NORTH WEST
OF IRELAND A great place to live, work & do business
IN
ELV
TK JEC O R P
Contents 4. Introduction
28.
Culture, Heritage & Arts
6.
Doing Business in NW of Ireland
32.
An Ghaeilge
14.
Third Level Education
34.
Our Diaspora
18.
Research and Development
36.
Location & Infrastructure
24.
Killybegs: Premier Sea-Port
38.
Additional Support Agencies
26. Connectivity
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Introduction
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Introduction Joint Message from Cllr Elisha McCallion, Mayor of Derry and Strabane and Cllr Ciaran Brogan, Mayor of Donegal
Joint Message from Chief Executives
As civic leaders here in Derry City and Strabane District and Donegal we would like to introduce you to our region, and to share some of the attributes that make the North West a truly exceptional place to live.
Cllr Elisha McCallion Mayor of Derry and Strabane
While we enjoy an abundance of natural resources which set our region apart as a visitor destination, our real strength lies with our own people. We boast an outstanding workforce and we strive to support and nurture new enterprise, creating opportunity and building a strong and diverse skills base. We excel in education and our young people are talented, driven and innovative.
The North West of Ireland is a region making a name in international circles – not just for the warmth of our welcome, but as an area establishing a strong foothold in an increasingly competitive market for inward investment. One of the key strengths of our region is the strategic cross-border partnership which has evolved between Derry City and Strabane District and Donegal, capitalising on the many exceptional resources that our neighbouring counties have to offer. Seamus Neely
Investors here benefit not only from the very best in infrastructure and technology, they also benefit from the strong work ethic which drives our region forward. We are proud as civic leaders to speak on behalf of our region and the people who make this such a special place.
Cllr Ciaran Brogan Mayor of Donegal
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Having sown the seeds of success we hope now to attract the right investment to build on these strong foundations and establish a growing network of international industries who want to share in that exceptional experience.
John Kelpie
The North West is a region unique in its dual personality – where business excellence and opportunity is matched by a lifestyle enriched by culture and the busy social buzz. The fast pace of the work place is countered by leisurely retreats to the rugged Donegal hills, the beautiful shores of Lough Foyle and the stunning Sperrin Mountains. We enjoy some of the most spectacular untouched natural landscapes, but we are at the forefront of the digital revolution with an infrastructure that’s second to none in terms of speed and reliability. We can do business anywhere in the world, delivering products and services on a par with any destination across the globe. The Gateway to the North West is a gateway to excellence, and to a lifestyle brimming with choice and opportunity – we hope to welcome you there soon.
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Doing Business in North West of Ireland
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Doing Business in NW of Ireland
UnitedHealth Group
The North West of Ireland boasts the perfect environment in which to work and do business and is currently home to a range of local and internationally companies with many new companies attracted annually. The following is a selection of companies currently operating in Derry / Strabane and Donegal region.
UnitedHealth Group is an American health care company, which was voted “World’s Most Admired Company” in the Insurance and Managed Care category, by Forbes magazine, for the last five consecutive years. It acquired PacifiCare in 2006, and has since grown exponentially, due to its low operating costs, access to a large, skilled labour supply, and the quality of life it offers employees.
Seagate, Derry
Pramerica, Letterkenny
Seagate A global leader in the fast-growing data storage sector, Seagate has been operating in Springtown, Derry, since 1993, where it now employs around 1,400 people, making it the city’s largest employer. In 2014, Seagate, which employs 50,000 people around the world, invested another £34.7 million in the Springtown plant, where the company develops and manufactures read-write heads for hard disk drives. One of only six plants in the world producing this kind of cutting-edge technology, Springtown is now a crucial part of Seagate’s global business, which is rapidly expanding with the explosive increase in demand for
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Pramerica storage capacity caused by new technology such as smartphones and cloud computing. Seagate is a world-class pioneer in developing products which enable people and businesses around the world to create, share and preserve their most critical memories and business data. Over the years the amount of information stored has grown from megabytes to geobytes, confirming the need to successfully store and access huge amounts of data. As demand for storage technology grows the need for greater efficiency and more advanced capabilities grow with it. www.seagate.com
UnitedHealth Group, Letterkenny
With a current workforce of over 650 employees, the site in Letterkenny is now the largest in the Europe, Middle East and Africa region. It continues to expand in the health care and IT arenas www.unitedhealthgroup.com
Pramerica was founded in Co. Donegal in June 2000 and has over 1,250 employees. The company is a business and technology operations subsidiary of US based. Prudential Financial Inc. - a financial services leader with assets of more than $1.1 trillion and which also has operations in Asia, Europe and Latin America. Pramerica consists of two diverse business groups. Pramerica Systems provide a complete range of development, quality assurance and systems engineering services to Prudential Financial Inc. Pramerica also provides a wide range of Professional Business Solutions to business groups across the U.S. in areas such as technical support, financial, legal and actuarial services. www.pramerica.ie
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Doing Business in North West of Ireland
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E&I Engineering
E&I Engineering Ltd E&I Engineering Ltd. was founded in 1986 in Derry, Northern Ireland by Philip O’Doherty. Specialising in manufacturing electrical power distribution equipment, its customer base was primarily in Ireland and the UK. Since then, E&I Engineering has expanded their engineering expertise and invested in a purpose built facility in Burnfoot, Co. Donegal, now employing 485 staff.
The company’s first global venture saw the establishment of PowerBar Gulf in the UAE in 2009. This enabled the company to develop partnerships in Europe, Asia and Australia. E&I Engineering USA Corp was formed in 2014 in South Carolina and will serve markets in North & South America, Canada with the creation of 250 jobs. www.e-i-eng.com
O’Neills O’Neills Irish International Sports Company Limited was incorporated in October 1974 as a self-contained business with headquarters in Strabane. It is based on the heritage of a business founded in Dublin in 1918 by Charles O’Neill. The company produces and sells sports and leisurewear, and while the company’s initial customer base was within GAA, it has expanded to cover a range of other sports and markets outside Ireland. O’Neills also sells a range of accessories which are predominantly outsourced but which the company is also developing the capability to produce in-house.
O’Niells, Strabane
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O’Neills manufactures at its factory in Strabane, with the Sales and Marketing functions carried out from an office at the Kennedy Centre, Belfast and via sales teams in both Northern Ireland and Great Britain. www.oneills.com
Kevlar by Du Pont, Derry
DuPont Founded in America in 1802 by EI du Pont, Du Pont de Nemours is a world leading science company. With expertise spanning two centuries in diverse industries in more than 90 countries, the science and technology of the company is uniquely positioned to help solve some of the world’s biggest challenges. For more than 200 years, DuPont has brought world-class science and engineering to the global marketplace through innovative products, materials and services. World famous DuPont invented brands include Lycra®, Nylon, Kevlar®, Nomex®, Neoprene and Teflon®.
