Set in the heart of County Donegal, Letterkenny is a bustling market town perched on the River Swilly. Aside from admiring its enormous Gothic Revival church, you can stroll along the high street, explore cultural centres and sip your way through traditional Irish pubs.
Things to do in Letterkenny
Letterkenny is anchored by Main Street, a bustling thoroughfare lined with red-brick Georgian terrace homes that house cafes, boutiques and souvenir shops. It's an easy stroll to St. Eunan’s Cathedral, which boasts soaring spires, a cavernous nave and dazzling stained-glass windows.
For a unique night out, score tickets to a show at the An Grianan Theatre. It's one of Ireland's top performing arts venues and hosts a fantastic line-up of comedy acts and dramatic plays. Why not enjoy a pre-show drink at the elegant on-site bar? You can grab a local beer and wine to pair with some light snacks.
The historic Newmills Corn & Flax Mills sit around five kilometres from the Letterkenny town centre. More than 400 years old, the water wheels are powered by the River Swilly and were once used to grind oats, barley, flax and corn. Wander around the buildings, touch enormous grinding stones and learn more about how the water wheels function.
No trip to Ireland is complete without sipping on Guinness at a traditional Irish pub. Letterkenny boasts some of the country's best offerings, including the atmospheric Cottage Bar. It features a sunny beer garden, plenty of knick-knacks and most importantly, a fantastic tap list.
Getting around Letterkenny
The Letterkenny town centre is easy to explore on foot, though you'll need a car to explore the Donegal countryside. The town is well-serviced by long-distance buses, with connections to Dublin in around four hours.