French
DeutschLetterkenny is the largest town in County Donegal, with a population of 22,500 in 2022. It's the county's commercial and transport hub, and not the most scenic place in itself, but a practical and well-equipped base for exploring the rest of Donegal. Glenveagh National Park is about 20 km away, Fanad Head around 45 km, and Malin Head about 75 km. The town sits above Lough Swilly in the Donegal hills with the River Swilly on its south flank.
Understand
[edit | edit source]Glaciers carved out deep valleys around the coast of Donegal, which flooded to become fjords during the post-glacial rise of the sea. The largest were Lough Foyle (now by Derry city) and at Lough Swilly by Letterkenny, with Inishowen peninsula between. Their deep channels assisted transport of people and goods in an era when overland roads were muddy tracks in fair weather and morasses at other times. The Vikings (who enjoyed sailing into fjords) are the first documented outsiders, but there were many others including the Celts / Gaels to give Donegal its name Dún na nGall, fort of the foreigners.
The Irish ousted the Vikings but from the 12th century came under attack by the Normans. Those incursions never got far in northwest Ireland, so it was only from the 16th century that the English Tudors could resume their land-grab. Stiff resistance from the chieftains of Tyrconnell (Donegal) and Tyrone was only broken in 1603 by the Nine Years' War. The chieftains fled to Europe and their land was seized for "plantation" by English and Scottish colonists, laying the seeds for the partition of Ireland. The local tracts were granted in 1611 to Patrick Crawford from Scotland: he and his successors developed a town north of the River Foyle, eclipsing the original Irish settlement on the south bank.
In Irish Leitir means a hillside littered with stones, and Letterkenny is the stony hillside of the O'Cannon tribe. Until the 17th century it was a seaport, but vessels grew larger while the Swilly estuary silted up. The harbour at Ballyraine stayed in business into the 19th century, importing salt and grain, while Donegal's people drained out - some to North America, but a large contingent went to Glasgow. The last act of the 1798 rebellion of United Irishmen was played out here: the main uprising in County Wexford was already crushed when the French invasion forces arrived, too little too late. The French landing in County Mayo caught the government off-guard and they campaigned almost unopposed for 11 days before being encircled. The final sortie brought the rebellion's leader Theobald Wolfe Tone into Lough Swilly, but his ship was captured by the Royal Navy. Wolfe Tone was brought ashore at Letterkenny, carted off to Dublin for trial, sentenced to hang but committed suicide in prison.
The 1921 partition of Ireland bore especially hard upon the northwest, as towns such as Letterkenny lost their links to both Dublin and Belfast. The manufacturing economy has always been small, though a service sector has grown and made the town into the largest in the county. Revival came with the Good Friday Agreement of 1998, which enshrined an open border and end to hostilities, so you can hop on a bus in Derry and come here with no border checks. As elsewhere in Ulster, the big question is the long-term effect of Brexit on this.
Tourist information is based within An Grianán Theatre (below), open M-Sa 9AM-5PM.
Donegal County Council posts info on local services.
Get in
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By plane
[edit | edit source]The nearest airport is City of Derry (LDY IATA), 40 minutes by road, with flights from London Heathrow, Liverpool and Glasgow. You might also fly into one of the Belfast airports or Donegal Airport on the west coast, or even Dublin. They all have car hire.
By road
[edit | edit source]From Belfast follow M2 / A6 to Derry then N13. From Dublin follow M3 / A3 to Cavan, A5 through Omagh to Strabane, then N14. From Sligo follow N15 via Donegal Town to Ballybofey then N13.
By train
[edit | edit source]The nearest railway station is Derry, with hourly trains from Belfast, taking two hours via Antrim, Ballymena and Coleraine.
By bus
[edit | edit source]Expressway 32 runs every couple of hours from Dublin Busáras, taking 4 hours via Dublin Airport, Ardee, Carrickmacross, Monaghan, Omagh, Newtonstewart, Strabane and Lifford.
John McGinley Bus 932 shares this route, and continues north around the coast to Crolly. June-Aug they also run twice a week from Glasgow via Ayr and Derry to Letterkenny (7 hours) and Crolly.
From Belfast you usually take the Ulsterbus or train to Derry and change, but Gallagher Coaches[dead link] run once daily from Belfast via Derry to Letterkenny and Crolly.
Expressway 64 runs every two hours from Derry to Letterkenny (30 min) and continues to Ballybofey, Donegal Town, Ballyshannon, Bundoran, Sligo, Charlestown, Knock airport and village, Claremorris, Ballyhaunis, Tuam and Galway. Bus Feda 964 shares this route.
McGonagle Bus 951 takes 40 min from Buncrana via Burnfoot, Bridgend and Burt; one bus a day starts from Carndonagh. It runs four times M-F and twice on Saturday.
