A beautiful Sunday

Last weekend myself and a friend went exploring the local beaches. We started at Culdaff and we were the only ones there at that time!!

Then on to the Five Fingers beach where we came across some interesting “beach art”

Finished off the afternoon at Kinnagoe Bay.

Before the rain shower

After the rain shower, what a blue sea and sky, and this is in Inishowen

Interesting rock formations can be seen at low tide.

Spring on the farm

February and into March have been busy on the farm with lambing in full swing. We are nearly finished now with just 8 sheep left to lamb.

As usual we have a pet lamb. Meet “Candice” , we named her after a french girl who stayed with us for a few weeks to help out on the farm.

Bottle feeding in once again in the daily routine with a little help from Spike and Finn!

A look ahead at 2013

The number thirteen may be considered unlucky for some, but in Donegal we’re going to be very lucky with a bumper program of events happening in the year ahead.

The Gathering 2013

First off, 2013 is the year of “The Gathering”. It’s a year long celebration of events and culture, inviting friends and family to visit Ireland this year to come and celebrate all things Irish.

There’s a host of events in every country including concerts, festivals, sports events and clan gatherings, which will take place throughout the year. Highlights in Donegal include:

• Gutha Gafa Film festival in May
• Northwest Garden Festival in May
• The International Golf Gathering at Ballyliffin, in May and September
• Inishowen Food Festival in June
• Inishowen Culture Nights in July & August
• Earagail Arts Festival in July
• The Homecoming with Clannad and Altan (flagship Donegal event) in July

Visit www.thegatheringireland.com for a full list of events.

Derry/Londonderry City of Culture 2013

The city of Derry/Londonderry proves it has truly evolved into a cultural hotspot as it bursts into life to host the UK City of Culture 2013.

A spectacular range of cultural events are planned, with some of the biggest names in music, literature and art arriving to perform in the city this year.

There’s concerts with the likes of Primal Scream & David Holmes, Sons & Daughters, Pink Martini, Phil Coulter as well as a jazz festival and folk festival.

In a real coup, the Turner Prize will be hosted by the city this year – the first time it has travelled outside England in its 29 year history. The work of the four shortlisted artists will be displayed at Ebrington Square, and the winner will be announced at a ceremony on 2nd December 2013.

Comedians such as Jimmy Carr, Tommy Tiernan bring the laughs. There’s plays by Brian Friel, dance from the Royal Ballet and Hofesh Shechter, poetry with Carol Anne Duffy (UK poet laureate), three film festivals, a digital culture festival, live art displays, marathons, world kickboxing tournament, fashion shows…..too much to list here!

Head over to www.cityofculture2013.com for details on all events.

Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann

In another first, Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann will be held in Derry/Londonderry this year, the first time in its 60 year history that it has been held across the border. Taking place in August, the fleadh is the most prestigious festival and competitive event in the traditional Irish music calendar, attracting over 250,000 visitors each year.

The streets of the city will be alive with concerts, céilithe, parades, pageants, and street sessions, and it’s sure to be a great week of craic for all who visit. It’s a great chance to experience traditional Irish music at its best.

Overall, it’s shaping up to be an exciting year in Donegal, we’re certainly looking forward to it.

Hope to see you in 2013!

Let sleeping dogs…

As autumn brings the leaves wafting down, it also brings alot of work sweeping them all up. But some of us don’t seem to mind….

They make a wonderful bed for an afternoon!

Inishowen International Guitar Festival 2012 this weekend

If you’re into guitar music, Inishowen is the place to be this weekend. Celebrating guitar music in all styles, the 3rd Inishowen International Guitar Festival takes place in Culdaff village this weekend.

There’s a packed weekend in store with a range of performances and workshops, featuring an international line up of guitar royalty from all over the world.

The event opens this Friday 26th Sept, with Paddy Goodwin & the Holy Ghosts featuring Johnny Fean (of Horslips fame). In a real coup, the evening will also feature fellow Horslips members Jim Lockhard, Charles O’Connor and Barry Devlin. It’s sure to be an unforgettable night.

Other notable artists include: Carl Verheyen, member of British rock group Supertramp with his band, and special guest David Browne Murray; and the entertaining and skillful New York duo Frank Vignola and Vinny Raniolo.

There’s a classical guitar recital on Sunday with the young Manus Noble and Svanur Vilbergsson from Iceland, and gypsy jazz in the backroom with French group Gadjo Combo. National Fingerstyle Guitar Championship winner Murial Anderson from the USA plays McGrory’s Backroom too.

If you’re looking to improve you’re guitar playing skills, there’s a selection of workshops during Saturday daytime and there’s also a guitar trade show and vintage guitar display planned.

Visit the official website www.iguitar.ie for the full schedule and lineup. There’s also a nice little video about it on Vimeo.

We’re only about 8mins car/taxi trip from Culdaff village, you can check our availability for the weekend here.