Newsletter 28, April 18

Minister Paul Kehoe officially opens the Pier, Boathouse and Coffee Cup at Fort DunreeThere was great excitement at Fort Dunree on 9th March when the Minister with responsibility for Defence, Paul Kehoe T.D. took part in a special event to launch a new chapter at this historical site. In recent years more and more people are visiting Fort Dunree with the advent of the Wild Atlantic Way.The popularity of the site has led to the board of Fort Dunree looking at more ways to enhance the visitor product and have embarked on a series of developments that was opened by Minister Kehoe.Since the Museum was opened in 1986 by the Department of Defence, the Pier has remained derelict and officially out of use. Following a successful funding application by Donegal County Council the pier at Dunree has recently been redeveloped. The finished product is a magnificent addition to the tourism product at Dunree.Another exciting development at Fort Dunree was the restoration of the old Boathouse at the pier. With a grant from FLAG a new roof and doors to this wonderful old building and also create a new path connecting it to the pier walkway. This building allows for the start of a fantastic new product on site with Kayaking, Snorkelling and Coasteering at Fort Dunree.With funding from REDZ and Donegal County Council Fort Dunree were able to renovate the old coffee shop on site with the aim of increasing the capacity for catering for visitors at the site. This entailed refitting the interior of Café, extending the kitchen area and extending the seating capacity to exterior of the Coffee Shop with the creation of an outside seating area. The three related projects being launched represent a further investment of €250,000 in the enhanced facilities at Fort Dunree.This space will be used on a year round basis, allowing visitors to avail of "al fresco dining" when appropriate and providing a closed in, comfortable space, when the weather is not suitable. The Café now offers visitors a range of food prepared on site which enhances the site’s appeal and lays claim to be “The most scenic Coffee Shop in Ireland”!John McCarter, Chairman of Fort Dunree Military Museum said “ With Fort Dunree being a Discovery Point on the Wild Atlantic Way the demand has grown significantly and we feel that by adding these new products that we are reacting to this demand and enhancing the visitor experience. We also hope that there will be additional developments in the years to come making Fort Dunree A must see for every visitor to the North West.”

Newsletter 28, April 18

FortDunree Newsletter

Minister Paul Kehoe TD and Charlie McConalogue TD with Minister Kehoe addressing the audience in the Coffee Cup the Board of Fort Dunree

Minister Kehoe officially opens the pier Minister Kehoe with John and Michelle from the Coffee Cup

And John McCarter

The Lough Swilly Lifeboat and Kayakers at the official John McCarter escorting Minister Kehoe to the redevelopedOpening pier at Fort Dunree

Newsletter 28, April 18

Kayaking, Snorkelling and Coasteering now available at Fort Dunree!

We are delighted in partnership with Inish Adventures to offer a range of Watersports at Fort Dunree. Half day Kayaking, snorkelling and coasteering trips can now be booked by contacting Fort Dunree on 074 93 61817. Adrian Harkin of Inish Adventures is excited with this new venture and says “ Fort Dunree is a unique setting for watersports, within two minutes kayakers can be exploring caves, this is a must for anyone interested in adventure.” As you can see from the images the experience really is spectacular.

Newsletter 28, April 18

Tree Planting at Fort DunreeThere was a tremendous turnout at Fort Dunree on Saturday 10th 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.

Cabbage plant takes a Road Trip Cochlearia danica or Danish Scurvy Grass is an annual wild flower of the Brassica (Cabbage) family, common around the paths and gravel areas and even the walls of the fort. It is a low growing plant with clusters of white, four petal flowers about 1cm across and glossy ivy shaped leaves. The leaves are rich in vitamin C and were eaten by seamen, in the past, before and after long sea voyages, to avoid the serious illness, Scurvy, which is caused by a diet lacking in fresh fruit and vegetables. Danish Scurvy Grass was conveniently available as it is naturally ( like many Brassicae ) a coastal plant growing on pebble beaches, rocky shores and man-made stone docks.

Being a coastal plant it is very tolerant to salt and poor soil conditions. An interesting result is that Danish Scurvy Grass is the fastest spreading plant in Britain in recent years.The salting of roads in winter has made ideal conditions for the plant to spread inland along the verges and central reservations of motorway and road.