Photos of County Donegal and Surrounding Counties
July 28-August 7, 2016
Background
This is the Irish phase of a 28 day trip to Ireland, Prague, and the Danube River. I have selected about 275 photos for your viewing pleasure for this first phase. There will be a minimum of introductory or explanatory text with the emphasis on organizing the photos around themes, presented in a portfolio format with a brief explanatory text added to appropriate photos.
The Beauty of the Wild Northwest Atlantic Coastline of Ireland
The Atlantic Ocean pounds relentlessly against the northwest coast of Ireland, primarily in the Irish Republic County of Donegal. Somedays the pounding is greater than on other days, but the skies are often cloudy with a consistent threat of rain, mostly showers; but oddly, there are frequent other times of sunlight and partly cloudy skies. The effect for me was inspirational and a bit spiritual as I was able to catch various seascapes and shots of people interacting with the ocean. I hope the photos speak to the beauty of the northwest coast of Ireland.
This is the Irish phase of a 28 day trip to Ireland, Prague, and the Danube River. I have selected about 275 photos for your viewing pleasure for this first phase. There will be a minimum of introductory or explanatory text with the emphasis on organizing the photos around themes, presented in a portfolio format with a brief explanatory text added to appropriate photos.
The Beauty of the Wild Northwest Atlantic Coastline of Ireland
The Atlantic Ocean pounds relentlessly against the northwest coast of Ireland, primarily in the Irish Republic County of Donegal. Somedays the pounding is greater than on other days, but the skies are often cloudy with a consistent threat of rain, mostly showers; but oddly, there are frequent other times of sunlight and partly cloudy skies. The effect for me was inspirational and a bit spiritual as I was able to catch various seascapes and shots of people interacting with the ocean. I hope the photos speak to the beauty of the northwest coast of Ireland.
Ballyshannon, a Quiet Place
I stayed in a B&B just outside of Ballyshannon in County Donegal. Although it is a vibrant community, it is a quieter place than Bundoran to the South and Donegal Town to the north. I truly enjoyed my stay at the Erne Manor B&B, expertly run by Catherine. The attributes of the town include its annual weekend folk festival; a pub that crafts a variety of its own beers; a Catholic Church on the hill with a pleasant grotto and garden; and restaurants with great food, my favorite being Nirvana.
I stayed in a B&B just outside of Ballyshannon in County Donegal. Although it is a vibrant community, it is a quieter place than Bundoran to the South and Donegal Town to the north. I truly enjoyed my stay at the Erne Manor B&B, expertly run by Catherine. The attributes of the town include its annual weekend folk festival; a pub that crafts a variety of its own beers; a Catholic Church on the hill with a pleasant grotto and garden; and restaurants with great food, my favorite being Nirvana.
A Challenging Walk Called Creevy
I was sitting in Dicey Reilly's Pub sipping on a pint of Smithwick's when I discovered a brochure on the bar, aptly titled, "Discover Ballyshannon." It was a Wednesday evening, after a long rainy day that was the worst weather day on my visit to Ireland. I noticed an event entitled, "Wild Atlantic Way Creevy Walk" with Anne Lee and Margaret. It was described as "moderately difficult with stiles." Stiles are the rock step ladders over the many stone walls marking the boundaries of the Irish countryside. The Walk began at Creevy Pier just outside of Ballyshannon and ended 10 km down the cliffs, pastures, and rocky beaches at the Abby Mill. 10km is about 7 miles, a long walk for me; but I decided to give it a shot. It was a highlight of my visit to County Donegal and is worth its own portfolio display. It was a challenging walk for me (I would not describe it as "moderately difficult"); but I made the trek and enjoyed the walk and the people, mostly local, who journeyed with me. The gentleman in the red coat with the umbrella helped me over several of the stiles. He could have been in his eighties, yet the journey for him was a walk in the park. The photos below demonstrate more of the beauty of County Donegal and the northwest coast of Ireland.
