Arrival/Check-In: We were excited to spend time in Donegal, the birthplace of the Gallagher clan, and Lough Eske Castle lived up to our expectations. Recommended by friends at Tourism Ireland, the castle sits beside Lough Eske within a pristine 43-acre woodland.
Driving down the long tree-lined approach feels like stepping back in time. The grounds feature several intriguing sculptures, including a dragon near the entrance. Pulling up to the forecourt, we admired the restored stonework and the transformation of a once-derelict building into an elegant hotel. Michael, the bellman, greeted us immediately, assisted with check-in and suggested we drive around to the rear for easier unloading. He met us there and helped as a light Donegal rain began to fall.
Guest Quarters: Our room, number 120, is located in the newer wing that opens onto a courtyard connected to the main castle. This location made parking convenient and provided easy access to the restaurants and grounds. The room was a generous rectangle with a king-size bed flanked by night tables and a work desk to one side. Double French doors opened to the garden and courtyard, offering a pleasant view and a direct route to the main house; however, these doors could not be locked from the outside when we left, so we sometimes walked around the building for security.
The bathroom, immediately to the left on entry, was spacious and well appointed with double sinks, a large tiled shower and a sizeable soaking tub opposite the vanity. Bath amenities were provided by Mulvenna. A large closet sat adjacent to the bathroom, offering ample storage.
I appreciated the plentiful electrical outlets, particularly a row of sockets above the desk, which made charging devices easy. The only notable limitation was the absence of air conditioning; rooms are equipped with fans and the French doors can be left open, but that can feel insecure. This is a common observation among summer visitors, as warm spells do occur.
Services/Amenities: We dined at the Gallery Bar for lunch and dinner, where the pub atmosphere and attentive service made for relaxed meals. Bernard and Nigel ensured our glasses were kept full while tempting us with items such as the Solís burger, Irish smoked salmon and hearty lamb stew.
For a more formal meal, Cedars—Lough Eske’s signature restaurant—was excellent. We enjoyed local oysters and a perfectly cooked lamb rump, finishing with a delicate ice cream dessert. Christine, our server, recommended a Château La Fleur de Bouard that complemented the menu well.
I booked a 30-minute treatment at Spa Solís, which offers a broad range of therapies plus an indoor pool—handy when Donegal’s weather turns fickle. I also arranged a tee time at Donegal Golf Club at Murvagh for a windswept round that added to the experience.
Exploring Donegal Town revealed charming shops, restaurants and the local Donegal Castle. Day trips to Slieve League Cliffs and Glencolmcille Famine Village are highly recommended; both are spectacular and roughly an hour’s drive away, though some roads en route are narrow and require careful driving.
GT CHECKLIST
Doorman/valet: yes
Less than 10 minutes for check-in: yes
Separate tub and shower: yes
Large vanity: yes
High-quality towels: yes
Powerful, unattached hair dryer: yes
High-quality bed linens: yes
Large, flat-screen television: yes
Large desk with convenient outlets: yes
Large, complimentary laptop safe: yes
Complimentary in-room WiFi: yes
Complimentary bottled water: yes
Stocked minibar: yes
Ample lighting: yes
In-room coffeemaker: yes
Iron and ironing board: yes
On-site restaurant: yes
24-hour room service: no
24-hour state-of-the-art fitness center: no
Turn-down service: yes
Lough Eske Castle, a Solís Hotel & Spa
Donegal Town
County Donegal, Ireland
tel 353 749725100
solishotels.com