Letterkenny Central Library

Nestled at the corner of Oliver Plunkett Road and Lower Main Street in Letterkenny, the Central Library and Arts Centre stands as County Donegal’s principal library and the first local authority–run arts centre in Ireland, having opened in 1995.

Housed in a striking two‑storey building complete with a distinctive clock tower, it blends historic architecture with cultural vitality. Beneath its shelves, the basement arts centre hosts rotating exhibitions, live performances, workshops, and youth theatre events.

Inside, the library spans both floors: on the ground level you'll find an extensive adult collection, a welcoming children's area, and public computers-alongside convenient exterior return boxes for those in a hurry. Upstairs is dedicated to quieter pursuits: study tables, reference resources, encyclopaedias, maps, specialist magazines, and the county’s local archives.

This peaceful reading zone doubles as the home of the renowned Donegal Studies Collection, featuring rare books, historical newspapers, first‑edition maps, and printed materials related to the county’s heritage.

Beyond its walls, Central Library is a hub for community engagement and digital innovation. It serves as a Europe Direct information point, offering EU-related publications, PCs for accessing digital media, and outreach events like Europe Day and intellectual property workshops.

The library also plays a central role in countywide initiatives such as the popular "Summer Stars" children’s programme, story hours, local history projects, and access to digital services—reinforcing its mission as a welcoming space for learning, culture, and community connection