The Maydown site in Derry currently employs around 180 people. It is a multi-generation workplace and there is now a third generation of staff coming through the ranks and the site boosts a family atmosphere and staff are very loyal. DuPont™ Kevlar® is now the main product produced. It is used in airplanes to make them stronger and lighter, it is used in a similar way for cars, it improves performance — it can even be seen in blockbuster films like Batman and the A-Team. www.dupont.co.uk
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Fujitsu One of the world’s largest IT companies, Fujitsu employs around 170,000 employees and offers a wide range of technology products and services to major public and private companies. They’ve been operating in Northern Ireland for over three decades, serving many of the leading companies based here. Major public sector clients include the Northern Ireland Department of Justice, the Northern Ireland Courts Service, Driver and Vehicle Licensing Northern Ireland, the Northern Ireland Civil Service, and Northern Ireland Water.
SITA, Letterkenny
Allstate
Allstate Northern Ireland Allstate Northern Ireland, was established in Belfast in 1998 to provide high quality software development services and business solutions in support of its US parent’s global operations. The Allstate Corporation is the largest publically held personal lines property and casualty insurer in America. Allstate NI plays a strategic role in developing, transforming and maintaining the various technology platforms used within Allstate and supports it in its day to day business, looking after the different systems that you might expect one of the world’s largest insurance giants to run including Infrastructure Services, Business Process Management, Managed Services, Consultancy Specialist Services, Application Development & Integration and Application Maintenance.
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Allstate NI has grown to over 2,300 employees across three sites in Belfast, Derry and Strabane in a relatively short time to become Northern Ireland’s largest IT Company. It provides high quality service desk support, software development services and high end business solutions in support of its US parent’s operations, the Allstate Corporation, the largest publicly held personal lines property and casualty insurer in America. The Strabane office, located in the Orchard Road Industrial Estate, currently employs over 450 staff providing technical support and a range of IT support services. www.allstate.com
SITA Air transport IT specialist SITA, currently employs more than 140 employees at its development centre in Letterkenny. SITA designs and implements mission-critical enterprise applications that are used every day in the global air transport industry from airport operations to passenger systems and baggage management. Almost every airline and airport in the world does business with SITA.
Fujitsu, Derry
With two offices in Belfast, as well as the newly expanded centre at Timber Quay in Derry, Fujitsu now employ around 1,000 people in Northern Ireland, including 192 new jobs created at Timber Quay. www.fujitsu.com/uk
SITA’s portfolio covers every aspect of the industry from managed global communications, to passenger, baggage, flight and aircraft operations, border management and air-to-ground communications. With a presence at more than 400 airports around the world, SITA provides a unique service to its 450 air transport industry members and 2,800 customers in more than 200 countries. www.sita.aero North West of Ireland
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Abbott, Donegal
Abbott The Abbott Diabetes Care (ADC) site was established in 2006 in Co. Donegal. The facility spans 7,500m on a 27 acre site outside Donegal Town. The site currently manufactures and distributes the worldwide supply of Abbott FreeStyle blood glucose test strips and employs a highly skilled workforce of approx. 250 people. Dog Ears, Derry
to Work”. ADC actively contributes to the local community with employees volunteering and supporting locally based charities and schools. ADC has achieved zero-waste-to-landfill status and is ranked in the top three EHS Abbott sites worldwide. www.abbott.ie
The site has been recognised nationally and internationally as one of the “Great Places
Dog Ears Formed in 2010, Dog Ears is a children’s media company that believes in characters and stories everywhere – on paper, on tablets and devices and in living rooms. Since inception Dog Ears’ work has been concerned with bringing stories to life across media and platforms, from publishing its first book starring Miss Rosie Red and releasing Ireland’s first children’s book app, to producing its second project Puffin Rock as an animated series with a full animation team in its Derry studio. Dog Ears has just begun production on its second season of Puffin Rock and continue development on its slate of new projects and adventures, alongside running Humdinger! Children’s Story festival, an annual celebration which has played host to authors Oliver Jeffers, Julia Donaldson and over 20,000 children and families since 2013.
From September 2015, the company’s work is also been streamed worldwide on Netflix. Preschool show Puffin Rock has been acquired by the streaming giant, making it available on demand for the first time to regional subscribers of the internet service around the world.
Randox Randox Teoranta is a world leading bloodscience diagnostics R&D, engineering and manufacturing company located at Dungloe, Co. Donegal. Focussed on preventative healthcare and the early and accurate diagnosis of disease, Randox research, develop and manufacture a wide range of laboratory capabilities, which are exported to 145 countries worldwide.
Set on a beautiful island off the coast of Ireland, Puffin Rock introduces a combination of pre-school themes and soft natural history learning to young viewers with narration by Irish actor Chris O’Dowd, known for his role in Girls, The IT Crowd and Moone Boy.
Part of the global Randox Group, Randox Teoranta is a highly innovative life-sciences and engineering R&D and manufacturing centre which plays a key role in improving clinical decision making worldwide, thereby saving lives.
Erik Barmack, Netflix VP of global independent content said: “We couldn’t be more excited to be partnering with such a diverse group of creative talent on these new Netflix series for kids. www.cheersdogears.com
Randox, Donegal
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Randox is committed to Co. Donegal and plan to expand staffing levels in Dungloe to 540 by 2020. www.randox.com
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Third Level Education Providers
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Third Level Education
North West Regional College
North West Regional College
LYIT Campus, Letterkenny
Letterkenny Institute of Technology Letterkenny Institute of Technology (LYIT) has two modern campuses in Letterkenny and Killybegs. It employs 350 staff and has over 3,500 full-time students who come from all over Ireland and from 30 different countries to study. Both campuses are intimate and manageable which means students enjoy a supportive staff-student relationship.
validating a business idea or researching it further then LYIT is a stimulating and dynamic place to locate and take it to the next level. www.lyit.ie
The college has an ambitious and progressive ethos, and has expanded the course curriculum to offer over 100 programmes across its four Schools of Business, Tourism, Engineering and Science, many up to Masters Level.
The School of Hospitality & Tourism, LYIT is located in Killybegs and specialises in programmes covering the business and practical elements of tourism, hospitality and professional cookery. It equips graduates with the knowledge and skills to work in this exciting industry anywhere in the world, whether in an established organisation or as entrepreneurs running their own business.
