BSW4 - 13. Ardara, heritage town

Speaker: Nancy's Jennifer McHughFrom the Bluestack Way - Part 4 playlist.The capital of festivals not just in Donegal, but possibly Ireland? We're not going to list out all of the festivals here - you'll know of the Cup of Tae festival and maybe the Walking festival, but rarely is there a week that goes by in the Spring and Summer that there isn't some sort of celebration in the town. Not a bad way to pass time! The area is famous for its spectacular scenery, beautiful unspoilt beaches, and the hospitality of its people. Ardara is a designated Heritage Town and also a well known centre for the manufacture of Donegal homespun tweeds and knitwear. We are great fans of Kennedy's of Ardara for their very nifty knits - see their website on the right hand column. Great trad music is to be heard around the town and a visit to Nancy's for seafood and music is a must - it's just been crowned national Pub of the Year by the Georgina Campbell guide book. The Diamond has been a market place since the 1700s when George Nesbitt had livestock and tweed traded on the first day of the month. Today, the fair is held annually, usually around Whit weekend. In the Heritage Centre, you'll hear a good telling of the role the county played in the weaving industry. There's a hand loom weaver on site and an audio visual guide upstairs as well as a small cafe. It doubles up as a Tourist Information centre. Open Easter-September, Monday to Saturday 10-6, Sunday 2-6. Our audio piece comes from Jennifer in Nancy's famous award-winning pub telling us that Ardara was recognised as Ireland's best village by the readers of The Irish Times in 2012 no less.