Local Link Bus 971 runs from Burtonport (for Arranmore) taking 1 hr 40 min via Dungloe, Loughanure, Crolly, Dunlewey, Glenveagh (for National Park) and Churchill. There are three or four M-Sa.
Local Link Bus 953 runs every two hours from Greencastle and Moville on the Foyle coast, taking an hour via Muff and Bridgend.
1 Letterkenny bus station is northeast side of town at the top of Port Road. Some local buses start from the nearby streets.
Get around
[edit | edit source]Walking around town is easy, but you need wheels for outlying sights such as Newmills and Glenveagh.
Car hire is available in town from Enterprise (+353 74 910 3202) and Europcar (+353 74 970 7000) but it's usually more convenient to hire from the airport.
Taxis wait on Market St and by the bus station. Operators include Paddy's (☏ +353 86 874 2961), JM Cabs (☏ +353 83 320 0997), Town Taxis (☏ +353 89 958 8847) and Star Cabs (☏ +353 85 118 0600).
Fares are nationally regulated and taxis must use the meter, see Ireland#Get around.
See
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- "There is a town called Letterkenny which hath a market every Friday and two fairs in the year with a fair Church and a bridge at the east end over the River Swilly" - survey of 1652-56
- 1 Polestar is the sculpture that greets you at Port Bridge Roundabout as N14 enters town, and supposedly commemorates the town's transport history. Mmm, maybe a boat's timbers, or the innards of a locomotive, or a tourist driver unsure of the correct roundabout exit through inability to navigate by the Pole Star?
- Main Street (one way traffic south) is a mix of 19th century and modern low rise. Market Square is a little green space, with a statue commemorating its Hiring Fairs: bring any spare members of your family along and hope to hire them out for the season to local farmers. Especially your children: that's money in your pocket, fewer mouths to feed, and their education taken care of. It's just like Montessori only with cuffs to the earlugs instead of violin lessons.
- Town Park is a pleasant green area north end of High Road by the hospital.
- St Eunan's Cathedral (RC) on Castle St was built in the 1890s and is open daily 7AM-9PM. The Adoration Chapel adjacent within the Loretto Convent is also usually open similar hours.
- Cathedral Square outside has a tall Celtic Cross, erected in 2006.
- Conwal Parish Church (Church of Ireland) across the square is from 17th century, with an interesting interior and graveyard.
- County Museum, High Rd F92 K123, ☏ +353 74 912 4613, info@donegalcoco.ie. Mon-Fri 10AM-4:30PM, Sat 1PM-4:30PM. Local history from the Stone Age through the Plantation of Ulster and beyond. Housed in a converted former military barracks. Free.
Further out
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- 2 Newmills Corn and Flax Mills, Churchill Rd F92 F205 (5 km west of town on R250), ☏ +353 74 912 5115. May-Sep daily 10AM-6PM. The oldest parts are 400 years old, but these are mostly 19th century mills powered by a 1-km millrace and two large waterwheels: one for corn (still operational), the other for flax. The enterprise kept going in the 20th century when Irish flax was subsidised. A farming and mill village also grew up, supplying produce to the Lipton grocery empire based in Glasgow. Free.
- 3 Glebe House & Gallery, Church Hill F92 WP70, ☏ +353 74 913 7071. Apr-Oct daily 10AM-6PM. Charming Regency house of 1828, formerly a rectory then a hotel, then the home of painter Derek Hill (1916-2000). It's decorated with Arts & Crafts textiles, Islamic and Japanese art, and many 20th century big names. Plus extensive gardens. Adult €5, conc €4, child €3, Heritage Card free.
- Gartan is an atmospheric ruined church and graveyard 1 km north of Glebe House.
- 4 Glenveagh National Park, Church Hill F92 HR77, ☏ +353 1 539 3232. Castle Tue-Thu, Sat Sun 10AM-5PM, park daily 9AM-5PM. Scottish baronial mansion built in 1870, visit by guided tour. The owner Captain John Adair was notorious for his evictions and other cruelty to his tenants. Plus extensive gardens and woodland grounds. Castle adult €10, conc or child €7, park free.
- 5 Doon Well is up a very narrow lane above the village of Termon. It was a prehistoric religious site then became a Christian site from the 1670s.
- 6 Beltany Stone Circle is 14 km southeast of town near Raphoe village. It has suffered pillaging of its stones but remains a clear circle of 64, with a central platform. It was adopted for Celtic ritual such as Beltane (1 May) but is much earlier, probably late Stone Age / early Iron Age circa 1000 BC. It's free to stroll any time.
Do
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- What's on? Listen to Highland Radio on 103.3 MHz or read Donegal News, Donegal Live or Donegal Daily.
