Glenveagh

Infobox lake
lake_name = Lough Veagh
image_lake = 2006_035_Glenveagh_ter.jpg
caption_lake = "Loch Ghleann Bheatha"
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location = County Donegal
coords = Coord|55|2|0|N|7|58|30|W|region:IE_type:waterbody
type = Glacial
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basin_countries = Ireland
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Glenveagh ("Gleann Bheatha", "glen of life", in Irish) — covering 110 square kilometres of hillside above Glenveagh Castle on the shore of Lough Veagh ("Loch Ghleann Bheatha"), some 20 km from Gweedore in County Donegal, Ireland — forms the heart of the Glenveagh National Park ("Páirc Naisiúnta Gleann Bheatha"), the largest in Ireland. [ [http://www.frommers.com/destinations/ireland/0226023282.html Ireland : Active Pursuits : National Parks | Frommers.com ] ] The network of mainly informal gardens displays a multitude of exotic and delicate plants from as far afield as Chile, Madeira and Tasmania, all sheltered by windbreaks of pine trees and ornamental rhododendrons.

The estate was established by John Adair, who became infamous for evicting 244 of his tenants and clearing the land so they would not spoil his view of the landscape.

The gardens and castle were presented to the Irish nation in 1981 by Henry P. McIlhenny of Philadelphia who had purchased the estate in 1937.

The park now has the largest herd of red deer in Ireland and golden eagle, formerly extinct in Ireland, were reintroduced into the park in 2000.

References

External links

* [http://www.gardens-guide.com/fr_blank.htm?http://www.gardens-guide.com/gardenpages/_0229.htm Glenveagh Gardens guide]
* [http://www.geocities.com/glenveaghnationalpark In Depth History of Glenveagh]

* [http://www.letterkennyguide.com/index.asp/ Letterkenny and Glenveagh]