Glenveagh is a remote and hauntingly beautiful wilderness, with unlimited opportunities to explore and experience nature.
Fair
A Place to Learn
Explore learning opportunities at Glenveagh
Whether you’re interested in nature and ecology, local history, horticulture, or planning a visit with your group, our National Park supports a wide range of learning experiences. School field trips to Glenveagh are free of charge.
A Place to Learn
The Bridge House Education Centre
Located in a beautifully restored building that once housed the police barracks, the Bridge House Education Centre offers courses, teacher training, public talks and family events on biodiversity and conservation. The Centre is accredited with Leave No Trace Ireland and the Science Foundation Ireland ‘Curious Minds’ network.
Field Trips
For the 2025/2026 academic year we are focusing our programmes for the local schools and colleges around the National Park and Special Area of Conservation that makes up Glenveagh. Your school will be contacted about options and how to book online, if this applies to you.
Schools from the wider area are always welcome visit generally and we are working on all new self-guided resources, equipment to loan and experiences that will be launched in March 2026.
For all general educational enquiries for national, secondary and third levels, as well as community adult learning experiences please use the enquiry form. Our Education Staff will respond to you as soon as possible.
Our Education Programme
We’re passionate about helping local children, young people and adults discover more about our National Park and what it means to be part of Natura 2000 – the largest nature protection network in the world!
Glenveagh Education Guides provide professional interpretive learning and training services as well as interactive nature events.
Exploring the past, present and future of this special landscape offers a rich and memorable experience for all ages.
Castle and Gardens History
Learn about the castellated mansion at Glenveagh National Park and its beautiful Victorian grounds. Construction on the castle began in 1869 by John George Adair, whose wife Cornelia Adair maintained and enhanced the castle and its gardens after his death. Set in a formerly wild mountain moorland, the castle and its gardens have a fascinating history. The last private owner, Henry McIlhenny of Philadelphia, sold the estate to the Office of Public Works in 1975 allowing for the creation of a National Park. In 1983 he bestowed the castle to the nation along with its gardens and much of the contents. Glenveagh National Park opened to the public in 1984 while the castle opened in 1986.
Read more about the history of the castle and gardens in our Castle and Gardens Guide