Glenveagh National Park
What is it?Glenveagh is the second biggest of Ireland's six national parks. Covering 16,000 hectares, or almost 40,000 acres, of Co Donegal, it is pipped in size only by Wicklow Mountains National Park.
Why visit?Lying in the northwest of the county, it includes moorland, mountains (the Derryveagh range, which reaches its highest points at Mount Errigal and Slieve Snaght), lakes (Lough Veagh in particular) and woodland. Previously managed as a private deer forest, Glenveagh became a national park in 1975 and officially opened to the public in 1986. Walkers can follow numerous trails of varying length and difficulty (after asking park rangers at the visitor centre about the day's weather). Glenveagh Castle, a 19th-century castellated mansion whose gardens have a fine range of exotic plants, is also well worth visiting. Greta Garbo and Yehudi Menuhin were among its guests when it belonged to Henry McIlhenny, the Irish-American who was the estate's last private owner.
Why now?The park has an impressive programme of events over the Easter holidays. Next Saturday it is running free family tours of Glenveagh Castle, and putting on a family ramble with music and stories by a campfire (adults €5; meet in the car park at 1pm). Easter Sunday features a 7am dawn walk (€5; for adults), an "Easter egg extravaganza", an Easter-bonnet competition, and craft demonstrations, workshops and stalls. You can watch displays of birds of prey on Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday, and a medieval-weaponry display and craft fair on Tuesday, April 10th. The park's nature centre has family activities between 10am and 5pm from Easter Sunday until Friday, April 13th. (It will be open every weekend from April 21st.) The rangers lead regular walks, and there is also a new self-guided tree trail.
How do I get there?Glenveagh National Park is 24km northwest of Letterkenny. From Letterkenny, take the N56 through Kilmacrennan, turning left on to the R255 in the direction of Gweedore until you see the signs for the park entrance, or take the R250 towards Newmills, then turn on to the R251 through Churchhill and past Gartan and Akibbon lakes. Cars are not allowed beyond the visitor centre: a shuttle bus will bring you to the castle and gardens. Admission to the park and visitor centre is free; the shuttle bus costs €3/€2 return. Guided tours of the castle cost €5 for adults, €2 for children/students and €10 for families. Ranger-led hikes and long guided walks cost €5. Family events are free. You can take your dog but must keep it on a lead. The visitor centre is open 9.30am-6pm from March to October and 9am-5pm from November to February. The castle is open 10am-5pm year round; 074-9137090; glenveaghnationalpark.ie.
