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The largest town in Donegal, with a population of about 18,000. With a poor (but improving) road infrastructure, Letterkenny boasts a good nightlife with plenty of third-level college students to create an lively atmosphere. It has plenty of decent pubs, and more than enough places to eat, to suit all ages. It is popular with hen and stag parties. Letterkenny is the shopping capital of the North-west.

It is the ideal place to base yourself if you want to explore regions like the Rosses, Glenveagh National Park and the Fanad Penninsula. It is a fast expanding town, with many housing developments being built. This has spoiled much of the scenic environment close to the town.

[edit] Understand

Poised at the mouth of the Lough Swilly, the town grew in the 17th century from a small fishing village to a prosperous town in Donegal and the Ecclesiastical Seat for the Diocese of Raphoe. The town was an inportant shipping port in the past with goods such as coal and grain landing here. A railway serive also thrived in the town. There is evidence of these long-past activities still, with place names such as Station Road and Port Bridge. Some monuments also commemorate Letterkenny's proud past.

Letterkenny’s name come from the Irish Leitir Ceannain meaning Hillside of the O’Canainn clan, the earliest recorded overlords of this Swilly region. Letterkenny is now a busy working town but with all the major amenities needed to cater for tourists and visitors. The Main Street, which was once the commercial centre of the town, has now given way to the newer shopping centres that are located on the town's boundries. This makes the Main Street a pleasant, quieter place to stroll about, with more traditional shops in evidence. The Upper Main Street starts at the traffic lights near the town's courthouse and runs to the Market Square, where the Courtyard Shopping Center (mall) is located. Lower Main Street, which has fewer shops or businesses, runs downhill from the Market Square to the roundabout, known locally as the "Dunne's Stores Roundabout".

[edit] History

Although the O'Cannons were the last chieftains of Tir Conaill no evidence of forts or castles belonging to the clan exists in or around the Letterkenny district.

Rory O'Cannon, the last chieftain of the O'Cannon clan was killed in 1248. Godfrey O'Donnell succeeded Rory O'Cannon as King of Tir Conaill. He engaged Maurice Fitzgerald, the Norman Lord, in battle at Credan in North Sligo in 1257 in which both received serious wounds. Godfrey retired to a crannóg (a man-made island) in Gartan Lake. O'Neill of Tyrone, taking advantage of Godfrey's fatal illness demanded submission, from the Cenel Conail since they lacked a strong chieftain. Godfrey summoned his forces and led them himself although he had to be carried on a litter (stretcher). O'Neill and his men were completely defeated here by the Swilly in 1258. Godfrey died after the battle as he was being carried down Letterkenny's Main Street. He was buried in Conwal Cemetery, located just outside the town on the Glenties/Churchill road. A coffin-shaped cross slab marks his grave.

The receding of the waters of the Atlantic eastwards enabled progress - the building of bridges etc.- and the town of Letterkenny as we know it today developed. It began in the wake of the Ulster Plantation 1610-1611 when 1000 acres were granted to a Scotsman Patrick Crawford who then formed a compact community. The honour of formally launching the town is supposed to go to Sir George Marbury, who married Patrick Crawford's widow, - Crawford died suddenly while on a return visit to his native Scotland.

[edit] Get in

Getting to Letterkenny is by means of car or bus only, as the town lacks a rail link.

[edit] By Car

There are three main road arteries into Letterkenny. One is via Derry if you are travelling from Northern Ireland. This is the best route if you are coming from Great Britian by air or sea.

Another is the N13 from Sligo via Bundoran, Ballyshannon and Donegal town, all of which are bypassed.

The third route from Dublin is the N2 via Monaghan, Strabane and Lifford. This journey takes about 4 hours. Use the M1 motorway from Dublin Airport, leave the motorway at Ardee exit to join the N2 and travel via Monaghan towards Derry, crossing the border into Northern Ireland at Aughnacloy. Turn off at Strabane for Lifford and then onto """Letterkenny""". Many of the towns along this route are now by-passed by good roads, making the journey more pleasant than it has been in the past.

[edit] By Bus

The national bus company, Bus Éireann runs nine trips per day to and from Dublin to Letterkenny. An adult single fare currently costs €17.50 and a return costs €27.00. Some of these buses go via Dublin Airport. There are also private bus companies, such as McGinley's Buses and Feda O'Donnell's Buses, who run similar type services. The Bus Eireann time table from Letterkenny has recently been revamped and offers services during the night as well as early morning runs via the Airport.

