Discover Letterkenny, Cathedral Town of Donegal, Letterkenny, Ireland

Letterkenny is more than just a gateway to County Donegal; it is a destination in its own right. A cathedral town with a long history, it has a lively town centre and is a local hub for shopping, culture, and live music. Take some time to visit the Donegal County Museum and the pubs of the Cathedral Quarter before setting off to enjoy the many attractions of the surrounding countryside.

Letterkenny’s history begins with the Plantation of Ulster in the early 17th century. This was the colonisation of the region by Protestants from England and Scotland, during which Letterkenny was established as a market town. It became one of the most successful of the plantation schemes, and Letterkenny’s weekly markets and fairs made it an important local centre.

However, the prosperity of the town’s new inhabitants contrasted with the grim reality of life elsewhere in the region. This is summed up by a statue in the Market Square, representing the hiring fairs of the 19th century. These were where seasonal workers – many of them children – were contracted for their labour, often travelling as far as Scotland. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).