Ireland’s second largest national park is Glenveagh. It’s a beautiful park full of lochs surrounded by mountains, bogs, and forest. There are a ton of hiking trails through the park. Look for the golden eagle as well as red deer.
The castle in the park is a beautiful manor house along a spectacular loch offering spectacular gardens. You can tour both the manor and the gardens. The house has a lot of taxidermied deer, courtesy of it’s creator Henry McIlhenny who loved deer hunting. You’ll have to park at the Glenveagh Visitor Center and walk (2.2 miles) along a lakeside route or grab a shuttle that leaves every 15 minutes. Don’t forget to wander the gardens, they’re impressive.
Castle Hours:
- Nov – Feb; 9:15 – 16:45 (last tour at 16:00)
- Mar – Sept; 9:15 – 17:45 (last tour at 17:00)