We always knew Donegal was cool - but the rest of the world is about to really take note this month.

People in the tourism, activities and culture sector can take a lot of pride in Donegal ‘The Coolest Place on the Planet’ featuring heavily in the September edition of influential travel magazine National Geographic Traveller UK.

This month’s edition of the top travel magazine showcases the rich and varied traveller experiences that Donegal has to offer in a bumper 20 page full colour supplement.

The magazine, which is already available from all good stockists, features a sample of the first class tourism offerings that are available throughout the county.

National Geographic Traveller UK is recognised as one of the leading travel publications in the world. This year, Donegal was named by the publication as the Number One spot in its yearly list of the Coolest Places on the Planet to visit in 2017, coming in ahead of Helsinki, Finland (2nd) and Santiago, Chile (3rd).

The Donegal supplement in this month’s edition now builds on this, providing the intrepid traveller with a showcase of things to do and places to see with a heavy emphasis on the Wild Atlantic Way touring route and also artisan offerings of everything from cultural crafts to food and drink.

In June, National Geographic Traveller UK joined up with Donegal Tourism to bring journalist, Zoe McIntyre and photographer, Alecsandra Raluca Dragoi to explore the county where they were given a typically warm Donegal welcome by all those who they crossed paths with. Their experiences and indeed the experience of the magazine’s Managing Director, Mathew Jackson, who also visited the county recently, formed the basis for the supplement’s content.

Iga Lawne, Donegal Tourism; travel writer Zoë McIntyre; Barney McLaughin, Donegal Tourism; photographer Alecsandra Raluca Dragoi; and Sarah Meehan, Donegal Tourism, outside Donegal Airport. Pic – John McConnell

Seamus Neely, chairman of Donegal Tourism recently stated, “While we are obviously thrilled with the accolade of being voted Number One on the Cool List for 2017, I feel that the publication of this supplement takes things to the next level. The list puts Donegal firmly on the radar of many travellers, but this supplement goes on to tell them why”.

Many of the articles can be accessed online at http://www.natgeotraveller.co.uk/destinations/europe/ireland/donegal and are well worth checking out.

Sarah Meehan, Donegal Tourism (centre), with photographer Alecsandra Raluca Dragoi (left) and travel writer Zoë McIntyre (right), outside Donegal Airport. Pic – John McConnell

They feature a wide variety of activities including cultural, heritage, adventure, touring, and culinary delights. The supplement offers a taste of what Donegal can provide in terms of short-stay getaways, holidays, and indeed, ideas for those living in the county who can avail of the excellent activities that we have on our doorstep in Donegal.

In addition to this publication, National Geographic UK are hosting the National Geographic Traveller Festival 2017 in London on Sunday, 17th September. This day-long celebration of travel is packed with inspirational speakers, writers, photographers, travel experts and must-try workshops.

Donegal will be heavily featured throughout this day with a panel of key speakers including Zoe McIntyre and Alecsandra Raluca Dragoi discussing the merits of Donegal as a must-see tourist destination.

How cool is that?