Glenveagh National Park in Ireland has an extensive wilderness area but there is also a proper castle with a perfect castle garden.

The garden manages to be both formal and half-wild at the same time.Statuary and strategically-placed pots abound in the garden, placed with an eye on a surprise encounter as one wanders about the garden.In my experimentation in monochromes on Glenveagh Gardens I found that the ‘Happiness’ formula produced the best detail, especially around the eyes. These overgrown stairs lead up to a gate. A pool hidden at the edges of the garden.Many details require a closer view in order to fully appreciate them.A close-up of the dolphin fountain hidden in the wall that surrounds the garden.The kitchen garden with its espaliered apples contains many other food headed towards the castle table. The castle and solarium as viewed through a bower of hops. A bench by the castle solarium.In the Glenveagh Castle notes it explains that the castle stands atop a slight promontory jutting into the lake, and was built of rough-hewn granite in the years 1870-73. A rare selfie of Al & Batz in front of Glenveagh Lake. A map of the park.

• More on the wild green part of Glenveagh National Park.
• More on our 2015 trip to Ireland.
• More on Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge: Gardens.