I was sitting in Dicey Reilly's Pub sipping on a pint of Smithwick's when I discovered a brochure on the bar, aptly titled, "Discover Ballyshannon." It was a Wednesday evening, after a long rainy day that was the worst weather day on my visit to Ireland. I noticed an event entitled, "Wild Atlantic Way Creevy Walk" with Anne Lee and Margaret. It was described as "moderately difficult with stiles." Stiles are the rock step ladders over the many stone walls marking the boundaries of the Irish countryside. The Walk began at Creevy Pier just outside of Ballyshannon and ended 10 km down the cliffs, pastures, and rocky beaches at the Abby Mill. 10km is about 7 miles, a long walk for me; but I decided to give it a shot. It was a highlight of my visit to County Donegal and is worth its own portfolio display. It was a challenging walk for me (I would not describe it as "moderately difficult"); but I made the trek and enjoyed the walk and the people, mostly local, who journeyed with me. The gentleman in the red coat with the umbrella helped me over several of the stiles. He could have been in his eighties, yet the journey for him was a walk in the park. The photos below demonstrate more of the beauty of County Donegal and the northwest coast of Ireland.
Glenveagh National Park: Castle, Gardens, and Lake
Glenveagh National Park consists of almost 41,000 acres of beautiful Irish countryside with mountains, rolling hills, and glens. My memory of the bus ride into the castle was largely rolling hills and grasslands. The Castle was built between 1870-73 by John Adair who displaced numerous tenants who resided on the land. There is a good deal of history that surrounds Glenveagh, some of it not so pretty. Captain Adair was very cruel toward the tenants. After Adair died, his wife created the exceptional gardens with multiple colors of flora that shimmered on the rainy day of my visit. The estate was sold several times over the years and finally given to the Irish government in 1981. However, the various owners and the Irish government have preserved the interior of the castle. I can attest to the beautiful condition inside the castle, but we were not allowed to photograph the interior. The castle sits on the shores of Lough Veagh where I photographed additional scenes of beauty with lake, mountains, and green vegetation everywhere. I consider the visit to the gardens one of the highlights of my trip to Donegal.
Glenveagh National Park consists of almost 41,000 acres of beautiful Irish countryside with mountains, rolling hills, and glens. My memory of the bus ride into the castle was largely rolling hills and grasslands. The Castle was built between 1870-73 by John Adair who displaced numerous tenants who resided on the land. There is a good deal of history that surrounds Glenveagh, some of it not so pretty. Captain Adair was very cruel toward the tenants. After Adair died, his wife created the exceptional gardens with multiple colors of flora that shimmered on the rainy day of my visit. The estate was sold several times over the years and finally given to the Irish government in 1981. However, the various owners and the Irish government have preserved the interior of the castle. I can attest to the beautiful condition inside the castle, but we were not allowed to photograph the interior. The castle sits on the shores of Lough Veagh where I photographed additional scenes of beauty with lake, mountains, and green vegetation everywhere. I consider the visit to the gardens one of the highlights of my trip to Donegal.
Donegal Town and Bay
Donegal Town is located about 30 minutes north of Ballyshannon. Like Bundoran, it is a gathering place for tourists. Many daily bus tours of the northwest Atlantic coast leave from the Donegal Town Tourist Center. The Centre of Donegal Town is a quaint offering of shops, eateries, and drinking establishments. I walked the Centre several times, stopping in the stores and enjoying a pint or an ice cream cone. I did a little shopping in Donegal Town and caught the tour to Glenveagh National Park there. Toward the end of my stay in Ireland, I took a ride on the boat that tours Donegal Bay. Many of the photos below were taken on that trip. One of the interesting stories is that many immigrants who went to America in the mid 19th century caught the ship by walking out part of the way to the waiting ships at low tide in the bay, because ocean liners could not come into the bay. The Bay includes seven islands with live stock on them. Farmers walk the livestock to the islands at low tide. Obviously, the boat tour can only occur when the tide is in. It is a town for younger souls with lots of music in the pubs starting around 10:30 PM, a little late for this older soul.
