Thought I would post the following exciting family news! Recently received some exciting news about my cousin Tony McLaughlin of Ballyhillion, Malin Head, County Donegal.( Ireland's most northern townland.) He has just been hired as the new manager of the Innishowen Peninsula Board. Tony's grandmother Ellen Doherty McLaughlin (born 1872) was my Grandmother Catherine Doherty Smith's (born 1870) sister. Cousin Tony McLaughlin of Ballyhillion, Malin Head, County Donegal has made the news! The following article appeared in the Derry Journal's online issue. The Derry Journal is Ireland's second oldest newspaper founded in 1772. Tony also writes a weekly article for the Derry Journal - Inishowen News. Tony's the New Face of Local Tourism Mar 28 2003 INISHOWEN TOURISM'S new boss is no stranger to having a bit of craic so it seems apt he should head the body which promotes all that is fun in the peninsula to visitors from home and abroad. As Tony McLaughlin settles into his new role at the helm of the society, he realises there's "much work" to do, but he hopes his experience of the hospitality industry and knowledge of the area will prove fruitful in the drive to bring tourists to the peninsula. Speaking to the 'Journal' this week, the Malin Head man sits back in his office chair at Chapel Street, Carndonagh and declares he's "very much looking forward to the challenge" of drawing tourists from far and wide. But he seems under no illusion that the staple of Inishowen's tourism industry is visitors from Northern Ireland. And Tony is especially aware that, due to the success of the new Foyle Ferry service which alone brought in more 220,000 visitors last year, there is ample scope to market the peninsula's breathtaking scenery in tandem with the more familiar tourist attractions of the Causeway Coast. "I feel I'm very familiar with tourism activities on both sides of the border having spent most of my managerial life working in border areas. In particular I'm familiar with the industry on both sides of Lough Foyle - I even know the middle of the Foyle well, where I fished oysters," he quipped. "And as for Inishowen there's hardly a nook or cranny that I don't know in some form or description," he added. Accompanied by Joint Treasurer Peter McAvenue, Tony this week outlined the Society's plans to help increase visitors numbers to the area. He explained that in the 20 years of its existence Inishowen Tourism Society Limited had been "very beneficial" for businesses in the area. "Over the years Inishowen Tourism has been quiet about the successful impact it has had on the local industry. Each year it prints between 12,000 and 20,000 promotional brochures for distribution all over the world. But when tourists arrive from various parts of the globe they don't happen to mention that they came because they noticed the peninsula in an Inishowen Tourism brochure," he added. "We have updated the website this year and that version will be up and running by next week. The current site gets around 30 hits a day. It includes a comprehensive list of details including attractions and general places of interest in Inishowen - it has listed every place where rare wildlife may be found from Blanket Nook, and the Foyle and Swilly, to Malin Head." One forthcoming event nurtured by Inishowen Tourism as a major attraction is the O'Doherty clan reunion, scheduled for 2005, and anticipated to draw quite a number of people from countries all over the world. In the short term Inishowen Tourism, in conjunction with Inishowen Community Radio, is in the process of organising a peninsula-wide car treasure hunt for the May 5 Bank Holiday. "Money raised from events such as this as well the efficiency and dedication of our hard working staff, Mary McKinney, Pat McPherson and Anne McGonagle help keep the office in operation," explained Tony. And agreements have been made between the organisation and Limavady Borough Council to cross promote summer festivals on both sides of the Foyle. If you would like to go to the website of the Derry Journal to read the article go to: http://icderry.icnetwork.co.uk/ Derry Journal Click on News on the left side of the page On the next page click on the "local news" on the left side of the page, the article appeared March 28 so you need to click on "next" till the correct page comes up. Now scroll down to Tony's the new face of Local Tourism. Slan go foill, Margaret (Mairead)