Glenveagh National Park, Donegal county, Ulster

Glenveagh National Park is 16,540 hectares of mountains, lakes, glens and woods, with a herd of red deer, as well as golden eagle, formerly extinct in Ireland, which were reintroduced into the park in 2000. It includes a Scottish style castle, surrounded by one of the finest gardens in Ireland, which contrast with the rugged surroundings, and a Visitor Centre which houses exhibitions and an audio-visual show.

The network of mainly informal gardens displays a multitude of exotic and delicate plants from as far afield as Chile, Madeira and Tasmania, all sheltered by windbreaks of pine trees and ornamental rhododendrons.

The estate was established by John Adair, who became infamous for evicting 244 of his tenants and clearing the land so they would not spoil his view of the landscape. The gardens and castle were presented to the Irish nation in 1981 by Henry P. McIlhenny of Philadelphia who had purchased the estate in 1937.

SOURCE: Geray Sweeney, courtesy of Tourism Ireland.

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