatre style event space including children’s playground and car parking.

Phase 2 of the project proposes a new Harbour master Building and Enterprise Building that present as an important physical element of the overall project and provide a valuable opportunity to introduce regenerative physical development, a diversification of uses and quality architecture to the marine and harbour environment. Broadly, the proposed development will provide for the construction of a Harbour master Building which will house Donegal County Council office accommodation, a community meeting room, public facilities, ferry offices, waiting area and tourist desk facility and a separate Enterprise Building containing a number of small mixed-use units that will help create employment opportunities and stimulate entrepreneurship.

Burtonport to Letterkenny Greenway

The emerging preferred route corridor selection completion represents a significant milestone in the proposal to develop 100km of new greenway infrastructure between Ailt an Chorráin and Letterkenny with a connection to An Clochán Liath and includes active travel links between towns and villages. The route has also looked to wherever possible provide or at least enable linkage to local schools, community facilities , sports facilities, and tourist attractions in the locality.

Council staff in Inishowen Municipal District welcome the recognition of their contributions to helping the Council achieve the prestigious ‘Local Authority of the Year’ title at the Chambers Ireland awards 2024 and ‘Council of the Year’ at the LAMA awards 2025.

Examples of events and projects over recent times in Inishowen Municipal District include:

Official Unveiling and Special Blessing of the Fr Hegarty Public Artwork and Shore Path Refurbishment Project, Buncrana

The official unveiling and special Blessing of the Bronze figurative statue of Father Seamus Hegarty OP. Dominican Friar Public Artwork and shore path refurbishment project at Father Hegarty’s Rock, Buncrana, took place on Friday 4th April 2025 by Charlie McConalogue TD, Minister for Sport and Postal Policy and His Excellency Archbishop Luis Mariano Montemayor, Apostolic Nuncio and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps.  

Main Street Newtowncunningham 

Inishowen Roads in collaboration with the NTA office successfully completed works on Newtowncunningham Main Street. The project included a revamp of the street and traffic calming measures. This funding is part of a larger Masterplan developed by the Newtowncunningham Focus Group to enhance the village's safety and overall environment. In addition, Newtowncunningham Scoil Cholmcille also benefited from the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program, which improved safety and encouraged active travel for students. This program was funded by the Department of Transport through the National Transport Authority. 
All works were delivered on programme and within budget by the local area team and supports by the Central Technical services of Donegal County Council.

Energy Efficiency Retrofit Programme

Inishowen Housing Section have completed the deep energy retrofit of 60 council owned dwellings with works including the installations of new windows and doors, cavity, roof and external insulation works, removal of chimneys and fossil fuel heating systems including oil burners/stoves/cookers and replaced with air to water heating system.

The value of the above works can be measured in two perspectives, the benefit to the home itself and the societal benefit.  The benefit to the home is that it is more energy efficient, it stays warmer longer, provides a steady temperature, hot water, less drafts and reduced running costs.  From a societal perspective benefits include the reduction in greenhouse gases and cleaner air quality within estates.

Housing Projects 

Sixteen new housing units were allocated at Crana Crescent, Buncrana earlier this year. Three Design and Build projects commenced in Malin, Gleneely and Carndonagh and fifty-four houses are currently being constructed at Rockytown, Buncrana.

Library Services 

The Donegal County Library comprises of 13 libraries, 3 of which are based in the Inishowen Peninsula. In-branch services in Buncrana, Carndonagh and Moville comprises of Free Wi-Fi, Public PC, Printing & Scanning. Membership is free, with no overdue fines and the service supports a wide range of services beyond books. The 3 libraries provide an inclusive, non-commercial environment where people of all ages can gather, learn and connect. 

