Schoolchildren and residents will take to the N56 in Lettermacaward next month in protest over what they describe as dangerous and excessive speeding through the village.
The community says it is not prepared to “wait for a fatality” before safety measures are introduced along the busy stretch of road.
The demonstration will take place at 3pm on Wednesday, 2nd September, amid renewed calls for action on a €95,000 safety scheme that campaigners say was deemed a low priority.
The upgraded N56 through the village opened in 2017, but the Lettermacaward Development Group says speeding has since become a major fear.
There is a 60km/h speed limit through the village. According to the group, a Donegal County Council traffic survey conducted in 2021 recorded vehicle speeds of more than 80km/h along the route.
The Development Group first raised the issue with the council’s Roads Department in 2020, suggesting traffic-calming measures and improved signage.
It says Transport Infrastructure Ireland subsequently prepared a safety scheme, estimated to cost €95,000, but the proposal was classified as a level-four priority because no fatal or serious collisions had been recorded on the road.
“There have been a significant number of accidents and “near misses” in the past years, and it seems only a matter of time before there is a serious or fatal accident,” the campaign group said.
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“There are two schools; a post office; a housing estate; a shop; a petrol station; a church; a public hall; a GAA pitch; and a popular bar along this stretch of road, and not one safe place to cross the road.”
The Development Group, with the support of Sinn Féin Councillor Brian Carr, recently commissioned its own signs urging motorists to reduce their speed. These have been erected at the entrances to the village and at other locations along the roadside.
Local organisations have now agreed to escalate their campaign by holding a public demonstration along the N56.
Children from both primary schools are expected to join residents and community representatives during the protest.
The action comes against the backdrop of ten deaths on Donegal’s roads since the beginning of 2026, already matching the county’s total for all of last year.
“Lettermacaward is not prepared to wait for a fatality before action is taken to reduce the speeds at which vehicles travel through our beautiful village,” the Development Group said.
“We want action immediately.”