Donegal Town is located about 30 minutes north of Ballyshannon. Like Bundoran, it is a gathering place for tourists. Many daily bus tours of the northwest Atlantic coast leave from the Donegal Town Tourist Center. The Centre of Donegal Town is a quaint offering of shops, eateries, and drinking establishments. I walked the Centre several times, stopping in the stores and enjoying a pint or an ice cream cone. I did a little shopping in Donegal Town and caught the tour to Glenveagh National Park there. Toward the end of my stay in Ireland, I took a ride on the boat that tours Donegal Bay. Many of the photos below were taken on that trip. One of the interesting stories is that many immigrants who went to America in the mid 19th century caught the ship by walking out part of the way to the waiting ships at low tide in the bay, because ocean liners could not come into the bay. The Bay includes seven islands with live stock on them. Farmers walk the livestock to the islands at low tide. Obviously, the boat tour can only occur when the tide is in. It is a town for younger souls with lots of music in the pubs starting around 10:30 PM, a little late for this older soul.
Various Places of Interest: Donegal, Sligo
There are a variety of places I saw as I traveled the narrow roads of County Donegal. Below are several of the lakes that I photographed, a waterfall in Glencar near Sligo, and a beautiful lake setting ( Lough Dunlewy) in the west central part of Donegal. We were told the singer, Enya, lives not too far from Lough Dunlewy. I labeled the photos with specific information where deemed helpful. This is an extension of the first section of this page devoted to the beauty and environmental richness of northwest Ireland.
There are a variety of places I saw as I traveled the narrow roads of County Donegal. Below are several of the lakes that I photographed, a waterfall in Glencar near Sligo, and a beautiful lake setting ( Lough Dunlewy) in the west central part of Donegal. We were told the singer, Enya, lives not too far from Lough Dunlewy. I labeled the photos with specific information where deemed helpful. This is an extension of the first section of this page devoted to the beauty and environmental richness of northwest Ireland.
Enniskillen, Fermanagh County: In Search of My Heritage
Two years ago, I visited Enniskillen, Fermanagh County, in the southern most part of Northern Ireland. Based on information from work members of my family have done, this is the county where my great, great grandfather, Bernard Brady was born and raised. I have been communicating with a resident of Enniskillen who helps people work with tracing their family trees. His name is Frank Roofe. Frank is a genial guy who knows everybody in Enniskillen and the surrounding area. His research has provided three different scenarios for a Bernard Brady who was born in 1830 and came to America in 1851. Scenario 1 has Bernard Brady living on Sligo Rd. headed toward the village of Belcoo. Scenario 2 has a Brady family living on tracks of land on an Island in Upper Lough Erne. Scenario 3 has a Brady family living in Enniskillen and owning a couple of shops. as well as living on land bordering Lough Erne. Frank and I spent a wonderful day together traveling in and around Enniskillen to follow up on Scenarios 1 and 3. The photos below provide visual information to support Scenario 3 showing, according to town records, where the shops were located on the Main Street of Enniskillen. There is also a shot of where this Brady family owned property in town.
Scenario 1 turned out to be the most interesting and the most fun. Frank and I drove south of Enniskillen and then turned right onto Sligo road heading toward Belcoo. We drove for several km until we spotted St. Joseph's Church and cemetery. We stopped and went inside the church and toured the cemetery. We did not find a stone for the Brady family. Note the corner stone on the church is 1873. However, Frank knows everyone, and so he introduced me to Brendon Cox, who knows the history of the rural countryside in the vicinity of St. Joseph's. Frank showed him the plot map and where the Brady family in Scenario 1 lived in the middle and later 19th Century. He told us what house to look for. We found it. Frank went right up to the door, knocked on it, and explained to Mrs. Hugh Gallagher and her daughter why we were there. The daughter went to get her father who proceeded to give us a whole history of who owned the land where the Gallagher home now resides. I am hoping that this is the scenario that describes where my great, great grandfather was born and raised prior to going to America and settling in farm county southwest of Chicago. I am working with my cousin, Paula, to track down Bernard's and Julia Stack's wedding certificate, which may have the name of Bernard's father, which is a missing piece to the story and to more firmly identifying Scenario 1 as our Bernard Brady. Regardless of what the outcome, I had great fun with Frank as we toured the countryside and talked with people. The photos below document part of our day together.
