Associated with Bruckless House is Sallows Farm, situated in the Blue Stack Mountains. Sallows farm provides year round grazing for the Connemara herd as well as 25 hectares of planted woodlands.
The farm, with its cabin-like two-roomed house, was a family home when the Evanses bought it in 1977. Almost "open range" the property was fenced and drained making it possible to run a small flock of sheep for several years. Later, the bulk of the land was planted with conifers and 20% deciduous trees under a scheme funded by the government. The land in general is poor for pasture but has several parks around the house: the trees have flourished and since 2009, some harvesting has been taking place providing firewood for the farmhouse, Bruckless House and the homes of both Evans children as well as some lumber for farmyard building. The development of the woodland is planned as part of the overall intentions of the Donegal Woodland Owners' Society, a co-operative venture whereby some 150 farmer-foresters in the County combine to manage, harvest and market woodland products in this isolated part of the country - www.donegalwoodlandowners.com/. Sallows Woods are encouraged to self-generate rather than be subject to extensive felling and replanting. The existing conifers are beginning to seed vacant spots and together with seed from deciduous trees that flourish at Bruckless House, new trees are beginning to sprout. The name "Sallows" derives from the Irish "Selacis" indicating the prolific willow trees that are native to these parts. Every encouragement is given to the willow throughout the woods and some natural self-generation is occurring here too. In May 2010, pine martin were seen in the woods for the first time. Welcome as they are, their presence also witnesses that their food-chain is also present - birds' eggs, small birds and other creatures that move. In September the same year, red squirrel were discovered in the trees, the first reports of this creature in this area and is a warm encouragement to the family over the life of the woods.
Other wildlife is found on the land. Prior to planting, hares were often seen in the parkland and on the bog where they are still to be found. Birdlife was rich with varieties of finches, robins, magpies and, high in the sky, the buzzard would be seen occasionally. More often the hedgesparrow and merlin represent the raptors: nowadays, as the Glenveagh National Park has re-established the golden eagle to Ireland, a watch is kept for this magnificent bird as the Park is just the other side of the Blue Stacks. The cuckoo is an early visitor to the area and his call is heard at Sallows much before it becomes familiar in Bruckless: swallows nest in the barn. Otter have been seen in our stretch of the Eany Beg River. Pheasant are often seen and have been found feeding inside the barn: rare sightings of woodcock have been known. Other creatures that make a home on the farm include the fox, the badger that passes through from time to time, and smaller animals such as vole and fieldmice. Frogs regularly lay their spawn in the pools that form in early spring and provide a fascinating picture for the youngsters in the family as they witness the developing offspring.
In recent years a difficulty has arisen because of red deer that have migrated from the extensive Glenveagh National Park, which is to the north and over the Blue Stack Mountains. These animal, graceful though they are, are anathema to good woodlands management and development as they feed off young trees and the stags clean their antlers on small trees, destroying the bark and killing the trees in the process. This is an on-going problem without an acceptable solution at this time. Culling seems necessary. It is a national problem which, in 2010, began to be addressed, especially by Woodlands of Ireland - their comprehensive report is found at www.woodlandsofireland.com .
A harvesting road was constructed in 2007 which, together with the inspection paths that are being cut throughout the woods, allows easy access right through the trees giving a walker every opportunity to see the wildbird life and glimpses of the deer that live there. The house on the farm is equipped with bare necessities: an open barn has been added for the storage of fodder and to give the ponies some shelter from the heavy rainfall that occurs in this mountainous region.
The Blue Stack Mountains and the bubbling Eany Beg River, with its water-birds and brown trout, provide the farm with a picturesque backdrop, adding to the wild nature of the landscape. It is a part of Donegal seldom visited by guests who, when they venture there, are entranced by the natural beauty of the mountains, trees and the Eany Beg River which forms the western boundary. It is found 6kms north of the village of Frosses, in the townland of Letterfad and is a favourite spot for the Evans family.
Clive and Joan Evans, Bruckless House, Bruckless, Co. Donegal, Ireland
phone: 074 9737071
email: bruc@bruckless.com