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Letterkenny itineraries

Letterkenny Itineraries

Half a day or a full weekend. Here are the best ways to spend your time in Letterkenny, planned step by step.

Whether you have a few hours or a full weekend to explore, these itineraries give you a local’s route through Letterkenny. Each one links directly to the restaurants and activities along the way.

A Half-Day in Letterkenny·Half dayA Full Day: Cathedral Quarter, the Swilly and Kinnegar·Full dayDay Trip from Letterkenny: Glenveagh National Park·Full day

A Half-Day in Letterkenny

Half dayYear-round

The Cathedral Quarter, the county museum and lunch on Main Street: enough to get a real feel for the town in an afternoon.

First timersHistory loversDay trippers
  1. 1
    Morning·45 minutes

    St Eunan's Cathedral and the Cathedral Quarter

    Start at the Cathedral of St Eunan and St Columba, Donegal's only Catholic cathedral, then wander the narrow lanes of the Cathedral Quarter behind it before heading down to Main Street.

    View Cathedral of St Eunan and St Columba
  2. 2
    Late morning·45 minutes

    Donegal County Museum

    Walk to the High Road for the free county museum, housed in the old workhouse warden's house, for a proper grounding in Donegal history before lunch.

    View Donegal County Museum
  3. 3
    Lunch·1 hour

    Lunch on Main Street

    Back down to Lower Main Street for lunch. Honeypot Coffee House suits a lighter option, or the Yellow Pepper for something more substantial.

    View Honeypot Coffee House
  4. 4
    Afternoon·1 hour

    The Regional Cultural Centre

    Finish at the Regional Cultural Centre behind An Grianan Theatre for whatever exhibition is showing, a solid wet-weather option if the Donegal rain sets in.

    View Letterkenny Regional Cultural Centre

A Full Day: Cathedral Quarter, the Swilly and Kinnegar

Full dayYear-round

A complete Letterkenny day: heritage in the morning, the Swilly riverside walk after lunch, and Kinnegar Brewing's taproom to finish.

CouplesWalkersBeer fans
  1. 1
    Morning·1.5 hours

    Cathedral and museum

    St Eunan's Cathedral first, then the Donegal County Museum on High Road.

    View Cathedral of St Eunan and St Columba
  2. 2
    Lunch·1 hour

    Lunch at HOUSE

    A sharing board and a glass of something at HOUSE Wine Bar & Tap Room on Lower Main Street.

    View HOUSE Wine Bar & Tap Room
  3. 3
    Afternoon·1 hour

    Port Bridge and the Swilly

    Walk the Port Bridge loop along the River Swilly, an easy hour that clears the head before the evening.

    View Port Bridge and the Swilly riverside walk
  4. 4
    Evening·2 hours

    Kinnegar Brewing taproom

    Finish at the Kinnegar Brewing taproom at Ballyraine for a tour and a tasting, then dinner at the Lemon Tree if you've booked ahead.

    View Kinnegar Brewing

Day Trip from Letterkenny: Glenveagh National Park

Full dayYear-round

Using Letterkenny as a base for Glenveagh National Park and Castle, around 25-30 minutes' drive away, one of Donegal's genuine must-see attractions.

Day trippersNature loversFamilies
  1. 1
    Morning·30 minutes

    Drive to Glenveagh National Park

    Leave Letterkenny for the 25 to 30 minute drive to Glenveagh National Park. Glenveagh is not in Letterkenny town itself; it is covered here as the obvious day trip for anyone based in Letterkenny, and it deserves the best part of a day.

  2. 2
    Late morning·2.5 hours

    Glenveagh Castle and gardens

    Tour the castle and its Victorian gardens, then walk part of the estate. Check the visitor centre for current shuttle bus times to the castle.

  3. 3
    Afternoon·2 hours

    Walking in the park

    Spend the afternoon on one of the park's own waymarked trails before heading back toward Letterkenny.

  4. 4
    Evening·1.5 hours

    Dinner back in Letterkenny

    Head back into town for dinner at the Yellow Pepper or the Lemon Tree to round off the day.

    View Yellow Pepper

Ready to plan your visit?

Check the weather forecast before you head out.

Planning Tips & Packing GuideGetting to Letterkenny