The college has a long legacy of collaborating with industry through professional links, developing relevant courses and enterprising support. LYIT offers the opportunity to sample Donegal’s rich cultural heritage while studying in a friendly and supportive environment. For anyone considering
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LYIT School of Hospitality & Tourism, Killybegs
This campus is also the location of the LYIT Wind Energy Training Centre. www.lyit.ie
North West Regional College (NWRC) is a leading provider of further and higher education and skills training in Northern Ireland, and has main campuses in DerryLondonderry, Limavady and Strabane, supporting over 20,000 learners each year in achieving their learning and career ambitions. Students attend from all parts of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, undertaking full-time or part-time study programmes in a range of vocational or nonvocational areas. The College has seven academic schools, each catering for school leavers, mature students, professionals, community organisations, and the unemployed. These are: Business Services and General Education; Science and Technology; Media, Multimedia and the Creative Arts; Craft Services; Early Years, Children and Young People; Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy; Health and Social Care; Hospitality, Tourism and Sport. Many courses at the College are developed in conjunction with local employers and are designed to give the students a feel for future employment, and to enhance practical competence in their chosen vocation. Vocational routes on offer include level 2 & 3, HND/C, Foundation Degree choices which blend modern classroom delivery with real-life work-based challenges. For those wishing to progress to university, an extensive selection
of higher education programmes provide direct access into degree programmes throughout the UK. The NWRC part-time portfolio includes hundreds of courses in areas such as Essential Skills, hobby & recreation, return to study, and professional development, as well as the traditional parttime vocational courses. A renewed focus has emerged across the College in response to the region’s economic and employment challenges. The College now has a dedicated Business Support Centre which provides direct training and mentoring support to local industry. A range of funded support programmes are available which include InnovateUS – a government funded (DEL) programme enabling small business (up to 50 employees) to acquire new skills which can enable them to engage in innovation activities; Skills Focus - a government funded (DEL) programme for medium sized businesses (up to 250 employees) to avail of upskilling or reskilling training programmes; Invest NI Innovation Vouchers - £4,000 Invest Northern Ireland funding available for product development through technical mentoring. Other programmes include Assured Skills, Invest NI Technical Development Incentive, Invest NI grant fir R&D, Knowledge Transfer Partnership, and EU funding – email businesssupport@nwrc.ac.uk for more information. www.nwrc.ac.uk
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Third Level Education Providers
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This funding has delivered a student residential village offering en-suite accommodation, a new library, the Intelligent Systems Research Centre and the Foyle Arts Building, housing the School of Creative Arts & Technologies. In addition to the teaching and learning facilities, the campus has on-site residential, catering and sports facilities.
National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG), Na Doirí Beaga
The sports facilities include a multi-purpose sports hall, fitness suite and studio as well as a grass and floodlit synthetic 3G pitch with pavilion and changing facilities next to the student halls of residence at the Duncreggan Student Village.
The development of Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge in Gaoth Dobhair, as a satellite of the National University of Ireland, Galway, has brought third-level education through Irish into the Donegal Gaeltacht.
Students can also use a range of facilities in the city and outdoor activities include sailing at nearby Fahan Beach, rowing and canoeing on the River Foyle and hill walking and climbing in nearby Donegal. Ulster University as a whole provides a positive impact on the economy and community in Northern Ireland and employs over 3,000 staff with an annual turnover of more than £200 million.
University of Ulster, Magee Campus
University of Ulster – Magee Campus STUDENTS from across the world are choosing to come to Derry to study at the Ulster University’s Magee campus. The university has a national and international reputation for excellence, innovation and regional engagement. There are more than 150 courses at Magee to choose from and the location of the campus allows students to experience life in heart of the city of Derry.
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Ulster University makes a major contribution to the economic, social and cultural development of Northern Ireland and plays a key role in attracting inward investment. The university’s core business activities are teaching and learning, widening access to education, research and innovation and technology and knowledge transfer. Ongoing investment has provided stateof-the-art teaching, research and support facilities for students and staff.
Its Office of Innovation promotes technology and knowledge transfer and commercial exploitation of ideas through a range of initiatives and ongoing research and consultancy with business and industry. It is also a major contributor to the research and development capacity within Northern Ireland and supports local business and industry. Its 2008 Research Assessment Exercise confirmed the strength and quality of its research and the advances the university is continually making. Ulster University is also a leading contributor to lifelong learning (via eLearning), widening access to education for all - enhancing the region’s knowledge base.
Tá oideachas tríú leibhéal ar fáil i nGaeltacht Dhún na nGall anois chomh maith, i ndiaidh d’Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta a bheith bunaithe i nGaoth Dobhair mar ionad for-rochtana de chuid Ollscoil na hÉireann, Gaillimh.
Cuireann Ollscoil na hÉireann, Gaillimh cúrsaí ar fáil san ionad seo don phobal i gcoitinne agus do fhoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge as chuile chearn. Tá teanga agus cultúr na nGael beo bríomhar sa cheantar seo go fóill agus is deis iontach é do mhic léinn cúrsa ollscoile a dhéanamh in ionad den scoth. Diploma and specialised courses are provided for the community & Irish language learners in this outreach centre of the National University of Ireland, Galway. Gaoth Dobhair is particularly famous as an area that has never severed its links with the traditional Gaelic culture whilst simultaneously promoting the development of the area. www.nuigalway.ie/acadamh
National Fisheries College, Greencastle Bord Iascaigh Mhara promotes careers in catching, fish farming and seafood processing sectors and provides a range of training courses at the National Fisheries College in Greencastle. Here, new entrants and existing practitioners can receive training in areas such as Marine Engineering, Skipper and Crew Training, Safety Training and Communications. www.bim.ie
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Research and Development
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Research and Development
Derry’s Science Park is versatile – it can host any size of company from start-ups needing a single hot desk to large-scale workspaces for major businesses. The high-tech, superconnected innovation hub also has several meeting spaces, a café, on-site parking and secure cloud data storage. The anchor tenant is Derry-born 8over8, now a leader in contract risk management software for the global oil and gas industry and the Science Park will be home to more than two thirds of its global team. Owned by the Northern Ireland Department of Social Development, the Science Park is designed to facilitate the exchange of ideas, knowledge and experience and link the region’s most innovative entrepreneurs with Derry’s network of leaders in academic research, universities, institutes and colleges. The Innovation Centre, as it is known, is also part of a cross-border partnership with the North West Region Cross Border Group (NWRCBG) and Letterkenny Institute of Technology (LYIT). CoLab is home to 30 high-growth, technology-based, internationally trading enterprises, employing 120 people. LYIT’s postgraduate researchers and research centres are also located here, where there is a focus on researching subjects of regional importance.
North West Regional Science Park, Letterkenny
North West Regional Science Park, Fort George Derry and @CoLab, Letterkenny
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Derry and Donegal are at the forefront of technology and are pioneering the way with all the very latest research and development.
telecoms, digital media, software, television production, clean tech and health and biosciences industries.
Opened in September 2014, the EU INTERREG IVA-funded North West Regional Science Park provides over 50,000 sq feet (4,645 sq metres) of flexible workspace on the site of the former Fort George military barracks. The purpose built riverside location, which has its own data centre, specialises in
Meanwhile, CoLab, based at the Letterkenny Institute of Technology (LYIT), is a stimulating and supportive incubation centre and is the key dimension of LYIT’s commitment to supporting the growth of a regional innovation ecosystem in the North West.