[edit] By Air

Alternatively, visitors can fly to Donegal International Airport or City of Derry Airport. The small airline company, Aer Árann operate a daily return service from Dublin to Donegal, with services to and from Glasgow also available. There is a bus service from Donegal International Airport into Letterkenny,which brings you along a very scenic route via Glenveagh National Park. Car hire is available at Avis Car Rental, Donegal Airport, Co. Donegal Tel: 00 353 (0)74 9548232

[edit] Get around

[edit] By Taxi

There is a plentiful taxi service with fares governed by national regulations. There is a call-out charge of €2.00. The standard fare is €3.80 (€4.10 after 8.00 p.m.), plus €1.00 for each additional passenger. Thereafter, the rate is approx. €1.00 per kilometer.

The best place to get a taxi is at the Market Square, which is in the town centre. There is also a rank near the bus station, at the Port Road roundabout. There are a number of cab companies that can be called and most public phone boxes have numbers displayed.

[edit] By Foot

Letterkenny has a long main street and walking is a good option within the town limits, as you can get around most of the places of interest by foot.

[edit] By Bicycle

Renting a bike is a pleasant way to explore the town and surrounding environs. Be warned though, Letterkenny is a very hilly town and you will rarely be travelling on the flat! Also, like many other Irish towns, it lacks dedicated cycle paths and drivers tend to ignore cyclists' rights on the road.

Bike hire at Church Street Cycles, Church Lane, Letterkenny, Co Donegal. Tel: +353 74 91 26204. Fax: +353 74 91 26204

[edit] See

Market Square has a nice monument commemorating the times when "Hiring Fairs" were held there, called "The Rabble Children". These fairs were held so that farmers could hire people, including young children, to live and work on their farms, for periods of six months or more.

Letterkenny Town Park is located at the Hospital Roundabout and is a nice place for a relaxing stroll away from the hubbub of the town. The park is has a herb garden, flower beds, new and mature trees, an orchard area, playing areas, bowling green, walks, playgrounds and a Garden of Rememberance.

St. Eunan's Cathedral , the only cathedral in the county, dominates the skyline and is well worth a visit. Also at Cathedral Square you can see the newly erected Celtic Cross, which is the largest in Europe.

There is also a designated signposted walk-way (Slí na Sláinte) which takes you out along the Swilly River, which runs through the town. It starts at the Station Roundabout near the bus depot and continues out the Derry road, looping around to come back into the town by Ramelton road.

If you are entering Letterkenny via the Derry Road, you cannot miss the fantastic new sculpture called Polestar, erected in the centre of the Blaney Roundabout, near the Tourist Centre.This monument commemorates the fact that it is sited at the point where trade and goods were landed by boat.

[edit] Do

Call to the Tourist Centre to get up-to-date information on what's on in the town when you're there. There is a touchscreen information booth available here. The tourist centre is located outside the town (about 1-2 Km) just off the Port Roundabout on the Derry Road. It is a stone-fronted building, fairly visible on the right hand side as you come towards the town from Sligo (N13) or Derry.

• Plays and musical shows at An Grianán Theatre, Port Road, Letterkenny [1]

• Ten-pin bowling at Arena 7, Ramelton Road, Letterkenny [2]

• Go to the movies at Century Cinemas, Neil T. Blaney Road, Letterkenny [3]

• Swim and gym at Letterkenny Leisure Centre, High Road (daily rates from about €5.00) [4]

• Outdoor pursuits at Gartan Adventure Centre, Churchill,located about 20k from Letterkenny, follow the signs on the Glenties to Churchill road, turning left after passing through Churchill village. [5]

• The County Museum, High Road, Letterkenny. Local history and exhibitions.[6]

• The Library and Arts Centre, Oliver Plunkett Road.[7]

• Newmills Corn and Flax Mill is a restored mill on the outskirts of the town. Take the road towards Glenties for about 5 KM and it's on the left hand side. Tel: +353(0)74-91-25115

• Grianan of Aileach is an ancient fort site located twenty miles from Letterkenny on the Derry road.

• Glenveagh National Park will take at least one pleasurable day, with tours of the house and grounds available all year round.

