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Castle Murray House Hotel

Martin and Marguerite Howley’s beautifully located clifftop hotel has wonderful sea and coastal views over the ruined castle after which it is named. It is a comfortable and relaxing place to stay, with a little bar, a residents’ sitting room and a large decked terrace that can be covered with an awning in a good summer, so meals may be served outside.

A charming recent addition is an enclosed flower garden, supplying herbs to the kitchen and fresh flowers for the restaurant.

Most of the bedrooms have sea views and all are quite large with a double and single bed, refurbished bathrooms (some with full bath) and all the necessary facilities including digital TV as well as phone and tea/coffee trays.

Bedrooms have a mixture of modern and older pieces that give each room its own character, and are gradually being refurbished; the newer ones, which are more contemporary and gently stylish, feel more spacious but all are pleasing – and a sunny area on the sheltered flat roof at the back of the building has direct access from some bedrooms.

Lovely breakfasts are served in the restaurant, and there’s an appealing bar menu.

Banqueting (60); free broadband wi/fi. Children welcome (under 5s free in parents room, cots available, baby sitting arranged). Pets permitted to stay in bedrooms by arrangement (no charge). Garden. Walking. Off-season value breaks. Rooms 10 (6 shower only, 2 family, all no smoking). B&B €75pps, ss €20.

Restaurant

The restaurant is on the seaward corner of the hotel overlooking the sea and the castle (which is floodlit at night), and an open fire makes for real warmth in this dramatic location, even in winter.

Remy Dupuy has been head chef since 1994 and there is a consistent house style, with a strong emphasis on local produce. Menus are well priced and there is plenty to choose from, including vegetarian dishes. Seafood is the speciality of the house in the summer months - Remy has dedicated fishermen who fish lobster, monk, scallops and other fish for him.

Mouthwatering menus open with starters like prawns & monkfish in garlic butter, and may also offer a choice of local oysters - and non-fishy treats like terrine of foie gras; main course choices are extensive, perhaps including less usual dishes like stuffed rabbit saddle with black pudding & Calvados, roast pheasant (in season), and at least one vegetarian option as well as seafood dishes - and it’s good value too, even the supplement for lobster, from McSwynes Bay, is quite reasonable.

In winter, when seafood is less plentiful, there are more red meats, poultry and game.

Service, under the direction of restaurant manager Jorg Demmerer, is friendly and accommodating - and the wonderful location, helpful staff and interesting food make this a place people keep coming back to.

The wine list leans towards the Old World, particularly France, and offers good house wines, a pair each of organic and non-alcoholic wines, an extensive selection of champagnes and plenty of half bottles.

[NB: The Sunday lunch menu is quite traditional, with less emphasis on seafood.]

Seats 60 (outdoors, 20); not suitable for children after 8pm. D daily 6.30-9.30 (to 8.30 Sun), L Sun only 1.30-3.30; D from €34; house wine €21; No SC. Bar menu also available - phone to check times; also wise to check restaurant times off season. Hotel closed mid Jan-mid Feb. MasterCard, Visa, Laser.

Directions:

Situated on the N56, 8km from Killybegs, 20 km from Donegal Town on the coast road to St Johns Point; first left outside Dunkineely village.