Lough Derg in Ireland's Hidden Heartlands, part ii

 

Presenter
Darren Frehill

About

TV presenter Darren Frehill continues his journey and wanders into Castlelough forest in County Tipperary to find the carpet of bluebells that appear for a short time each year.

He then heads off to County Galway and more forest trails where he visits Portumna Forest Park and a forest on the shoreline of Lough Derg. With the lake visible through the trees and alongside the many paths, Darren walks down memory lane having played here as a child.

Darren meets ecologist Dr. Janice Fuller for a chat about the ecology and wildlife which thrive here because of the lakeside location. With a walk to the marina and another view of the lake, Darren walks to Portumna Castle and Gardens which is owned and managed by the OPW. Here he takes a walk through their grounds and meets Lynn O’ Keefe Lascar the head gardener, who brings Darren on a tour of the walled kitchen garden which has been restored by locals and herself over the years.

With Lough Derg within touching distance, spread out before him from the three counties he has visited, Darren ends the show happy and relaxed and urges the viewers to come and experience this magical lake for themselves.

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