Architecture of Letterkenny
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
As with other towns cities in Ireland, Letterkenny has a history of great architecture. Many examples of ancient architecture remain in the town to the present day - though much has been lost also, through decay and modern development. Present-day Letterkenny has perhaps not as extensive historical architecture as other Irish cities and towns, though some very notable examples remain, such as St. Eunan's Cathedral and St. Eunan's College.
Contents |
[edit] Historical structures
[edit] St. Eunan's Cathedral
St. Eunan's Cathedral, built between 1890 and 1900 has one of the tallest steeples in Ireland. It is the only cathedral in County Donegal and is located near the town centre on Castle Street. The cathedral is built in Victorian neo-gothic style. The ceilings are the work of Amici of Rome, while the majestic stained glass windows that illuminate the Sanctuary and the Lady Chapel are by the Mayer firm of Munich.
[edit] St. Eunan's College
Another dominant building in the town is the historic St. Eunan's College which was built as a seminary in 1906, using the money left over after the building of the Cathedral and the Parochial House. The college is a three-storey picturesque castle with four round towers at each corner of the building. The school is named after the Abbot of Iona St. Eunan, a native of Donegal and patron saint of the Diocese of Raphoe. It is an all-male education facility which today houses over 850 students.
[edit] Donegal County Museum
The Donegal County Museum is housed in the old workhouse and is located on the High Road. It was built in 1843. Each year the museum attracts thousands of tourists, who seek to find out about the history of County Donegal, to the town.
[edit] Trinity Presbyterian Church
Trinity Presbyterian Church is located on Main Street on the site of the earliest regular ‘Meeting House’ for Presbyterians, dated with a stone declaring the origin of the congregation in 1640. Presbyterianism in Letterkenny dates back more than 350 years when the Rev. William Semple officiated from 1648 to 1674. The 'Meeting House' then was also on Main Street and was originally probably a large thatched building. The church adopted the name 'Trinity' in 1916.
[edit] Legal buildings
The wonderfully constructed Courthouse dominates the town’s Main Street and was built in 1829. However it is not actually on the Main Street itself, being located jut off it.
The building that houses a branch of the Allied Irish Bank, on the Main Street, is also noteworthy. The Bank of Ireland was designed in 1874 by Timothy Hevey.
[edit] Hospitals
[edit] St. Conal's Hospital
St. Conal's Hospital was built in the early 1860s. It is located across the way from Letterkenny General Hospital and overlooks the Town Park. Today is also houses the HSE's dental clinics, physiotherapy units and mental health facilities.
[edit] Georgian architecture
Much Georgian architecture was evident in the town from about the 1800s onwards. Although some has since been demolished, much is still to be found. A terrace of Georgian townhouses may be found at Mount Southwell Terrace, near St. Eunan's Cathedral, towards the centre of the town. More Georgian architure may be found south of the town centre.
[edit] Bridges
As a town situated on a river (the Swilly), and at a crossing point, Letterkenny's bridges are of vital importance to the area. They connect the southern part of Ireland to the most northerly point of the country, Malin Head.
[edit] Oldtown Bridge
The Oldtown Bridge was the first bridge built across the Swilly.
[edit] Devlin Way
Devlin Way was the first pedestrian bridge built over the River Swilly. The bridge was installed in Letterkenny. The bridge connects the suburban Oldtown area with the town centre. It was designed by local TS McLaughlin Structural Engineers and the ironwork was constructed by Bonnar Engineering. The bridge cost €100,000 to construct. A maroon-coloured cambered steel structure which measures 28 metres long and 2.2 metres wide, the new bridge proves a major impact on the safety of pedestrians, especially OAPs and school-going children. It is lit by lamp cast from iron and it also contains a commemorative stone seat with a plaque. The bridge is neighbour to the much older and well known Oldtown Bridge.
The bridge was officially opened by local councillor Ciaran Brogan. The bridge is named in honour of the Devlin family who live beside the bridge.
[edit] See also
 |
Letterkenny Town |
|---|---|
| Topics: People • Culture • History • Climate • Architecture • Monuments • River Swilly | |
Education and Sport: LYIT • St. Eunan's College • Coláiste Ailigh • Rossan College |  | Letterkenny Rovers F.C. • St.Eunan's Letterkenny RFC |
|
| Media: Highland Radio • Donegal Democrat | |
| Landmarks: Cathedral • Library and Arts Centre • Theatre • Museum • Hospital • Town Park • Ballyraine Linear Park • Leckview Park • O' Donnell Park |
