One of Ireland’s six national parks, Glenveagh’s jewel is pristine Lough Veagh (Loch Ghleann Bheatha in Irish). The lake is three miles long, occupying a U-shaped valley scoured out of the Derryveagh Mountains by powerful glaciers during the last Ice Age.
In the 1850s, this scenic area attracted the wealthy land speculator John George Adair, who bought the valley in 1857.
Right away, Adair clashed with local tenants, who he accused of stealing his sheep. After his managing agent was found murdered, he evicted all 244 of his bitter tenants to great controversy, and set about creating a hunting estate in grand Victorian style.
His pride and joy was his country mansion, Glenveagh Castle, finished in 1873 on the shore of Lough Veagh.
After his death, his widow added to the castle and introduced rhododendrons and rare red deer to the estate.
After heath, Harvard art professor Kinglsey Porter bought the estate and promptly disappeared on the Donegal coast. (He’s thought to have drowned.)
The last owner was Philadelphia millionaire Henry McIlhenny, who filled the mansion with fine art and furniture while perfecting the lush surrounding gardens. He donated the castle to the Irish nation in 1981.
What follows is a photo dump from the remarkable interior of the castle and a few more from the glorious gardens. Enjoy!