North West of Ireland
Randox Located in Dungloe, Randox Teoranta is a world-leading centre for life science and engineering R&D. Expanding to 540 staff by 2020, including 180 research scientists and engineers, Randox Teoranta undertake both biomarker assessment, for the early and more accurate diagnosis of disease, and development of the associated assays. Programmes include research into Chronic Kidney Disease, Alzheimer’s Disease, Gastrointestinal disorders and an oncology programme, including Colorectal, Breast and Liver cancers. Assays are multiplexed (multiple tests conducted simultaneously) onto Randox’s unique Biochip Array Technology to provide clinicians with much greater diagnostic power than ever before. Randox Teoranta’s engineering R&D capability, involves cutting-edge electrical, mechanical and software development. Activities are focussed on the development of new analyser systems to enable effective and accurate diagnostics both within and outside the laboratory. Randox Teoranta’s R&D is exclusively focused on improving and saving lives. www.randox.com
The North West Regional Science Park project resulted in a doubling in size of the existing CoLab facility, and opened for business in summer 2015. LYIT and CoLab are proud to be the partners with Northern Ireland Science Park (NISP) in this cross-border project which involves bringing the world renowned NISP brand, operating model and support programmes to the North West region, and represents the first step in the development of an All-Island Association of Science Parks. www.co-lab.ie www.nisp.co.uk/north-west/
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Research and Development
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Clinical Translational Research and Innovation Centre, Derry
Clinical Translational Research and Innovation Centre, Derry
C-TRIC Add state-of-the-art laboratory facilities, highly trained technicians, access to top academic and medical expertise and NHS clinical trials alongside networking with leading business people and you have the thinking behind the formation of the groundbreaking C-TRIC (Clinical Translational Research and Innovation Centre) five years ago. Multi-faceted centre A joint partnership between Derry City Council, the University of Ulster and the Western Health and Social Care Trust (WHSCT), the multi-faceted centre was created to develop innovative health technologies, medical devices, diagnostics and therapeutics.
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State-of-the-art-facilities One of only two such centres in the UK, C-TRIC is based in the grounds of Altnagelvin Area Hospital in Derry~Londonderry. The state-of-the-art facilities on offer in the 11,250 sq ft building include two fully equipped clinical consultation rooms, a blood science and biomedical processing laboratory, a cell culture laboratory and a biological sample storage facility as well as offices and workspace. Personalised Medicine C-TRIC specialises in personalised medicine, in which genetic testing ensures the right treatment for the right person at the right time. C-TRIC has three core functions – clinical research, bio-incubation and contract research - and also hosts the NI Centre for Stratified Medicine (see separate study).
Clinical Research In just five years C-TRIC has earned a worldwide reputation for academic led clinical research in areas such as diabetes, kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, nutrition and biomarkers (which indicate the presence of disease). As well as the high quality laboratories on site, there are also facilities for processing of clinical samples, very important given that components of such materials can quickly degrade if they are not stabilised prior to analysis. Contract Research Because of their expertise, facilities and connections, C-TRIC regularly undertakes research for companies around the world. Typical of this high level work is a study completed for medical device company Nova Biomedical, based in Massachusetts. They offer high value and quicker turn around times (70 days in this case) with considerably less bureaucracy and paperwork, speedily obtaining the relevant ethics and research governance approvals. Their global reputation for quality also adds considerable weight to any study.
Bio- incubation One of the key functions of the centre is as a thriving innovation hub for Research and Development in Life Sciences, helping individuals and companies flourish and grow in a supportive environment. C-TRIC helps smaller companies find funding opportunities and identify the appropriate clinicians to champion them. Bio-Entrepreneur Programme C-TRIC also runs this dynamic programme which encourages entrepreneurs, innovators, and start-ups to develop innovative products for healthcare, whether it’s software, medical devices, diagnostics or therapies. C-TRIC provides tailored support, including lab access for twelve months and access to appropriate mentors. www.c-tric.com
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clinical research and educational facility adjoining Letterkenny General Hospital.
Donegal Clinical Research Academy Research Students
Donegal Clinical & Research Academy
ISRC, Derry
Intelligent System Research Centre Linked to the School of Computing and Intelligent Systems at Magee, ISRC’s 75 staff – leading academics, research associates and PhD students – with access to world class research facilities, work in a variety of interrelated fields, such as neuroscience, bioinspired computing, cognitive robotics and ambient intelligence. ISRC has two main areas of commercial activity. One is to offer businesses the opportunity to utilise its world-class research team for their own projects. The other is to exploit intellectual property on some of the pioneering research being done there, translating that knowledge into the real world in partnership with companies. Route to market Finding a route to market for the technology created by the research team is one of the roles taken on by Peter Devine, Head of Business Development at the Centre. Much of their work is done with a range of companies of all sizes, linking the Centre’s research with their own. “Companies contribute funding and in turn get high quality research they would not be able to conduct themselves”, says Peter, who holds regular inward investment visits at ISRC where overseas companies can see the facilities available 22 |
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HidInImage One of the best examples of developing intellectual property from the Centre’s own research is HidInImage, which is the creation of a spin off company formed by ISRC. It evolved from students’ PhD theses and is a way of embedding images in data, an area that can revolutionise security needs in the future. World leading infrastructure A good example of collaborative research is the Capital Markets Engineering project, which sees ISRC working with ECIT at Queen’s University of Belfast, as well as four of the world’s top capital markets firms – Citibank, Fidessa, First Derivatives and SR Labs – to develop world leading infrastructure for capital markets. The future The many exciting avenues of research at ISRC have been greatly enhanced by their new functional brain mapping facility, MEG, which takes brain scans of a completely different magnitude to the previous EEG system. The future could not be more exciting for ISRC. www.isrc.ulster.ac.uk
In 2010, Letterkenny General Hospital’s department of education became a constituent part of the NUI, Galway Medical School. Owing to the success of the department, the Hospital is now in the process of developing a state-of-the-art
The Donegal Clinical and Research Academy will be the lead site in Donegal for medical education at undergraduate and postgraduate level and will accommodate a growing number of post-graduate medical trainees, nurses, midwives, therapists, medical scientists and full-time medical students. This will also enable the Academy to develop and extend its award-winning medical education courses and increase its international educational liaison. The Academy currently runs educational courses in both Spain and Portugal. Donegal Clinical and Research Academy provides a focal point for sharing knowledge, enhancing the education of students and ultimately providing the people of our county, region and country with greater access to healthcare professionals. www.dcra.ie
NI Centre for Stratified Medicine Some of the medical treatments of the future are being pioneered in Derry~Londonderry, where Professor Tony Bjourson heads the revolutionary new £11.5 million Centre for Stratified Medicine at C-TRIC. According to Professor Bjourson: “The one size fits all approach to medicine doesn’t work for most people as we all respond differently to drugs because of our genetic make-up and our environmental exposures.” The answer, largely made possible by the sequencing of the human genome, is personalised or stratified (aimed at a strata of the population) medicine. “This is a way of analysing our genetic make-up,” Professor Bjourson says, “so that, along with the use of clinical data, we can much more accurately diagnose and treat disease in individuals.” The Centre for Stratified Medicine in the North West will become a key region for this pioneering work, leading to numerous possibilities for investment. It will also allow pharmaceutical companies to target their products at those for whom they know they are more likely to work. That will make the
process both far more efficient for doctors and patients and more profitable for the pharmaceutical companies. The Centre for Stratified Medicine which undertakes research in several areas, including heart disease, strokes, dementia and cancer, is a partnership between its host, C-TRIC, the Western Health and Social Care Trust and the University of Ulster Biomedical Sciences Research Institute. The centre is offering the first undergraduate degree course in stratified medicine, teaching both bio medical and IT/ coputational skills. It’s the only place in the UK and Ireland offering this course. Since opening, the centre has appointed fifteen new research lecturers, five research associates to work with them, one technician and an administrator and they are taking on 15 new PhD students. But that is just the beginning, according to Professor Bjourson: “We will grow. As well as our very strong academic research base, as the students on our course graduate we will have a highly skilled workforce that is unique in the world.” http://biomed.science.ulster.ac.uk/stratifiedmed/
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Killybegs
Killybegs Killybegs is a premier sea-port and Ireland’s Gateway to Our Ocean Wealth. A Strategic Port
Killybegs Port, Donegal
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Killybegs is a modern, vibrant and forward looking harbour operation located in South County Donegal. Killybegs is Ireland’s premier fishing port and is also ideally placed for servicing offshore energy exploration and the development of renewable energies along Ireland’s West Coast and indeed Europe’s Western approaches. Killybegs has deep water all-weather harbour infrastructure along with world-class hydraulic, mechanical and other key services which play a pivotal role in the development of offshore energy. Killybegs is home to a range of innovative and cuttingedge firms involved in a range of sectors. www.donegalcoco.ie/business/ supportingbusinessandoureconomy
for wind farm developers, with turbines being delivered for wind farms throughout the north and west of Ireland.
