Glenveagh facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Glenveagh National Park |
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| Páirc Náisiúnta Ghleann Bheatha | |
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IUCN Category II (National Park)
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Lough Veagh at Glenveagh
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| Location | County Donegal, Ireland |
| Nearest town | Letterkenny |
| Area | 169.58 km2 (65.48 sq mi) |
| Established | 1986 |
| Governing body | NPWS National Parks and Wildlife Service |
Glenveagh (GLEN-vay; Irish: Gleann Bheatha, meaning glen of the birches) is a huge and beautiful national park in County Donegal, Ireland. It's the second-largest national park in the whole country! Inside, you'll find the stunning Glenveagh Castle, the peaceful Lough Veagh (a lake), and parts of the Derryveagh Mountains. National parks in Ireland follow special rules to protect nature, just like other important parks around the world.
Contents
Exploring Glenveagh's Landscape
Glenveagh National Park covers a massive area of about 170 square kilometers. This includes a big part of the Derryveagh Mountains and the lovely Lough Veagh. The famous Glenveagh Castle sits right on the shores of this lake. The castle also has amazing gardens filled with many different kinds of beautiful and rare plants.
The Story of Glenveagh Castle
Building the Castle and Estate
The story of Glenveagh Castle begins with Captain John George Adair (1823–1885). He was a businessman from Ireland and Britain who decided to build Glenveagh Castle and create the large Glenveagh estate.
Changes Over Time
After Captain Adair passed away, his wife, Cornelia Adair, took over the estate. Later, in 1929, Arthur Kingsley Porter bought it. Then, in 1937, Henry Plumer McIlhenny became the new owner. Mr. McIlhenny loved Glenveagh very much. In the 1970s, he decided to give Glenveagh to the Irish government so it could become a national park for everyone to enjoy. He continued to live in the castle part-time until 1982.
Wildlife of Glenveagh
Glenveagh National Park is a very important home for many animals.
- Red Deer: The park has the largest group of red deer in all of Ireland. These majestic animals roam freely through the mountains and valleys.
- Golden Eagles: Sadly, golden eagles had disappeared from this area a long time ago. But in the year 2000, these magnificent birds were brought back to the park. It's wonderful to see them flying high in the skies of Glenveagh again!
Caring for the Park
To keep the park healthy and beautiful, work is always being done. For example, in late 2018 and early 2019, some native and non-native trees and plants were carefully removed. Also, the park's water and pipe system was updated to make sure everything works well for visitors and wildlife.
See also
In Spanish: Glenveagh para niños