Two years ago, I visited Enniskillen, Fermanagh County, in the southern most part of Northern Ireland. Based on information from work members of my family have done, this is the county where my great, great grandfather, Bernard Brady was born and raised. I have been communicating with a resident of Enniskillen who helps people work with tracing their family trees. His name is Frank Roofe. Frank is a genial guy who knows everybody in Enniskillen and the surrounding area. His research has provided three different scenarios for a Bernard Brady who was born in 1830 and came to America in 1851. Scenario 1 has Bernard Brady living on Sligo Rd. headed toward the village of Belcoo. Scenario 2 has a Brady family living on tracks of land on an Island in Upper Lough Erne. Scenario 3 has a Brady family living in Enniskillen and owning a couple of shops. as well as living on land bordering Lough Erne. Frank and I spent a wonderful day together traveling in and around Enniskillen to follow up on Scenarios 1 and 3. The photos below provide visual information to support Scenario 3 showing, according to town records, where the shops were located on the Main Street of Enniskillen. There is also a shot of where this Brady family owned property in town.
Scenario 1 turned out to be the most interesting and the most fun. Frank and I drove south of Enniskillen and then turned right onto Sligo road heading toward Belcoo. We drove for several km until we spotted St. Joseph's Church and cemetery. We stopped and went inside the church and toured the cemetery. We did not find a stone for the Brady family. Note the corner stone on the church is 1873. However, Frank knows everyone, and so he introduced me to Brendon Cox, who knows the history of the rural countryside in the vicinity of St. Joseph's. Frank showed him the plot map and where the Brady family in Scenario 1 lived in the middle and later 19th Century. He told us what house to look for. We found it. Frank went right up to the door, knocked on it, and explained to Mrs. Hugh Gallagher and her daughter why we were there. The daughter went to get her father who proceeded to give us a whole history of who owned the land where the Gallagher home now resides. I am hoping that this is the scenario that describes where my great, great grandfather was born and raised prior to going to America and settling in farm county southwest of Chicago. I am working with my cousin, Paula, to track down Bernard's and Julia Stack's wedding certificate, which may have the name of Bernard's father, which is a missing piece to the story and to more firmly identifying Scenario 1 as our Bernard Brady. Regardless of what the outcome, I had great fun with Frank as we toured the countryside and talked with people. The photos below document part of our day together.
Final Comments on County Donegal
On Monday Morning, August 8, I left Ballyshannon and drove to the Dublin Airport. I caught a plane to Frankfurt where I went through the worst security check of my life, and arrived in Prague about 5 PM. I hope that I caught the essential elements of my trip to the northwest coast of Ireland with the photo portfolios above. I enjoyed my stay in Ireland very much, but I was ready to start the second phase of my trip. Erne Manor, Ballyshannon, the Wild Atlantic sea coast, Glenveagh, my personal adventures in walking and ancestry pursuits, and the people I met along the way will live in my memory for a long time to come. County Donegal is a dramatically beautiful part of Ireland seen on roads less traveled by tourists.
On Monday Morning, August 8, I left Ballyshannon and drove to the Dublin Airport. I caught a plane to Frankfurt where I went through the worst security check of my life, and arrived in Prague about 5 PM. I hope that I caught the essential elements of my trip to the northwest coast of Ireland with the photo portfolios above. I enjoyed my stay in Ireland very much, but I was ready to start the second phase of my trip. Erne Manor, Ballyshannon, the Wild Atlantic sea coast, Glenveagh, my personal adventures in walking and ancestry pursuits, and the people I met along the way will live in my memory for a long time to come. County Donegal is a dramatically beautiful part of Ireland seen on roads less traveled by tourists.