- Walk: a footpath follows the north bank of the Swilly until you loop onto Ramelton Rd or return the same way.
- An Grianán Theatre, Port Road F92 RV1F (100 m west of bus station), ☏ +353 74 912 0777. This stages drama and music in a modern building with a 383-seat auditorium.
- Regional Cultural Centre (RCC), Port Road F92 CH8D (behind An Grianán Theatre), ☏ +353 74 912 9186. Tue-Fri 9:30AM-5PM, Sat 1-5PM. Year-round programme of visual arts, live music and film, in a striking glass and aluminium building. Art galleries free.
- Century Cinema, Paddy Harte Rd F92 DA02, ☏ +353 74 912 1976. Mainstream film releases.
- Aura Leisure Centre, O'Donnell Park F92 TP6C (off R250 near GAA grounds), ☏ +353 74 910 6422. Mon-Fri 6AM-9PM, Sat Sun 9AM-6PM. Gym, fitness classes and swimming pool. You can sign up or pay as you go.
- Arena7 is a family entertainment complex on Ramelton Rd, R245 near the junction with the ring road. They have bowling lanes, laser arcades, party rooms, a bar and restaurant. They're open daily 10AM-11PM. So edgy and off-the-park is the Arena, they even host First Communion and Confirmation celebrations.
- Zoo: Tropical World at Hazelwood House near the golf course is open M-Sa 10AM-5:30PM, Su 1-5:30PM.
- Coral Island is a casino and amusement arcade on Ballyraine Retail Park, open daily 9AM-3AM.
- Gaelic games: Donegal GAA play football and hurling at Sean Mac Cumhaill Park in Ballybofey.
- Golf: Letterkenny Golf Club is 3 km northeast of town on R245 at Barnhill. Blue tees 6428 yards, par 72.
- Go-karting: LK Activity Centre is 5 km northeast of town on R245 Ramelton road.
- Gartan Adventure Centre, Churchill F92 T853 (off R251), ☏ +353 74 913 7032. Outdoor education centre, with training and organised activities. Their base is on Lough Gartan towards Glebe House (see above) 20 km west of town, but activities are at various sites on land and off the coast.
- Donegal International Rally is an on-road car rally over 3 days in June, based in Letterkenny but touring the county.
- Earagail Arts Festival runs for about two weeks each July across County Donegal, with Letterkenny as its hub. It includes theatre, music, visual art, film, and outdoor events.
Buy
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- Letterkenny Shopping Centre is next to the bus station.
- The Courtyard is in Market Square.
- Forte Shopping Centre is opposite the Radisson on the link road.
- For local shopping and giftware look along Main St. There are several ATMs and banks along here.
- Farmers Market and the car-boot sale is on Port Rd on Saturday 9AM-1PM.
Eat
[edit | edit source]- Fast food outlets cluster near the bus station and along Main St.
- Ayo is Asian food on Ramelton Rd by the bus station, open W-M 3-9PM.
- Charley's Cafe, Pearse Rd F92 YR25, ☏ +353 74 912 5961. Tue-Thu & Sat noon-8PM, Fri 9AM-8PM. Long-established fish and chips cafe.
- 1 Shapla, 3 Port Road F92 AXD1, ☏ +353 74 910 3625. Daily 4:30-10:30PM. Bangladeshi restaurant, uneven quality.
- China Town, 24 Port Road F92 D422, ☏ +353 74 912 9610. Daily 4:30PM-midnight. Food okay, delivery service unreliable.
- Money Tree, 22 Upper Main Street F92 W744, ☏ +353 74 912 1888. Daily 4-11PM. Chinese restaurant, quality varies.
- The Quiet Moment, 94 Upper Main St F92 E792, ☏ +353 74 912 8382. Mon-Sat 8:30AM-4PM, Sun 10AM-3PM. Tearooms for cuppas and light bites.
- Mac's Deli, High Road F92 K4WP, ☏ +353 74 912 5885. Mon-Sat 8AM-6PM, Sun 8AM-3PM. Small friendly deli cafe.
- The Orchard, High Road F92 VKA0, ☏ +353 74 912 1112. Mon-Sat 11AM-11:30PM, Sat Sun noon-11PM. Quality pub grub.
- Brewery Bar and Restaurant, Market Square F92 YD77, ☏ +353 74 912 7330. Daily noon-11PM. Good pub ambience and food, but it's not a brewery.
- No 9 Market Square is next to The Brewery, open Th-M 5-9PM.
- Lemon Tree, Unit 32/34, Courtyard Shopping Centre, Lower Main Street F92 EK13, ☏ +353 74 912 5788. Wed-Sun 5-9PM. A pleasant mid-priced place for trad Irish food.
