Moving to Letterkenny from Wexford

tmb_ayebe

Hi all,
I've recently been offered a job in Letterkenny which I've accepted. I'm originally from London, my Mum is from Wexford and I've lived in Wexford for the last ten years. My girlfriend is also from Wexford.

We came up to Letterkenny for the weekend (just got back) and absolutely loved it - the scenery is absolutely breathtaking. We found a lovely house/cottage that we could rent for what seems good value compared to Wexford prices. We are both more used to living in the town, but we are a bit fed up with it and want some peace and quiet.

The place we found was just up the road from church hill, but I'll be working in town. The drive in seemed to take about 20 mins down the R251.

People down here keep warning us about the weather up there, would we be crazy to move straight out into the country side? Would I need to buy a snowcat or a small 4x4?

Do anyone know if there is a shop in church hill? We spotted three pubs, an undertakers and a church, (which seems to pretty much cover the different stages of life) but couldn't see somewhere to get bread and milk.

Also we have pets, would anyone know where the nearest vets is?

And does anyone have any opinions on living in the town vs living in the country?

Thanks in advance for any help/opinions/stories/rants.

muffler

First of all welcome to the forum and welcome to Donegal.


I think there's a couple of people from the Churchill area who post here occasionally who would be able to offer better advice than myself. I haven't been there in years so I cant say if there's a shop there or not. Id imagine there would be but Im sure someone will confirm that.

The scenery is lovely and as you will be close to Glenveigh National Park you wont be stuck for somewhere to visit. Its a great amenity to have on your doorstep so to speak.

The weather will generally be a couple of degrees cooler (not all of the time) and rainfall is generally higher than what you are used to at present but you wont really notice the difference. I wouldn't rush out and buy a 4 x 4 just yet. Last winter was really exceptional right throughout the country and I cant say that we would have any more frost or snow from what you would find in other areas.

Town or country to live in? Its really down to personal taste no matter what county you are in. Letterkenny is a fairly busy town and is obviously subject to the same anti social problems that exist in any town of it's size. Its convenient alright to be in in the urban area for work, shopping socialising etc but if you like the quiet life then it's a no brainer.

Harps

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Churchill,_County_Donegal

According to wikipedia its got one grocery shop! Never been there so cant really comment but as said above its near Glenveigh so plenty of great scenery and it should be very quiet.

From my knowledge, Letterkenny is roughly the same size as Wexford, its much the same as most other towns of a similar size although its got the IT so theres a lot of students around and is a big nightlife centre so if you're not into that sort of thing its probably best to live out of town a bit. Theres plenty of quiet suburban areas as well though so if you want to be nearer to shops and what not then it'd be worth looking at a few houses

The weather shouldnt really be a problem, if you're deeper into the mountains then snow could be a problem but it shouldnt be in Churchill and aside from a lot more rain it wont be much different to what you're used to.

I'm not familiar with the area around Churchill but theres an animal hospital in LK near the Clanree Hotel on the Ballybofey Road

mistermouse

Hi, Welcome to Donegal, Have relations in Wexford and firends who work there.

Churchill is quite a nice place especially in Summer, had relations live there for a time.

In Winter the road from Letterkenny you are thinking of is usually salted, not necessarily first but usually is, it now depends on the current economic climate.

There used to be a shop attached to McClafferty's Bar in the village but I gather they closed and another was to open but isn't now. You are still close to a shop in Glenswilly and one just outside Letterkenny but most people probably shop in town now.

Its close to some spectacular scenic areas, Glenveagh is nearby and there is a great drive down the back of Glenveagh is you either take the first left after chuchill past Gartan lake or the first righ heading for Letterkenny. Its through an area called Glendowan.

The locals are very friendly and I recommend a visit to any of the pubs to meet some with McClaffertys and the one next to it most popular.

You'll fit in grand and not have to worry about getting snowed in for a while, in any case the locals will help

Again welcome to Donegal

Redsoxfan

tmb_ayebe wrote: »

People down here keep warning us about the weather up there, would we be crazy to move straight out into the country side? Would I need to buy a snowcat or a small 4x4?

How many of them have actually lived in Donegal?

The weather is bad for sure, but generally wind and rain. Snow is rare enough except on the mountains, save for the cold snap earlier this year, which was the worst seen in many years. I live and work around Dublin these days and it took me 7 hours to get home one evening due to snow-you wouldn't get that in Donegal!

I certainly wouldn't worry too much about snowcats or 4x4s.

