Of the 18 acres of land surrounding Bruckless House, 3 are dedicated to cultivated gardens. These stretch down to the shores of Bruckless Bay and offer spectacular views of the Atlantic ocean. Visitors are invited to stroll across the lawns and through the woodland to take the sea air, while enjoying the mature trees, colourful shrubbery and delicate flowers. This is one of the outstanding gardens in County Donegal and is included in the Donegal Garden Trail, presented by the Irish Tourist Board to promote gardens and gardeners in this part of Ireland. Here in Bruckless Joan is the gardener whilst Clive just cuts the grass. The password in the gardens is 'Harmony' in all things.
The weather is a deciding factor in any garden and this one is no exception. This year, 2011, the winter was unusually cold and long, the spring was unusually dry and sunny. At the end of May we experienced very strong winds and low temperatures which desiccated many of the young leaves on the trees and shrubs. According to the National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin, and the authorities in the Glenveagh National Park, because of the exceptionally cold winters during the last two year, deciduous trees were late this year in producing new leaves. The cold winds of May struck these trees at this delicate stage desiccating much of the new foliage. The ash and the oak, being later to leaf, largely escaped the worst weather and by mid-summer were faring well. It is calculated that, with adequate rainfall this summer, all the trees should recover during the spring next year. Reports from the Wildlife Service indicate that the cold spring has been followed by an abundance of butterflies throughout the country - this is supported by the noticeable increase in these lovely creatures here in Bruckless. The gardens were open to the public during 18th-26th June - a small fee was requested for charity, this year in support of Barnardo's Fund for Children, Dublin. Visit www.donegalgardentrail.com for this and other gardens in County Donegal.
Joan is a Founder Member of the Donegal Garden Society, now more than ten years in the running and active amongst gardeners in the region holding meetings monthly to discuss all things horticultural and nature-wise. The Society has a website which gives more detail - see www.donegalgardensociety.net .
One of the features of the garden is the Janus Head carved and produced by Hans Ritter in Switzerland. Hans is a gifted artist and worker in stone. He fashioned this head along the lines of the two-faced figures that have come to us from our Celtic history - original such heads are found in County Fermanagh and in County Cavan as well as in other parts of Europe. It is thought to represent mankind looking both into this world and into the otherworld but can be interpreted in many ways depending upon one's personal philosophy. The Bruckless Janus stands in the woods at the southwest of the House in a place of solitude and contemplation.
By Hans Ritter
Clive and Joan Evans, Bruckless House, Bruckless, Co. Donegal, Ireland
phone: 00353 74 9737071
email: bruc@bruckless.com