THE POISONED GLEN, DUNLEWEY
Mist on the Poisoned Glen
The Poisoned Glen lies right at the foot of Errigal (Donegal's highest mountain). The views whether from above looking down into the valley and over Lough Dunlewey, or below looking upwards to the impossing mountain behind are very beautiful and it is probably one of the most photographed areas of Donegal, particularly the old church that lies in the valley.
The name 'the Poisoned Glen' is probably a mistranslation of the Irish name. In earlier days locals would have only spoken Irish and they called this place 'Gleann Nemhe' ~ The Heavenly Glen. The name in Irish for heaven is Neamh and the word for poison in Irish is neimhe ~ just one letter difference so it is easy to see how the words may have been mixed up when translated to English. At any rate, the name Heavenly Glen so much better describes this beautiful place.
The name 'the Poisoned Glen' is probably a mistranslation of the Irish name. In earlier days locals would have only spoken Irish and they called this place 'Gleann Nemhe' ~ The Heavenly Glen. The name in Irish for heaven is Neamh and the word for poison in Irish is neimhe ~ just one letter difference so it is easy to see how the words may have been mixed up when translated to English. At any rate, the name Heavenly Glen so much better describes this beautiful place.
