The institute is one of the original network of Regional Technical Colleges established in Ireland. Tourism College Killybegs is a school of the institute in accordance with the Institutes of Technology Act 2006.
The institute was also referred to as Donogh O'Malley Regional Technical College, Letterkenny, until 1992, in honour of Donogh O'Malley, the reforming Minister for Education in the Republic of Ireland.
In 2007 LYIT came joint second with Tallaght IT to the Galway-Mayo IT in The Sunday Times University Guide 2007, which ranks the top universities and IT's. This shows the part Letterkenny has played in the development of the North-West. Letterkenny also has the country's best record for providing third-level education to disadvantaged students.
LYIT is a lively and inspirational place that attracts a creative mix of 3,000 students both from the local area and from 31 different countries. This gives us a vibrant array of cultures and activities on campus and a friendly, supportive and relaxed atmosphere where students and staff work closely together.
Our modern integrated campuses in Letterkenny and Killybegs encourage strong academic learning and career-focused practical experience. We have excellent facilities in all departments, such as a suite of graphic design studios, state-of-the-art nursing resources, special purpose laboratories, training kitchens and restaurant, and an on-campus business development centre, CoLab, to support spin-off enterprises. Our multi-purpose centre, An Dánlann, houses our excellent sport and recreational facilities in addition to our medical centre, counselling service, careers office and chaplaincies.