THE AGM of An Taisce in New Mills on Monday night was the location for some interesting revelations, claims and suggestions.
The well attended meeting, held in the Mill View Diner, were surprised to learn that Donegal was the only location in Ireland for a "very very rare" insect. They also heard that the county will soon have its very own garden trail which has the potential to become a major tourist attraction. One speaker even suggested that the site of the soon to be vacant Letterkenny Leisure Centre could be used for garden allotments for the people of the town.
Meanwhile, Ms May McClintock, Chairperson of the Donegal branch of An Taisce, announced that Letterkenny is to get its very own 'butterfly garden' at a location to be announced soon.
Mr Stuart Dunlop, of the Donegal Hedgerow website, told the gathering that Drumboe Woods, Ballybofey was the only location in Ireland for a rare insect called the Cerodontha Sylvatica
The 3mm long insect makes linear mines in the leaves certain plants and was first discovered by himself two years ago. Mr Dunlop believes the insect flew here from Britain where it was first discovered in 2004.
"It should be protected but can you imagine someone launching a campaign to protect a 3mm long fly," he asked.
Mr Michael Galligan, head gardener at the Glebe Gallery, announced details of the Donegal Garden Trail which will be up and running before the end of this summer.
A similar trail in Cork has become a major tourist attraction with some tour operators putting on special buses to take garden lovers around the county. Mr Galligan said that Donegal had only three "open" gardens, however, there will be an additional 20 when the trail is launched in two weeks time. They will be promoted through a special Donegal Garden Trail booklet which will be launched in Glenveagh National Park next Friday.
"The idea is that people can visit various gardens around the county and they will not have to pay," Mr Galligan explained.
"The owners will decide when their gardens will be open to the public. There will be an educational slant to this for those studying horticulture. Garden trails are also a major tourist attraction in other counties such as Cork. There are some beautiful gems of gardens in Donegal and as regards gardening the trail will put the county on the map once and for all," he said.
The Garden Trail is being supported by Fáilte Ireland, Coillte and a number of local garden centres.
Mr Galligan also had a suggestion about on the future of the Letterkenny Leisure Centre on the High Road.
"If the old swimming pool closes the site should be handed over to the people of Letterkenny to use as garden allotments," Mr Galligan suggested.
