AN ambitious plan has been unveiled to put Letterkenny on par with Killarney, Westport and Kilkenny as a tourist town.
The new Go Visit Letterkenny website has been officially launched to promote the best the town has to offer.
It was set up by local businesspeople from Letterkenny Tourism, with Chairman Brian Gallagher of the Station House Hotel at the helm.
The website brings local hospitality, retail and heritage information under one roof.
Speaking at the official website launch at Arena 7 in Letterkenny on Thursday, Mr Gallagher explained that the idea is all about having confidence in Letterkenny and its potential.
He said that local hotels, cafés, bars, retailers, activity providers and organisations have all come together with a shared ambition to put Letterkenny on the map.
“Letterkenny is a vibrant, growing town with fantastic hospitality, excellent restaurants, lively nightlife, shopping, entertainment, sport, arts, culture and history – and most importantly, a warm Donegal welcome that visitors remember long after they leave,” said Mr Gallagher.
“We also offer something increasingly important in today’s tourism market – quality, authenticity and value.
“We are proudly the Heart of Donegal, and we should never be afraid to say that confidently.”
Mr Gallagher said Killarney, Westport and Kilkenny have all succeeded in attracting tourists, and he said Letterkenny “should be represented just as strongly and professionally” as these destinations.
“Our ambition is that when somebody searches for a short break, a family getaway, a shopping trip, a golfing break or a base to explore Donegal and the Wild Atlantic Way, Letterkenny stands proudly alongside any destination in Ireland,” he said.
“I genuinely believe with collaboration we can achieve that because the ingredients are already here.
“We have award-winning hospitality businesses, excellent retail, fantastic nightlife and incredible scenery right on our doorstep.”
Karoline Sweeney, President of the Letterkenny Chamber of Commerce and Managing Partner of Castle Grove Country House Hotel, shared her enthusiasm for the project.
She said the website will act as a digital hub to show that Letterkenny is “a great place to stay”.
“I encourage everyone to get on board,” she added.
Tourism Manager at Donegal County Council, Joy Browne, praised the user-friendly interface of the website and said it gives a “strong first impression”.
She added that it “highlights the depth and diversity” of the county.
Client Service Manager at Fáilte Ireland, Joan Crawford, said she was “really delighted to support” the website.
She highlighted that Letterkenny is home to eight hotels with over 1,000 beds available, and expressed hopes for visitors to “stay longer and return” to Letterkenny.
Cathaoirleach of the Letterkenny-Milford Municipal District, Cllr Ciaran Brogan, said the project highlights the “positive development” of Letterkenny.
“Thank you to everyone who has invested and believed in Letterkenny,” he said.
Darren McElwaine of Arena 7, Conor McEniff of the Mount Errigal Hotel, and Shiloe Kelly of the Station House Hotel were all thanked for their roles on the website committee.
“We would like to thank Donegal County Council, Fáilte Ireland, Donegal Tourism for their assistance and funding and whose continued support we rely on, Letterkenny Chamber but especially all the local businesses who have already supported this vision,” added Mr Gallagher.
Among the organisations who attended the launch were Century Complex and the Letterkenny Cathedral Quarter Group.
Local businesses and cultural organisations in Letterkenny are encouraged to get in touch to be included on the Go Visit Letterkenny website.
Joy Browne, Tourism Manager, Karoline Sweeney, President of the Letterkenny Chamber of Commerce and Managing Partner of Castle Grove Country House Hotel and Joan Crawford, Manager Fáilte Ireland at the website launch.