Posted online: Jun 4th, 2009

By Chris Ashmore
Oakfield Park near Raphoe is now all set to really make its mark as one of the top visitor attractions in Donegal.
The 100 acre estate is open to the public on Wednesdays to Sundays until the end of August.
And not only does it boast a fine house dating back to 1739 and splendid, landscaped gardens, there is also a miniature railway based on the now defunct Co. Donegal Railways.
Over 4km of track has been laid and the narrow gauge railway has a miniature steam engine and carriages in the old CDR livery. It operates on Saturdays and Sundays only.
Last week the owners of Oakfield Park, Sir Gerry Robinson and Lady Heather Robinson, hosted a reception to mark the opening of a new nymphaem – an ancient Greek or Roman style monument through which water flows.
A hugely successful businessman, Sir Gerry, who was born in Dunfanaghy, is a former head of Granada Television, as well as holding major posts with several high profile companies.
In June 2008, Robinson was one of four Labour donors who expressed their concerns with Gordon Brown’s leadership and stated he would not be contributing any more money to the Labour party until there was a change of leader.
He was knighted in the 2004 New Year’s Honours List.
In January 2007 he presented a three-part series Can Gerry Robinson Fix the NHS?.
He spends a lot of his time now in Raphoe where he has invested considerable sums of money developing the orginal estate.
The gardens include a formal walled garden and kitchen garden, parkland, woodland and riverside walks and abundant wildlife.
The train ride is set to be particularly popular for families and children. More details from 074 91 73068 or www.oakfieldpark.com