Hiking Glenveagh National Park

Lots of hiking but shitty weather
see all photos »

Because our itinerary came late and was in two parts because of NITB and Southern Ireland Tourist Board, plus the tail end of Hurricane Gordon, we arrived at Dunveagh National Park late to meet up with our guide Séan Mullan of Walking and Talking Ireland Walking Tours www.walkandtalkireland.com

Approaching the park from Letterkenny we came across a disappointing, barren landscape but as we entered the park the vegetation changed, as well as the altitude.

Walking in bogs (Gaelic for soft)

The Lakeside Trail
see all photos »

After meeting up with Séan, we were treated to a scrumptious English tea of scones, jam and cream. Glenveagh National Park is one of Irelands six national parks and comprises some 16,000 hectares of mountains, lakes, glens and woods plus a large herd of red deer. At its centre is a Gothic castle built in 1867 from local granite, taking six years to build, last owned by Philadelphian Michael Hinney. The castle has a hunting motif with duck and hunting scene paintings, even the cutlery and glasses are decorated with deer. He gave the castle to the state in 1985 and it’s now open to the public.

Gothic castle built in 1867
see all photos »

It’s not easy walking in Glenveagh because of the bogs (Gaelic for soft). There are a number of interesting walks, but its advisable to have a guide because of the many sheep tracks. The Lakeside Walk 3km taking 30min, Viewpoint Trail of only 1km taking 40min, Derrylahan Walk is 2km and takes 45ming, Inshagh is 7km taking 1½hr and Upper Glen Walk is 8km taking 2hours.

Because it was raining and we couldn’t hike any of the trails so we explored the Glenveagh Garden instead. There are many exotic trees and shrubs, such as Fascicularia bicolour, a strange ground-dwelling plant related to the pineapple, flowering in late summer. A fascinating tree is the strange twisted growth of Cryptomeria japonica ‘elegans’, a purple-bronze evergreen planted in 1900 that changes colour in autumn. There are areas named after countries – Italian terrace, Belgian walk, a Himalayan Garden with the Hindu god Ganesh as well as a Malaysian statue.

Fascicularia bicolour, a strange ground-dwelling plant related to the pineapple
see all photos »

The Golden Eagle has been re-introduced to the area, in fact there was a count while we were there with approximately 42 populating this area. The Golden Eagle has a wingspan of 2m and has a golden yellowish patch on the back of its head and neck. The poor bird last bred in 1912 and eats small animals and carrion but has been killed because of the superstition of carrying off babies.

After spending some time in the interesting Interpretive Centre, we left for Dunlewy, under towering Mount Errigal at only 752m. From pictures it looks like its covered in snow, but it’s quartz. A local poet calls it Mount Fuji! Apparently there are many walking routes, but not in the rain, although we attempted to walk the glacier created valley of Poisonwood Glen, dodging puddles. Apparently the local walking group is called the Bog Trotters!