National Parks and Wildlife Service called on to fully reopen Glenveagh Castle

The National Parks and Wildlife Service has been called upon to fully reopen tours of Glenveagh Castle seven days a week. 

Glenveagh Castle, which is located at Glenveagh National Park, is closed on Fridays and Mondays and cannot accommodate visitors. At present, the government cites staffing issues as the reason for the closure. 

Sinn Féin Councillor, John Sheamais Ó Fearraigh, called on the National Parks and Wildlife Service following confirmation that there are currently no plans to fully reopen the park. The confirmation came in response to a Parliamentary Question submitted by his party colleague, Deputy Pearse Doherty.

“Glenveagh National Park is one of West Donegal's greatest tourist attractions, attracting tens of thousands of visitors each year,” Cllr Ó Fearraigh said. “Tours of the Castle are a key part of that experience, and its limited opening hours are a huge disappointment for those who travel from across Ireland and abroad to visit.

“The Government has confirmed to my party colleague, Teachta Pearse Doherty, that there are no plans currently to reopen tours of the Castle on a seven-day basis, and that the current restrictions are due to staffing shortages. This is simply not good enough.”

Glenveagh National Park, which is situated at the base of the Derryveagh Mountains, is the second largest in Ireland and an intrinsic part of Donegal’s tourism industry. 

“West Donegal relies heavily on tourism,” Cllr Ó Fearraigh adds. “To have one of our leading attractions closed two days a week because of staffing issues shows a lack of commitment to the region. 

"Visitors who arrive on a Monday or Friday expecting to access tours of the Castle, as they had done previously, leave with a negative experience – this has knock-on impacts for the local economy and for west Donegal’s reputation as a destination.

“The National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Government must get their act together and ensure tours of Glenveagh Castle are reopened seven days a week without delay. 

"The staff who are there are doing an excellent job, but they need to be supported with the resources to deliver the service visitors expect from a national park.”

The issue was previously raised by Senator Manus Boyle, who highlighted that the staffing shortages began in September of last year.

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Currently, the Wicklow Mountains are the largest of Ireland’s six completed national parks, followed by Glenveagh, Wild Nephin, Killarney, Connemara and The Burren National Park respectively. However, Kerry Seas, which is a marine park being created in Kerry, will be the country’s largest national park. Boyne Valley National Park is also under construction in County Meath.