Letterkenny, County Donegal, is set to receive a second McDonald’s restaurant and drive-thru, following a decision by An Coimisiún Pleanála, Ireland’s planning appeals board, to approve the development despite local objections. The decision, made on February 11th and confirmed today, allows local developer PJ McDermott to proceed with the construction of the new outlet.
The proposed site is located beside Rossview Business Park and the Polestar Roundabout. The project will require the demolition of a two-story house and a single-story commercial building to make way for the single-story restaurant and associated car park. According to planning documents, the existing McDonald’s restaurant on Pearse Road will remain operational, with service vehicles making deliveries to both locations on a single journey to improve efficiency.
The approval follows an initial green light from Donegal County Council in August, which included 19 conditions, notably limiting operating hours to between 8:00 AM and 11:00 PM. However, the plans were subsequently challenged by local businessman Eddie Tobin, who lodged an appeal with An Coimisiún Pleanála.
Tobin’s objection centered on concerns about increased traffic congestion, specifically relating to the site’s proximity to the Polestar Roundabout. He argued that the lack of a dedicated right-turn lane into the proposed restaurant would likely cause vehicles to inadvertently enter neighboring properties. He also voiced criticism of the proposed traffic management system and the building’s design, stating it lacked “architectural quality.”
An Coimisiún Pleanála ultimately dismissed Tobin’s appeal, granting conditional planning permission subject to 20 conditions. The details of these conditions have not been publicly released.
The move marks the latest development in a planning process that began in September 2025, when planning permission was initially sought for the second McDonald’s outlet. Donegal’s first McDonald’s opened in Letterkenny in November 1999.
The decision has been met with enthusiasm online, with a Facebook post by Donegal Daily announcing the approval and referencing the phrase “Letterkenny is lovin’ it” garnering significant attention.