[edit] Golfing in the locality

Donegal has many beautiful golfcourses, some beside these beaches, and Letterkenny is the ideal base for visiting golfers. The town's own golf course is located about 3 Km on the road to Ramelton. Green Fees are €25.00 per person on weekdays. There is driving range just outside the town on the same road and a nine-hole golf course at Otway, Rathmullen

Further afield, you can play the Nick Faldo-designed Ballyliffen course (follow the road to Derry, go through Buncrana and Clonmany to get to Ballyliffen), in the Inishowen Penninsula. Or experience Portsalon Golfcourse (Follow the Ramelton road, through Milford and Kerrykeel village to get to Portsalon) on the Fanad Penninsula, another coastal gem for serious golfers. These courses are about an hour's drive from Letterkenny.

[edit] Go-Karting

There is a Go-Kart track near the Silver Tassie hotel, bar and restaurant, about 10km from Letterkenny on the Ramelton road.

[edit] Casinos

There are two casinos in the town. One is part of the Ocean Restaurant, off the Port Road, and the other is located in Glencar, just outside the town.

[edit] Buy

Letterkenny has three shopping centres with a variety of stores.

• The Courtyard is situated in the Market Square.

• Letterkenny Shopping Centre is just beside the bus station, on the Station Roundabout.

• The Forte Shopping Centre is opposite the Radisson Hotel,on the new link road.

Many well-known "High Street" chainstores have opened branches in the town and Letterkenny has a growing reputation as a good place to visit for a day's serious shopping. Supermarkets in the town include Dunnes Stores, Tesco, Marks And Spencer, Aldi, Lidl, Supervalu, Costcutter, Centra, Spar and Vivo. Other outlets include Homebase, Atlantic Homecare, Heatons, Harry Corrys, Right Price Tiles, Clarks Shoes, Tempest Clothing, Menarys Clothing, The Jean Scene, Jack & Jones, TK Maxx, New Look, Penneys, Next, Bennetton, Espirit, Paco, Lifestyle Sports, Elvery Sports, Superdrug, Boots, Eason, Argos, Toymaster, Gamestop and Xtravision.

[edit] Local shops

For gifts and souvenirs, Victor's Giftshop on the Main Street should be visited and stroll along the Main Street to check the stalls and other craft shops, such as teh Donegal Sweater Shop. Inspired by the fantastic scenery that surrounds them, artists abound in Donegal and their work can be purchased in several Letterkenny galleries and craftshops. Watch out for the uniquely sculpted "Bog-oak" (preserved wood retrieved from the bogs and crafted into artistic shapes and forms before a polished finish is applied).

The Cristeph Gallery, located on the Port Road beside the Oaktree Restaurant, has local artists' work for sale. Opposite this, there is an antiques shop, worth a browse too.

On Saturday mornings, there is a "Car-Boot" sale held in the grounds of the Community Centre on the Port Road, where all sorts of unusual odds and ends can be bought as souvenirs.

[edit] Eat

[edit] Restaurants

There are numerous good restaurants in the town.

• The Lemon Tree , located on Lower Main Street, is a pleasant, mid-priced place to eat. Main courses around €15.00 to €20.00.
• The Oak Tree on the Port Road, is a sister restaurant which also has a nice atmosphere and decent service, with similar prices. They have an "early bird" menu form 17.00 to 22.00 hours.
• The Yellow Pepper , Lower Main Street, is also well worth a visit, with consistently good service.
• Restaurant Jude (located in the Courtyard Centre on the square)is a new place that specialises in fish, including lobster and salmon. Main course from under €20.
• Sienna is an upmarket café and wine bar by night.
• Rocco's, located on the High Road, is a curious mix of old-fashioned chipper-style café and mid-priced restaurant and wine bar. Because of this it is family friendly, catering for most tastes of the young and old. Open 7 days a week, from 10am to 10pm.
• Oceans is located behind the Courthouse on Justice Walsh road, which runs down from the traffic lights at Upper Main St.
• Black's Steakhouse, Mountaintop, is located on the road to Dunfanaghy, about 2km from the Hospital Roundabout.

Booking is advisable for most of these restaurants if you are visiting at high season or holiday weekends. Most, if not all, hotels have restaurants too which are not restricted to guests.

