The Happy Camper – a gem of a café in the Hills of Donegal

By Chris Ashmore

There can be few cafes in Ireland located in such a wonderful location – and few that have attracted so many favourable comments in such a short space of time.

The Happy Camper Cafe may only be up and running a few months, but it is already making a name for itself.

Sisters Maria and Jane McCormack, from Churchill, came up with the idea of opening a café in what some would call “the middle of nowhere!”

But that has proven to be the key to its early success. Located on the R251 “back of Errigal” road that links Letterkenny with Gweedore and the north-west of the county, their caravan café can be seen on the Termon side of Glenveagh National Park.

“We really didn’t know what to expect, but we have been flabbergasted by the reaction,” Maria explains.
The idea for the business was only hatched back in May. Maria and Jane had been out walking and had spoken about how nice it would have been to have been able to get a coffee. The seeds for the business were sown. What had they got to lose? They felt “we can do this!” — “We really didn’t know what to expect, but we have been flabbergasted by the reaction,” Maria explains. The idea for the business was only hatched back in May. Maria and Jane had been out walking and had spoken about how nice it would have been to have been able to get a coffee. The seeds for the business were sown. What had they got to lose? They felt “we can do this!”

It was a case of no time like the present. A caravan was bought and their brother James and his wife Melissa helped to convert it into the distinctive site that is today, The Happy Camper.

Add in bubbly personalities, delicious pancakes and treats, and decent coffee, and the ingredients for success are there. The table and chairs beside the Happy Camper Cafe encourage people to sit on as well. Interestingly, they thought the majority of users would be tourists. Not so. “I would say that 90% of people are local. Many of them are coming from west Donegal and going to Letterkenny. It’s a lonely road from Dunlewey to Letterkenny, People are returning every day and stopping with us. For some we may be the only contact they have in the day!

Of course, what’s on offer is a key to the trade. Their mouth-watering “Mammy Pancakes” are a great hit. The maple syrup, nutella, strawberry and other toppings are going down a treat.

There’s also breakfast pancakes with bacon, sausage, egg and cheese, which are known as the Fr. Ted pancakes, with different ones named after different characters, namely Jack, Dougal and Ted.

The Happy Camper Cafe is now becoming a popular place for selfies and many people passing by have taken photos, all of which is good for business; the word is spreading.

* The Happy Camper Cafe is open six days a week, Tuesdays to Sundays. For more details contact 085 7348727.