The town of Killybegs has a proud maritime heritage. Developed initially as a fishing port, it has since 1999, played an important role in facilitating offshore exploration and in particular the development of the Corrib Field. It has also been the harbour of choice
Killybegs in essence has evolved into a multifunctional port serving the fishing, energy and cruise sectors. Therefore the presence of this expertise, adaptability and flexibility ensures that Killybegs can meet any challenge.
Killybegs is now being developed as a strategic, innovative hub for marine resources including offshore renewable energies, added value seafood and marine tourism. www.lyit.ie In a further development, Killybegs has become the port of call of many cruise ships who benefit from modern berthing and quayside facilities along with direct access to the Highlands of Donegal. www.killybegs.ie
Cruise Liner at Killybegs Port
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Connectivity
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Connectivity
Building on the North West’s reputation as an excellent base for business, whether a small local company or a larger multi-national corporation, firms can benefit from the world class level of wireless and high-speed broadband connectivity. Donegal has proactively made the investment necessary to ensure that your data and broadband-dependent business is connected to the global marketplace. This provides investors with the confidence to choose Donegal as an ideal location for doing business.
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This targeted investment in the next generation of High Speed Broadband has resulted in: • A resilient and competitive fibre-optic network, offering a range of global suppliers and dependable international routes for data. • A trans-Atlantic fibre-optic underwater cable that connects Donegal directly into global centres of commerce and innovation in North America, South East England and Northern Europe. • High Speed Fibre of up to 100Mbits, connecting homeworkers and suppliers in main population centres. • Secure Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) in main towns for secure homeworking and offices. • A substantial rural broadband network soon to be upgraded to high speed and expanded to all homes.
All of this is backed up by our proactive Donegal Digital Action Plan, ensuring access to the latest digital innovations and expertise in Europe and North America for your for e-enabled business models and processes.
Faster broadband will bring huge benefits to businesses. It will enable local businesses to do what they did before but faster, and will allow them to explore exciting new ways of doing business.
Meanwhile, Derry is also at the forefront of the digital age thanks to SuperConnected Derry.
Benefits include: increased productivity and competitiveness, improved access to information and facilitation of innovation, creation of platforms for business-to-business collaboration, improved access to markets and opportunities worldwide, provision of opportunities for businesses to become producers of ultrafast-enabled content and applications, development of the knowledgebased economy, increased flexible working and reducing business travel and commuting plus improved access to education and training.
In December 2010, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport and the Minister for Culture, Communications and Creative Industries jointly launched the Government’s National Broadband Strategy: ‘Britain’s Superfast Broadband Future’. The strategy sets out the Government’s vision for broadband in the UK, which is to ensure the UK has the best Superfast broadband network in Europe by 2015. The total investment will be in excess of £2.2million from the Department of Culture, Media and Sport’s Urban Broadband Fund. SuperConnected Derry is just one of digital initiatives which aim to develop Derry’s economic infrastructure, promote growth and attract inward investment for the city.
Potential benefits for residents are quicker and more reliable online transactions, uninterrupted streaming of video and improved live television viewing, free phone calls on the internet, improved access to education tools plus improved home working connection.
Its aim is to make Derry a world-class digital city, benefiting business, residents, visitors, students and investors and is central to numerous other Investment Programme projects.
ERNACT is a joint venture between Donegal County Council and Derry City and Strabane District Council and provides ICT supports throughout the region operating from its base at the CoLab in Letterkenny.
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Culture, Heritage & Arts
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Donegal Craft Village is a showcase of contemporary arts and crafts and is located just outside Donegal Town.
Culture, Heritage & Arts
The annual Donegal Bay and Blue Stacks Festival runs each year from late September to early October and presents music, theatre, opera, carnival, visual arts, street arts and literary events. Located in Letterkenny, the County Museum was opened in 1987 and works to collect, preserve, record and display the
material history of Donegal and has over 8,000 artefacts. An Grianán Theatre, Letterkenny is an integral part of Co. Donegal’s thriving cultural life and a flagship venue for the performance arts in the North West. The Regional Cultural Centre is one of the finest cultural facilities in Ireland, a specially designed multi-disciplinary arts centre and award-winning building.
Fireworks at Guildhall
Tourism / Attractions Derry’s Walls are a world-famous visitor attraction but just a short skip across the border into picturesque Co Donegal also opens up a long list of things to see and do. The Walls celebrated their 400th anniversary in 2013 and have been listed as one of the ‘World’s 1001 Historic Sites You Must See Before You Die (UNESCO)’. The Tower Museum tells the story of Derry’s history, right up to the present day, covering everything from the Plantation, through to the Siege of Derry and the city’s troubled political past. The Museum of Free Derry in the Bogside encapsulates the city’s living history of the Troubles and Bloody Sunday. The Apprentice Boys Memorial Hall is where the Siege of Derry celebrations take place each year and the one building that survived the Siege of Derry is St Columb’s Cathedral, built in 1633. Another must-see is the neo-Gothic Guildhall, complete with one of the largest collections of stained glass windows in Ireland. The Guildhall reopened in 2013 to the public after a £9.5million restoration.
