Glenveagh National Park — Attraction in County Donegal

Glenveagh National Park, Ireland: A Must-Visit Destination

Glenveagh National Park, located in County Donegal, Ireland, is a stunning testament to the country's natural beauty and rich heritage. Spanning over 16,000 hectares, it is Ireland's second-largest national park, offering a diverse landscape that includes rugged mountains, serene lakes, dense woodlands, and pristine rivers.

One of the park's most striking features is Glenveagh Castle, a picturesque 19th-century castle nestled on the shores of Lough Veagh. The castle's gardens are a botanical delight, boasting a wide array of exotic plants and meticulously maintained flower beds. Visitors can take a guided tour of the castle to learn about its fascinating history and the eccentric figures who once called it home.

The park's trails cater to all levels of hikers, from leisurely strolls along the lake to challenging climbs up the Derryveagh Mountains. These trails offer breathtaking vistas, where the raw beauty of Ireland's landscape can be fully appreciated. Wildlife enthusiasts will be thrilled by the chance to spot native species such as the golden eagle, red deer, and various bird species that inhabit the park.

Glenveagh's commitment to conservation and biodiversity makes it a sanctuary for both nature and visitors. The park's serene environment provides a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of city life, allowing visitors to reconnect with nature and experience tranquility.

In conclusion, Glenveagh National Park is a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to Ireland. Its combination of natural beauty, rich history, and diverse activities ensures that every visitor leaves with unforgettable memories. Whether you're a nature lover, history enthusiast, or simply seeking peace and quiet, Glenveagh National Park offers something for everyone. A must visit place ! #Awesome People...

We visited this place in November 2023 and it was a nice day to visit as the weather was good. The national park is surrounded with lush green trees and there is a beautiful lake surrounding the castle. The castle has a rich history of people with great knowledge and their love for art and their culture. We rented a bike / bicycle to ride the national park as walking would have taken a lot more time. The prices were hourly based but quite reasonable. They had a variety of bicycles in the shed from the normal one to gear one and also the mountain range cycles. They had the bicycles in all sizes like for children to the older ones. They also provide you with the helmet with the bicycle. It was a nice day to ride a bicycle. I would recommend renting a gear bicycle as there are many steep slopes where it would be difficult to pedal up the normal bicycle. I took a normal one as I was not so sure about me handling the gear cycle correctly as I am not a regular / expert rider. But to be honest the normal bicycle took my major time in climbing up the steep slope as I had to get down from the bicycle and take it all the way up the slope and then ride it till the next one. Reaching the castle, they have separate stands/ bicycles parking stands to park your bicycle. There is a nice cafe near the entrance of the castle for refreshments with nice outdoor seating. The washrooms were clean and spotless. Honestly speaking I did not expect the washroom to be so clean as there are so many people coming there all the time but kudos to the helping staff for such great work. We will visit soon again as due to the short time we couldn't see the whole...

This is a great place to visit if you are on your way between Donegal and Derry in either direction. There's plenty to do for several days if you like hikes and walks -- and in the local area. This is a part of Ireland that is often overlooked and shouldn't be. It's beautiful country and the drives reminded me of parts of Alaska. Of course, the feature at the park is the castle and castle grounds. The castle is about about 2.5 miles walk in from the visitors center. You can also take a shuttle which is 1.5 euro each way or free with a Heritage Card. I recommend walking one way, if you have full mobility. While there are some limited hills, it is a fairly straightforward walk. The grounds have a gift shop, ice cream stand, and a very popular tea house. Once there you can explore beautiful European grounds of seasonal flowers or go for a walk through the castle which is far more modern than most that you see in Ireland (and thus, relatively intact).

A visit to the castle costs 7 euro per adult or is also free with the Heritage card. It is recently donated. It tells the somewhat harsh story of some of its early owners who taxed and overtaxed the local sheet farmers with use of the lamb. The house brand was a stag and the house is abundant of visuals of the stag.

Finally, if tea doesn't suit you or you are not up for a wait, there is more food back at the visitors center. We thought the chicken tenders, chips (fries), and cajun chicken panini were quite top notch. We'd pass on the sausage roll as we had better in places we've been...