It never ceases to amaze me, the drive down the avenue to the Redcastle Hotel. With trees overhead and lining the road, the 9-hole golf course to your right, the majestic building of the hotel and the lough Foyle ahead, just adds a touch of magic every time. I’ve been coming to this hotel since childhood, and although I’ve watched the building itself develop and evolve, and the trees mature, that touch of natural beauty just never disappoints.
As part of the Harcourt Collection of hotels, Redcastle has sister hotels at Lough Eske Donegal, The Titanic Hotel Belfast, The Titanic Hotel Liverpool, the Aspect Hotel Dublin, The Grand Central, Bundoran, Donegal, and the luxurious Carlisle Bay Hotel in the Caribbean. But Redcastle itself offers its very own taste of luxury right here in Inishowen, Co. Donegal.
It was a delight to sit down on a Monday at lunchtime mid-May with hotel General Manager Owen McGee. A true Donegal man himself, his passion for showcasing the hotel as a must-visit is clear. Owen takes his role at the hotel very seriously and oozes passion as an advocate for Inishowen tourism. Like many of us Donegal folk, Owen readily admits that many tourists “come to Donegal Town and feel that is the center of Donegal.” We Inishowen locals have noticed over the years that many American tourists, omit travelling to the Northwest of the county and seeing the natural beauty and facilities on offer here. As Owen said, “Inishowen has so much to offer. We’re so lucky with what we have on our doorstep; from Wild Ireland to the Famine Village, the Wild Appaca Way and so much more.”
Wild Ireland is approximately 20 minutes’ drive from Redcastle Hotel. Here you will find a sanctuary for many animals which have been exploited, abused, and hunted to the point of extinction, located in an ancient Celtic rainforest. The Famine Village is just a 30-minute drive, and here you will find an authentic and immersive experience telling the story of Irish life from the Great Famine of the 1840’s through to the present day. And the delightful Wild Alpaca Way is just a 30-minute drive away, where you can walk Alpacas along the stunning coastline overlooking Malin Head and the Atlantic Ocean. And these are just a few of the excursions available nearby. Inishowen is a hive of natural beauty and opportunity. And Redcastle Hotel is the most stunning base to explore it all from.
Owen took over the GM role in Redcastle in 2022. He previously managed hotels in Mullingar, Limerick and Kildare, to name but a few. Having always wanted to return to his native Donegal, he is now at the helm of this prestigious hotel. He told me he so enjoys the drive down to work each morning and says, “myself and the team often open the doors onto the Lough Foyle in the morning and record the different sunrises.” They really are spectacular right here.
With a total of 94 bedrooms and all fully refurbished in the past few years, this hotel offers four-star luxury with a five-star feel. With a variety of offers always available you can avail of a spa break, a family stay, a couple’s escape and more throughout the year.
Owen confirms that 98% of the staff here are local. Some of these are here 17 years and there are generations of families here too. It’s a hub of Irish hospitality. “Our staff really care” he tells me, and “They act as if they are taking the guests into their own house.” Now that’s true Irish hospitality at its finest!
The initial estate of this hotel dates back to the early 17th Century when an Alderman and Recorder of Derry, George Cary, settled on this land and built the original Redcastle House. The Cary family remained here until late 19th Century when Thomas Doherty bought the land. His granddaughter then married a British Naval Captain, Ernest Cochrane, and they then lived on the estate. In fact, my own Dad worked for quite a few years under the Cochranes, and I recall this family very well in my childhood. It was the Cochranes who pioneered the evolvement of the property into a hotel. And in 1986 the historic estate was bought by property developer Pat Doherty. Although it was under another hotel chain for a period, Pat’s company again owns the modern-day hotel and continues to update and love it like a true family heirloom. And that’s how it feels when you meet the staff here; like you are part of their much-extended family. The original part of the house remains to the present day as the front of the hotel. “We have tried to keep the history of the past and many features still remain,” said Owen.
With its Thalasso spa, now featuring outdoor hot tubs in the river, and offering a wide range of treatments, just last year they installed a new Japanese head spa. Redcastle were the forerunners introducing such in Donegal. Many have followed since. Owen tells me, “Our spa is leading the way at present.” “I have a lot of trust in my team” Owen says. That speaks volumes in leadership. And Redcastle is certainly a leader in Donegal hotels.
“The golf course here is a 9-hole one. It’s a base for golfers for Ballyliffin, Buncrana, Greencastle and more”. Owen tells me, “We really do have the facilities here. In fact, Donegal can do tourism as good as Kerry.” I might add, even better than Kerry!!
I asked Owen if the hotel caters for many tours here at the hotel. “We have a tour from New Zealand here at present” I’m told. “We host a lot of tours from New Zealand and Australia, We have a lot from the UK also. And we would really like to welcome more from the US to Redcastle”. This General Manager is very keen to showcase the beauty of Redcastle and the surrounding area of Inishowen’s beauty, to tourists worldwide.
I did say to Owen that I ate in the hotel bar quite recently and found the menu very accessible, loved the variety, and was very impressed with the choice. What I hadn’t realised is that this menu is now available throughout the hotel, and one can enjoy the wonderful dining room river/lough view and order of this menu daily. It’s a very affordable one, and one that really does have something for everyone.
Today, Redcastle Hotel blends centuries of Inishowen heritage with modern hospitality, serving as a popular destination for Wild Atlantic Way travelers, spa-goers, and weddings, and never fails to offer the traditional Irish welcome as you walk through those doors. If you plan to visit Ireland anytime soon, consider a trip to Donegal and come the whole way to the top of the county and explore Inishowen from Redcastle Hotel. You really won’t be disappointed,
For more information on the hotel, go to www.redcastleoteldonegal.com and for information on Inishowen in general go to www.govisitinishowen.com We really do have a lot to offer.
