By Grainne McCool
One of Irelands finest treasures, the Lough Eske Castle Hotel, nestled along the waters edge of the Eske river in Co. Donegal is one of Co. Donegal’s must visits, even if you can’t stay the night.
As you drive along the winding stoney driveway, you get excited to find the treasure at the end. And what a treasure you will discover on arrival.
With a history dating back to the 1400’s, the castle is closely identified with the O’Donnell’s, and the turbulent times of the Middle Ages - the Flight of the Earls, and the Treaty of Melifont.
In a woodland area to the northern side of the castle you can see the ruins of one of the O’Donnell’s castles. But today it stands tall, having been rebuilt after a great fire in 1939. The castle was left derelict for many years until bought by Harcourt Developments in 2006. Harcourt took a chance and won, opening Lough Eske Castle as the grand and delightful five-star-hotel that it is today, in 2007.
Just before Easter I had the pleasure of meeting the newly appointed Deputy Manager of the hotel, Sinead McGowan. I had visited the hotel on a number of occasions, but this day was my first to meet management. And what a delight it was!
Sinead is originally from Donegal town and has worked at the hotel almost 18 years. Until recently she worked in Sale, and traveled to places like Chicago and San Francisco, marketing Donegal’s first and only 5-star hotel.
Meeting Sinead was originally for work purposes and getting some information on Lough Eske Castle Hotel. But what I found was someone who is passionate about the hotel and has been since childhood. 
I found myself listening to wonderful stories of the castle and its grounds from her childhood days. Sinead told me how herself and her friends (including many who are now part of the hotel’s 200 staffl) would cycle out to the castle grounds as children and play in the ruined rooms. With little to no health and safety in mind back then, they considered the castle ruins part of their everyday play. It’s little wonder that her love and passion for the hotel now pours into her everyday work.
General Manager Donal Cox, originally from Fermanagh, but now living in Letterkenny, was busy getting the hotel Easter-ready on this hectic day.
Lough Eske Castle offers a wide selection of rooms. There are 124, 5-star rooms and suites to choose from. Each room and suite compliment the history of the castle, and you are never allowed to forget its past. Maximum use is made of natural materials and fabrics so that as guests, you are cocooned in luxury but never feel removed or alienated from the natural landscape that surrounds you.
You will discover the charming country-house style courtyard rooms and the contemporary light-filled Garden suites opening onto the hotel gardens. You can also opt for a spacious Junior Suite, family friendly Donegal Suites, or you might choose to spend a night in the Major General White Suite in the original part of the Castle and enjoy a special night in the stunning Tower Suite. Whichever room you choose to stay in, your only difficult decision then will be, when and how to leave!
In the gardens of the hotel can also be found the luxurious Wellness and Well-being Spa. A number of special treatments there will enhance your stay and your memories of this place even more.
Lough Eske Castle Hotel offers a number of dining experiences. But the award-winning Cedars Restaurant offers an experience that will remain with you for a long time after your visit. Floor to ceiling windows and glass doors onto the terrace outside with the garden views only serve to add to the delicacy of the locally sourced food and taste experience. ‘Afternoon Tea’ is a popular option at the castle as is the all-important ‘Sunday Lunch.’ Weddings there are described as ‘incredible experiences’. Not only with the special rooms, the perfect photo backdrop in the gardens, but the staff hospitality will make your wedding day even more extra-special.
The real treat at this 5-start hotel is the grounds. In all weathers you can enjoy a leisurely stroll around the grounds of Lough Eske Castle Hotel and encounter the 42 sculptures by Lloyd Le Blanc and the late Judith Holmes. These are a welcome array of art nestled all around the stunning landscape. I am always drawn to the ‘reading lady’. They are all equally exquisite and make exploring this landscape of the grounds even more fulfilling.
The Wild Atlantic Way, our hugely successful tourism brand developed in 2014, has served Lough Eske well. Sinead explains that the staff are never reluctant to recommend the drives and the visits locally to their guests. She says it gives them an opportunity to showcase our beautiful county of Donegal at its finest. And we both agreed that Donegal, often the forgotten county, is far from forgotten when it comes to beauty, rugged landscape and of course its hospitality. Sinead reminded me that Donegal has the most coastline of any of the “Wild Atlantic Way” counties. The county has Slieve League, Killybegs, The Silver Strand Beach. Staff at Lough Eske Castle Hotel also like to recommend their guests visit the county as a whole and see the real, lived experiences that they have throughout Donegal. Sinead said, ‘We are not Kerry or Killarney, but we are the newbie of the last 15 years. We (as in Donegal) are authentic, the forgotten for so long but not anymore, county.’ Sinead explained to me that visitors to Lough Eske and to Donegal come for the scenery, the experience, and the people.
And it’s that very word ‘people’ that is of utmost importance at the county’s only 5-star hotel. Throughout our meeting, Sinead never once referred to the hotel as ‘a hotel’ or to management as superior to the floor or front-of-house staff; she consistently refers to the ‘team.’ Sinead explains that their team sell Donegal and Ireland at large, to all the visitors they welcome. She talks about the team working together always and that the hotel experience is more than just those luxurious rooms, it’s about the welcome every visitor receives from every member of the staff, ‘the team’ there. From bar staff, to housekeeping, restaurant to management, spa staff to the gardeners, they all work together. And it is clear from the passion that Sinead talks so freely with in relation to her work and her workplace, that it is easy to see that your experience at Lough Eske Castle Hotel right here in Donegal is one you won’t forget, but remember fondly. The hotel’s team of people is what makes a stay there ‘5-star’.
Being just ten minutes’ drive from Donegal town, just over one hour to the city of Derry, and under 90 minutes to Sligo, you can visit all around this beautiful Donegal county.
Lough Eske Castle Hotel is a warm, welcoming hug in the rugged Donegal landscape that wraps you up in its comfort from the moment you arrive until the moment you depart. A hug that stays with you long after you leave. https://www.lougheskecastlehotel.com
The Lough Eske Hotel: Donegal’s First and Only Five Star Hotel
