Tuesday 20 September 2016

SEPTEMBER 2016 : IRELAND : Kerrykeel, Donegal





Early morning over Malin Bay.



The tiny town of Kerrykeel. School market morning.


Maugie and Dolores are addictive swimmers. The Irish practice is to swim regardless of season or weather and dip for several minutes. Brave and absolutely crazy. It's common practice. Bit like 'taking the waters' for health purposes. It certainly gets the circulation going.


Dolores then drove us to Glenveagh National Park, 16,000 hectares, to the south- east of Donegal. 


We first visited the Information Centre with displays on the geological formation, wildlife, various programs of the area, with a comsiderable emphasis on school visits.


Dolores enjoyed all the hands-on experiences. This was looking through the eyes of a dragon-fly.



Glenveagh Castle, beautifully presented. It was built in 1870. Now it is owned by the Irish state.



Fascinating themed gardens, and others creatively interspersed with vegetables.



There was a concentration on Nepalese and other Asian vegetation.



Excellent walking trails.



Viewpoints to capture the full estate.


We had dinner at the Tap Room - pizza and beer cafe. It is in the cellars of the stately home of  Rathmullan House. Now an upmarket restaurant and hotel complex.


Excellent service with delicious pizzas.



Homemade icecream



Views over the bay from Rathmullan House of the full moon.
M&M

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