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Glenveagh National Park

 Glenveagh Castle

Glenveagh Castle is built on the shores of Lough Beagh in the Derryveagh mountains in County Donegal.  Glenveagh National Park has 9667 hectares of mooreland, mountain, lakes and woods and it is divided in half by the beautiful valley of Glenveagh which means 'Glen of the silver birches.'

The Park lands include the peaks of the two highest mountains in Donegal, Errigal and Slieve Sneacht.Glenveagh was a peaceful place until 1857 when John George Adair set about buying the farms around Glenveagh, many people were evicted and left homeless.  In 1870 he built a castle, he died in 1885 but his wife lived in the castle until 1921.  In 1930 it was purchased by the Harvard professor, Arthur Kingsley Porter.   He remained there for a short time, as he disappeared mysteriously on Inishbofin Island in 1933.   Henry P. McIlhinney, from Philadelphia, USA purchased the castle in 1937 and lived there for many years, continuing to develop the gardens with his advisors Jim Russell and Lanning Roper.  In 1975 the lands of Glenveagh were purchased from Mr. McIlhinney by the National Parks and Monuments Service.   He later presented Glenveagh Castle and gardens to the Irish Nation.

Glenveagh National Park and Castle is a must for visitors to the area.  The visitors centre provides an introduction to the Park and its natural history through audio visual shows, displays and exhibits.   The terrain, habitat, wildlife and vegetation come to life in this beautiful display. The Park has a variety of trails and walks, and gardens display flowers and plants from as far away as Chile, Madeira and Tasmania.  The interior of the Castle may be visited on guided tours daily.  The restaurant serves meals throughout the day.  The tea-room provides visitors with a taste of delicious home baking and a cup of tea.