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The Garden in July and August 2017
Summer’s star attractions have been these Angel’s Fishing Rods which sway gently on the breeze. They lean over my little pond, as though fishing for complements! Although my Lavatera seems to be living out its final summer, it is covered in luscious pink blooms, reaching for the sky: Meanwhile, Crocosmia lucifer has such a radiant orange smile:…
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The Wild Atlantic Way – Narin to Dawros Bay
I recently drove along a slow, scenic route on The Wild Atlantic Way, meandering past the village of Narin and onwards past Dawros Bay. View across the Atlantic from Narin This route lies south of my home and previous posts on Cnoc Fola and Mullaghderg Beach. The road is rather narrow in places but the…
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Michael Classon’s Garden
Michael Classon’s garden “Summy” is located near the scenic village of Rosbeg, and is described in The Donegal Garden Trail as “established in 1979 in a valley on a rocky hillside surrounded by four acres of native hazel woodland with blackthorn, juniper, burnet rose, ash and oak. Native primrose, bluebells, orchids and varied ferns abound.…
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The Wild Atlantic Way – Seal Watching
Elsie Jayne The 41st Burtonport Summer Festival programme included “Seal Watching Trips” to see one of Ireland’s largest seal populations, with Jim Muldowney of Dive Arranmore. Dungloe Bay “The islands and rocks of Dungloe Bay are home to around 300 seals including pups at this time of year”, the programme suggested. I felt compelled to…
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The Gardens of Glenveagh Castle#2
In the spring of 2007 and the summer of 2008, I was incredibly blessed to work in the gardens of Glenveagh Castle. The gardens and castle are part of Glenveagh National Park, the second largest national park in Ireland. On both occasions I felt I was in horticultural heaven! Last September, I shared my experiences…
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Cluain na dTor – Meadow of Shrubs
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…
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Kila at Glenveagh Castle
Four members of Irish World music band “Kila” (the full band has eight members) braved showers of rain on Thursday to play in the courtyard of Glenveagh Castle as part of The Earagail Arts Festival. I was incredibly blessed to procure a ringside seat among an international audience dressed in raincoats and armed with…
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The Wild Atlantic Way – Cnoc Fola
I planned to take you to an island this week but the ferry never left the pier due to rain, rain and more rain… Feeling rather downhearted, I pondered on a suitable alternative, and after a trip to the local library followed by a coffee and slice of cake, the sun came out. The Wild…
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The Garden in June 2017
May was a gloriously warm and sunny month here in Donegal. Unfortunately, June did not live up to expectations, and we endured rain, rain, and yet more rain… However, the garden is thriving and there are lots of new blooms to share. Pink Lavatera matches my garden chairs I planted this Lavatera back in 2011,…
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Bloom
I visited “Bloom” in Dublin’s Phoenix Park in early June this year – a little while after it’s English cousin “Chelsea” inspired millions of horticultural enthusiasts around the globe. A local bus company took myself and a party of keen Donegal gardeners to our Irish floral heaven, and back home again – all in one…
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Watching the Daisies 