Recreation and Leisure

Donegal Outdoor Recreation Strategy 2023-2029 was launched on 7th June 2023 by Minister Heather Humpreys, Department of Rural and Community Development.
 
The project was launched at Gartan Outdoor Education and Training Centre. The county wide strategy which will guide and facilitate the sustainable development and management of outdoor recreation up to 2029 and beyond is closely aligned with the ambitions and aspiration of the recently launched National Strategy for Outdoor Recreation - Embracing Our Great Outdoors. Donegal is one among one of the first counties to do so. 
 
Launching the Outdoor Recreation Strategy for Donegal, Minister Humphreys said ‘from an outdoor recreation perspective Donegal has so much to offer, few place can compete with the natural beauty across this county’.

‘The Donegal Outdoor Recreation Strategy will provide a clear blueprint to sustainably grow and improve both land and water-based recreation activities throughout the county’.
 
Strategy is available to view here:- Donegal Outdoor Recreation Strategy 2023-2029

Donegal County Council through Healthy Donegal and funded under the Healthy Ireland Round 4 Programme has launched a free convenient, pocket-sized guide to playgrounds across Donegal. 

The Donegal Playground Passport contains a map of Donegal with forty playgrounds numbered and listed in each Municipal District. Each playground is accompanied by a QR code and GPS coordinates that will take you straight to the swings and slides! The guide also includes details of some of the free or low-cost activities in the nearby area for those looking to extend their day out.
 
To download a copy of the Playground Passport Click Here or as Gaeilge Anseo
 
To request a copy please contact mfitzgerald@donegalcoco.ie or call 074915300

Playgrounds provide a free place for children, their families and minders to explore play and enjoy the outdoors. Donegal County Council is responsible for the management and control of 51 playgrounds, 4 multi-use games areas, 1 skate park and 7 outdoor gyms throughout the county. There are also multiple playgrounds maintained by local community groups throughout the county.
 
The Council works closely with local groups to manage and maintain these facilities for the local community and visitors to ensure a safe environment for children to play. The playgrounds are inspected regularly to ensure that safety issues are identified and addressed as soon as reasonably practicable. Donegal County Council acknowledges and thanks the many parents and volunteers that work tirelessly to develop and maintain their local playground. We ask that you support their efforts by respecting the rules of each playground and help keep them safe and litter free.
 
Note:  Any damage or vandalism at any of the above playgrounds should be reported to Donegal County Council

Click on the links below to find the Donegal County Council maintained playgrounds in each Municipal District:
 
Donegal MD Playgrounds

Glenties MD Playgrounds

Inishowen MD Playgrounds

Letterkenny/Milford MD Playgrounds

Stranorlar MD Playgrounds

Map of Playground Locations

Donegal offers a diverse range of scenic walks, from short looped walks to longer distance trails that afford walkers views of breathtaking landscapes.
 
The Donegal Trails Office role is to:-
 
Work closely with other relevant agencies and community groups on the maintenance and development of walking, cycling and hiking routes in Co Donegal.   Based in the Community Development Division, the Office works through Donegal County Council, to provide assistance and support to community groups and the general public, on the provision of sustainable paths and trails infrastructure.

Funding application assistance is provided to groups and some maintenance support is also provided to existing paths and trails in co-operation with other relevant agencies.

Work closely with Donegal Tourism www.govisitdonegal.com to support and develop our tourism industry locally through the promotion of walking, hiking and cycling as an outdoor recreation.

Carry out a number of visitor monitoring exercises on key projects in the county.  The data obtained is provided through Donegal County Council to the relevant agencies including Failte Ireland.

A strategy and delivery model for Greenway development in Donegal and on a cross-border basis is currently being prepared. 

Donegal County Council provides public liability insurance through the National Trails Office on a number of our National Waymarked trails and looped walks.
 
For further information or any other queries, please do not hesitate to contact:-
 
Darryl Connor
Paths & Trails Development Officer
Donegal Trails Office
Donegal County Council
Community Development
Station Island
Lifford
Co Donegal
P:       (074) 91 53 900      Mobile: (087) 3613811
E:       DCONNOR@Donegalcoco.ie

Donegal is home to a number of excellent leisure centres which include swimming pools, gym and spa facilities. These include - 

Donegal County Council works in partnership with Donegal Sports Partnership to promote an Active Donegal. Donegal Sports Partnership’s is an inter-agency and multi-sectoral organisation with representatives from all the main statutory agencies and the community and voluntary sectors on its Board of Directors. 

Together we help communicate the nature of the work of the partnership, which is organised along a framework of four pillars: Active Sports, Active Schools, Active Communities and Active Partnerships. 

For further information see - 

Promoting an Active Donegal - Donegal Local Sports Partnership CLG

Donegal Half Marathon was established in 2014, with a children's event added in 2019. 

This is an annual fun and family event, with a lot of recreational runners using it as a challenge to try and get healthier and fitter and where children complete a one-kilometre dash and finish at the same finish line as the half marathon participants.

For more information see  

Donegal Marathon

Donegal provides a brilliant backdrop for the abundance of activities the county has to offer. From Europe’s highest accessible sea cliffs to wild moorlands, charming villages to walking trails and outdoor adventures. Find peace on one of our islands where you will experience Gaeltacht heritage and an opportunity to island hop if you so wish! 

To activate your adrenaline or relax and unwind, enjoy browsing our website for inspiration for an unforgettable experience in Donegal -

Your Wild Atlantic Way starts here! | Go Visit Donegal