Introduction to Letterkenny, Ireland

LETTERKENNY is the largest town in Donegal by some way, with a current population exceeding eleven thousand and the only traffic lights in the whole of the county. It has been the county's commercial focus ever since Derry was partitioned into the North and has undergone massive redevelopment in recent years with a refurbished town centre, huge new shopping malls and a growing industrial sprawl beyond its boundaries. Although it sits at the mouth of Lough Swilly, there's no water in sight, and the most notable visual element is the huge nineteenth-century Cathedral of Saints Eunan and Columba at the top of Church Street, with its intricate stone-roped ceiling, flying buttresses and gaelicized Stations of the Cross. The only other place of interest in town is the Donegal County Museum (Mon–Fri 10am–noon & 12.30–4.30pm, Sat 1–4.30pm; free), housed in part of the old Letterkenny workhouse on High Road. Temporary exhibitions occupy the downstairs area while upstairs is a typical display of artefacts from megalithic to more recent times, including the keys and lock of the old Lifford jail, and an account of the old Donegal County Railway, which ran to and from Letterkenny. If you're heading west on the R250 Fintown road, look out for the restored Newmills Corn and Flax Mills (June–Sept daily 10am–6.30pm; last admission 5.45pm; €2.50; Heritage Card), in a pleasant setting by the River Swilly and, naturally, powered by its waters. The mill closed as recently as 1982 and much of the old machinery is still present.

Information by Rough Guides

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