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Letterkenny

Ulster, Ireland · Europe

About Letterkenny

Letterkenny is worth a stop: 20 minutes from Convoy, 19km from Glenveagh National Park.

Letterkenny is a town located in Ulster, Ireland. With a population of 19,274, it is an important destination in Europe.

On a road trip, Letterkenny sits in Ireland, where you drive on the left. It's in the Europe/Dublin time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Letterkenny to your route.

About Letterkenny

Letterkenny (Irish: Leitir Ceanainn Irish pronunciation: [ˈl̠ʲɛtʲəɾʲ ˈcanˠən̠ʲ], meaning "hillside of the O'Cannons"), nicknamed the Cathedral Town, is a large town in County Donegal, Ireland, on the River Swilly in the north-west of the Ulster province. Along with the nearby city of Derry, Letterkenny is a regional

Read more economic gateway for the north-west of Ireland. Letterkenny began as a market town at the start of the 17th century, during the Plantation of Ulster. A castle once stood near where the Cathedral of St Eunan and St Columba, County Donegal's only Catholic cathedral, stands today. Letterkenny Castle, built in 1625, was located south of Mt Southwell on Castle Street. County Donegal's largest third-level institution, Atlantic Technological University (ATU) Letterkenny, is located in the town, as are St Eunan's College, Highland Radio, and a Hindu temple. Letterkenny was also the original home of Oatfield Sweet Factory, a confectionery manufacturer; the factory closed and was demolished in 2014. In 1798, Theobald Wolfe Tone was arrested at Laird's Hotel in the town. In 2015, Letterkenny was judged as the tidiest town in Ireland.

Read more on Wikipedia

Where to Stay in Letterkenny

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do in Letterkenny?

Letterkenny offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.

How do I plan a road trip to Letterkenny?

Plan your road trip to Letterkenny with Plan Your Road Trips! Add Letterkenny as a destination, and we'll help you find the best route and discover more amazing places along the way.

Where is Letterkenny located?

Letterkenny is located in Ulster, Ireland, Europe. The coordinates are 54.9500 latitude, -7.7333 longitude.

What is the population of Letterkenny?

Letterkenny has a population of approximately 19,274 people, making it a town in Ireland.

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Quick Information

Population
19,274
Continent
Europe
Country
Ireland
Region
Ulster
Timezone
Europe/Dublin
Coordinates
54.9500, -7.7333

Emergency & Services

Essential numbers in Ireland

Police
999
Ambulance
999
Fire
999
All emergencies
112
Driving side
left
Full driving guide for Ireland

Tags

EuropeIrelandUlsterTown

Worth the detour from Letterkenny

6 notable places within an hour's drive.

national park

Glenveagh National Park

A remote wilderness of mountains, lakes and a fairytale castle in the heart of the Donegal highlands.

19 km · about 20 min drive

landmark

Derry City Walls

The only completely intact walled city in Ireland, a 1.5km 17th-century rampart circling historic Derry.

27 km · about 30 min drive

mountain pass

Mamore Gap

Steep, narrow pass climbing to 260m through the Urris Hills of Inishowen, with a holy well and grotto at the summit and a plunging descent to the Atlantic at Urris. Part of the Inishowen 100 drive; low gears essential.

35 km · about 40 min drive

landmark

Fanad Head Lighthouse

One of the world's most photographed lighthouses, perched on a rugged Donegal headland between Atlantic and lough.

37 km · about 40 min drive

mountain pass

Glengesh Pass

A dramatic horseshoe mountain pass winding down a glacial valley between Ardara and Glencolmcille in Donegal.

46 km · about 55 min drive

scenic viewpoint

Malin Head

The most northerly point of mainland Ireland, with wild Atlantic vistas and a Star Wars filming location.

53 km · about 60 min drive

Driving roads near Letterkenny

  • 35 kmMamore GapSteep, narrow pass climbing to 260m through the Urris Hills of Inishowen, with a holy well and grotto at the summit and a plunging descent to the Atlantic at Urris. Part of the Inishowen 100 drive; low gears essential.
  • 46 kmGlengesh PassA dramatic horseshoe mountain pass winding down a glacial valley between Ardara and Glencolmcille in Donegal.
  • 53 kmMalin HeadThe most northerly point of mainland Ireland, with wild Atlantic vistas and a Star Wars filming location.
  • 70 kmSlieve League CliffsAmong the highest sea cliffs in Europe at nearly 600 metres, far less crowded than the Cliffs of Moher and even more dramatic.
  • 70 kmMullaghmore HeadA dramatic Sligo headland with Classiebawn Castle on the skyline and one of Europe's biggest big-wave surf breaks.
  • 75 kmGleniff HorseshoeSix-mile single-track loop under the sheer Dartry cliffs of Benwiskin and Truskmore in Sligo's Yeats country, passing Diarmuid and Gráinne's cave: the highest cave mouth in Ireland. Barely a car on it most days.

Driving in Ireland

Drives on
the left
Petrol
~€1.78/litre
Motorway tolls
~€2.10/100km

When to drive here

April to October

Nearby Destinations

Other places to explore near Letterkenny.

Convoy

🇮🇪 Ireland

11 km awayPop. 1,526

Ramelton

🇮🇪 Ireland

11 km awayPop. 1,266

Raphoe

🇮🇪 Ireland

12 km awayPop. 1,157

Newtown Cunningham

🇮🇪 Ireland

15 km awayPop. 1,067

Ballybofey

🇮🇪 Ireland

17 km awayPop. 4,852

Leifear

🇮🇪 Ireland

21 km awayPop. 1,658

Strabane

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

22 km awayPop. 14,198

New Buildings

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

24 km awayPop. 3,381

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Data sources:GeoNames (CC BY 4.0)•Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)•Mapbox•Photography: George Lawrence