My Open Library is now available at Buncrana Community Library. The My Open Library service offers extended opening hours, providing library access to members from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., 365 days per year. The staffed hours, combined with the extended My Open Library hours, allow library members to access the library at times that suit them, particularly for those who may not be able to access the library during regular staffed times. This initiative is a welcome addition to the essential services that Libraries provide to our local communities. The staffed hours remain, but with the introduction of My Open Library, Buncrana Community Library is expanding its reach and becoming even more responsive to the needs of its patrons by facilitating access to the physical library space in a way that suits people's busy lives.
In 2024 over 95,000 people visited the three branches in Inishowen which highlights the importance of the service for the Peninsula. 

The recognition and validation of the work and effort of the staff of the municipal district in the form of the LAMA and Chambers Ireland award is very much appreciated by all of the team and elected members in the Letterkenny and Milford Municipal District.

Staff in the Letterkenny \ Milford area are very proud and excited to be part of the team effort to advance multiple regeneration initiatives in the district. These include the development of walking and cycling infrastructure, strategic land acquisition for the purposes of regeneration and, capital investment in the development of the Cathedral Quarter and the old Courthouse. 

As part of Project Ireland 2040, the Council launched an ambitious plan to transform Letterkenny into a vibrant regional hub. This includes reimagining Market Square and implementing projects that enhance the town’s social, economic, and environmental landscape.  The growth of Letterkenny ATU and the ambition shown with the planned 42 acre Regional Sports Hub at Carnamuggagh will propel the town to the goal of City Status set out in the Letterkenny 2040 Strategy.

The Council has secured nearly €50 million in government funding to build 170 social houses at Ballymacool, Letterkenny, one of the largest housing projects ever undertaken by the authority. The first 100 units are expected to be completed by the end of 2026.

In addition to Ballymacool, the Council acquired an 8.23-acre site at High Road, with potential for 175 more housing units. The first phase aims to deliver 30 units by the end of 2026.

The Council’s Housing Team is proud of its role in modernising the Council’s housing stock in the MD through the Energy Efficiency Retrofitting Programme.  This serves to lower energy bills, improve comfort and health and reduce our carbon footprint.

Letterkenny, Milford and surrounding area, with its mix of older housing stock and growing population, stands to gain significantly from these upgrades—both in terms of quality of life and long-term sustainability.

The Milford Town Centre First Plan launched by Donegal County Council is a regeneration strategy to revitalise the town of Milford. It’s part of Ireland’s broader Town Centre First policy, which aims to breathe new life into rural towns by focusing on community-led development and sustainable growth. Key highlights of the Milford plan include the redevelopment of the former Milford Hotel site into a central public space, recreational and amenity development at Lower Mount Marian and a major public realm upgrade on Main Street, including the transformation of Market Square.

Based in the Milford PSC the Road Management Office (RMO) was established in 2014, under the oversight of the County and City Management Association (CCMA) and supports asset management for public roads across Ireland's 31 local authorities. The RMO's original mandate as a specialist shared services centre, began as a focused support service for road asset management. That has now transformed into an indispensable enabler of roads management capability across Ireland, operating at the intersection of multiple critical national policy objectives. The RMO provide cost-effective, innovative solutions to address common road asset management challenges based on resilient and secure IT infrastructure. This empowers local government with data driven evidence-based solutions for efficient and sustainable road asset management, while promoting consistency and collaboration with national stakeholders.

The RMO’s strategic plan anticipates substantial growth in operational scope and complexity between 2025-2030.

• Asset Management: the recording of 32,500 road pavement projects (€2.83B), 6,250 drainage projects (€125M), 1,650 bridge projects (€110M), 1,500 safety projects (€55M), and 3,000 active travel projects (€1B).
• Licensing Operations: the processing of up to 88,000 road opening licences annually by 2030, including collecting and distributing €27M in associated licensing revenue.
• Survey activities will include the conducting of road attribute rating surveys across 44,300km of the network and visual condition surveys across 407,500km.
• Training and development is expected to reach 3,000 learners annually while providing 10,000 hours of high-touch support.
• Implementation of energy efficiency strategies for Public Lighting and the survey of 500,000 public lights.

