Rathmullan House
Pass the little gate lodge to drive up to this bay-fronted country house in wooded grounds edged by a beach on Lough Swilly. More
Good Hotel Guide Review
Pass the little gate lodge to drive up to this bay-fronted country house in wooded grounds edged by a beach on Lough Swilly. It was a hikers’ hostel with no electricity after 8 pm, to encourage early rising, when Bob Wheeler bought it in 1961 and created something far more commodious. Run today by Bob’s son Mark and daughter-in-law Mary, it has the feel of a family home, where a full Ulster with fresh-baked bread and Bob’s marmalade will tempt you early from your bed. Log fires burn in lounges with comfy sofas, antiques, paintings, photos, exquisite plasterwork, and snacks served all day. Lovely bedrooms with original features are furnished with antiques. The best have a bay window with lough views. More contemporary rooms in a new wing have French doors to a patio or balcony. In the Cook & Gardener restaurant, produce from the walled garden appears with locally landed fish and foraged ingredients in dishes such as seared turbot with champ, beetroot purée, braised fennel, Mulroy Bay mussels and turmeric velouté. Or eat stone-baked pizzas with craft ales under canvas. Wildlife-watchers scan the shores for dolphins and porpoises.
Hotel details
Address
Rathmullan
Co. Donegal
F92 YA0F
Ireland
Telephone
00 353 74 915 818
Bedrooms
32. Some on ground floor.
Open
all year except 24–27 Dec, 6 Jan–6 Feb.
Facilities
bar, 2 lounges, library, TV room, playroom, cellar bar/pizza parlour, restaurant, in-room TV, wedding facilities, 15-metre heated indoor swimming pool, 7-acre grounds, EV charging, lounges wheelchair accessible.
Background music
none.
Children
all ages welcomed, 6 interconnecting family rooms, cots available.
Dogs
guide dogs only allowed,
Credit cards
Amex, MC, Visa.
Prices
B&B doubles from €170, singles from €83. Set-price menu €55 (3 courses). 1-night bookings refused Sat and bank holidays.
Other reviews
Good Hotel Guide articles about
Rathmullan House
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- Huffington Post USA: Seven of the most beautiful hotels in Ireland
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