Glenties Municipal District, County Donegal
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 "Magheorarty beach")
© Glenties Municipal District, County Donegal
About the region
The Glenties Municipal District is one of five districts in the broader Donegal Country, and has a population of 167 084 inhabitants. Falcarragh / Gortahork is a Decarbonising Zone within the Glenties MD with a population of approximately 1000 people.
 "Harvesting linseed in Ballyboeas")
© Glenties Municipal District, County Donegal
Main climate risks
floods
Donegal County has a long history of pluvial and fluvial flooding, with major events disrupting transport, damaging buildings, and mobilizing pollutants [1]. Climate projections indicate more frequent riverine and pluvial flooding due to intensified precipitation, especially in winter and autumn, with extreme rainfall expected to increase by up to 19%. Coastal erosion and rising sea levels further threaten Donegal’s low-lying areas, putting 130 km of its coastline at risk of inundation [2].
windstorms
Windstorms and heavy snowfall are significant climate risks for Donegal, frequently disrupting transport, damaging buildings, and increasing maintenance costs [3]. Severe snowfall events in 2009, 2010, and 2018 caused countywide disruptions, while storms like Barra (2021) and Eunice (2022), and Eowyn in 2025, led to energy and water supply failures [4, 5]. While storm frequency may remain stable, their impacts are expected to be widespread and damaging.
 "Damaged greenhouse")
© Glenties Municipal District, County Donegal
heatwaves
Heatwaves and droughts are expected to become increasingly relevant risks for Donegal County, particularly affecting agriculture. Recent heatwaves in 2018, 2021, and 2022 have intensified water demand, degraded freshwater quality, and harmed fish populations crucial for ecosystem balance [6]. Drought conditions during these events have also caused soil moisture deficits, reducing crop yields and overall productivity [7]. With climate models projecting more frequent and intense heatwaves and droughts, water availability and soil health will be growing concerns for farmers in the region.
Focus during Pathways2Resilience
During P2R, Glenties aims to implement a project dedicated to circular, biobased economy, with the overall aim to develop place-based climate resilience (Building Rural Biobased Resilience). As previously stated, spreading awareness on the benefits of biochar for nature-based solution and sustainable soil use will have a fundamental role in the project. In this regard, the paramount aim of the applicant is to facilitate the knowledge transfer from university research and institutions to the farmers’ community, supporting behavioural change needed in the region. The role of the non-profit organisation Cill Ulta is frequently emphasised and deemed fundamental for the successful realisation of the project. Finally, the applicant expresses the need for support in regard to finances and resources, also due to the socioeconomic disadvantage of some areas of the county.
 "Community water office visit")
© Glenties Municipal District, County Donegal
Regional Resilience Journey
The Glenties municipality has medium readiness for all 3 RRJ steps.
Glenties has highest capacities in Behavioural Change, followed by Capabilities and Skills.
Key community systems priority areas
health-wellbeing
nature-based-solutions
Key enabling conditions priority areas
behavioural-change
finances-resources
experimentation-learning-adjustment