Sophie visits Lough Eske Castle in Donegal.
Nestled not far from dramatic rugged landscape, spectacular granite cliff formations otherwise known as the blue stack mountains, and views that are painted all shades of sky and dark coastal blue, lies Lough Eske Castle.
This charming looking 17th Century building has been restored to warrant the status of County Donegal’s only five star luxury hotel, offering escapes on the Emerald Isle for those with a lust for the great outdoors combined with a handsome smack of very classic Irish charm.
At the top of the tree-lined avenue that leads to the hotel’s imposing front façade and re-constructed turret, once destroyed historically by fire, guests are greeted by staff dressed in sophisticated country attire.
Bedrooms at Lough Eske Castle total 95, and despite their relative abundance, each one feels individually decorated, with four-poster beds, tasteful furnishings and thoughtful smaller touches that include candles by the luxuriant bath tubs.
Enormous Garden Suites overlook the spa, housed in what was once the castle’s greenhouse, offering indulgent Ogra Irish peat-infused treats amongst others (ogra is Irish for youth) while bedrooms in the Old Coach House offer pooch packages for those who can’t bear to leave home without their furry friends.
Outside, no less than 38 statues inhabit the grounds of this prestigious venue, designed by Henri Le Blanc – one of my favourite features here.
Other local activities like surfing, hiking, exploring the hotel’s own 40 acres of woodland and trips out on the water aboard the charming Donegal Bay Waterbus will ensure all visitors will sleep sound nights here in first-class comfort.
Lough Eske Castle has been home to society weddings with lorry loads of flowers freighted in from smart London establishments to decorate the day appropriately.
One of their great lures for things like this is the cuisine. Guests can cosy up in the Red and Green Drawing Rooms for afternoon tea or cocktails by the fire, choose fuss-free lunches at the Gallery Bar and enjoy sophisticated evening fare at Cedars Grill.
This restaurant also provides Irish breakfasts like no other, complete with locally reared bacon, home-made soda and potato bread, Irish Guinness bread and home-smoked fat-fin salmon caught in Donegal Bay.
Head chef Philip Henkes can teach you how to smoke your own in the hotel’s smoke-house out back, whilst other cheerful staff will teach you how to pour the perfect pint of Guiness or guide you through how to make the original Irish coffee.
Visitors from as far away as the U.S as well as authors such as Seamus Macmannes have been attracted by the gold and green of Donegal’s colours. It’s not hard to see why.
At only three hours direct from Dublin, 1h30 from Knock or 50 minutes from Northern Ireland’s Derry, full bellies, expanded lungs and warmth from the staff and the fireside means Lough Eske is the perfect year-round weekend-getaway.
Concierge tip: Finish dinner with the deconstructed crème brulee – its base is made with popping candy. Magnificent.
Lough Eske Castle is located just outside Donegal Town. For more information visit www.solishotels.com/lougheskecastle or www.ireland.com for more inspiration. Sophie stayed as a guest of Lough Eske Castle.
