Lough Eske Castle, in Donegal, was a name to quickly join my list, highly recommended by fellow dog owners. Intrinsically challenged with the luxury of time, I booked well ahead to ensure I could get a visit into my diary and, when it came around in March, I ventured off for the weekend.
The drive to Donegal is a long one but, once at Balleybofey in Ireland, it is a pretty one of rolling hills and amazing landscape.
Just a few miles before Donegal Town the signage for Lough Eske is easy to navigate.
Unlike my prior visits to Donegal, in search of beach, this trip took me through woodland drives and onto the impressive driveway of the castle itself.
Just a few miles before Donegal Town the signage for Lough Eske is easy to navigate.
Unlike my prior visits to Donegal, in search of beach, this trip took me through woodland drives and onto the impressive driveway of the castle itself.
Dating back to the 1400s, the castle has undergone a few rebuilds following it's prior destruction. A single stone of history remains from the 1600s but the main body has been built some 200 years later and, today, has been fully expanded and modernised with new annexes and accommodations.
Interiors are respectful to history, grand and regal with lots of chesterfield leathers and luxurious drapes. The first thing you notice are the smiles.
The service is second to none, genuinely helpful from the moment to you check in through every touch point before you, regrettably, check out.
The service is second to none, genuinely helpful from the moment to you check in through every touch point before you, regrettably, check out.
Pet-friendly rooms are conveniently located in the sculpture filled gardens. The suites are huge, beautifully appointed - a large living area with TV, lounge sofas and gas fire sit before a fabulous four poster bed area and lead to a walk-in dressing area and large double bathroom.
Puppy bedding and bowls are left for convenience, and large double doors mean easy access for walks and breaks.
Directly opposite the garden suites is the spa, perfectly located to wrap up in the fluffy robes and take a few hours downtime to yourself in the hydrotherapy pool or a relaxing treatment.
The hotel also boasts two mapped walks for guests, woodland and lough side, that will easily eat up 2-3 hours of an afternoon in fresh air and have you ready to tuck into an amazing meal, back at base.
Dining doesn't disappoint in the beautiful Cedars restaurant. Food is sublime, service just a great. I had seafood chowder, a starter that could have served in size as my only meal that night, but I followed it with chargrilled chicken and an amazing dessert of rhubarb creme brûlée. So good, I asked chef to cook some more for the puppy, who dined just as well as I did back, fireside, in our amazing garden suite.
An amazing stay, that by far exceeded my expectations and a place I will undoubtedly return to, hopefully in the very near future.
