Letterkenny Festival 2023 to celebrate music, Pride and community unity

Letterkenny is gearing up for an unforgettable weekend of entertainment, music, and celebration as it hosts the Letterkenny Festival 2023. 

Taking place all this weekend, Letterkenny Festival has something for music lovers of all ages and interests. This year’s festival is run in conjunction with Letterkenny’s first Pride Festival, showcasing the town's commitment to celebrating diversity, inclusion, and self-expression.

The event kicks off this Friday, at McGettigan's Hotel on Main Street with the Gig-Rig entertainment starting at 7.30pm. The crowd will be treated to a trip down memory lane with the sensational band My Generation, followed by the beloved Bagatelle & Friends, promising an evening filled with nostalgia and excellent music.

On Saturday, the Gig-Rig entertainment continues at the Donegal County Library on Lower Main Street, starting at 6.30pm. The night will be a showcase of exceptional musical talent, featuring performances by Aaron Coleman, String Empire, Darren O'Halloran, EPHAPES, and a special guest appearance by Mundy. Music lovers are in for an unforgettable experience, embracing a diverse range of musical styles.

Sunday brings excitement and adrenaline with the Soap Box Derby on the Port Road, in association with the RNLI, starting promptly at 2pm from the Golden Grill car park. Witness the thrill as homemade soapbox racers compete for glory and support a great cause in the process.

In the evening, the Gig-Rig moves to Sister Sara's for "Country Sunday" starting at 5pm. Attendees can enjoy the best of country music with performances by Hard to Beat, The Wild Rovers, Mickey Joe Harte, Limelite, Kathy Durkin, Hugo Duncan, and Sinead Black.

To ensure a wonderful experience for families, the Letterkenny Community Development Project’s "Stay & Play Program" will host face painting, arts and crafts, a photo booth, games corner, toddler's corner, and appearances by beloved cartoon characters on the Saturday and Sunday. 

“The Letterkenny Festival 2023 promises to be an extraordinary celebration of music, pride, and community unity,” Letterkenny Festival committee member, Jimmy Kennedy said. “We’re looking forward to a great weekend that embraces the diversity that makes Letterkenny such a vibrant and inclusive town.”

Letterkenny’s first Pride Festival takes place on Saturday and adds another layer of joy and significance to the festival. Organised in partnership with the LGBTQ+ community, it is a time to celebrate how Ireland has evolved and to show support to Donegal’s LGBTQ+ community. As well as the Pride parade, there will be events happening throughout the town, including a screening of ‘Pride’ at Century Cinema and a Pride After Party in The Brewery Bar.

Kayleigh Bowery, one of the organisers of Letterkenny Pride Festival, is looking forward to the event: "This event is a long time coming. This year marks 30 years since homosexuality was decriminalised in Ireland. The parade and entertainment will bring colour, music, and unity throughout the town, while also reflecting the progress made over the past 30 years."