Council staff (indoor and outdoor) in the Lifford-Stranorlar MD are delighted with the recognition of their contributions to helping the Council achieve the prestigious ‘Local Authority of the Year’ title at the Chambers Ireland awards 2024 and ‘Council of the Year’ at the LAMA awards 2025. Service highlights in the MD over the 2024-2025 period include:

• Roads Service – completion of the Castlefin-Lifford Greenway and works are progressing on extending this to St. Patrick’s Church, Murlog.
• Economic Development – the delivery of tailored tourism/business grant funding and bespoke marketing initiatives and the commencement of enabling infrastructure works on the major Serviced Land Initiative at The Commons, Lifford which will facilitate a range of uses including: social housing, community health, recreation, and business.
• Community Development – a wide range of programmes delivered/supported across the MD including the Town & Village Renewal Programme (including the Railway Walk in Convoy and Drumboe Woods Park project in Stranorlar), Clar Programme (including Castlefin Celtic and Red Hughs), Walks & Trails development (including Trusk Lough & Drumboe River Walk), Healthy Ireland & Social Inclusion initiatives and the roll out of the Rural Development Programme/LEADER through the Donegal LCDC (LAG).
• Planning Services – major initiatives include the SEED Project which is a transformative town centre regeneration project in Ballybofey/Stranorlar and the Riverine Project (Peace IV Shared Spaces Programme) which is a key community regeneration project for the Strabane & Lifford areas creating a new community park that will positively transform the physical and social character of both towns and their wider hinterlands.
• Environmental Services – critical waste enforcement and water safety initiatives carried out in multiple locations across the MD on an ongoing basis, the implementation of the Council’s Climate Action Plan and the progression of key Flood Relief Projects at Castlefin and Ballybofey/Stranorlar.
• Housing Services – key projects include the delivery of a 19-unit exemplary model of housing for senior citizens at Trusk Road, Ballybofey, the delivery of a 29-unit housing scheme at Gallows Lane in Lifford, the delivery of an 11-unit scheme at Meadow Hill in Raphoe and ongoing support for the delivery of the Habinteg Scheme of 34 social housing units in Castlefin. Detailed design/tendering works continue on major planned social housing developments for Lifford Common (60 units), Cois Abhainn St. Johnston (30 units) and Stranorlar at the former fire station site (8 units).
• Enhanced Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme – as a Designed Local Authority, the Council are tasked with the Administration of the Enhanced Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme on behalf of the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage. The Council continues to support and engage with over 2,100 impacted homeowners in Donegal, whose homes are damaged due to the use of Defective Concrete Blocks in its construction. To date, payments in excess of €103M have been issued to homeowners for approved Remedial Works, Engineers’ Report Fees, Professional Fees and Ancillary costs.  There are 525 dwellings undergoing remedial works at present while 102 dwellings have been completed.
• Rural Water - The Council’s Rural Water Section oversees and administers the Government’s national Multi Annual Rural Water Programmes (MARWP) in the County. In recent years, the focus of MARWP has shifted to the upgrading of existing schemes and facilitating their Taking in Charge by Uisce Éireann. The MARWP also supports the upgrading of private group schemes, in particular for issues relating to source protection, water quality, treatment, leakage & conservation, extensions and/or taking in charge. For the current Multi Annual Rural Water Programme 2024-2026, applications were submitted to the Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage in April 2024, and, as part of the first tranche of funding announced in November 2024, Donegal County Council was awarded €6.1m spread across 12 separate projects. Further funding announcements are expected in 2025, with DCC having projects to the value of circa €20m still under consideration. The Council also operates an annual subsidy scheme on behalf of the Department as a contribution towards operational costs for GWSs, a Well Grant Scheme for individual potable drinking water wells, a lead pipe remediation grant for domestic houses, and a grant scheme for the refurbishment or replacement of domestic wastewater treatment plants.