[edit] Cafés and Snackbars

There are many other cheaper cafés that serve food and snacks all day at reasonable (€5.00 to €10.00) prices:

• The Quiet Moment (2 outlets, one at Upper Main St. and the other at Lower Main St.)
• The Bagel Bar (Main St., next to the Courtyard)
• Mr. Chippie (Station Roundabout, near Tesco)
• Munchies (Pearse Road)
• Subway (Upper Main St.)
• Timepiece (Dunnes Stores, Forte Shopping Centre)
• The Sandwich Company (Forte Shopping Centre)
• The Streat (Forte Shopping Centre)
• Mac's Mace Deli (High Road, really good, but small)
• The Bakehouse (Market Sq..)
• Charlie's Café (Pearse Road)
• Café Blend (High Road ...Very child-friendly, with a special menu avalable)

[edit] Pub food

• The Old Orchard Inn, is hard to beat for value, main courses starting at around €8.00 . Carvery lunches served 12.00 noon to 3.00 pm. Located on High Road Tel: +353 (0)74 9121615
• The Brewery located on the Market Square, also serves "pub grub" at about the same prices. Carvery lunches also. Tel: +353 (0)74 9127330.
• Voodoo Lounge Club New bar serving food all day

[edit] Fast Food

Fast Food lovers are spoiled for choice in Letterkenny.

• McDonald's is located 200 metres from Main St., on Pearse Road, which runs parallel to the Main Street.
• Kentucky Fried Chicken is a Drive-thru, not really suitable for walkers as it's outside the town on the Derry road.
• Abrakebabra on the Main Street next to the Voodoo Lounge.
• Pat's Pizzas Two outlets, one on the Main St. and the other on the Market Square.
• Four Lanterns The Donegal version of KFC, located in the Market Square and also on Port Road.
• Domino's Pizzas The worldwide franchise has a branch on the Pearse Road.
• The Friar's Rest is located in the Glencar area of the town.

[edit] Ethnic Restaurants

• Shapla is an indian restaurant located on the Derry road. it has a growing reputation for good food with locals.
• Tin Tai is the oldest and best known Chinese restaurant, found at the end of Lower Main Street. It has a very busy take-away and less busy restaurant. Open from 5 every evening unitl 11 pm.
• Chinatower Located on the Port Road, also has a takeaway service.
• The Money Tree is located on the Main Street and is another Chinese restaurant.

[edit] Drink

[edit] Bars

• Josie's Bar Lower Main Street Tel: +353 (0)74 9120800

Caters for the over 40 years of age customers.

• Glencar Inn Circular Road Tel: +353 (0)74 9129151

More locals than tourists drink here. Nothing spectacular about it.

• The Orchard Inn High Road Tel: +353 (0)74 9121615

Good all-round atmosphere with a mix of clientele of all ages. Worth visiting.

• Tír Na nÓg Ballymacool Tel: +353(0)74 9168883

Out of the main stream in a residential area.

• Arena 7 Ballyraine Retail Park, Ramelton Road.

Tel: +353 (0)74 9128853 Email:info@arena7.ie. Noisy and family orientated! [8]

• Gleneany House Port Rd (opposite the bus station)

Tel: +353 (0)74 9126088 Email:gleneanyhouse@eircom.net Hotel-type bar, but nice for a quiet drink. [9]

• The Drum Bar Lower Main St Tel: +353 (0)74 9121961

Locals only, very quiet pub.

• The Cavern Lower Main St Tel: +353 (0)74 9126733

Pub that caters for sport-lovers, big screens abound when games are on.

• Central Bar Main Street Tel: +353 (0)74 9124088

Has a lovely, whitewashed courtyard, resurrected to cater for smokers since the Smoking Ban came in, worth a visit

• Dillons (Part of the Letterkenny Court Hotel) Main Street

Tel: +353 (0)74 9122977 Lots of stag parties and noisy hens on weekends!

• The Brewery Bar Market Square Tel: +353 (0)74 9127330

Good atmosphere and worth a visit, but bands can drown out conversations at times.

• Mc Clafferty's Bar Main Street Tel: +353 (0)74 9121581

Indistinctive and unwelcoming

• Blake's Bar Main St.

A quaint bar with plenty of character, and characters!

• The Cottage Bar Main St.

Built to look like an old Irish cottage, with an open turf fire, worth a visit.

• McGinleys Bar Lower Main St.

Old-Style Pub with open turf fire and live music every night. Fantastic place for quiet drinks during the week or lively entertainment at the weekend.

• Sister Sarah's (Port Rd)

Caters for younger crowd and has discobar.

