Gardens of Donegal

This morning, we meet our garden guide, Peter Harrison, before departing by private coach from The Alex Hotel, Dublin.
Following our comfort stop in Monaghan & included morning coffee our first visit will be to Oakfield Park Gardens in Raphoe. This 18th century Georgian Deanery has won several National awards for the restoration of its gardens and buildings. Sitting in a lush landscape of parklands and mature woodlands, overlooking the distant Croaghan Mountain, the grounds include a traditional walled garden and kitchen garden. Our visit includes a train ride around the gardens through trees, around the lakes and along the meadows.

After some free time for lunch (at your own expense) we travel onwards to the Mill Park Hotel where our tour is based. An evening meal is included each night during out stay.
 

Following breakfast, we visit the delightful cottage garden of Mrs Jessie Mahaffy, first established in 1972 and created entirely on a rocky site. The garden has been lovingly developed over the years and features a charming rockery overlooking the farmhouse, a grassy pathway winding through the shrubbery, a shady border, and an abundance of beautiful ferns.
With its natural character and timeless charm, the garden continues to evolve through careful planting and dedicated tending, creating a peaceful and enchanting setting to explore.
 

We will have some free time in Donegal Town for lunch at our own expense before continuing with our afternoon excursion aboard the Donegal Waterbus.

Departing from Donegal Pier, this enjoyable 75-minute cruise takes us around the seven Green Islands, offering wonderful views of the coastline and a fascinating glimpse into the area's history. Highlights include Seal Island, home to colonies of both Harbour and Atlantic Seals, as well as a variety of historic and scenic landmarks along the way.

After our cruise, we will return to the hotel later this afternoon.
 

This morning, we begin our full-day excursion with a visit to Glebe House & Garden, beautifully situated on a hilltop overlooking the spectacular Derryveagh Mountains, with Glenveagh National Park providing a magnificent backdrop.
 

The house was purchased in the 1950s by the renowned artist and collector Derek Hill, who created the garden with the assistance of eminent garden designer James Russell. Designed with an artist’s eye, the garden has a wonderfully informal and natural character, with highlights including an extensive collection of trees, colourful wildflower meadows, and relaxed herbaceous borders. Together, these create a garden of great beauty and individuality, perfectly complementing its dramatic mountain setting.
 

This afternoon, we continue to Glenveagh National Park, where we will explore the magnificent castle and its gardens. Built between 1867 and 1873, Glenveagh Castle is an imposing castellated mansion designed by John Townsend Trench. Inspired by early Irish tower houses and constructed from local granite, the castle occupies a wonderfully remote mountain setting, reflecting the Victorian ideal of a romantic highland retreat.

The gardens were created for Cornelia Adair in the 1880s and include both a charming Pleasure Garden and a Walled Garden. Today, they are renowned for their outstanding collection of trees and shrubs, particularly the spectacular display of rhododendrons, which provide a magnificent feature within the garden.
Set against the dramatic landscape of the Derryveagh Mountains, Glenveagh offers a memorable combination of historic architecture, beautiful gardens, and unspoilt natural scenery.

We return to our hotel later this afternoon.
 

After breakfast and checking out of our hotel, we visit the secluded and peaceful Sea View Garden, a true paradise for plant lovers. The garden is filled with an impressive variety of herbaceous and shrub borders, complemented by ornamental trees, ensuring there is always something new and interesting to discover in bloom. Its tranquil setting and thoughtful planting create a wonderfully relaxing start to the day.

Our next visit is to Elizabeth Temple’s beautiful Salthill Gardens, surrounding an early 18th-century house and featuring an original walled garden. During our visit, we will enjoy some light refreshments before taking time to explore the former kitchen garden, which has been thoughtfully transformed into a series of attractive mixed planting beds.

Following our garden visits, we begin our journey back to Dublin, with a stop en route for lunch (at own expense) We continue our journey before arriving at The Alex Hotel on Fenian Street in the early evening.