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Saint Ernan's House

Set on its own wooded island, connected to the mainland by a causeway built after the famine by tenants as a gesture of thanks to a caring landlord, Brian and Carmel O’Dowd’s lovely Victorian country house on the edge of Donegal Town is remarkable for its sense of utter tranquillity.

This atmosphere is due, in part, to its unique location - and also, one imagines, to the kindly ghosts who seem to reside here, especially the spirit of John Hamilton, that young landlord who built the house in 1826.

That other-worldliness remains, and there is an almost tangible sense of serenity about the place that makes it the perfect retreat from the stresses of modern life.

The spacious public rooms have log fires and antique furniture - plenty of space for guests to read, or simply to relax in front of the fire - and the individually decorated bedrooms echo that restfulness; as in all old houses, they vary in size and position but most also have lovely views and all are furnished to a high standard with antiques, and have good amenities including (surprisingly perhaps) television.

If you can tear yourself away from the island, there is much to do and see in the area: the craft shops of Donegal Town are almost on the doorstep, for example, and Glenveagh National Park is just a short scenic drive away.

The dining experience at Saint Ernans follows the same philosophy of quiet relaxation and is only for resident guests; simple country house-style dinner menus offer two or three choices on each course and are based on local produce, with vegetarian dishes on request.

Restaurant for Residents Only : Rooms 6 (3 suites, 1 ground floor, all no smoking). B&B €120 pps, ss €40; not suitable for children under 6 yrs. Dining room seats 16, D Residents Only, 7-8pm Fri & Sat only, Set D €52 (semi-á la carte, priced by course); house wine €27. Closed end Oct-mid Apr. MasterCard, Visa, Laser.

Directions:

1.5 mile south of Donegal Town on R267.