- Yellow Pepper, 36 Lower Main Street F92 K125, ☏ +353 74 912 6973. Mon-Fri 3-10PM, Sat Sun 1-10PM. Modern Irish cuisine, good reviews.
- Friar's Rest, Glencar Shopping Centre F92 DW9N, ☏ +353 74 912 8808. Mon-Sat 8AM-9PM, Sun 11AM-9PM. Good value Irish breakfasts.
- The Church is at Rockhill House Estate 3 km southwest of town, see below. Smart restaurant in a former chapel open W-Su 12:30-8:30PM.
Drink
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- Sister Sara's, Port Road F92 XK8P (by bus station), ☏ +353 74 912 2238. Mon-Thu 3-11PM, Fri-Sun noon-midnight. Pub and entertainment venue on 3 floors with food, live shows, TV sport and Saturday nightclub.
- Pulse nightclub is opposite Sister Sara’s at 55 Port Rd F92 FVP2, open W-Sa 11PM-2:30AM.
- Central Bar, 58 Upper Main St F92 T2C5, ☏ +353 74 912 4088. Daily 10:30AM-12:30AM. Comfy sports bar established 1808 with pleasant courtyard. Occasional music gigs and nightclub.
- Blake's Bar, 50 Upper Main St F92 XKN5, ☏ +353 74 912 1616. Sun-Thu 10:30AM-11:30PM, Fri Sat 10:30AM-12:30AM. A grand lively bar founded in 1842, with TV sport, live music and beer-garden.
- Cottage Bar, 49 Upper Main St F92 T9EK, ☏ +353 89 405 3006. Mon-Thu 10:30AM-11:30PM, Fri Sat 10:30AM-12:30AM, Sun 12:30-11PM. Trad bar with an open turf fire.
- McGinleys Bar, 25 Lower Main St F92 EN8X, ☏ +353 74 912 1106. Daily 11AM-1AM. Atmospheric pub with open turf fire and live music every night.
- Glencar Inn, Glencar Shopping Centre, Circular Rd F92 FW2P, ☏ +353 74 912 9151. Sun-Thu 10:30AM-11:30PM, Fri Sat 10:30AM-12:30AM. Lively place with decent food.
- Kinnegar Brewing, Ballyraine Industrial Estate F92 R263, ☏ +353 74 910 3890. Mon-Wed 10:30AM-5:30PM, Thu-Sat 1-7PM. Microbrewery east edge of town producing a range of ales and lagers, tours available. Try the Scraggy Bay IPA.
Sleep
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- 1 Dillon's Hotel, 27 Upper Main St F92 E30F, ☏ +353 74 912 2977. Welcoming central hotel with popular bar and grill. B&B double €170.
- 2 McGettigan's Hotel, 100 Upper Main St F92 NFX9, ☏ +353 74 912 2066. Glass-fronted place at the top of Main St, clean and efficient. They threaten to confiscate any food or alcohol brought in from outside so hide it well. B&B double €160.
- 3 Station House Hotel, Lower Main St F92 ERV1, ☏ +353 74 912 3100. Modern comfy central hotel. B&B double €170.
- 4 Radisson Blu Hotel, Paddy Harte Rd F92 FK15, ☏ +353 74 919 4444. Modern central place with pool. Standard rooms lack air con. B&B double €160.
- 5 Mount Errigal Hotel, Ramelton Rd F92 FKX6, ☏ +353 74 912 2700. Clean modern place with 139 rooms, some older, and those at the front get traffic noise. With pool. B&B double €180.
- 6 Clanree Hotel, Derry Rd, Bunnagee F92 RV10, ☏ +353 74 912 4369. Decent place handy for motorists, 2 km east of town. B&B double €140.
- 7 Silver Tassie Hotel, Ramelton Rd, Ballyboencurragh F92 NFP9, ☏ +353 74 912 5619. Efficient, comfy and welcoming. B&B double €180.
- 8 Castle Grove Hotel, Ramelton Rd, Ballymaleel F92 A462, ☏ +353 74 915 1118. Grand Georgian mansion on lakeside with good scores for comfort, service and cuisine. Often a wedding venue. B&B double from €200.
- See Fanad Peninsula for accommodation further north around Rathmelton.
Connect
[edit | edit source]As of Aug 2026, Letterkenny has 5G from Eir and Three, and 4G from Vodafone.
Go next
[edit | edit source]- The Ulster American Folk Park on the road to Omagh depicts the Irish emigrant experience in this region.
- Donegal Town's abbey and castle won't take you long, but nearby are fine Atlantic beaches such as Rossnowlagh.
- Arranmore and Tory Island have ferries and accommodation.
- Derry is a fascinating walled city.
