Glenveagh National Park is situated on the eastern side of the Derryveagh Mountains in the north-west of County Donegal. The Park contains 14,000 hectares of mountain, raised bogland, lakes and woodlands and is dissected by the valley which gives the park its name, Glenveigh (*Gleann Bheatha*) meaning Glen of the Birches.  In 1975 Glenveagh Estate was purchased for the State from Mr Henry McIlheney and in 1981 Mr McIlhenny presented Glenveagh Castle and gardens as a gift to the Irish nation.