Welcome to Letterkenny

Letterkenny, which is in County Donegal, Ireland, is a very interesting town with a rich history. Many years ago, before your parents or even your grandparents were born, Letterkenny started as a small market town. A "market town" is a place where people from all over would come to buy and sell things like fruits, vegetables, and handmade crafts.

But do you know what Letterkenny means? It comes from the Irish word 'Leitirceanainn' which means 'Hillside of the O'Cannons'. The O'Cannons were an important family, kind of like kings, who lived there long, long ago.

One of the oldest and most interesting places in Letterkenny is the Cathedral of St. Eunan and St. Columba, which is like a very big church. It's named after Saint Eunan, who was born in Donegal and was very important in Irish history.

So, even though there might not be dragons or treasure chests in the history of Letterkenny, it is still a fascinating place because of its old market town beginnings, the O'Cannons, and its beautiful cathedral. Isn't it fun to imagine what life was like in Letterkenny long, long ago?

  1. What is a "market town"?
  2. What does the name 'Letterkenny' mean in Irish?
  3. Who was the cathedral of St. Eunan and St. Columba named after?
  4. Why do you think the O'Cannons were important in the history of Letterkenny?
  5. If you could go back in time, what would you like to see or do in the old market town of Letterkenny?

All About Letterkenny

Letterkenny is a wonderful town in County Donegal, Ireland. It's like a treasure box full of exciting places to explore! The Main Street is Letterkenny's heart, full of colorful shops and cafes. A short walk away, there's the lush, green Letterkenny Town Park where children love to play and families enjoy picnics.

Letterkenny is nestled between two rivers, the Swilly and the Lennon. They twinkle like silver ribbons, flowing gently through the town. There's also a beautiful mountain nearby called Muckish Mountain. Its name means 'pig's back' in Irish. Can you imagine a mountain shaped like a pig's back?

This town is home to many lovely plants and animals. In the parks and gardens, you can see daisies, buttercups, and even foxgloves. You might spot rabbits, squirrels, and various birds like robins and sparrows, too!

In the town, you'll see some interesting street furniture. These are things like benches, lampposts, and post boxes. The post boxes are painted shiny red and are a famous symbol of Ireland.

So, Letterkenny is a town full of nature's wonders, fun places to visit, and a mountain that looks like a pig's back. Isn't that amazing?

  1. What are the two rivers flowing through Letterkenny and what do they resemble?
  2. What is the meaning of 'Muckish' in Irish and what does it relate to in the town's geography?
  3. Can you list some of the plants and animals you might encounter in Letterkenny?
  4. Describe some pieces of street furniture you might find in Letterkenny and explain their significance.
  5. Using a map of Letterkenny, can you identify and describe a geographical feature not mentioned in the article? Try to explore the area yourself for this task!

My Family and Letterkenny

Hi! I'm Zephyr and I'm 8 years old. I live in a cool place called Letterkenny in Co. Donegal. It's in Ireland and we have so many awesome things here. I love growing up here because it's lots of fun!

One of my favourite places to visit is Glenveagh National Park. It has a huge castle and beautiful gardens. My friends and I like to pretend we are kings and queens of the castle. There's also a big lake where we can see swans and ducks. I love feeding them breadcrumbs!

Another place I like is the Newmills Corn and Flax Mills. It's really old and big. I always wonder how people built such big things so long ago. The mill is still working, and it's so exciting to watch it turn. I learned that it was used to grind corn and flax seeds to make food and clothes.

I also love the St. Eunan's Cathedral. It's so big and grand. Sometimes my family and I go there on Sundays. I love the beautiful stained glass windows and listening to the choir sing.

I'm excited to grow up in Letterkenny. There's always something new to learn and explore here. I can't wait to share more of my adventures with you!

  1. What is your favourite place in Letterkenny and why?
  2. Can you describe what you see when you visit Glenveagh National Park?
  3. What do you imagine when you see the Newmills Corn and Flax Mills working?
  4. How do you feel when you visit St. Eunan's Cathedral and what do you like the most about it?
  5. What is something new you want to explore in Letterkenny?

The Logainm of Letterkenny

Letterkenny is a lovely town in a place called County Donegal, in Ireland. The name 'Letterkenny' is an English way of saying 'Leitir Ceanainn' which is Irish. In English, 'Leitir Ceanainn' means 'Hillside of the O'Cannons'. The O'Cannons were a very important family a long, long time ago in the area of Donegal. They were known as the 'Lords of Tír Conaill'. 'Tír Conaill' is another Irish name which means 'Land of Conall'.

Over the years, the town grew and changed. It became a very busy place with lots of shops, schools, and homes. Many people visit Letterkenny each year to see its beautiful parks, museums, and to enjoy its friendly atmosphere. Even though it's changed a lot since the time of the O'Cannons, the name 'Letterkenny' reminds us of its rich history. So, every time you say 'Letterkenny', you're also telling a little piece of an old Irish story!

  1. What is the meaning of 'Letterkenny' in English?
  2. Can you remember who the O'Cannons were?
  3. What does 'Tír Conaill' mean in English?
  4. How has Letterkenny changed over the years?
  5. Why do you think the name 'Letterkenny' is important?

Slideshow - Letterkenny
A full set of teaching plans for teaching about Letterkenny