Newsletter 25, March 17

Fair City Star to open exhibition at Fort DunreeFair City's Mick Nolan will open a new exhibition by London artist Dennis Colverson at Fort Dunree on Friday 7th April. ‘InishowenThe Beautiful and Rugged Donegal Peninsula’ is a collection of paintings inspired by the Inishowen peninsula. This is the third time that Fort Dunree has hosted a showing of paintings by Dennis, the first was ten years ago in 2007, the first exhibition to go on display in the Saldanha Suite.The London-based artist is a regular visitor to the peninsula, as his daughter Jane Breen lives in Carndonagh. Although Dennis is better known in England as a painter of portraits, he says he was so captivated by the scenery of Inishowen that he had to turn his hand to landscape. "When producing in art form the spectacular views Inishowen has to offer, no artist could fail to appreciate the natural beauty and breathtaking scenery of this Donegal peninsula, and so it was for me. It has been a privilege spending two years painting this wonderful diverse landscape. The challenge and excitement I felt by the changing weather, light and colour added to my pleasure when preparing work for this exhibition. Mick Nolan, who plays Ray O'Connell is the RTE soap, and his partner, Carol Anne Lowe, have been friends with Denis and his wife Patricia for twenty years. They all met up when Dennis gave Carol Anne, who is also a well-known opera singer, a portrait he had painted of her. The couple are frequent visitors to Carndonagh when the Colverson's are in town.The Exhibition opening is in the Saldanha Suite on Friday 7th April at 7.00pm – 10.00pm, it runs until 14th July.

Newsletter 25, March 17

FortDunree Newsletter

Fort Dunree Secure €50,000 in REDZ Funding!

As a result of growing visitor numbers and the continued success of the Wild Atlantic Way we were delighted recently to have been awarded €50,000 under the REDZ program, together with an additional €12,500 from Donegal County Council, to improve services at both the Coffee Shop and the Pier. The funding is being made available by the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Heather Humphreys TD. The REDZ scheme aims to stimulate economic development in rural towns and their hinterlands. The funding will be used to extend our kitchen, provide a canopy for outside seating space, as well as railings and a pathway to the pier. The work is due to commence shortly.

Northern Lights at Fort DunreeThe Aurora Borealis made an appearance on Monday 27th March to the naked eye at Fort Dunree, as you can see the event was wonderfully captured again by our good friend Adam Porter.

Newsletter 25, March 17

Charity Events at Fort Dunree

Fort Dunree is gaining a reputation as a venue from which to hold charity events. Now in it’s third year Alfie’s Cycle and Walk raised €1,510 for Cancer Care West. Well done Alfie!

This year saw a new event taking place, The Dunree Espresso 2017! Organised by Frank and Aileen Togher, a large group of cyclists completed the route from Fort Dunree to Bridgend and back. All proceeds raised will go to Children in Crossfire.

Newsletter 25, March 17

Fort Dunree features in New Creative Ireland VideoFort Dunree features in a new showcasing Creative Ireland, Names from theatre, film and literature star in a video to promote Ireland as part of the launch of new online portal, ireland.ie. To view, clink on the following link: http://www.irishtimes.com/culture/heritage/this-is-ireland-new-campaign-launched-for-st-patrick-s-day-1.3011514

Tree Planting at Fort DunreeThere was a tremendous turnout at Fort Dunree on Saturday 11th February, where over 30 volunteers with spades to the ready planted 140 native Irish trees as part of the One Million Trees In One Day project. There was great camaraderie and good humour while the trees were dug in and the landscape looked superb on a beautiful blue sky day. A HUGE THANKS to WildInishowen,Tidy Towns Buncrana & to everyone that took part to help make such a positive impact on our environment. The hard work and enthusiasm was very much appreciated and we look forward to seeing you at our next event.