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Meanwhile, neighbouring Donegal is home to some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world and its Gaeltacht is the largest geographical native Irish speaking region in Ireland. Its coastline has stunning peninsulas, a host of golden beaches and towering colour-streaked cliffs. You can explore the Wild Atlantic Way which runs along the entire coast of Donegal. Malin Head lies on the Inishowen Peninsula in County Donegal, at the most northerly tip of the island of Ireland. With the wild Atlantic Ocean for a neighbour, the area is renowned for epic coastal scenery, thriving birdlife and plenty of historical significance. There is also a wide variety of activities to enjoy including walking, fishing, swimming and bird watching. The Donegal Gaeltacht is home to proud and vibrant Irish-speaking areas and the rich linguistic and cultural heritage of the Gaeltacht is a key reason why so many people come to visit the area. Another must see is the breath-taking Sliabh Liag cliffs, while other attractions include Earagail Arts Festival - Donegal’s largest and longest running multi-disciplinary arts and cultural event which runs every July.
Fanad Lighthouse
Recreation / Sporting Residents and visitors alike can enjoy a wide range of sport and recreation activities in Derry and Donegal. There is a wonderful quality of life to be enjoyed in Donegal and there is always something to do whether it is surfing, horseriding, golfing, shopping or just taking a relaxing walk along one of its many blue-flag beaches. The landscape of Donegal naturally induces and encourages a recreational and sporting lifestyle. Many recreational and sporting facilities are set in and along breathtaking scenery promoting an enormous sense of well being. Walking is a favourite pastime in Donegal owing to the magnificent array of trails and routes available right throughout the county.
The natural resources in the county provides many different landscapes and terrains for walking, hiking and mountain climbing for all capabilities. Walking trails have been developed along our lakes, hills and mountains, beaches and our towns and villages provide excellent looped walkways. The popularity of this pastime necessitates the continued development and enhancement of facilities in Co Donegal and a collaborative approach to this continued development is taken. Sport has a vibrant presence in Co Donegal, both competitively and recreationally and it has many sport stars to be proud of. Sport can be pursued individually or socially amongst the huge array of sporting clubs and associations in Donegal including, GAA, Soccer, Golf, Tennis, Rubgy, Badminton, Athletics, Martial Arts, Cycling, basketball, Swimming, Surfing, Gymnastics, Water Sports and many more.
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Culture, Heritage & Arts
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The Music Culture
Quality of Life Golf is a popular pastime in Donegal and there are 17 golf courses located around the county, 13 of which are links courses. The quality of these links golf courses is widely acclaimed in the golfing world with Ballyliffin and Rosapenna in particular being regarded amongst the best in the world. Ballyliffin Golf Club was recently voted the best 36 Hole links complex in the world by the influential US Golf Magazine – Golf Odyssey. Meanwhile, Derry also boosts a wealth of outdoor activities to suit all ages and abilities. An urban destination located in an idyllic setting on the River Foyle with the backdrop of the Donegal hills the city is in close proximity to spectacular countryside, coastal routes and award-winning beaches that ensure there’s always a reason to be out and about.
The River Foyle really is the vein that supplies the lifeblood to Derry and is also one of the richest fishing rivers in Europe, teeming with salmon and trout If cycling is your game, then you should follow the Foyle Valley CycleRoute, connecting the historic walled city to the border towns of Lifford and Strabane. Tee off at the local parkland courses namely City of Derry, Foyle International and Faughan Valley Golf Courses. For those who enjoy spectator sports local teams include Derry City Football, Institute Football Club, Derry GAA and City of Derry Rugby Club.
Locals in Derry don’t want to leave, visitors just want to stay. It doesn’t take long to become part of the fabric in an intimate city with a people renowned for their warmth and friendliness. A cultural capital carved out of history and buzzing with a vibrant artistic life, Derry is still kicking on from its amazing year as inaugural UK City of Culture 2013 with an increasingly varied and exciting entertainment scene. Derry boasts the amenities and attractions of a cosmopolitan city while retaining the community feel of the closest knit small town. Excellent schools, highly affordable property prices and a great transport infrastructure clinch the deal. One of the many legacies of the City of Culture is how Derry is striving to use culture to create a caring, supportive and healthy living environment for young people and engaging older people through active programmes at community level. The city has active participation through our sports particularly in Gaelic sports, Soccer
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and Rugby and Derry is working to extend the reach to all age groups and to include new sports too. There are significant numbers of natural and built environmental assets with high quality, scenic, cultural and historic attributes, in particular green space and the River Foyle. Derry is building on its green credentials and developing the riverside with the opening of the Peace Bridge which extends the city centre into Ebrington and St Columb’s Park. Derry is just a few miles from the dramatic Causeway coastline, and the area also boasts some of the finest angling, golf and outdoor sports on the island of Ireland, many of which can be found in the spectacular county of Donegal. Donegal has a wide range of social and cultural amenities which along with the great Donegal outdoors provide for a quality of life which is unmatched anywhere. Many of our recreational and sporting facilities are set in and along breathtaking scenery promoting an enormous sense of well being.
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An Ghaeilge
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Is as Dún na nGall iad cuid de mhórscríbhneoirí agus de mhórfhilí na Gaeilge, chomh maith le roinnt ceoltóirí a bhfuil clú agus cáil orthu ar fud an domhain, ar nós Clannad, Enya agus Altan. Bíonn an Ghaeilge lárnach i gcuid mhór féilte pobail chomh maith. The Donegal Gaeltacht has produced some of Ireland’s greatest writers and poets in the Irish language, as well as some internationallyacclaimed musical performers such as Clannad, Enya, and Altan. The Irish language is also celebrated as part of many community festivals.
An Ghaeilge
Altan
Donegal’s Gaeltacht is the largest geographical Gaeltacht in Ireland. Come and experience the culture, language and traditions that we are so proud of. An Ghaeltacht – Language Community Donegal’s Gaeltacht is located mainly in the west of the county along the coast and is Ireland’s second largest Gaeltacht with a population of 24,744 which represents almost one quarter of the country’s total Gaeltacht population. The Donegal Gaeltacht encompasses a geographical area of 1,502km2. The three parishes of Na Rosa, Gaoth Dobhair and Cloich Cheann Fhaola constitute the main centre of population with just over 16,000 and is considered the most rurally populated area in Europe. Dún na nGall, the Irish for Donegal, means ‘fort of the foreigner’, so called for having repealed the numerous viking raids on the county in the 8th and 9th centuries.
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Irish Language - An Ghaeilge Cúis mhór bhróid dúinn iad na ceantracha láidre bríomhara Gaeltachta atá le fáil i gContae Dhún na nGall, agus is iomaí duine a chaitheann seal a chuarta anseo le saibhreas teanga agus cultúrtha na Gaeltachta a bhlaiseadh. Tá breis agus trian de thalamh iomlán an chontae suite sa Ghaeltacht, agus tá radharcanna galánta le fáil ar feadh Shlí an Atlantaigh Fhiáin a bhfuil cuid mhór di ag dul fríd an Ghaeltacht. The Donegal Gaeltacht is home to proud and vibrant Irish-speaking areas and the rich linguistic and cultural heritage of the Gaeltacht is a key reason why so many people come to visit the area. The Donegal Gaeltacht encompasses over one-third of the entire land mass of County Donegal and much of it is located along the breath-taking scenery of the Wild Atlantic Way.
