Overview
St Eunan’s Cathedral – officially the Cathedral of St Eunan and St Columba – sits opposite Conwal Parish Church on Castle Street in the heart of Letterkenny, County Donegal. Its 73 m (240 ft) spire is the town’s most recognisable landmark, earning Letterkenny the nickname The Cathedral Town. Designed in the Victorian neo‑Gothic style by Dublin architect William Hague, the cathedral opened on 16 June 1901 and remains the most expensive church ever built in Ireland, costing over £300,000 at the turn of the 20th century.
History / Background
- Commission and foundation – The project was championed by Bishop (later Cardinal) Patrick O’Donnell, who at 32 was the youngest bishop in the world. A Cathedral Building Committee was formed in 1890 and the foundation stone was laid on 6 September 1891.
- Construction – White sandstone quarried at Mountcharles was shipped up the River Swilly and carried bucket‑by‑bucket by townspeople to the site. Hague’s death in 1899 saw his partner T. F. McNamara complete the work.
- Dimensions – The nave stretches 171 ft, the transepts span 100 ft, the roof rises 72 ft, and the spire crowns the structure at 240 ft.
- Renovations – A major interior re‑ordering in 1985 adapted the space to post‑Vatican II liturgy while preserving the original altar, which still displays an Irish carving of Leonardo’s The Last Supper. The sandstone exterior was cleaned and repointed in July 2001, and a comprehensive redecoration refreshed the interior paintwork and decorative elements in late 2025. In January 2026 Bishop Niall Coll was installed as Bishop of Raphoe within the cathedral.
What to See & Do
Architectural Highlights
- Spire – 73 m tall, visible from across the town and a focal point of the Cathedral Quarter.
- Great & Columban Arches – Carved stone arches illustrating the lives of St Eunan (Adomnán) and St Columba.
- Ceilings – Painted and gilded rib‑vaulting executed by the Italian firm Amici of Rome.
- Marble pulpit – Crafted by Pearse Brothers of Dublin, featuring statues of the Four Masters and the Four Evangelists.
- Sanctuary lamp – Solid silver, weighing over 1 500 oz, hanging above the altar.
- Altar rail – Marble with brass gates, complementing the original altar piece.
- Sculpture – Works by William Pearse add a poignant artistic touch.
Stained‑Glass & Art
- Mayer (Munich) windows – Thirteen panels depicting scenes from the life of Jesus, lighting the sanctuary and Lady Chapel.
- Additional windows – Contributions by Michael Healy, Alfred Ernest Child, Beatrice Elvery and a 1928 clerestory series by Harry Clarke.
- Harry Clarke clerestory windows – In 1928 the celebrated Irish stained‑glass artist Harry Clarke visited the cathedral, produced sketches and was commissioned to create ten two‑light clerestory windows. Completed by November 1929, each window is unique, using diamond‑shaped slab glass. The series adds a distinctive Art‑Deco flair to the upper nave and is considered a highlight for glass‑art enthusiasts.
Musical Treasures
- 12‑bell chamber – Bells named after the saints of Tír Conail; the largest weighs over two tonnes.
- Organ – Built by Telford & Telford of Dublin, a historic instrument that has accompanied traditional Irish tunes after services.
Sacred Spaces
- Adoration Chapel – A single‑room granite‑altar chapel set in the Loreto Convent grounds, open afternoons and evenings for private prayer.
Practical Information
- Admission – Free entry; visitors are welcome during regular parish hours.
- Opening times – The cathedral is open for worship and public visits throughout the day; specific Mass times and any seasonal closures are listed on the official website.
- Website – https://www.steunanscathedral.ie/ (for up‑to‑date Mass schedules, guided‑tour information and event listings).
- Location – Castle Street, Letterkenny, County Donegal (opposite Conwal Parish Church).
- Access – Easily reached on foot from the town centre; a small car park on Cathedral Square provides limited spaces.
- Facilities – Restrooms are located near the main entrance; a small café operates in the adjacent parish hall.
- Guidance – Informational leaflets and occasional guided tours are offered by the cathedral staff.
Nearby Attractions
- A short walk along the River Swilly leads to the historic Assaroe area, home to the ruins of an early abbey, scenic waterfalls and lake walks – see the Assaroe page for details.
St Eunan’s Cathedral stands not only as a place of worship but also as a living museum of Donegal’s artistic, architectural and communal heritage. Whether admiring its soaring spire, tracing the stories etched in stone, or listening to the resonant peal of its bells, visitors leave with a deeper sense of the town’s historic heart.