We have discovered that Glenveagh National Park, with its castle, park and lovely trails, is now available even in the winter. We have finally found a place with lovely big trees, and we hiked most of one of the nature trails.

GlenveaghCastle

This is the first year that they decided to keep the castle open over the winter, and we enjoyed a most informative guided tour of this elegant castle that was built in 1870-1873. If you have any plans to visit Donegal in the future, I would encourage you to spend a day in Glenveagh. There is also a wildlife and nature center with short films of the animals that can be seen in the area, and the setting is really beautiful. For those who require a short respite and sustenance, there is a tea room with excellent food, and so many enticing desserts that you will find it hard to choose just one! Mark this one down on your list of places to visit if you're coming over!

The castle was built by John Adair, a member of a well-to-do family who went to America and made even more money in land speculation, married a woman from a prominant family, and returned to Ireland. He fell in love with Glenveagh, and bought the estate, building a castle based on Queen Victoria's favorite residence, Balmoral Castle in Scotland. He is remembered locally for evicting 244 tenants (men, women and children) on a particularly cold day in early spring in the late 1800's, ostensibly in return for the murder of his factor (agent) by persons unknown. However, the general opinion locally was that he did it because their miserable hovels spoiled his view. Several newspaper articles of the day that carried this story are displayed for visitors to read. It is tangible proof that Shakespeare was right when he wrote that "The evil men do lives on after them; the good is oft interred with their bones." In contrast, Mr. Adair's wife, Cornelia, is remembered as being a very kind and generous lady. Detailed stories of the lives of subsequent owners of the castle make fascinating reading. Both of the later owners were wealthy Americans, one being the grandson of the man who invented the gas meter, and the other a professor, the son of a wealthy family. (see the link above for full information.)

Another place we have found for a good hike is the Ards Forest, which we have passed many times on the way past Dunfanaghy. There are several trails here, and a mystery (at least, to us) concerning the three huge millstones that we saw high up in the hills on this hike. There are wonderful trees here, too, and it was a pleasure to follow the trails and walk through the forest and on the beach, too.

Lisa & Leah in Ards

Friendly Local Millstone

We have received inquiries as to why there are not more pictures of Jim (aka Seamus). His well-known shyness and reticence account for that. (NOT!!) Actually, he has been staying in the the background, doing the pictures and posting this blog, but to satisfy those who have forgotten what he looks like, we include this picture.

Seamus in Ards

Our next adventure involved a trip to France for my sister's birthday. Her three daughters planned a surprise party, and my sister, Susan, was certainly surprised! She was only expecting her daughters to spend the weekend with her, so when she walked into her kitchen on Saturday morning and found my daughter and me sitting at her table and drinking coffee, she got a bit of a jolt! That evening, when it was time for dinner, she found my other sister, Ruth and her husband, Phil (from New Jersey), were there to join us. But Sunday was the biggest surprise. Her youngest daughter's husband, Okan, took her out for a cup of coffee and somehow managed to keep the conversation up for three hours! During that time, the house was cleaned, the decorations were put in place, food and drink were prepared and arranged on the tables, and the guests had arrived and assembled in the living room. When she came through the door, it was probably the biggest surprise of her life!

We had a lovely party, and a great visit with my nieces and their children. We visited a petting zoo where they also had row boats for parents and children to take a spin around the park on water. The next day we went to one of the beaches that Montpellier is famous for. After an invigorating walk in the wind, a hot cup of tea was enjoyed at one of the outdoor cafes.

Back in Ireland, we decided that it was time I had a new sewing machine to make use of all the fabric that we shipped over, and to make it possible to finish up my UFO's. My husband discovered that the Bernina dealer in Dublin comes up this way every month, so he arranged for the dealer to bring up the machine that I was most interested in. What service! He brought the Quilters Edition model, and of course it stayed right here with me. I have already finished three UFO's and am well on the way to finishing a fourth. And there's plenty more where they came from!

I was directed to a local artist and quilter named Margaret who lives in Bunbeg and we had a long and interesting talk about our work. She does many kinds of artwork, and has a small shop in her house where she sells her creations to the tourists. She makes all of the items in the shop, and has regular customers who return each summer to purchase her work. Her unique, one-of-a-kind handbags are the most popular items, and her designs and embellishments are exquisite. I hope to have the opportunity to interview her for this website, and display some photos of her lovely work!

And now on to lighter subjects. If you should ever come this way (or to Scotland, for instance), I would advise you to carefully read the ingredients before you buy any ice cream. It's okay if it says that it's made from full, Irish dairy milk. It's NOT okay if it is made from lard! So, to avoid licking lard on a stick, read the ingredients!

So, on that note, I will end this chapter.