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HISTORICAL INFORMATION

Poised at the mouth of the deep and lovely Lough Swilly, the town of Letterkenny grew in the 17th century from a small fishing villlage to a prosperous centre of commerce. It is now the principal town in Donegal and the Ecclesiastical Seat for the Diocese of Raphoe.

Speer's Lane, at the corner of Upper Main Street was the site of two Rabble Days held annually in May and November. These were hiring days when children between the ages of 11 ands 16 were sold for periods of 6 months to wealthy farmers of the Lagan Valley.

HISTORICAL ATTRACTIONS:

* St. Eunan's Cathedral:   The cathedral dominates the skyline on all approaches to the town and at night, the warm floodlit and graceful spire is a welcoming sight. When the Cathedral at Raphoe passed to the Church of Ireland after the Reformation, the Catholic Bishop had no permanent seat until the Letterkenny cathedral was opened and dedicated to St Eunan and Columba in 1901. The design is inspirational and it is well worth a visit to savour the atmosphere and the art of this fine building.




* Parish Church of Conwal:   The old graveyard surrounding the 17th century Church of Ireland Church opposite the Cathedral has many old graves, some dating from the 17th century.

* County Museum:   On the High Road is the County Museum, housed in the old workhouse. Opened in 1843, the workhouse operated until 1922. After a period as a hospital and administrative offices, the building was converted in 1987.

* Library & Arts Centre: The library is housed in the old Literary Institute building on St Oliver Plunkett Road. It is a major new cultural and educational facility for Letterkenny and the County as a whole.



* The Courthouse: Built in the early years of the 19th century, the Courthouse is one of the last survivors in County Donegal of the old style court building. A bridewell contains six cells and two day rooms. The courthouse now hosts District and Circuit Court sittings and biennial sittings of the High Court on Circuit.