Letterkenny Reunion prepares for its last ever staging

Wednesday, August 7, will signal the final event of the 2024 Letterkenny Reunion with a closing dance at the Station House Hotel.

But this time, the term ‘closing’ means what it says – as this will be the last ever Reunion. Over 30 years since it came into existence, it has brought huge numbers of emigrants from abroad back to their hometown to join in several days of music and merriment. But more importantly, it has reunited townies over the years who may not have seen one another since before they left these shores for a life in the US, Australia or the UK and many other destinations.

To that extent, there will be a huge degree of sadness when the curtain finally comes down on the Reunion but an added poignancy is lent in that it will be the first such event without its popular chairperson, Dessie Kelly who, sadly, passed away on June 14.

His spirit will be felt over the four days of this year’s event which begins with the traditional opening mass in St. Eunan’s Cathedral at 6pm on Sunday, August 4, followed later by the opening dance in the Station House Hotel.

The tradition continues with the very popular Fair Day to be held at Lower Main Street on Monday, August 5 – an event that will include dancing in the old Devlin Hall.

And where would the Reunion be without its magical mystery tour when a fleet of buses will take off on Tuesday morning from the town to a destination unknown – except to committee members and the bus drivers! 

The meeting point before departure is at Scoil Mhuire gan Smal at Sentry Hill at 11am.

Tickets are available from Clarke’s Newsagents; Paddy Gildea’s Butchers, or from any committee member. The bus tickets cost 10 euro but the craic will be priceless!

The last day of the Reunion will feature a Cultural afternoon at the Regional Cultural Centre from 2pm to 5pm. Before that, there will be a walking tour conducted by local historian, Kieran Kelly and commencing at the Market Square at 1pm.

And that night, Wednesday, August 7, the final ever Closing Dance of what has been one of the town’s most popular events since it started in 1991.

A special booklet is being produced to mark the bowing out of the Letterkenny Reunion and will be available in the coming days.