Cluain na dTor is one of 22 gardens featured in the 2017 Donegal Garden Trail. It is described in The Trail’s brochure as “Donegal’s tropical garden, inspirational and boldly experimental!”
Seamus O’Donnell’s garden has been developed over a period of twenty years, and features many unusual plants collected from around the globe. The gardens include an excellent nursery, which hosts a variety of workshops and talks.
There are numerous artworks and sculptures dotted throughout the planting, creating an abundance of sensory delights.
I followed the signposts from the Nursery towards the Pond Garden.
It took me on a journey through a series of grassy paths, past trees and shrubs, grasses, Iris, Red Hot Pokers, Day Lilies, Angels Fishing Rods…
Finally reaching the pond, complete with Water Lilies.
A rustic bench allowed me to breathe in the beauty of this magical place.
The Water Lilies smiled up at me, as if to say ” Look at my beautiful blooms.”
Brigid P. Gallagher is a retired natural medicines therapist, passionate organic gardener and author of “Watching the Daisies- Life lessons on the Importance of Slow,” a holistic memoir dedicated to the art of mindfulness and healing from debilitating illness.
So beautiful, Bridget and loved these awesome pictures. So nice to be in nature and get lost in it.
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Thank you Kamal. This was a very special garden. It is very near the sea and yet there are so many unusual plants growing there. Seamus has a unique talent. 😊
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Welcome Bridget and yes must sure be lovely and such an amazing place too.
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Fantastic Brigid thank you and will put in the blogger daily this evening too. hugs
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Sally you are kind. That will be wonderful. 😊
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Looks dreamy. Treasures of various kind to find there!
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There sure are. Seamus is an exceptional gardener. 😊
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Beautiful! I love some of the unique stonework!
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Thank you. It is an amazing garden. Seamus wife is an artist.
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What a gorgeously tranquil garden . thanks for the muni tour Brigid. And HOW DO YOU PRONOUNCE the name??? !! 🙂 🙂
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Cloo an na dor. I think Judith. 😊It us definitely one of my favourite gardens.
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That’s reasonably straight forward. A lot of Irish names are wildly different from their spelling !! Ha ha !! 🙂
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Tell me about it. I sing in Irish in our church choir and someone had to write everything out phonetcally for me. There are some unusual spellings!
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So pretty. We could put our lawn chair out and sit awhile.
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That would be good wouldn’t it. 😊
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Yes!
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I love gardens that fit right into the natural landscape. Beautiful photos, Brigid.
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Thank you Diana. It is one of my favourites. 😊
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This garden looks heavenly! Your photos are beautiful also Brigid. I always love to take your tours with you….
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Thank you Terri. I have a couple more scheduled before summers end. 😊
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Your photos are breathtaking Brigid!
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Bless you Steph. I love taking them. I am now experimenting with using my phone. I am releasing my inner technophobe. 😉
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Woo Hoo!! 🙂
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[…] Head over and see the lush surroundings of this beautiful garden: https://watchingthedaisies.com/2017/07/26/cluain-na-dtor-meadow-of-shrubs/ […]
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Brigid – these garden photos are splendid.
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Thank you. This is one of my favourite gardens. I have more garden posts over the next 6 weeks or so. 😊
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What a beautiful and restful place, Brigid. I am so looking forward to our holiday in the UK in August. I am hoping we will find some lovely English gardens to visit.
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Thats brilliant Robbie. Beth Chatto’s garden is excellent if you are anywhere near Colchester. Enjoy. 😊
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Thank you, Brigid. I will see how far it is.
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Lovely, Brigid! 🙂 xo
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Thank you Bette. It is my kind of garden. 😊 x
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This is so gorgeous! Thank you for sharing your photos; it is like I got to walk through too! ~Anne
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Thank you Anne It is a lovely garden. Seamus is very talented. 😊
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What an amazing garden. Thanks for sharing.
