Letterkenny
Letterkenny is Donegal’s largest town and is famed throughout Ireland and beyond for its thriving social scene and night time economy.
The county’s commercial and retail centre, located on the banks of the River Swilly, is otherwise known as the Cathedral town. The gothic-style tower of St Eunan’s Cathedral dominates the skyline.
Its growing population – currently at 19,000 – is testament to its reputation as a fantastic place in which to live, work and raise a family.
Letterkenny has everything you would expect in the county’s biggest town.
Multinationals firms including Pramerica Systems and UnitedHealth are among the town’s largest employers, and the local schools rate among the best in Ireland.
A student population of more than 3,000 attend Letterkenny Institute of Technology, marking the town as a centre of excellence in education and giving employers access to a highly skilled local workforce.
The town’s Main Street is reputed to be the longest in Ireland and with three major shopping centres, and a host of the well known high street names – including Marks And Spencer, TK Maxx, Argos, Toymaster and Tesco – Letterkenny makes for an ideal shopping location.
There are also restaurants, pubs and clubs aplenty, and the town can lay claim to offering one of the best night’s out anywhere in Ireland.
Letterkenny is the beating heart of the arts scene in the county, with a cinema, theatre and arts centre delivering a host of rich cultural offerings all year round.
The town has an engaging and colourful history
Its name derives from the Irish ‘Leitirceanainn’, or “Hillside of the O’Cannons” – reference to the last of the ancient chieftains of Tír Conaill.
Letterkenny’s rich and varied history, and that of Co Donegal, dating from the Stone Age to the 20th century, is detailed at the County Museum at High Road in the town.
Letterkenny may be thriving, busy and urban but the delights of rural, coastal and historic Donegal are never more than a short drive away.
Shopping
The Letterkenny Shopping Centre
Letterkenny Retail Park
http://www.letterkennyretailpark.com
Forte Lynn Retail Park
Forte Lynn Shopping Centre has a large selection of top name retail outlets including Dunnes Stores, Clarks, Halfords, Costa Coffee, The Streat and much more.
Located just off the Neil T Blaney Road/Canal Road, there is vast car parking facilities available for shoppers.
Eat & Drink
The Yellow Pepper
https://www.yellowpepperrestaurant.com
The Old Orchard Inn
The Cottage Bar
Castle Grove Country House
The Radisson Hotel
https://www.radissonblu.com/en/hotel-letterkenny
Parks & Recreation
Bernard McGlinchey Town Park
https://www.discoverireland.ie/Arts-Culture-Heritage/bernard-mcglinchey-town-park/94587
Ballymacool Park
http://www.welovedonegal.com/ballymacool-town-park.html
Letterkenny Golf Club
http://www.letterkennygolfclub.com
Aura Leisure Centre
https://www.auraleisure.ie/location/letterkenny
Letterkenny Tennis Centre