The road has improved dramtically from the Rock in towards Letterkenny in the past 10 or so years.

I'm from the area originally and you will do well to find such a scenic spot at an affordable price near a big enough town like Letterkenny.

All the best with the move!

hootietootie

Good luck on the move, there is rthe vets in letterkenny previously mentioned and then one another 10/15 mins away near newtown that we use. The boarding kennels we use are out that direction so I could try to find out what their closest vets are. Cant remember who they told us they use if there is a problem with any of their boarders.

Weather was bad this year, we moved out of town for 6 months to kilmacrenann, out a wee back road, and we had no problems getting into town, once we got out of our own very short driveway!! And sure its worth it to get to live in the beautiful countryside. We're back in town again now, so havent even used the car in months

tmb_ayebe

Guys and gals,

Thanks so much for such a warm welcome and positive response. Reading your responses has made us sure and excited that we are doing the right thing. We are seeing this as a long term move and can see ourselves maybe staying put for many many years.

In response to Redsoxfan's question:

How many of them have actually lived in Donegal?

Precisely none - but that doesn't stop them having an opinion!

To be fair, one of them is a salesman who has stayed in Donegal (and Letterkenny in particular) many times, which is why I was concerned about his account of things.

Wind and rain, I can cope with. Beautiful countryside, peace and quiet and friendly neighbours will be more than compensation enough.

Thanks again for your help.

PattheMetaller

Welcome to Donegal.

I'm surprised none of your advisers have asked you about exchange rates with sterling. Seriously. I was speaking to a bloke from Dublin in a pub one night who was told to change his money to Sterling when he said he was holidaying in Donegal

foggy

tmb_ayebe wrote: »

Hi all,

The place we found was just up the road from church hill, but I'll be working in town. The drive in seemed to take about 20 mins down the R251.

People down here keep warning us about the weather up there, would we be crazy to move straight out into the country side? Would I need to buy a snowcat or a small 4x4?

Do anyone know if there is a shop in church hill? We spotted three pubs, an undertakers and a church, (which seems to pretty much cover the different stages of life) but couldn't see somewhere to get bread and milk.

Also we have pets, would anyone know where the nearest vets is?

And does anyone have any opinions on living in the town vs living in the country?

Thanks in advance for any help/opinions/stories/rants.

Hi, welcome to the neighbourhood

As you've already been told, there is no longer a shop in chuchill, but there is one in glenswilly and one in newmills - which you will pass on your way to and from l'kenny.

I'm originally from a farm out that way and we would always use the vet in Milford for our animals if we ever needed a vet... although letterkenny is just as close if not closer.

churchill is a great wee village, one of the pubs does food and has a takeaway off to the side of it so even if you run out of bread you can always get chips

and as everyone else has said, the scenery is unbelieveable.

We did get snowed in winter just past for a few days BUT it was more our decision not to risk the drive out that anything else. The main churchill to letterkenny road was fine.. as well gritted as anyother road up here but we live 3 miles off it and that road was hardly touched by the gritter at all.

Hope that helps. and best of luck

bohsboy

I moved to Donegal from Dublin three years ago and Im not going back I can tell you. Great spot, no hassle and an easy going way of life.

North_West_Art

hi and welcome to Donegal, I know Wexford town. I was there a few times and its a good spot. My uncle moved to Wexford 25 years ago from the north part of Donegal, but comes back up regularly. If your looking for peace and quiet within 20 minutes of a busy town, Churchill is a good choice, you are close to Glenveagh National park which is reallt something. Another 20 minutes will take you to Errigal Mountain and Dunlewey, and 10 more minutes you will be on the coast at Bunbeg. Its another world up there. Have you spent much time in Churchill while you were up in Donegal?

Ciar0468

Hi, welcome to donegal too.
We have just moved up here two weeks ago from westmeath. We were lucky too to find a place in the country just off ramelton road. We looked at a lot of places in town and to be honest if you want to live in a quiet area it will cost way too much and houses dont come up often. We have been looking for a house to rent in the country since january.
Best of luck with the move, you will find everyone here really helpfull and friendly as we have. I never want to move out of this area, I already love it so much.

Glenalla

I have a lovely cottage near Ramelton for rent. Its been up for a few months now where were you looking for a house in the country?

Firblog

Lovely looking place

Glenalla

Firblog wrote: »

Lovely looking place

Thanks Fir, unfortunately have had to move to Kilkenny due to family reasons so cottage now for rent or sale. Too far to travel for a holiday home.