Ireland day 0629. Monday 19 June 2023- Donegal 03 *

Ireland day 0629. Monday 19 June 2023- Donegal 03

Today’s summary	Took the boat to Gola Island in the morning then visited Glenveagh national Park in the afternoon
Today’s weather	Bright and sunny most of the day with some scattered cloud. A brief rainy interval in late afternoon. Light south westerly wind. Appx 20C

Today’s overview location (The green mark shows the location of our route)		Close-up location (The orange line shows where we walked) (Click button below to download GPX of today’s walk as recorded, or see interactive map at bottom with elevations corrected): Oilean Ghahla

Commentary

(Summary blog only. Last full blog was Day 0368).

We have almost come to expect stunning days up here in Donegal and today didn’t disappoint. Beautiful weather – again – set the perfect backdrop for a trip to Oileán Ghabhla (Gola Island) this morning.

It’s renowned from the Irish children’s folk song “Báidín Fheilimí” and it was simply beautiful. A few houses, but more or less totally unspoiled. Clear seas, blue skies and skylarks chirping above. And even time for a cup of tea and a cake (and a chat, of course) at Eddie’s tiny “Teach Beag” (small house) shop-cum-café. What more could you ask for? Our visit was dictated by ferry times and all-too-short as a result, but it was so lovely we decided we would have to come back. And the house in the banner image at the top if definitely where we would like to live!

Once back on the mainland, we headed over to Glenveagh National Park, to visit the castle which sits along the shores of Lough Veagh. Spectacular again, and a bit like a cross between Glendalough and the Scottish Highlands. We didn’t have time for a long look around, so once again we will have to return. Just time though to fit in a decent walk back along the lough shore to the car park, once the castle itself and its beautiful grounds had closed.

Now it’s time for dinner, and to start planning tomorrow’s activities. Looking forward to it already!

Today’s photos (click to enlarge)


The Cricket – the tiny ferry that takes you from Derrybag quay to Gola	On the island. It even has its very own Long Distance Path – the Slí Ghabla

Overlooking the spectacular sea arch at Cnoc an Chait	Eddie’s café and “shop” (well he sells crisps and ice cream)

Glenveagh castle	The pleasure gardens, complete with exotic palms, at Glenveagh

Looking down Lough Veagh from the National Park visitor centre