Glenveagh National Park

Donegal, Ireland

Glenveagh is the largest National Park in Ireland, covering 24,000 acres (1600 hectares) of mountains and valleys, draped in a beautiful carpet of moorland, bogs, lakes and woods. It is a remote, romantic wilderness considered to be one of the last places in Ireland unspoilt by man.

Located near Churchill in North West Donegal, the National Park consists of three areas, the former Glenveagh Estate is the largest area and includes the famous Glenveagh Castle and gardens and most of the Derryveagh Mountains. The other two areas extend West to the quartzite hills around Crocknafarragh Mountain and South as far as the peatlands of Lough Barra and Lough Muck.

It is wonderful walking country and noted as one of the most beautiful parts of Ireland. Glenveagh is home to one of the largest herds of red deer in Ireland and the Golden Eagle which was reintroduced to Donegal in 2000 after it was hunted to extinction by 1910.

Glenveagh National Park opened to the public in 1984, while the castle opened in 1986, a few months after its last private owner died. Henry P. McIlhenny sold Glenveagh Estate to the Irish Government in 1975 to allow for the creation of a National Park. In 1983, he kindly bestowed Glenveagh Castle and gardens on the nation, an act of generosity which the Irish people, particularly those in Donegal are forever grateful.

Self Catering Holiday Homes are available near Glenveagh National Park in Donegal. Stay in Holiday Cottages Dunfanaghy , Holiday Cottages Portnablagh ,  Holiday Homes Falcarragh , Holiday Homes Gortahork or Holiday Homes Churchill.