ALL ABOARD! Letterkenny Reunion is making a welcome return

By Paddy Walsh

It’s been a three yearly feature on the local calendar ever since a couple of local lads came up with the idea after meeting up on Letterkenny’s Main Street one day back in 1991.

Not quite every three years because as it did with so many events, the Covid pandemic forced the cancellation of the hugely popular Letterkenny Reunion back in 2021.

But now it’s back – or will be – come the first week in August when local and visiting townies get together once again.

The traditional variety of events will be staged to keep the patrons entertained but plenty of the entertainment will be provided by the townies themselves as stories and anecdotes abound over the four days and nights – some of them perhaps even true!

This year’s Reunion is being pruned down from its traditional six days but nevertheless will pack in the fun and festivity associated with this unique event.

Opening with the traditional welcome Mass in St. Eunan’s Cathedral on Sunday August 4, the Reunion will also host the re-enacted fair day and the magical mystery tour.

This year, the busloads of townies will be heading to – oh wait, no good taking the mystery out of it! Suffice to say the craic will be mighty wherever it ends up.

Many other events are also being organised and the Devlin Hall will be opening for business – that is, the business of dancing and music.

Meanwhile, both the opening and closing dances (Wednesday 7) will be staged in the Station House Hotel.

“After we had to miss the Reunion in 2021, it’ll be good to be back,” says committee chairperson, Dessie Kelly.

And so say all who are keenly anticipating it – including those two gentlemen, Johnny Joe McCollum and Jimmy Sweeney whose brainchild on the Main Street sparked the whole event off all those years ago.

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