Annual Events
Spring Programme | Summer Programme | Autumn Programme | Winter Programme
New Year
Courses and Classes
The Donegal Education & Training Board (ETB) and others fund/subsidise a number of courses which run from January to Easter each year here in the Malin Head Community Centre. Courses could include anything from Basket Weaving to Bee Keeping or Yoga to Yodelling. All up coming courses and classes are publicised locally and can be found on our facebook page
Photography Competition (Launch)
Every year people are invited to submit photos for this annual competition. 12 finalists are selected to feature in the following years Malin Head Calendar which is produced as a fundraiser and available in all local shops. Entries are generally accepted all year round and should be e-mailed to [email protected]
SPRING
Living History Awards
Hosted by the Malin Head Heritage Group, this is the prize giving ceremony and exhibition for the annual “Living History” competition where National and Secondary School students interview an older relative or neighbour and record their memories of Malin Head in days gone by.
International Marconi Day
International Marconi Day, a 24-hour amateur radio event, celebrates the career of Italian wireless communications pioneer Guglielmo Marconi. The event takes place annually on the Saturday closest to his birthday (April 25, 1874).
Malin Head enjoys a very specific claim to fame with regards to Marconi. In 1902 the Marconi Company succeeded in sending the first commercial message by wireless from Malin Head to the ship S.S. Lake Ontario thus establishing Malin Head as an important staging post for future trans-Atlantic communication.
The Carndonagh Amateur Radio Club host an exhibition in Malin Head annually and invite people to come and commemorate the Nobel laureate’s achievements and to use HF radio to make direct point-to-point contact between stations, relying on the same technology Marconi developed and utilized in his time.
May The 4th be With You Festival
As one of the exclusive Star Wars film locations in Ireland, Malin Head forms part of the “Planet Ahch-to” as seen in The Last Jedi (Disney 2017). Malin Head is an iconic location that transcends, space, time and even the Millennium Falcon.
Prepare to get intergalactic at this annual festival with atmospheric film screenings, behind the scenes tours, boat trips, guided walks and much much more. Lightsabers at the ready? It’s time to embrace the Wild Atlantic Way of life at its most space age every May in Malin Head.
Malin Head Golf Classic
The Malin Head Golf Classic is an annual fundraising event hosted at the world famous Ballyliffin Golf Links. This is a team event with over €3000 worth of prizes. All proceeds are split between the Malin Head Community Association and the upkeep of the Community Field. The continued viability and success of this event is entirely dependent on the very generous support of it’s many sponsors
SUMMER
Bonefire Night
Saint John’s Eve, starting at sunset on 23 June, is the eve of celebration before the feast day of Saint John The Baptist. This Christian celebration adopted many of the traditions of the pagan solstice celebrations. While bonfire night is still celebrated it has become secularised and many of the old pagan and Christian rituals have been long forgotten.
The “Tine Cnámh”, literally Bone Fire was often lit by the oldest present, the youngest present would throw in a bone as part of the celebrations. As part of some customs after the dancing and celebrations were over, revellers would bring home a spent ember from the fire, this was thrown into a field to bring good fortune in the year to come.
Summer Entertainment Programme
Every year the local Hostelries launch a summer programme of events check out their individual facebook pages for full details. Farren’s Bar | Seaview Tavern
Summer Camp
The annual Playdays Summer Camp generally takes place the first week of the school holidays. It is open to all kids between the ages of 4 and 12 with a varied and engaging programme, participants can expect to enjoy; sports, games, crafts, tours and outdoor activities.
Swimming Lessons
Every year, Irish Water Safety run swimming lessons at Port Mor Pier Malin Head. This is a very popular one week course where participants can build on their swimming and water safety skills year on year and receive certification of their achievements from beginners right up to those receiving open water & life guard certification.
Malin Head Sports Day
Malin Head Sports day takes place on August 15th every year.
This date is of particular importance in the local area as it is the feast of the Assumption and was the traditional date of the pilgrimage called the Malin Well Fair. The revered early Christian well is located in the natural cavern in the rock on the shore directly below the church at The Wee House of Malin. Donegal pilgrims, as well as those from neighbouring counties, came to partake in rituals associated with the curative powers of the well. As the celebrations became more festive in nature the church began to distance itself from the “drunkenness and debauching”(Reverend Edward Chichester in 1814).
Today the 15th is a secular festival, celebrated by the whole community and visitors to the area, with a fair and family sports day in Doc’s field and celebrations continuing late into the evening with live music and dancing in the local hostelries.
Brian Glackin Memorial Cup
This is an annual fundraising event for the local football team Sea Rovers. The day consists of a fun soccer knock-out tournament followed by the main event… a prize-giving, barbecue & live music hosted at Doherty’s Bar Umgal. The event is named in memory of a young local man who tragically died during the 15th celebration in 2006.
Annual Heritage Open Day
The Malin Head Heritage group host this event every August to coincide with National Heritage Week. The exhibition features all of the groups research, photos, maps, and stories. These open days are a fabulous opportunity for everyone to come along, view the groups findings, engage with their members, correct any mistakes and help build up census information, local field names, place names etc.
AUTUMN
Courses and Classes
The Donegal Education & Training Board (ETB) and others fund/subsidise a number of courses each autumn term here in the Malin Head Community Centre. Courses could include anything from Computing to Childcare or Upcycling to Ukulele. All up coming courses and classes are publicised locally and can be found on our facebook page
Good As New Shop Fundraiser
Every 2nd or 3rd year the community appropriate a commercial premises in the market town of Carndonagh where they open a good as new shop – recycling some of the communities pre-loved donations. The shop is tended by local community volunteers and all moneys raised go to the local association.
Halloween Event
The community generally organises a halloween themed event or project. In years gone by these have included a masquerade ball, fright nights and local media productions for youtube.
AGM
Under the constitution and code of governance; the Malin Head Community Association hold an Annual General Meeting where the annual report is published, tabled and approved. The AGM is open to all stakeholders and interested members of the community. The Committee is also elected or confirmed; with all nominations being thrown open to the floor.
WINTER
Craft Fair
The Malin Head Community Centre hosts an annual craft fair in November every year where local and not so local crafters, bakers and entrepreneurs showcase their wares. This is a popular event and is always publicised well in advance.
Bazaar
The Christmas Bazaar became an annual fixture in Malin Head many years ago when introduced by the then Malin Head Development Association. The original format consisted of a number of second hand stalls and rickety wheel. In recent years the format has evolved and been modernized with an all seated compared raffle event. We continue to give away great prizes just in time for Christmas and of course the most important part of the day being a visit from Santa Claus.
St Stephen’s Day Swim
The Sponsored swim is held annually on St Stephen’s day and all moneys raised are split between The community Association and a different local charity each year