Tá béim mhór ar chaomhnú na Gaeilge i nDún na nGall agus tá an turasóireacht oideachasúil fíorthábhachtach leis an gheilleagar áitiúil a chothú. Achan bhliain, tagann na mílte dalta scoile ó achan chearn den tír le freastal ar Choláistí Gaeltachta le linn an tsamhraidh, áit ndéanann siad cúrsaí Gaeilge le linn an lae, agus cultúr agus oidhreacht an cheantair a bhlaiseadh, sult a bhaint as imeachtaí spóirt, agus freastal ar imeachtaí sóisialta san oíche. Bíonn neart cúrsaí Gaeilge agus cultúrtha ar siúl chomh maith do dhaoine fásta sa Ghaeltacht, agus meallann cúrsaí de chuid Oideas Gael agus Ghael Linn foghlaimeoirí fásta ó achan chearn den tír agus ó thar lear, mar shampla. There is a strong emphasis on preserving the Irish language in Donegal and educational tourism is key to sustaining the local economy. Each year, thousands of school pupils from all across the entire country come to attend Gaeltacht Colleges during
the summer where they attend Irish-language courses during the day, experience the culture and heritage of the area and enjoy sport and social activities in the evenings. There are also many enjoyable Irish language and cultural courses available for adults in the Gaeltacht, for example Oideas Gael & Gael Linn attract adult learners from all over the world. Since its foundation in 1984, Oideas Gael has provided highly acclaimed Irish language courses and cultural programmes in a number of locations in the Donegal Gaeltacht. Participants include not only Irish people from all backgrounds but half of all participants attend from many countries around the world. The unique blend of expertly prepared courses, together with an attractive mix of cultural sessions enable learners to improve their fluency in Irish while, at the same time, enjoying the living culture and experiencing a unique style of learning The Derry and Strabane area has a strong Irish speaking community that complements very well the indigenous Gaeltacht in neighbouring Donegal. There are now four Irish medium primary schools with 400+ children enrolled in full-time Irish medium education. The new Council area boasts three Irish language cultural centres, Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin in Derry, Gaelphobal in Strabane and Pobal Mhuileann an tSiáin in Sion Mills. The Department of Social Development in Northern Ireland is also jointly funding the development of a designated urban Gaeltacht Quarter in the Great James Street area in Derry City Centre.
Teileann, Gaeltacht Dhún na nGall
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Our Diaspora
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The communities of Derry and Donegal may be scattered right across the globe but for many there is a still strong sense of home.
Our Diaspora
Our Diaspora are proud of their home and whether they live near or far they maintain strong links.
Dana Rosemary Scallon
Phil Coulter & Damien McGinty
John Hume
The Tip O’Neill Irish Diaspora Award is awarded through the Donegal Diaspora Project. The Tip O ‘Neill Irish Diaspora Award is presented on an annual basis to a chosen member of the broad Irish Diaspora in recognition of achievements in their chosen field and their interest in, and support for Ireland and its Diaspora. The Award is made in honour of a member of our Diaspora, Philip Tip O’Neill who was a former US House of Representatives Speaker.
Famous sons and daughters of Derry make up the worlds of politics, sport and entertainment. These include Nobel Laureate John Hume, leading businessman Gerry Robinson, poet Seamus Deane and the composer Phil Coulter.
Undertones
The city is world-famous for its musical exports which include The Undertones, actress and singer Bronagh Gallagher, Eurovision winner Dana Rosemary Scallon, Peter Cunnah, Girls Aloud star Nadine Coyle and Snow Patrol’s Johnny McDaid.
Tony Blair
Nadine Coyle
Eva Birthistle
Sarah Jessica Parker
Other famous natives are international footballers Darron Gibson and James McClean, actress Eva Birthistle and boxer John Duddy. Donegal is equally as proud of it diaspora and their many achievements in their chosen fields.
General Martin Dempsey
Peter Gallagher
Meryl Streep
Donegal’s Global Community is made up of thousands of people worldwide. The Donegal Diaspora Project is working to reach out to this community to promote activity for mutual benefit in economic, cultural, educational and other areas of common interest.
Johnny McDaid
Anne Hathaway
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James McClean
Bronagh Gallagher
The Donegal Diaspora Project has been established to reach out to and to connect with the broad Donegal and Irish Diaspora, no matter where in the world they may be living.
Loretta Brennan Glucksman
The Golden Bridges Awards & Showcase is held in Boston on an annual basis organised by the Irish Echo Newspaper, Donegal County Council / Donegal Diaspora Project and Derry City & Strabane District Council. The event consists of an awards element which recognises active members of the Irish Diaspora and an element which focuses on economic and cultural development. The Donegal Gathering is a project which connects the broad Donegal and Irish Diaspora with a range of events in Donegal, many with a diaspora focus. The Donegal Gathering has a range of ambassadors who promote Donegal at home and abroad. Many famous faces have strong family links with the North West of Ireland and are regular visitors.
Mark Wahlberg
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Location & Infrastructure
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Location & Infrastructure Driving Distances in Kilometres Letterkenny to
Distances in KMS
Sligo
111.2
Orlando Newark
This map illustrates the most direct routes to Donegal by car or coach.
Coleraine
Donegal Airport
Letterkenny Derry Lifford Strabane Donegal Omagh
L/Derry
35.4
Castlebar
195.3
Dundalk
160.6
Bundoran
Belfast
148.2
Sligo
Athlone
225.2
Larne
Knock
152.5
Galway
251.7
Dublin
240.1
Roscrea
289
Limerick
334.1
Kilkenny
362.7
Waterford
403.7
Rosslare
499.8
Killarney
443.6
Tralee
433.9
Ferry Reservations
Belfast Belfast
Carrick on Shannon
Cavan
Galway
Irish Ferries From/To: Ireland to UK and France From Ireland Tel: 0818 300 400 Web: www.irishferries.com P&O European Ferries From/To: Cairnryan - Larne From Ireland Tel: +353 1855 7001 Web: www.poirishsea.com Stena Line From/To: From Ireland Tel: From UK Tel: Web:
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North West of Ireland
Stranraer - Belfast +353 1204 7777 087 0570 7070 www.stenaline.com
Dublin
Nass Portlaoise
Chicago Boston New York Philadelphia Phoenix
Dun Laoghaire
Wicklow Carlow
Amsterdam
Inverness
Aberdeen
Glasgow Edinburgh Donegal
Newcastle upon Tyne
Derry Belfast
Leeds Bradford Blackpool Manchester Liverpool
Knock Dublin
Galway
Drogheda Slane
Dublin
Athlone
Nottingham East Midlands
Shannon
Birmingham Luton
Cork
Cardiff
London
Bristol
Arklow
Exeter
Limerick
Southhampton Bournemouth
Tipperary Waterford
Tralee
Wexford Rosslare Harbour
Cork Cork Harbour
Buses
Flying to the North West
Express buses serve the principal towns from Dublin and other major cities. Local bus services link towns and villages.
