Last chance to win a scenic, fertile field right in the heart of Donegal

There are just days left to enter a unique raffle which will see one lucky ticketholder win a field in the very heart of Donegal.

Organised by Derry's only hurling and camogie club, Na Magha, the field valued €20,000 is in Doire na nAspal (meaning the Apostle's Oak Grove), Doochary and is adjacent to Glenveagh National Park.

According to the website of Na Magha Doire CLG: "The townland’s name came from the Columban friars who took refuge in the ancient oak wood in 1595 after their monastery on Tory Island, founded by St Colmcille in the 6th Century, was plundered by Sir George Bingham and a posse of English troops during the Nine Years’ War.

"Immediately alongside the field is Stranasaggart (Srath na Sagart), the priest’s meadow, where the friars said mass for the local community during Penal times.

​"It is fitting that a field in that townland is being raffled to provide funds to build a field for hurling and Camogie in St Colmcille’s Oakgrove, Doire Colmcille.

"The saint himself was born just 40 minutes away in Gartan."

This part of the Donegal Gaeltacht is rich in local history, much of it reflecting a dark period in the occupation of Ireland. 

The post on Na Magha's website continues: "Spectacular views of open landscape can be attributed to the evictions of 1861 ordered by John George Adair, a Scots-Irish businessman who had purchased large swathes of land at cheap rates after the Great Hunger. Starting on the morning of 8 April 1861 under the orders of Adair, the county bailiff, Samuel Crookshank, and 200 RIC constables evicted 244 people from their homes by unroofing or levelling houses in the infamous Derryveagh evictions; an act that earned him the nickname ‘Black Jack Adair."

The field is approximately two acres of green, top quality land surrounded by the Abhainn Bhuí River on two sides, a tributary of the Gweebarra, a world-famous fishing river that flows out to the Atlantic.​

The field has a picturesque location in a tranquil, sheltered valley sitting in the Gweebarra fault line, which was carved ten thousand years ago through granite rock by glacial erosion. This is in the same fault line as the Great Glen of Scotland, which incidentally has strong association with Colmcille as well through its largest loch, Loch Ness.

To the east of the field is Lough Natangaduf or Loch na Teanga Duibhe, the lake of the black tongue. To the west is the remains of the ancient oak grove that gives the townland its name, Doire na nAspal - the Apostles’ Oakgrove. From the south of the field the Abhainn Bhuí River, teeming with salmon and trout (open for fishing from April to September inclusive), flows to join the Gweebarra and enter the Atlantic.

Na Magha say: "It is one of the most fertile fields in West Donegal having been carefully nurtured with seaweed and manure over generations. The last of the line to farm this land being Ned and Padraig Mhainis McMonagle.

"With its stunning views looking down the valley, its flat topography, and extensive road frontage it would be a beautiful site for a home (subject to planning permission), a pod, tent, or a caravan.

"It is only over a mile from the amenities of the picturesque village of Doochary, which has the famous hostelry Teach Gleann Ceo, Tobar Sorcha, a famous healing well, and an ice-house built in the eighteenth century to preserve locally-caught salmon.

"This village is the gateway to west Donegal and is close to many beautiful surfing beaches such as Dooey Strand.

"For the climbing and walking enthusiast, the field is a perfect base to explore Glenveagh National Park, which starts over the hedge next door. Wake up and stroll out onto the park's 40,000 acres open to the public for all to wander, hike, walk and climb through all year round.  
       
"Ten minutes away down the Glendowan road is Gartan Lake, home to a fantastic outdoor kayaking and outdoor pursuits centre.

​"On a summer’s morning, you could find yourself fishing salmon from your field, watching the red deer in the hills above you or even catching a glimpse of the majestic golden eagle soaring overhead from the national park."

Tickets cost STG£20 for 20, £40 for 40 or £50 for 60. They can be bought at https://www.klubfunder.com/Clubs/Na_Magha

The winner will be randomly selected on St Patrick's Day.

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