Letterkenny
The town runs up the hill to St Eunan's Cathedral, spire and all, and does the county's everyday business below it. Letterkenny is the largest town in County Donegal, on the River Swilly.
Best sites to see in Letterkenny
St Eunan's Cathedral
The large neo-Gothic Catholic cathedral dedicated to Saint Eunan, opened in 1901, with a tall spire, stained glass and Celtic-style carved decoration.
Donegal County Museum
The county museum, housed in part of the former Letterkenny workhouse on the High Road, covering Donegal's history from prehistory to the 20th century.
Main Street and the Cathedral Quarter
The town's long main street and the streets around the cathedral, with the Market Square, shops and the An Grianan theatre nearby.
Bernard McGlinchey Town Park
Letterkenny's town park, laid out with gardens, flower beds, a sculpture trail, walks and a playground, and used for local events.
Where to stand, and when
- St Eunan's Cathedral from Lower Main Street: Late afternoon light on the spire gives the clearest postcard view up the hill.
- The cathedral interior stonework and glass: Visit outside service times in the middle of the day when daylight best shows the stained glass.
- The River Swilly near the town bridges: Morning is best for calm water and views along the river that Letterkenny grew up beside.
Letterkenny through history
Letterkenny's Irish name, Leitir Ceanainn, is usually translated as the hillside of the O'Cannons, recalling the Gaelic family associated with the district.
The modern town developed as a Plantation settlement and market town on the River Swilly in the 17th century.
St Eunan's Cathedral, built around the turn of the 20th century, reflects the town's growth as the main commercial centre of County Donegal.
Letterkenny is now the largest town in County Donegal by population, serving a wide rural hinterland.
Practical tips
- Letterkenny's Main Street is long and sloping, so plan for walking uphill between the lower town and the cathedral quarter.
- The County Museum has limited opening hours, so check them before making a special trip.
- Use the town as a base for Lough Swilly and the Fanad Peninsula, allowing extra driving time on rural roads.
Golf near Letterkenny
Letterkenny is the hub of the north-west links trail. Portsalon, on Lough Swilly, is about 35 minutes away (booking-engine pricing, indications €120–€175 in season), and Rosapenna at Downings is about 50 minutes. Its St Patrick's Links is €380 for 2027 at the club's published rate. Narin & Portnoo is about an hour south-west: international guests pay €300 there; the €70 headline rate is for Golf Ireland members only.
Our full guide to golf in Ireland
What's on
No anchor festival is based here, but the Irish year is full: next up nationally is TradFest (20–24 Jan 2027, Temple Bar, Dublin). See the full events calendar