Donegal Sports Partnership and Inishowen Development Partnership Collaboration
The collaboration between Donegal Sports Partnership and Inishowen Development Partnership has played a pivotal role in promoting healthier lifestyles in Inishowen. The Active Inishowen programme, focused on developing walking and cycling infrastructure, aims to encourage physical activity and improve well-being across the region.
Declan Boyle, CEO of Donegal Sports Partnership, said, “This partnership is about creating accessible opportunities for people to engage in walking and cycling, fostering safer, more sustainable communities. The development of these routes is crucial for enhancing health and well-being in the region.”
Boyle emphasised that physical activity plays an essential role in improving both physical and mental health. “By providing opportunities for people to be active, we are supporting stronger, healthier communities,” he added. “Together, we plan to create a foundation for social interactions, improved physical, mental health and wellbeing that will benefit generations to come.“
Shauna McClenaghan, Joint CEO of Inishowen Development Partnership(IDP), said they were delighted to get the opportunity to partner with Donegal Sports Partnership (DSP) on the Active Inishowen Project. She says they are looking forward to working with DSP to ensure its sustainability and development into
the future.
“Active Inishowen has been such a welcome initiative and is key to the way we work,” said Shauna. “People, Place, Progress — enabling, empowering, and engaging; exploring new partnerships; supporting communities; and developing new opportunities,” she added.
“Active Inishowen has already achieved many of its initial aims in the first year, building on the fantastic work of the voluntary committee at North West Community Development to develop walks across the peninsula. What is evident is that Inishowen has immense capacity to be a walkers’ destination — a walkers’ paradise — from both a local and tourist health and wellbeing point of view,” added Shauna.
Charlie McConalogue, Minister of State with Responsibility for Sport and Postal Policy, praised the collaboration, stating, “This is an important partnership between two excellent organisations. Funded under the Dormant Account initiative, this new initiative builds on earlier work by Inishowen Development Partnership and the Inishowen Social Enterprise Network.”
The Minister also highlighted the rich outdoor offerings in Inishowen: “There are fantastic routes and trails to walk and cycle throughout Inishowen, and initiatives like Active Inishowen help make them more accessible to everyone.”
McConalogue reflected on the positive impact of physical activity on mental health, saying, “Getting outdoors and engaging in light exercise has positive benefits, particularly for those who may not traditionally be active. Staying connected as communities is vital.”
By focusing on walking and cycling, this collaboration is helping Inishowen grow as a hub for active living, providing safe spaces for people of all ages to stay engaged and improve their health.
