Carndonagh-based tourism boss Tony McLaughlin has voiced his concerns over the lack of indoor visitor attractions in Inishowen and despite trying to remain optimistic he admitted he was fearful it has put tourists off visiting the area next year.

He said although Ireland, and Inishowen in particular, is known for its gloomy weather he’s never seen anything like the level of drizzle experienced this year and is concerned, unless more weather independent places spring up in the area, tourism will suffer as a result.

Mr McLaughlin told the Journal: “From our point of view the weather this summer certainly didn’t affect us a lot.

“First of all, the people who had their holidays planned here they still took them.

“But we may suffer next year - but hopefully not.

“There is no point in talking ourselves down until we see what next year is like.

“Our experience, in the tourist office, was that people were coming in liked drowned rats looking for places to go.

“One of the complaints we kept getting was that there was no indoor attractions for visitors.

“We got a lot of that.

“We sent them to what indoor facilities we do have.

“But these people were staying in B&Bs or self catering accommodation and maybe had small children and the weather really was a problem for them.

“Although we have some superb facilities and attractions in Inishowen, we simply could do with more.

“In regard to day trippers it affected us.

“It was the month of August when things took off and the office was really busy - and that was the weather sending them in.

“If the sun shone we were quiet, but if it was dark and dreary we were run off our feet.”

Buncrana councillor Nicholas Crossan told the Journal tourism is the key to success in Inishowen and the seaside town desperately needs a weather independent attraction.

He said: “We need something that is weather independent and that means there is something indoors to attract families to Buncrana.

“This is vital”

Earlier this year Cllr Crossan said he believed a sealife centre would be the perfect answer and Mr McLauhglin again emphasized the need to explore this option.

Mr McLaughlin added: “I agree with Cllr Crossan, we need something weather independent and I would like the sealife centre idea to be looked into again - this would be perfect.