Glenveagh Castle and Gardens

Glenveagh National Park, the second largest national park in Ireland, is situated just north of the Derryveagh Mountains in the north central part of County Donegal, about an hour and a half's drive from Bruckless.  But who cares about a drive when it's in magnificent countryside like we're in!  We were headed for Glenveagh Castle and Gardens, said to be the great garden of Donegal.

And the drive was magnificent; through Letterkenny and then into moor-like country, barren but surrounded by high mountains, then the green returned, beautiful!  Trouble was I had to keep my eye on the map to make sure that we missed turns!       Navigation isn't my strong point, much to Allan's frustration.....    

We eventually arrived at the Visitor Centre and were amazed at how many people were already leaving!  We walked the 4 kms track to the castle, alongside Lough  Veagh, which made for a stunning walk.                    

The lake has many small islands sitting in it, covered with vegetation and probably much bird life. Across the lake is starkly dramatic - the bare hulks of Kinnaveagh, Dooish and Staghall mountains rise above the pretty lake.

Can't imagine a better settling for a garden and your own personal castle...

The gardens cover 18 acres and surround the castle, which sits on the waters edge.  

The Entrance to the gardens.

The estate was original established as a deer park to entertain the invited guests.  Deer still roam freely but usually they disappear to the top of the hills when people are around.

We probably didn't see the gardens at their best but could still appreciate the layout and plantings which are on a grand scale.

The rhododendrons were at the end of their flowering but I have to say that they are huge and would be superb when in full flower.

There is a Tuscan garden, and

An Italian Terrace  

Three funny Italians - heara  no...., seea no......., speaks  no...... 

and 67 Steps (apparently they're famous!) but they were closed off.  We walked to the top of the gardens, another steep climb, but so worth it for the view from the top.  

 A great perspective of the castle in the gardens.

                                                                       

The mountains come down to meet the lake on all sides

A nice shot of the fern at the top....

Through the gap in the mountains we could see Letterkenny in the distance.

Planted right at the side of the castle is the walled garden, a beautiful display of colour - filled with annuals, vegetables, decorative herbs and espalier apples.

and a water feature

espalier apples 

Veggies and flowers together make a colour spectacle 

It was all a beautiful sight, planted where the stone  for the castle was quarried long ago.

While we waited for the castle tour we were entertained by a couple of Irish musicians, who were playing in the Orangerie.

The castle was lovely, smaller than many in this country, but interesting just the same. The carpet in the Drawing Room was made by Donegal Carpets, which we visited on Monday.  Many of the furnishings belonged to the different people who owned the castle over the years.  A good little walk through the history of the house and it's owners.

The really interesting story of this property is the ill feeling between the original owner, John George Adair and the poor farming community who lived and worked this land before Adair arrived.  John George incurred infamy throughout Donegal and Ireland by evicting some 244 tenants in the cold April of 1861.  Many of the dispossessed made their way to Australia while others found refuge with relatives or were forced into the Workhouse (poorhouse).  Earlier this year a reunion was held for all the evicted tenants descendants.  Many came from far and wide, including Australia, but most refused to enter the castle.  Obviously, an ancient hatred still lingers on.

 The pool sits at the front of the castle on the promontory,  jutting into the lake 

Some 'regal' guests on the windy side of the castle.

In 1975 the lands of Glenveagh were purchased by the State and in 1981 Glenveagh Castle and Gardens were presented to the Irish nation.  The whole property is now a National Park.  

On the way home we stopped in Ardara and had dinner.  While driving through the town, we noticed a food van with the name 'Whatcha McCollum's'. Very clever isn't it? (What's ya Ma call him) 

For those who don't know, McCollum was my maiden name.