Dublin, Shannon, Knock, Belfast, Derry and Cork are the principal international airports. Local airports with link services to Dublin and Britain are Donegal Airport, Sligo Airport, Knock Airport and Derry Airport.
Translink Web: Buses to: Tel:
Car Ferries
Dublin, Dun Laoghaire, Belfast, and Larne are served by car ferry from Britain. Rosslare and Cork are served by car ferries from Britain and France. Brittany Ferries From/To: Ireland to UK and France From Ireland Tel: +353 21 4277 801 Web: www.brittanyferries.ie
Newry
Ardee Navin
405
Cork
Larne
Monaghan
Mullingar
Shannon Airport
Montreal Toronto Chicago Boston New York Philadelphia Washington Charlotte Atlanta Dallas Austin Tampa Orlando San Francisco San Diego
There are direct flights to Dublin from most European cities. For more information contact the Irish Tourist Board in your country or in Dublin +353 1844 7101
Bus Éireann
www.translink.co.uk Rest of Northern Ireland from Derry City +44(0)28 90 666 630
Web: www.buseireann.ie Tel: +353 74 912 1309 (Letterkenny)
John Web: www.johnmcginley.com McGinley Buses to: Donegal - Dublin - Donegal Donegal - Glasgow Tel: +353 74 913 5201 Troon Larne Belfast
Dublin Dun Laoghaire
Cairnryan Stranraer Isle of Man Liverpool Holyhead
Rosslare Fishguard Pembroke
Feda Web: O’Donnell Buses to: Tel:
www.fedaodonnell.com Donegal - Galway - Donegal Donegal - Glasgow - Donegal +353 74 954 8114
Patrick Gallagher Coaches
Web: Buses to: Tel:
www.gallagherscoaches.com Donegal - Derry / Belfast +353 74 953 1107
Mangan Tours
Web: Buses to: Tel:
www.mangantours.ie Letterkenny - West Donegal +353 74 913 5460
McGeehan Coaches
Buses to: Tel:
Donegal - Dublin - Donegal +353 74 954 6150
North West Buses Busways linking: Tel:
Belfast International Tel: +44 (0) 28 9448 4848 Airport Web: www.belfastairport.com George Best Belfast City Airport
Tel: Tel: +44 (0) 28 9093 9093 Web: www.belfastcityairport.com
Derry Airport
Tel: +44 28 7181 0784 Web: www.derryairport.co.uk
Donegal Airport
Tel: +353 74 954 8284 Web: www.donegalairport.ie
Sligo Airport
Tel: +353 71 916 8280 Web: www.sligoairport.com
Knock Airport
Tel: +353 94 936 7222 Web: www.knockairport.com
Trains Translink, Trains to Coleraine, Ballymena, Belfast: www.translink.co.uk, +44(0)28 90 666 630
North West Donegal, Letterkenny, Derry and the Inishowen Peninsula +353 74 938 2619
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Additional Support Agencies
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Additional Support Agencies Useful links to additional support agencies
Website
Invest Northern Ireland (InvestNI) Regional Industrial Development Agency for Northern Ireland
www.investni.com/support-for-business.html
Northern Ireland Science Park (NISP) – Londonderry/Derry
www.nisp.co.uk/north-west/
Derry City & Strabane Council:
www.derrycityandstrabanedistrict.com
Donegal County Council
www.donegalcoco.ie
Innovation Ulster Ltd
www.innovation-ulster.com
IDA Ireland
www.idaireland.com
NI Connections
www.niconnections.com/
Údarás na Gaeltachta
www.udaras.is
Enterprise Ireland
www.enterprise-ireland.ie
Donegal Film Office
www.donegalfilmoffice.ie
Letterkenny Chamber of Commerce
www.letterkennychamber.ie
IBEC
www.ibec.ie
Donegal Local Enterprise Office
Ulster University – Northern Ireland Centre for Stratified Medicine
Website Missing website address
Ulster University – Functional Brain Mapping
www.isrc.ulster.ac.uk/projects/functionalbrain-mapping.html
Ulster University –Northern Ireland Centre for Stratified Medicine:
biomed.science.ulster.ac.uk/stratifiedmed/
Ulster University – Bamford Centre for Mental Health and Wellbeing:
www.science.ulster.ac.uk/bamfordcentre/
Letterkenny Institute of Technology (LYIT)
www.lyit.ie/
Clinical Translation Research & Innovation centre (C-TRIC)
www.c-tric.com
Altnagelvin Hospital (Western Health & Social Care Trust-WHSCT)
www.westerntrust.hscni.net/AltnagelvinHospital.htm
HSC Public Health Agency
www.publichealth.hscni.net/directorate-public-health/hsc-research-and-development
Donegal Clinical Research Academy
www.dcra.ie
Randox
www.randox.com
Donegal Education and Training Board
www.donegaletb.ie
www.localenterprise.ie/Donegal
Tourism
Website
Co-Lab
www.co-lab.ie
Visit Derry
visitderry.com
Áislann
www.udaras.ie
Westbic
www.westbic.ie
Strabane Visitor Centre, based at the Alley Arts and Conference Centre, Strabane
www.alley-theatre.com/facilities/strabanevisitor-information-centre/
The Base
www.thebaseenterprise.ie
Donegal Tourism
www.govisitdonegal.com
Department for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation
www.djei.ie
Failte Ireland
www.failteireland.com
Strabane Enterprise Agency
www.seagency.co.uk/
Tourism NI
www.tourismni.com
Tourism Ireland
www.tourismireland.com
Government Agencies
Website
Department for Employment and Learning
www.delni.gov.uk/
Department of Enterprise, Trade & Investment
www.detini.gov.uk/
Ilex
www.ilex-urc.com/home
Business in the Community
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Research and Development
bitc.org.uk/northern_ireland/index.html
Londonderry Chamber of Commerce
www.londonderrychamber.co.uk
Enterprise NorthWest / NorthWest Marketing:
north-westmarketing.com
Women In Enterprise:
www.womeninenterprise.biz
NORIBIC
www.norbic.com
ERNACT
www.ernact.eu
North West of Ireland
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NORTH WEST
OF IRELAND
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98 Strand Road, Derry, BT48 7NN 47 Derry Road, Strabane, BT82 8DY Tel: (028) 71 253 253 Email:Â info@derrystrabane.com www.derrystrabane.com
County House, Lifford, Co. Donegal Tel: +353 (0)74 91 53900 Email:Â info@donegalcoco.ie www.donegalcoco.ie
This information is available upon request in a number of formats including large print, Braille, PDF, audio formats (CD, MP3, DAISY) and minority languages. For further information on alternative formats please contact - Tel: 028 71 253 253, Text Phone: 028 71 376 646 or E-mail equality@derrycityandstrabanedistrict.com