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Fort Royal

Overlooking the sea, and with direct access to a sandy beach, the Fletcher family’s large Victorian house is set in 19 acres of lawn and woodland above Lough Swilly - and has perhaps the best location of any establishment in the area.

It’s a comfortable, quiet base for family holidays or visiting places of local interest, including Glenveagh National Park and Glebe House, the late artist Derek Hill’s former home.

Public rooms are spacious, well-proportioned and comfortably furnished in country house style, with big armchairs and open fires. Well-appointed bedrooms (all en-suite) are designed for relaxation and enjoy a pleasant outlook over wooded grounds.

Croquet, tennis, golf, pitch & putt are available on the premises, and activities such as riding and fishing are nearby.

It’s an ideal place for those seeking a quiet break, and many will like it all the better because it doesn’t offer too much in the way of facilities.

Special interest breaks offered. (A 3-day mid-week golf package includes a round of golf at Rosapenna and one at Portsalon)

Rooms 15 (all en-suite & no smoking); children welcome (under 5s free in parents' room, cot available without charge, babysitting arranged). Pets permitted in some area. B&B €65-75pps, ss €25. Garden. House closed Nov-Mar.

* Three attractive self-catering cottages are available in the hotel grounds; details on application. Rooms 15 (all en-suite & no smoking).

Restaurant:

This attractive traditional dining room overlooking lawns and woodland is well-appointed, with crisp white linen and fresh flowers.

Much of the food at Fort Royal comes from their own walled gardens and is cooked by Tim Fletcher, who has been head chef since 1995 and proprietor since 2000.

His nightly dinner menus offer about five classic choices on each course, considerately priced to allow two- or three-course options. Tea or coffee is served in the lounge afterwards - or, on fine evenings, you could take it outside and enjoy the view down over the lough.

Staff are very pleasant and helpful. An informative, fairly priced wine list offers several dessert wines and half a dozen well-chosen half bottles.

: This attractive traditional dining room overlooking lawns and woodland is well-appointed with crisp white linen and fresh flowers - just the right setting for good country house cooking. Much of the food at Fort Royal comes from the hotel’s own walled gardens (although this is not mentioned on menus, which is a pity) and is cooked by Tim Fletcher, who has been head chef since 1995 and proprietor since 2000. His nightly dinner menus offer about five classic choices on each course, considerately priced to allow two- or three-course options. Typical examples from a summer menu include a starter of cornets of smoked salmon filled with smoked trout mousse; grilled fillets of Killybegs plaice meunière (and vegetable selection) and panna cotta with mixed berry compôte. Tea or coffee is served in the lounge afterwards - or, on fine evenings, you could take it outside and enjoy the view down over the lough. Staff are very pleasant and helpful. An informative, fairly priced wine list offers several dessert wines and half a dozen well-chosen half bottles. Seats 30. Not suitable for children under 10; no reservations accepted D Mon-Sat, 7.30-9. Set D €45; house wine €20. *Light lunches may be available in the bar or at tables in the garden, 12-2 daily. Phone ahead to check availability. Restaurant closed Sun D. Amex, Diners, MasterCard, Visa, Laser.

Directions:

Ramelton road from Letterkenny, straight on to Rathmullan.