This week, the Letterkenny Town Council and Donegal County Council will launch the Historic Walks Project which aims to better inform visitors, tourists and local people of the history of the area. The project, which will be launched at the Donegal County Museum at 10am on Wednesday 30th April, has been funded by the Donegal County Council under the Tourism Development Fund and by the Letterkenny Town Council.
This project sees the location of 4 Information panels in various locations of historic interest, which highlight and chart the development of different sectors of the town and offer both an interesting and informative source of leisure for those visiting the area. The panels and accompanying information brochures highlight the changing landscape of the town from one of humble origins into its current status as a Gateway location. Paddy Doherty, Town Clerk hopes this initiative will help visitors better understand the history of the area; “The project is aimed at better informing those visiting the town with regard to it’s history and particularly the more important heritage sites such as the Cathedral and the Market Square area. The brochures will also be available in local accommodation sites and we hope this encourages visitors to explore the town on foot”.
The information panels are located at the Mt. Errigal Roundabout, the Market Square, Cathedral car park and at the Donegal County Museum. The panels contain information relating to the town and a mixture of old and new pictures that show the changing face of the locality. The brochures will also be made available to the various accommodation providers, information offices and the County Museum in the town as an easy to follow guide to the location of the information signs and other areas of interest.
Letterkenny Town Council is especially keen to support and advocate walking as a way for people to appreciate the history of the town. Walking is inexpensive and low impact; all you really need is a sturdy pair of walking shoes and you're ready to go. You can adjust your pace, technique and the terrain to accommodate your fitness level. The map indicates the Slí na Sláinte route; a ‘path for health’ developed by the Irish Heart Foundation in conjunction with the Letterkenny Tidy Towns group and Letterkenny Town Council. The location of other interpretive panels is also shown, which include information on the flora and fauna of the area and the history of the now redundant railway system. The map also highlights the various parking facilities and retail areas along the way.
This project has been undertaken in conjunction with a number of partners. Letterkenny Town Council would like to acknowledge the assistance of the Donegal County Council, the Donegal County Museum, Letterkenny Historical Society and the Letterkenny Tidy Towns Group.
For further info and images contact Ciaran Martin, Development Officer, Letterkenny Town Council. Ciaran.martin@donegalcoco.ie or at 0868261760.