• The Mill View (Newmills)

Not strictly in Letterkenny, but it is next to the Newmill Corn and Flax mills about 10 km from the town and serves food in the diner attached.

Price for the traditional pint of stout are about €3.70 to €4.00. Most pubs have no cover charge for music, and these sessions range from the mediocre singalong type of bands, to rock outfits and traditional Irish music sessions.

[edit] Nightclubs

• The Orchard Inn (High Road) has a disco bar (FUBAR) and night club, with live music in the lounge.

• The Grill (Port Road) is one of the longest established nightclubs, opening from 11.30 pm until 3.00 am. A new live music venue, 61, will open mid-June.

• The Pulse Nightclub (Port Road) is also popular with younger people, open 11.30 pm to 3.00 am.

• Club Voodoo (Main St.) has an earlier discobar starting around 9.30 pm and a new late night club. It is one of the most popular hostelries in the town, attracting big name DJ's

• Milan (Upper Main St.) is also a recent addition to the town's nightlife and is a late-night disco as well.

Entry prices for nightclubs range from €10.00 upwards, depending on the night you go there. Midweek special admission prices of €5.00 can be available at certain times. Drink is much more expensive in the nightclubs than in the ordinary bars, especially for spirits.

[edit] Sleep

There are plenty of top class hotels to stay in, as well as numerous Bed and Breakfasts and guesthouses.

• Radisson SAS (On the Neil T. Blaney link road)

a short distance frofm Letterkenny's Main St.

• Gallagher's Hotel (At the traffic lights at the top of Upper Main Street.) The "Milan" nightclub is attached to the hotel and late night noise can be a problem for guests, especially families with younger children.
• Clanree Hotel (On the road from Derry and the main road from Ballybofey and Sligo. This hotel is outside the twon adn transport is needed to get into the town centre.

• Ramada Hotel (Located on the Oldtown/Pearse Road.)Opened in Summer 2006. Prices from €79 per "designer room" (whatever that means!)
• Gleneeny House (At Station Roundabout)
• Letterkenny Court Hotel (Formerly called the Quality Court Hotel in town centre and can be noisy at night as lots of stag parties stay there. Also, be prepared to pay a overnight parking fee in their carpark. Rooms from €59 per night, probably the cheapest in the town..
• Mount Errigal Hotel (Ramelton/Rathmullen Road from the Derry Road). Some of the older rooms in this hotel are not up the same standard as the newer extension. Ask for one of these newer rooms when you are booking in.

All of these hotels offer good facilities as you would expect, and many have swimming pool, leisure and gym facilities. Prices vary but,in general, compare favourably with other Irish towns and cities. Look up the many websites for more information. Special weekend and midweek packages can be good value (around €50 per person sharing per night) are are usually available off-peak season.

Just outside Letterkenny, on the A245 road to Ramelton, is the Castle Grove Country Hotel and Restaurant (Phone: +353 (0)74 91 51118). This 4 star, michelin-recommended hotal has just been voted the Irish Country House Of The Year for 2006.

Backpackers can avail of two hostels, both within the town (Port Hostel and Rosemount Hostel), at cheaper rates (around €15.00 per night).

The ubiquitous Irish "Bed and Breakfast" houses abound on every road into Letterkenny and you can expect to pay in the region of €25-€40 for a single room, with full Irish breakfast.

Pre-booking is advisably at peak times such as when the Donegal International Rally is in town (June every year).

[edit] Stay Safe

Letterkenny is relatively safe to walk around. However, like all major towns, and given the Irish fondness for alcohol, it is best to take care in the early hours of the morning, particularly when nightclubs are emptying. The crowded Port Road area, where two nightclubs and a fast food restaurant are located in close proximity, should be avoided after midnight, from Thursday to Saturday nights, as many drunken brawls erupt without warning.

[edit] Get Out

If the weather is good, take advantage and visit the surrounding countryside, including the Famine village at Gartan, The Derek Hill studio, as well as the Gartan Outdoor Pursuits centre itself and maybe even climb Mount Errigal, Donegal's highest peak. A visit to nearby Glenveagh National Park is a must if you have transport.

Award-winning beaches are plentiful in the locality. Marble Hill, Portsalon and Portnoo beaches are about an hour's drive from Letterkenny.

This is a usable article. It has information for getting in as well as some complete entries for restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please plunge forward and help it grow!