Here’s a fresh idea for anyone craving a new experience in Donegal!

Two Donegal women with a passion for food and tourism have launched Donegal Food Tours.

Locals and visitors are in for an adventure of the senses when the first tour kicks off this week, and the concept has been generating a lot of excitement.

Founders Sue Glackin and Cathy Cowan have teamed up on this venture to showcase the very best hospitality the county has to offer in a relaxing and enjoyable way. The bus tours take small groups across Donegal to meet restaurateurs, chefs, producers, brewers, bakers and fishermen in a diverse range of settings to hear the stories behind Donegal food.

Sue Glackin and Cathy Cowan, Donegal Food Tours at Kinnegar Brewery K2. Photo Declan Devlin Photography

It’s an experience like no other and an exclusive chance to taste unique dishes, as well as savour incredible natural views as you pass by villages and coastlines.

The two organisers have a lot of expertise to bring to the table. Cathy Cowan from Ramelton has many years of experience in Marketing, PR and Hospitality, while Sue Glackin from Ballybofey has worked in Marketing, Events and has a keen interest in the drinks industry.

“Myself and Cathy have both lived abroad for different periods, which has had an impact on the way we eat and ignited a desire to showcase the best produce in Donegal,” said Sue.

“Donegal is a hidden gem, with the amount of artisanal producers and good restaurants/ bars/ coffee shops that have been popping up over the last few years.”

Photo Declan Devlin Photography

Sue added: “We both love getting out around Donegal, and discovering new places all the time, while enjoying the scenery on route.

“Food tours are also a very common feature in the larger cities of Ireland and around the world, so we decided to introduce the concept here.”

The routes will vary on every tour (depending on venue and producer availability) with a number of midweek and weekend options to choose from each month.

As well as full day and half day tour routes, the team are also launching a Donegal Gin Trail (July 27th) which will bring guests to five gin themed locations with some delicious local food also included.

The tours are all about celebrating authentic food experiences and going off the beaten track to discover new and traditional practices, cooking and production methods.

Sue shared an exciting taster of the type of venues people can expect to visit: “Donegal has some of the most amazing, fresh and unique ingredients and products out there.”

“We have many amazing coffee shops, cafes, restaurants, producers here, some of the best examples including Castle Grove with their homegrown vegetables and original gin, The Lemon Tree who promote Donegal produce, Coffee Time and their hearty homemade stew, the Shack in Marble Hill who roast their own coffee beans, The Haven Smokehouse salmon, which is to die for, and also Kinnegar Brewery, which is one of the leading micro breweries in Ireland and a great addition to the Donegal food and drinks scene,” said Sue.

Donegal Food Tours are not just about tasting and sipping, they are about meeting the people who are a part of the farm-to-fork journey and making friends with fellow foodies.

Launch of Donegal Food Tours – The Rusty Oven. Photo Declan Devlin Photography

We can’t think of a better way to Taste – See – Explore Donegal this summer!

Tickets are priced from €75 and are on sale now at www.donegalfoodtours.com