Despite grey skies, several signs that Spring has rolled up its sleeves to transform the current rust-coloured landscape to brighter yellows inext few weeks. We are rambling up along Barnesmore Gap, a few miles south of Ballybofey, along the old railway line. There’s a lot of water up here, squelching underfoot, and giving sound and fury to occasional waterfalls. Signs of a lot of new growth, but quite a bit of deadwood too, providing purchase for some serious fungi here and there ~ look at the size of those brackets! Fantastic views from up top- and watch this space… so much more to do and see here in the #bluestacks Go Visit Donegal #oldtraintrack #thegap #barnesmore #studyabroadireland #dogfriendly #rambles
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On our way from Sligo back to Donegal today, on one of the most scenic drives in the country, we became mesmerized by the regal nose of Ben Bulben, shrouded in mist and calling us over. So we detoured to the mountain - there is a super trail along the side of the mountain- and enjoyed magnificent views, from Knocknarea up to Mullaghmore. A steep ramble, but much enjoyed by the two doggies and well worth the hike.
A Donegal Love Story - or is it?
If you drive from Glenveagh towards Crolly, or, as we called it ‘out the back of Errigal’, you will be treated to an almost overwhelming burst of scenery - after the stunning, but bleak bog land of the hinterland, the ground splits into the Poison Glen beneath you and the majestic rise of Errigal above you. It’s impossible not to be distracted by the view, and if you’re seeing it for the first time, you’ll stop to take in the canyony look of the valley, the silvery stretch of lake - and then you see the ruins of a church down below, a beautiful ruin, roofless and slightly charred-looking, and magnificent. So you find the tiny road that leads to the bottom of the valley, and the closer you get to the church, the more impressive it becomes. And if you don’t know shy it’s there, and you’re not being google-guided, the panels tell you that this church was built as a memorial - A Mrs. Jane Smith Russell had it built for her husband, James Russell, Landlord of the Dunlewey Estate. Quite Romantic, you think? Ireland’s Taj Mahal? Well it is beautifull, built from white marble and blue quartz, But the Russells were landowners in the time of extraordinary poverty in West Donegal. Despite the obvious destitution of their tenants, the Russells raised rents and did nothing to improve their tenants’ living conditions. When Lord Russell kicks the bucket in 1848, Lady Jane erects this memorial, himself buried securely underneath it ~ a church that can fit 500 people in it, all doors and pillars and lovely lumps of the best of stone. And, according to an 1858 account, ‘the whole congregation does not exceed eleven adults, not one of whom is a native of the district’. * Hmm. Unpopular husband dies suddenly, wife hooshes him into the ground, puts MASSIVE church on top of him… is this Romance? Or something more sinister? What do you think? Anyway - we were here during the week, Leslie Ostreim and Institute Of Study Abroad Ireland took these photos, *Denis Holland was my source on landlords of Gweedore, a very happy, safe, uncynical Valentines Day to you! Niamh & John Go Visit Donegal IrishCentral.com Celtic MKE Tourism Ireland Today’s February ramble is out and around Laghey, Co. Donegal. Signs of Spring abound! Wild daffodils along the roadside, sheep ready for lambing, catkins on the trees, patches of blue sky. Enjoy!
Go Visit Donegal Find My Ireland Co. Donegal #studyabroadireland #donegal Starting at sunrise ( over Errigal) a wee ramble around Glenveagh National Park for us on this glorious February day!
Glenveagh Castle An Chúirt Hotel Go Visit Donegal Find My Ireland #donegal #stidyabroadireland |
Rambles in the Northwest -Niamh Hamill & companions Robinson (Labrador) and Higgins (Hound) ramble around Donegal and the surrounding counties Archives
January 2025
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