THE Cathedral Quarter Walking Tour opened for business this week.
These informative tours, led by Amanda Clarke will tell you about Letterkenny’s rich and varied history, including the workhouse and County Museum, Conwal Parish Church and graveyard, St Eunan’s Cathedral and the Harry Clarke stained glass windows, Sentry Hill and much more.
Ms Clarke said that she’s looking forward to a busy summer.
“It will take a little time to get things up and running because the town isn’t really marketing its tourists,” she said.
The mother of three, originally from Stranorlar, has been living in Letterkenny for the past twenty years. The Cathedral Guide Walking Tours is one of a number of new ventures that she has in the pipe-line.
These include a Letterkenny Heritage Trail – complete with horse and carriage – which is contingent on Council approval!
“I went back to college when I was thirty-one and got my degree in Tourism and Marketing from LYIT. I also have my badge (tour guide).
“I’ve been involved with the Cathedral Quarter project for some time now and I’ve now got the confidence to go it alone,” she said.
The tour takes 90 minutes to complete and will cost €10. The tours will take place three times a day (Monday to Thursday), departing from the Market Square at 12 noon, 3pm and 7pm and twice a day on Friday and Saturday (12 noon and 3pm).
“We start at the Market Square and walk up the Church Lane, stopping off at Conwal Parish Church and Graveyard where The Highwayman, Redmond O’Hanlon, and Cassandra Knight, Jane Austen’s niece are buried. It’s one of my favourite parts of the tour.
“We then move on to the Cathedral, which is impressive both inside and out, and we’ll be joined by Fr Eamonn Kelly and Rev Stewart Wright when possible. It’s a real community effort as I can’t do it all. We also have foreign guides available on request,” she said.
Ms Clarke explained that she was also putting the finishing touches to a Heritage Pub Tour which will involve pulling the perfect pint of Guinness, story-telling, music and Irish dancing.
“I’ve one thousand fliers sent out to hotels and B&Bs throughout the town. It will take time to be fully up and running but I think the town is ready for such a product,” she said.
Everyone is welcome and please dress for the four seasons in one day and bring an umbrella! For more information contact (086) 3443-416 or www.traveldonegal.com