watchingthedaisies

The Gardens of Glenveagh Castle – Rainbows of Rhododendron and Azalea

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The Pleasure Gardens

In the spring of 2007 and the summer of 2008, I was very blessed to work in the gardens of Glenveagh Castle, set amidst Donegal’s Derryveagh Mountains.

The gardens and castle are part of Glenveagh National Park, the second largest national park in Ireland.

I like to return at least once a year, to reacquaint myself with The Pleasure Gardens, The Rose Gardens, The Tuscan Gardens, The Italian Terrace, The Walled Garden, The Swiss Walk, The Belgian Walk, The Chinese Heath, The Himalayan Gardens, The View Garden…

The Castle Tearooms

This years journey began outside the Castle Tearooms, where these terracotta pots hosted a showcase of emerging Azalea.

The Himalayan Garden

After a welcome cup of tea and excellent cake, I walked through the Himalayan Garden:

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And this very Zen pond, watched over by a statue of Ganesh.

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My heavenly journey continued past a rainbow of scented blooms:

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The Pleasure Grounds

Before I descended into The Pleasure Grounds, home to more horticultural gems.

I particularly enjoyed this shady area with a stream running through it. The Gunnera manicata in the foreground will increase the shade over summer.

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This little colony of Candelabra Primula was one of my personal favourites.

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The View Garden

Yet another Water Feature gladdened my heart – this pond nestled amongst the View Garden:

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The Walled Garden

The last of the Tulips delighted my senses in the Walled Garden:

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Loch Veagh

Before I checked out one final glorious view over Loch Veagh.

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If you enjoyed this post you might also like to view:

The Gardens of Glenveagh Castle

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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.

59 comments

  10. Now that we can fly direct from our town to Dublin we have been talking about visiting Ireland. I will have to get out my map and find Donegal. Its beauty is exactly what my husband the gardener loves.

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  18. What a beautiful garden, so peaceful and serene looking. How lucky you are to be able to visit it every year, and how lucky we are that you shared it with us. Thank you!

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