View MapView Map
HomeDestinationsDonegalLetterkennyGlenveagh Castle Gardens
Glenveagh Castle Gardens
Letterkenny, Co. Donegal
Family friendly
Free to visit
Dog friendly
Free car parking
Cloudy days
With all year round access and free entry, the Glenveagh Castle Gardens are a wonderful day out. Situated in Glenveagh National Park in north west County Donegal, the gardens date back to the 1880s. They still feature their original Victorian layout.

The Glenveagh Castle Gardens are part of Glenveagh National Park in the north west of County Donegal. The site occupied by the castle and gardens was formerly wild mountain moorland, with construction of the castle beginning in 1869 and the gardens in the mid 1880s. The two major elements of the garden, the Pleasure Gardens and the Walled Garden, were built in the late 1880s. The gardens, which were constructed for Cornelia Adair, still retain their original Victorian layout.

From the late 1950s through to the early 1980s, the design and layout of the garden were developed to include the Gothic Orangery, the Italian Terrace, the Tuscan Garden and the development of the plant collection.

Today, Glenveagh is well known for its rich collection of trees and shrubs specialising in southern hemisphere species and a diverse rhododendron collection. Displays of rhododendrons are at their best from late March to the end of May.

Access to the gardens is from dawn to dusk all year round. Admission to the park, including the gardens, is free.

Tips from locals

Book your tour of Glenveagh Castle before visiting the gardens so you can spend your time exploring the gardens while waiting for your tour to begin.

Contact details
Gartan Mountain, Co. Donegal, Ireland
Visit duration

We recommend planning to spend 2 to 4 hours here.

More to discover at Glenveagh Castle Gardens
SummerDoe Castle

Doe Castle is situated about 1 mile off the Carrigart to Creeslough Road. This MacSuibhne castle is protected on three sides by the sea, while on the landward side a moat has been hewn from the rock.

Nature and wildlifeErrigal

Head to the wild County Donegal, experience its rugged landscapes and see the incredible Errigal, one of Ireland's most breathtaking and most photographed mountains. Watch the striking peak of Errigal reflect on Dunlewy Lough on a clear day.

Nature and wildlifeLough Beagh

Lough Beagh is located in the heart of Glenveagh National Park in the northwest of County Donegal. It holds a good stock of small brown trout, occasional salmon and can hold a moderate stock of sea trout in August.

Mail Icon SVG

Subscribe now to receive destination inspiration, travel tips, upcoming events and all the best things to do around Ireland.