Glenveagh (/ɡlɛnˈveɪ/ glen-VAY; Irish: Gleann Bheatha, meaning 'glen of the birches'[2]) is the second-largest national park in all of Ireland.[3] Located in County Donegal, it includes: Glenveagh Castle and its grounds; Lough Veagh; and much of the Derryveagh Mountains. National parks in the Republic of Ireland conform to IUCN standards.[4] As of 2024, Glenveagh is the only national park anywhere in Ulster, the northern province in Ireland.
| Glenveagh National Park | |
|---|---|
| Páirc Náisiúnta Ghleann Bheatha | |
.jpg) Lough Veagh at Glenveagh | |
 | |
| Location | County Donegal, Ulster, Ireland |
| Nearest town | Letterkenny |
| Coordinates | 55°01′N 8°00′W / 55.017°N 8.000°W |
| Area | 169.58 km2 (65.48 sq mi) |
| Established | 1986[1] |
| Governing body | NPWS National Parks and Wildlife Service |
Geography
editThe park covers 170 square kilometres and includes much of the Derryveagh Mountains, Lough Veagh and Glenveagh Castle on its shores. The castle gardens display a multitude of exotic and delicate plants.
History
editCaptain John George Adair (1823–1885), an Anglo-Irish businessman, built Glenveagh Castle and founded the Glenveagh estate. Adair came into dispute with his Irish Catholic tenants over hunting and fishing rights and trespassing sheep. During the 1861 famine, Adair evicted 44 families (224 people total) from their blackhouses on his land, earning him the nickname "Black Jack Adair".[5][6][7]
The estate passed to his wife Cornelia Adair. It was then bought by Arthur Kingsley Porter in 1929, before being bought by Henry Plumer McIlhenny in 1937. McIlhenny bequeathed Glenveagh to the Irish state in the 1970s, but continued to use the castle as a part-time residence until 1982.[citation needed]
The park is home to the largest herd of red deer in Ireland and the formerly extirpated golden eagle were reintroduced into the park in 2000.[citation needed] In winter 2018 and spring 2019, many native and non-native trees and plants were cleared from the park, and the water and pipe system was updated.[citation needed]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ John Jenkins and John Pigram (2005). Outdoor Recreation Management. Routledge. p. 262. ISBN 9781134721597. Archived from the original on 14 January 2023. Retrieved 6 November 2016.
- ^ Glenveagh National Park: In-depth history of Glenveagh
- ^ "Ireland : Active Pursuits : National Parks | Frommers.com". Archived from the original on 27 May 2013. Retrieved 24 October 2007.
- ^ "National Parks in Ireland". National Parks and Wildlife Service (Ireland). Archived from the original on 13 June 2018. Retrieved 3 June 2018.
- ^ "Derryveagh Evictions". irelandxo.com. Archived from the original on 25 October 2020. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
- ^ "Derryveagh Evictions – 'Black Jack Adair". Ireland Calling. Archived from the original on 11 April 2021. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
- ^ "Black Jack Adair, Donegal's Most Hated Man". HeadStuff. 3 April 2017. Archived from the original on 27 December 2021. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
External links
edit
- National Parks Website
- Glenveagh National Park Website Archived 19 August 2021 at the Wayback Machine
- Glenveagh Gardens guide (archived)
- In Depth History of Glenveagh
- Walk of the Week: Glenveagh National Park Donegal Archived 28 September 2009 at the Wayback Machine