Best yet: Donegal Camino makes €153,277.52 for Cancer Care West Support Centre

The Donegal Camino will donate a whopping €153,277.52 to the Cancer Care West Support Centre, Donegal.

This brings to €432,572.92 the funds generated by the seven-day walking festival in five years for the Donegal Cancer Support Centre based at Pearse Road, Letterkenny.

The funds raised through the seven-day walking festival enable the Cancer Care West Support Centre Donegal to provide individual and group support through various therapies and classes to approximately 350 people each year.

The substantial funds raised in 2025 will go directly towards sustaining the Cancer Care West Support Centre Donegal’s essential services, enabling the cancer charity to provide more than 650 counselling hours in Donegal in 2026.

Some 667 walkers took part in the 2025 Donegal Camino. A couple from Kansas in the United States, who had never been to Ireland or Donegal previously, enjoyed all seven days of the Donegal Camino. A walker from Rhode Island, returned for her third joining many familiar and new faces from all over Donegal, the island of Ireland, Scotland, the UK and mainland Europe.

The Donegal Camino brand is strategically growing its profile in the Domestic Walking Tourism Market and internationally also.

The 2025 Donegal Camino softly launched its first Donegal Camino Sunday product aimed at the Donegal Diaspora and over 200 people with direct Donegal connections walked in both Boston and Chicago thanks to the support of the Donegal Association in Boston and Donegal businessman Kevin Boyle in Chicago, collectively generating €10,000.

The two key aims of the Donegal Camino are to raise the profile of the world-class walking in Donegal and to raise much-needed funds for the Cancer Care West Support Centre in Donegal. They continue to be achieved annually.

The organisers are keen to increase growth of both while maintaining the unique and intimate atmosphere of the seven-day walking festival, which embraces the distinctive personality of Donegal, its people, communities, artists, musicians, food and above all, its generous hospitality.

“The Donegal Camino remains the flagship fundraiser for the Cancer Care West Support Centre, Donegal, with support growing year on year and this generosity has a profound impact on the services we provide,” said Richard Flaherty, CEO of Cancer Care West.

“The financial support of the Donegal Camino fundraising brings our total counselling hours to over 5,000 hours since we opened in 2017. Importantly, the event not only raises vital funds but also greatly increases awareness of the organisation and the free cancer support services available across the region, helping them to reach people who may not otherwise know where to turn.

“Demand for our support continues to grow, and we are deeply grateful to Donegal Camino for their ongoing commitment. This inspired and innovative event is vital to our financial planning and our ability to keep delivering these much-needed services in Donegal.”

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The 2025 Donegal Camino walked Inishowen Head, Clonmany to Fort Dunree, Lifford to Oakfield Park, Errigal, Arranmore Island, Glenties to Ardara Distillery on the Appalachian Trail by the Owenea River, finishing on Sliabh Liag.

“We’re extremely proud of our milestone 5th Donegal Camino and our record fundraising achievements for Cancer Care West Support Centre Donegal,” says Deirdre Mc Glone, Chair of the Donegal Camino.

“The support that Donegal Camino received this year from our registered walkers, partners, sponsors, and the towns and villages we walked through was immense. Combined with the generosity of artists and businesses who pledged their services and finances, this outpouring of goodwill is both heartwarming and profound, highlighting the remarkable spirit of Donegal.”

The Donegal Camino wishes to sincerely thank each walker who fundraised, each business that donated services, support and money, the excellent guides, each artist who walked, performed and serenaded walkers and to each village, town and community who welcomed and supported the Donegal Camino on its journey in 2025.

A sincere thanks also goes to Joe Coyle and his “Get Your Prostate Checked” Campaign, which was the foundation for the 2025 Donegal Camino fundraising. Thanks also to Sendmode, Gallagher’s Bakehouse, Donegal County Council, Kelly Group, Simple Simons, The Tax Clinic, Kelly Toyota Mountcharles, John Mc Carter, Donegal Person of the Year, Mickey Joe Harte, Matt Mc Granaghan and his musician friends, Daniel O’Donnell, The Inishowen Collective, Patsy Kavanagh, O’Murchú Family, Fort Dunree, Mc Gonagles Buses, Colm Canny, Bradas O’Donnell, Roddy’s Bar and the Glenties Community Group, Ardara Distillery, Donegal Tenors, Kilcar Pipers and the Sliabh Liag Visitor Centre.

The 2026 Donegal Camino will take place from Donegal Camino Sunday, August 30, to Saturday, September 5. The route and itinerary and registration will be announced early in 2026.