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5 free ways to have fun with kids at Mid Term Break

With Mid Term Break just around the corner and the kids off school for a few days here are a handful of ideas we've brainstormed to help you have some family fun together, without spending any money (hurrah). 1. Tell Me No Lies Sand dunes are hard work for little legs. This game is perfect for breaking up the tiresomeness of a long car journey or when the walk back to the car just seems too far. It tends to be the most fun when the answers aren't necessarily 100% true - a little poetic license goes a long way. 6 questions for children to ask grown ups: Who did you sit next to at school? Did you like them? When you were little what was the most trouble you got in to? Who was the naughtiest in your class? What were you good at at school? Were you the teacher's pet? What was the best job you've ever had? What do you do all day now? Who was your best friend at school? Why do you like them? What nickname did you get given at school? 6 questions for grown ups to ask children: Who is your best friend at school? Why do you like them? What kind of pet would you have if you could have anything at all? What would you call it? What are you most good at? What is the bravest thing you've ever done? What do you want to be when you grow up? What's the best joke you know? Tip: Grandparents and those with a great imagination tend to be very good at this game. 2. Pick Up Sticks Task everyone in the group to find [...]

admin2017-04-18T19:16:21+00:00February 13th, 2014|Uncategorized|0 Comments

The tragic ballad of Doe Castle

Romantic Doe Castle Doe Castle is situated on a breathtakingly beautiful inlet of Sheephaven Bay in north west Donegal. It was the ancient seat of the Mac Sweeney Chiefs of Doe and has its own tragic romance and history. While Verona had Romeo and Juliet so Creeslough had its own star crossed lovers, Turlogh and Aileen. Their fateful story is told in the following song written last century by Níall Mac Giolla Brigde from Feymore, Creelsough. ~~~ Maolmurra - A Ballad of Doe Castle Wild are thy hills, O Donegal! that frowning darkly rise As if to greet the mist that falls upon them from the skies: Dark, dark thy hills, and darker still thy mountain torrents flow, Yet still more dark Maolmurra's heart in his Castle Hall at Doe. Fair are thy plains, O Donegal! and calm thy winding streams Flow gently by each hut and hall, beneath the bright sunbeams; But plain or stream, or meadow green, or flower upon the lea, Were not more mild than Maolmurra's child, so sweet and fair was she. Stout grows thy oak, O Donegal! and straight thy ashen tree, And swift and strong thy sons so tall, their country's pride to see; But oak or ash, or young men all, that sprung from Irish soil, Were not more stout, straight, swift and tall, than the chief of Clan O'Boyle. He was the pride of Faugher side, near the hills of Ballymore; For feats of strength none equaled him from Fanad to Gweedore: And he would go through frost and snow on the merry Christmas Day With ringing cheer to hunt the deer from his haunts in dark Glenveigh. And often in Doe Castle woods he'd hunt [...]

admin2017-04-18T19:16:21+00:00February 4th, 2014|Uncategorized|1 Comment

Capturing Donegal: tips from a local photographer

Local photographer Anne O'Connor Here at Wild Atlantic Camp we're keen to keep it local wherever we can and so we were delighted when local photographer, Anne O'Connor, agreed to take some images for us. Donegal is arguably the most scenic county in Ireland, and definitely the most unspoilt, so we are always keen to share the beauty that we're so lucky to have on our doorstep. The landscape images we have featured on our home page were taken by Anne and they show off the beauty of our part of north west Donegal at different times of the year. Here's the lowdown on them. Glenveagh National Park "Glenveagh National Park is a haven of peace and tranquility and you just can't beat it. The whole place has a magical atmosphere at any time of year," says Anne. This winter image was taken from the footpath on the south side of the lower castle gardens, leading up the valley on the shore of Lough Veagh. Muckish Mountain Another winter shot, this time of Muckish Mountain taken from the stone bridge on the road between Glenveagh National Park and Creeslough via Glassan (L1003). "In this shot," said Anne, "I tried to capture the mountain and how it dominates the landscape." Tra na Rossan Bay "A trip round the Atlantic Drive in Downings is always rewarding, whatever the weather, and there are plenty of great places to pull in and take a shot. After taking this picture of Tra na Rossan Bay last summer we will have headed back on into Downings for an ice cream!" Anne uses a Nikon DSLR camera with various lenses, filters and a tripod to get her shots, preferring it [...]

admin2017-04-18T19:16:21+00:00January 23rd, 2014|Uncategorized|1 Comment

8 places to visit for free around Creeslough, NW Donegal

Donegal is known for its incredible scenery and much of the coastline around us is protected by Irish and European law as designated special areas of conservation. The whole of Horn Head to Fanad Head is an area of special protection. But you don't need a big budget to enjoy a holiday here. We've chosen 8 of our favourite places to visit for free around Creeslough to share with you. 1. Doe Castle Overlooking Sheephaven Bay this recently restored fortified castle dates from the 16th century and was home to the Clan Suibhne (MacSweeney clan). It has a tower, battlements and defensive walls surrounding a courtyard and is under a mile from the Wild Atlantic Camp site. It has a romantic history and is a place known for marriage proposals. You have been warned! Romantic Doe Castle 2. Ards Forest Park* This lovely Coillte managed Forest Park on the Ards peninsula is bordered by The Back Strand on the west and Doe Castle Strand on the east and covers 1,200 acres. The trails are well marked and take you through the forest of coniferous and deciduous trees as well as to sand dunes, salt water lakes, salt marshes and beaches. The remains of four ringforts can be found in the park as well as a number of megalithic tombs - legend has it that these were the beds of Diarmuid and Grainne in their flight from Fionn Mac Cumhaill. There is a children's playground near the main car park and a coffee cabin (open June to September). Ards Friary, on the east of the park, also has a car park (free) and coffee shop. You could easily spend a whole day here. See map [...]

admin2017-04-18T19:16:21+00:00January 14th, 2014|Uncategorized|1 Comment