Widely considered the birthplace of St. Columba, the area around Gartan Lough encompasses some of the most beautiful mountain country in Ireland/donegal/. Just south of Glenveagh National Park, it is technically within the park but also connected to Church Hill Village.
A large cross alongside the footpath that leads to Glenveagh National Park commemorates St. Columba’s birth in 521 A.D. Other powerful relics of the Saint include the Stone of Loneliness, where St.Columba is believed to have slept, and the Natal Stone, where he supposedly first opened his eyes and gazed upon the world. Some believed in the protective powers of these relics so much so that soil from the Gartan Lough shores was sent off to the trenches with area soldiers in World War I.
The Village nearby also hosts the Columcille Heritage Center, where interpretive exhibits featuring stained glass, manuscripts from the Middle Ages, and other items chronicling the Celtic and Irish Christian religious history take visitors on a journey through St Columba’s life and beyond.
Nearby Glebe House and Gallery sits on the shore of Gartan Lough, along with its 25 acres of beautifully tended grounds and gardens. Formerly the residence of artist Derek Hill, it contains a notable art collection, including pieces by Picasso, as well as paintings by Jack B. Yeats, such as Whippet Racing and The Ferry, Early Morning. The gallery also features the distinctive Irish folk art creations of Tory Island inhabitants of the Donegal area. The house is also furnished with some exquisite pieces. The entire Glebe House property, including collections, was given to the nation by Derek Hill in 1981.