Monday, 8 December 2025
Donegal isn’t just known for its stunning landscapes; it also has a vibrant retail scene full of local charm and innovative offerings. Four standout businesses, Century Complex, Reynolds of Raphoe,Glendowen Craft Shop and Studio, and Alexanders of Ballybofey, highlight the best of this community. They provide shoppers with unique products and a real sense of connection to the area.
Century Complex
Century Complex is the premier family entertainment hub in the Northwest of Ireland, featuring Century Cinemas, Backstage Bar & Grill, and Century Play making it the perfect destination for a fun-filled day out in Letterkenny.
Century Play is designed with all ages in mind, offering maximum fun and excitement. It includes a Junior area, Toddler area, Baby area, and Sports zones all under one roof, along with an arcade area. Visitors can also challenge friends and family to a 9-hole game of indoor crazy golf across three different courses, suitable for both beginners and experienced players.
Backstage Bar & Grill provides a contemporary dining experience, offering a relaxing space to enjoy wine and dine with loved ones. Additionally, guests can experience the excitement of interactive autoscoring darts with seven different games, perfect for friendly competition.
Century Cinemas is a family-run business that has been showcasing stories on the big screen in Letterkenny for over 80 years. It features eight screens, including two luxury VIP cinemas, stadium seating, and Dolby Digital surround sound with 2D and 3D digital projections. The cinema offers a diverse selection of movies, including Kids Club screenings, Event Cinema, and private VIP showings.
For more information, visit their website: https://www.centurycinemas.ie/
Reynolds of Raphoe
Reynolds of Raphoe is a 100% Irish-owned family business and one of Ireland's leading suppliers and installers of audio, lighting, and visual equipment for both trade and retail customers.
They offer over 10,000 products from top industry brands such as Pioneer DJ, Shure Microphones, AKG, DPA, Yamaha, Fender, Faith, Ernie Ball, Elixir, Denon, Harmonic Design, Das, Crown, PowerSoft, Roland, Chauvet DJ, Korg, LedJ, Elumen8, Global Truss, Blustream, Klotz, Monacor, Konig & Meyer, and many more. Their goal is to meet the needs of their diverse customer base with quality products and expert service.
Founded by William and Kathleen Reynolds nearly 60 years ago in the small town of Raphoe, County Donegal, the company initially began as electrical contractors. Over the past five decades, they transitioned into the sound and lighting equipment industry as the disco industry took off in the 1970s, a venture continued by their sons.
Today, the company remains family-owned and operated. Reynolds of Raphoe has expanded to include two retail stores: Reynolds Music in Letterkenny, County Donegal, and the original store in Raphoe, which has been serving customers for nearly 60 years. They also operate an online store. With years of experience and a team of experts in sound, lighting, and musical instruments, Reynolds of Raphoe is dedicated to helping customers fulfill their audio and visual needs.
For more information, visit their website: https://www.ror.ie/
Glendowen Craft Shop and Studio
Glendowen Craft Shop and Studio captures the beauty and spirit of the Inishowen Peninsula. Located in Meentagh Glen, Clonmany, this charming workshop and retail outlet is where tradition meets modernity, beauty meets function, and ‘craic agus ceol’ echoes through its walls.
Nestled among the hills, visitors will find garments and accessories crafted from the finest Donegal Tweed, expertly and lovingly handmade on the premises by Ann McGonigle. Ann’s craftsmanship has been passed down through generations, inspired by her late mother, a talented craftsperson who taught her daughter the art of sewing and crocheting from a young age. These traditions are woven into every one of Ann’s original pieces, making each item at Glendowen Craft Studio a unique expression of Inishowen’s rich cultural heritage.
Ann specializes in a stunning range of women’s garments finished with intricate hand-crochet details. Her collection includes jackets, coats, capes, wraps, tunics, hats, scarves, bags, and jewelry. The Donegal Tweed used in her creations is woven by renowned local mills, such as Magee’s of Donegal Town and McNutt’s of Downings.
Craftsmanship is Ann’s passion, and it shows in the shop and studio, which stocks a wide selection of local and Irish crafts carefully curated by her. Each piece and garment purchased is a unique investment approximately 70% of the stock is custom-made in the traditional-style workshop. These one-of-a-kind items, blending traditional and contemporary design, are truly limited editions that will be treasured for years to come.
Visitors can meet Ann personally when they visit the shop, as she often creates bespoke wall hangings from Donegal Tweed. Inspired by the rugged scenery surrounding Meentagh Glen and the peninsula, Ann incorporates natural stones from the stunning beaches along the Wild Atlantic Way into her work.
Founded in 1997 and opening the studio in 2005, Ann’s deep love and admiration for the Inishowen peninsula and its people are evident. Guests will experience this warmth firsthand when visiting, often enjoying views of grazing sheep and discovering the best off-the-beaten-path sites in the area.
The Glendowen Craft Shop, which is wheelchair accessible, is conveniently located just 5 km from the main Wild Atlantic Way route, on the Buncrana to Clonmany road, making it a well worth the short detour. Visitors might also stumble upon one of the regular traditional music seisiuns held once a month at the studio, where local musicians gather to celebrate Inishowen’s musical heritage with song, dance, and conviviality.
Steeped in beauty, mysticism, and tradition, the Inishowen peninsula offers a landscape full of wonder. Glendowen Craft Shop warmly welcomes all who wish to experience its magic.
For more information, visit their website: https://glendowen.com/
Alexanders of Ballybofey
Alexanders of Ballybofey is a family-owned business established in 1960, ideally situated on the Main Street of Ballybofey, in the heart of the community.
The shop offers a wide range of products, including newspapers, cards, lotto, wine, groceries, confectionery, workwear, tools, and much more. Upstairs, visitors will find a dedicated homeware department, along with the recently opened Coffee Loft and Book Corner. They are an official stockist of Frenchic® Furniture Paint, bringing high-quality, eco-friendly finishes to customers’ home projects.
The Coffee Loft provides a cozy retreat within Alexanders. Guests can indulge in a good book, order their favourite coffee, and unwind. The space is filled with homemade treats and baked goods, hearty soups and sandwiches, delicious ice creams, herbal teas, and the most exceptional coffee perfect for a relaxing break.
Alexanders of Ballybofey has been serving the local community for 64 years, weaving a vibrant tapestry of history, charm, and natural beauty along the River Finn. Their dedication to supporting the community is evident in their welcoming atmosphere and friendly, knowledgeable staff. Whether you need assistance finding a product or have questions, staff are always happy to help.
More than just a convenience store, Alexanders stands out from other Donegal shops by offering a diverse selection of products. Beyond the essentials such as newspapers, cards, lotto, wine, groceries, and confectionery, they stock workwear and tools for DIY enthusiasts and have a well-stocked homeware department upstairs. For those seeking a moment of relaxation, the Coffee Loft and Book Corner provide the perfect escape.
Whether you’re a local resident or a curious traveller exploring Donegal, Alexanders of Ballybofey is your gateway to authentic local experiences. Visitors can enjoy a warm drink in the cozy Coffee Loft, savour homemade scones and treats, and lose themselves in a good book from the Book Corner. The shop offers a blend of essentials and unique gems perfect for discovering local flavours and connecting with the community.
Their doors are open, their hearts full, and they look forward to welcoming you into the fold.
For more information, visit their website: https://www.alexandersofballybofey.com/
Together, these businesses are not just places to shop; they are integral to the fabric of Donegal’s community. When you support local, you're investing in the heart of Donegal.