Love Donegal Day reaches 109 million people worldwide - Donegal Daily

Love Donegal Day 2026 enjoyed its most successful year to date, reaching 109 million people worldwide and generating 1.2 million social media interactions.Held...

Love Donegal Day 2026 enjoyed its most successful year to date, reaching 109 million people worldwide and generating 1.2 million social media interactions.

Held on 17 September, the event once again brought together people at home and abroad to celebrate everything that makes the county special, from its people and communities to its culture, language, landscape and entrepreneurial spirit.

This year's campaign placed a stronger focus on authentic Donegal voices. In the lead-up to Love Donegal Day, Donegal County Council shared video messages from local people, businesses, community groups, festivals and events across the county, alongside Irish-language content celebrating our rich cultural heritage.

To encourage participation, a dedicated digital toolkit was developed for businesses, organisations and individuals. Available in both English and Irish, it included branded social media templates for posts, stories and reels, making it easier than ever for people to share their own Love Donegal message online.

A major milestone for the campaign was the first-ever Love Donegal Day celebration at the historic Crolly Distillery. The event brought together local media, content creators and community representatives to celebrate the county's unique identity and showcase the very best of the county.

Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, Cllr Gary Doherty, said:

"Love Donegal Day continues to demonstrate the immense pride people have in our county. This year's campaign saw people from every corner of Donegal, and indeed around the world, come together to celebrate their connection to this special place.

Reaching 109 million people worldwide and generating 1.2 million interactions is a fantastic achievement, but what stands out most is the genuine community spirit behind it. From local businesses and community groups to our diaspora and Irish-language communities, people embraced the opportunity to tell their Donegal story."

The Love Donegal campaign is coordinated by Donegal County Council as part of ongoing efforts to promote Donegal as an outstanding place to live, work, study, visit and invest.

Whether at home or abroad, one message rang clear throughout the campaign: people love Donegal and are proud to call it their own.