When compared to Spain and France, eating out in Ireland can be expensive and disappointing, quite simply because restaurants are not really part of traditional Irish culture. The home cooked three course lunch with wine and coffee included for 15€ that you can find in practically all French and Spanish villages doesn’t exist. There is a good chance however, if you choose carefully, that you will find a delicious main course in a pub or a hotel bar.
This is also true, if you want a snack or just a cup of tea or coffee. So rather than try the rather uncomfortable depressing cafés in the small towns you go through, better to wait for a sign announcing a hotel. You will be able to use the facilities and be served in the comfort of the spacious hotel lounge, usually for less than you would pay in a café.
So my advice is avoid the cafés and restaurants - even if they are recommended – and stick to the pub and hotel foyers, bars and restaurants.
The Olde Castle Bar, Donegal Town
Téléphone : +353 74 972 1262
For lunch our personal canteen is The Olde Castle bar in Donegal Town, where we have lunch at least 3 times a week.
It was taken over about 10 years ago by a charming couple from Wicklow and when it comes to «qualité-prix», it rivals with anything in France or Spain.
They have also the extremely civilised custom of serving right through the day from 12h00 – 22h00 without interruption. If you want a table between 12h30 and 13h30, I advise you to book.
In the summer, better to lunch late «à heure espagnole». We like to arrive early and bag the table beside the fire. The staff are local, friendly and efficient and the place — even if you don’t get there in time to get the table by the fire — is designed to allow relative privacy to small groups.
The customers are a mixture of locals and tourists (we suspect the tour bus drivers of recommended the place.
It is easy to find : on the right in front of the Castle, on the way out of Donegal Town on the Killybegs road.
There are two luxury hotels on the shores of Lough Eske : Lough Eske Castle and Harvey’s Point.
Harvey’s Point
Lough Eske Castle
They aim at attracting tourists with money, and have only reluctantly come to terms with catering for the local population. Both establishment have also replaced the original snooty unfriendly staff with the local inhabitants of Lough Eske, who are simple charming and a great improvement.
HARVEY’S POINT
Harvey’s Point does a Sunday lunch which is extremely popular: the one and only time we ate there, the restaurant was absolutely full. We didn’t enjoy it and found it to be rather an ordeal.
This is how they advertise it:
“Inspired by the great Tradition of a big Family feast on a Sunday, Harvey’s Point has successfully created the Sunday Carvery Lunch without the hassle of shopping, cooking and the dishes!
Families travel from near and far to enjoy the delights of a four (or more) course Sunday Lunch at Harvey’s Point. Seated at a table overlooking Lough Eske, homemade soup is served to you, after which you are invited to browse along the Starter buffet and select from amongst the mouthwatering varieties of salads, pâtés, poached fish, tempura vegetables and many more.
For Main course, our chefs are pleased to present you a choice of traditional Roasts with Potatoes and Vegetables. Having hopefully left room for Desserts, pick the biggest plate you can find and indulge yourself with the pleasure of tasting the vast array of delicious desserts prepared with care by our Pastry chefs.
Of course it is hard to resist the temptation of our Crêpes or some Irish and French Cheese. Finally, enjoy a cup of Tea or Coffee or an after lunch Liquor and dream of a Sunday Siesta.
During Summer months, the Sunday Lunch will be served from 12:30 straight through until late afternoon:
Sunday Carvery Lunch every Sunday of the Year
A table reservations in advance is advisable.
Please call +353 74 9722208 or email: stay@harveyspoint.com
We were put off by the spectacle of hordes of consumers, of all sizes and ages, decked out in their Sunday regalia, stuffing themselves with a view to getting a maximum value for money. There was something decidedly ungracious about the whole spectacle— a feeling that the Swiss owners were patronizing the hoi polloi of rural Ireland and showing them up, if not at their worst, certainly not at their advantage. However if you have an enormous appetite, it is certainly very good value.
We have had dinner there once or twice and found the cooking acceptable. It was expensive and we had an imposed elaborate menu. I don’t know if they have changed this (it was a long time ago).
It is a nice place to go for a snack at lunch time. The last time we went, we ordered some sort of hot pie, which I found stodgy, so my advise would be to stick to a bowl of soup and a sandwich.
SOLIS, Lough Eske Castle
They would say this, wouldn’t they they ?
“ Lough Eske Castle, a five-star castle hotel located on a secluded lakeside estate just outside Donegal Town, has a rich history dating back to the 1400s. Associated with the O'Donnell Clan, the founding fathers of Donegal, the property is based in the northwest region of Ireland.
The historic storybook setting of the castle delivers superior hospitality and comfort to guests of every kind. Ideal for a relaxing getaway, brainstorming business trip, fairytale wedding, adventure of the region's great outdoors, or company retreat, Lough Eske Castle accommodates all forms of traveler.
Lovingly restored to blend its historic past with a dash of contemporary elegance, County Donegal's only five-star hotel has been titled "World's Best Luxury Country Hotel" for five consecutive years (2009-2013) and is the only Irish hotel to claim a "World Luxury Hotel Award." Recent awards include that of earning a spot as one of Condé Nast's top three luxury Ireland hotels, Trip Advisor's 2015 "Traveller's Choice Award" winner, European Hospitality Awards' 2013 "Innovation in Service of the Year" recipient, Weddings Online's 2015 "Ulster Hotel Wedding Venue of the Year" winner, and came highly commended by the Irish Tatler Spa Awards' for 2013's “Best Service Award."
I know that the Franciscans took refuge on the shores of Lough Eske during the Ulster plantation, but I’m not sure about the connection with the O’Donnells. According to Wikipedia (not always wrong), the corner stone of the original building was laid in 1621 by Scottish settlers. The actual building, as one would expect from its appearance, dates from 1868 and is the work of a certain Fitzgibbon Louch — a Derry Architect. It had its ups and downs and gradually fell into ruin, was bought and restored during the folly of the Irish Tiger, by a Donegal international developer and opened on the eve of the recession in 2007. It was taken over by the state (NAMA). I’m not sure what the situation is now, but I can’t see how the place could break even. Too much money has been spent on it to close.
We often go there for lunch as it is not far from the house and extremely comfortable and the free WIFI allows us to get up to date on our mail. The bar food is not great and the portions stingy. Don’t hesitate to ask for extra bread if you order an open salmon sandwich. The servers are local and have ingrained Irish hospitality, they will do everything they can to make you happy.
It is also a great place for afternoon tea in style and comfort after a walk around the beautiful lake.
There are two ways of going to both places (which are badly signposted) (i) a left turn just before you get to Donegal Town, or a left turn way out on the road to Letterkenny. Either way, unless you are a homing pigeon, you have to be careful to follow the sign posts.