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My pleasure Mary. It is a gem. More gardens to follow…
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Beautiful photos Brigid. I just watched you trailer and loved it! I look forward to reading your book. 🙂
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Brilliant. Thank you so much Debbie. 😊
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Pleasure. 🙂
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Wow! Absolutely stunning photos! It looks so peaceful there, Thank you so much for sharing, Brigid 🙂
Jo-Ann
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My pleasure Jo-Ann. It is a very special garden. 😊
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A garden that breathes serenity! Thank you for such a lovely post Brigid. 🙂
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Thank you Balroop. It is a lovely naturalistic garden -one of my favourites 😊
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So many gorgeous gardens to see there Brigid…
Beautiful images 💐
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Thank you Di. I have three more lined up before summers end. 😊
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How beautiful..my garden is an overgrown mess again
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Sometimes that happens Bella. Hope you can get some quality time in it soon. 😊
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🤗
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Looking through your wonderful photos again, I’m wondering how my wheelchair would like the paths. I think maybe if I keep it slow. I like to go slow and take photos, and isn’t that the point of your writings?
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Thank you George. I think it is a wheelchair friendly path. Although it is a bit wet in places. I love taking pictures to share. 😊
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Thanks. Wet I can do. Makes good photography.
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Hi friend, great post!! I nominated you for the real neat blog award! Check it out https://didioviatt.wordpress.com/2017/07/28/the-real-neat-blog-award/
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Wow, Brigid, this is beautiful. I got the sense that your walk was very peaceful. ❤ The water lilies are exquisite. So touched – it's like a painting! Sending you blessings. Thanks for this post. Have a great weekend, Brigid – Debbie 🙂
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Thank you Debbie. It was indeed a peaceful walk. I had planbed to go to an island but the boat was cancelled so I took a lovely drive and ended up at the gardens. They were so me. It was a while since I saw them last and the pond area was all new. Hope life is hood to you. X
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Sounds like Spirit gave you a great gift, Brigid! I love that. ❤ Blessings xo
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Hello Brigid,
How pretty and I loved the rustic garden seat nestled in the shrub there too 🌹🌹
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Yes it is such a beautiful garden. One of my favourites. I have two more scheduled and one more to visit before summers end. I always get nrw inspiration for my own garden. ☺
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Sounds great Brigid…🌸🌸🙋🏻
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What a rich garden.
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Thank you. It is such a beautiful place.
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So so green and lovely Brigid!! My favorite photos were of the pond! We live really in a desert here– but have yards thanks to constant irrigation. I think that’s why I love all the greenery and growth in your photos!! thanks! xox
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Goodn
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Goodness. I did not realise it was so dry with you. I am glad you are able to grow things. I get so much healing from gardening. 😍
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I think you’re so right Brigid– working in the yard, all the other worries fade and I have a sense of God’s work in the world in the middle of all the growing things. xox
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[…] Watching the daisieshas been on some lovely garden visits as has old house in the shires. I like the vertical planting ideas on gardening limited. A nice activity making ladybirds. A rather nice project upcycling a broken chair. Some good food for thought for anyone interested in gardening. […]
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My kind of post….(sigh) I love the naturalistic planting and the sense of tranquility shine s through your pictures, Brigid. That pond is delightful…..and that bench.
Thank you for sharing and linking up to #MyGloriousGardens.
Also, thank you for commenting on other blogs during this Linky. Xx
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Just getting back to normal and catching up on mail. Many thanks for your kind comments. 🌼🌼🌼
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[…] BRIGID […]
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The importance of enjoying nature. You have a way of taking us along an inspirational path.
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Thank you. I have really enjoyed taking you on visits to my favourite gardens. 🌼
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[…] Cluain na dTor-Meadow of Shrubs […]
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[…] posted Cluain na dTor – Meadow of Shrubs back in July 2017. You can find out more about their seaside nursery, gardens and workshops at […]
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