THE fifth annual Donegal Camino has exceeded its ambitious 2025 target and will donate a whopping €153,277 to the Cancer Care West Support Centre, Donegal.
In five short years the seven day walking festival has generated over €430,000 in funds.
The funds raised through the seven-day walking festival enable the Cancer Care West Support Centre Donegal to provide individual and group supports through various therapies and classes to approximately 350 people each year.
The funds raised will go directly towards sustaining the essential services, enabling the cancer charity to provide more than 650 counselling hours in Donegal in 2026.
667 walkers took part in this year’s Donegal Camino, including a couple from Kansas, who had never been to Ireland or Donegal. While a walker from Rhode Island, returned for her third year joining many familiar and new faces from all over Donegal, 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.
This year they softly launched the 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 Business Man Kevin Boyle in Chicago. They collectively generated €10,000.
“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.
“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.”
The 2025 Donegal Camino walked Inishowen Head, Clonmany to Fort Dunree, Lifford to Oakfield Park, Errigal, Arranmore Island, Glenties to Ardara Distillery on the Apallachian 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,” said 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 heart-warming and profound, highlighting the remarkable spirit of Donegal.”
The Donegal Camino thanked each walker who fundraised, each business who donated services, supports and money, the excellent guides, each artists 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.
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.
