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Rathmullan House

Rathmullan House

County Donegal, Ireland

Situated in the woods on Lough Swilly, Rathmullan House offers a relaxing retreat-style stay. The remote 18th-century Georgian house has been owned and operated by two generations of the Wheeler family for over 50 years. The 34 spacious bedrooms boast antique furnishings and traditional decor with plenty of floral-patterned curtains, carpeted floors and dark wood. Guests can enjoy views overlooking either the lough or sprawling gardens.

Batt’s Bar serves light bites daily in the afternoon as well as drinks in the evening in one of the many sitting rooms, which all have fireplaces. The more formal Cook & Gardener restaurant serves award-winning locally sourced cuisine in a relaxed environment while the onsite brewery and pizzeria, the Tap Room, offers a more casual dining option.

The tranquil grounds of the property contain walking trails throughout the gardens. Guests can also enjoy the small indoor swimming pool located within the house.

OUR OPINION:

We like this Georgian house for its combination of serene location, exquisite food and wonderful hospitality.

OUR RATING: First Class

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Audley Travel Specialist Paul

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Rooms

The 34 spacious, traditional rooms are all individually decorated and boast views across the garden or glimpses of the lough. Warm tones fill the rooms with tans, reds and yellows mixed with dark wood, crown trim and antique furnishings. The rooms have all of the standard comforts to enhance your stay such as a TV, tea and coffee facilities, robes and slippers.

Location

Situated in County Donegal on expansive grounds set back from the shore of Lough Swilly, Rathmullan House is a retreat from the hustle and bustle. However, it’s still walking distance to the nearby restaurants and shops, and is a good base for exploring the Inishowen Peninsula, Donegal or nearby Derry/Londonderry.

Food and drink

There are three dining options for guests onsite. The Cook & Gardener is a formal, award-winning restaurant that serves seasonal, locally sourced cuisine. Batt’s Bar is sprawled across a few different rooms next to roaring fireplaces and comfortable sofas, and serves lunch and light snacks as well as drinks on a daily basis. Alternatively, the Tap Room is a casual dining option available at the hotel serving stone-baked pizzas and beer on tap.

Tour ideas in County Donegal

Our itineraries are there to spark ideas for how you could include a stay at Rathmullan House as part of your trip. Treat them simply as suggestions, because every aspect of the trip we create for you will be yours to define.

Location & places nearby

Places & hotels on the map

    Alternative places to stay nearby

    Where possible, we like to offer a range of accommodation for each stop of your trip, chosen by our specialists as some of their favorite places to stay. To help you make the right choice, we give each property a rating based on its facilities and service, but we also look for hotels with distinct character or a location that can't be bettered.

    Experiences while staying here

    The following activities are designed to give you the most authentic experiences of the area where you're staying. We work with local guides, who use their knowledge and often a resident's eye to show you the main sights and more out-of-the-way attractions. Our specialists can also suggest outdoor pursuits and activities, such as cooking classes, that will introduce you to the traditions of the area's inhabitants.

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      Landscape of Glenveagh National Park

      Glenveagh National Park

      Glenveagh National Park

      Explore the wild and rugged scenery of the mountainous valley of Glenveagh, its oak and birch forest offering scenic walking. Protected as a national park, it’s also home to 19th-century Glenveagh Castle, a flamboyantly decorated showpiece with formal gardens.

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    • Sliabh Liag Distillers
      Copper still

      Sliabh Liag Distillers

      Sliabh Liag Distillers

      Using traditional heritage, local ingredients and hard-won experience, Sliabh Liag Distillers produces a Maritime Gin seasoned with local seaweed and botanicals. A guided tour presents the history, legend and technical processes behind this family-run, craft-gin distillery in Donegal.

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    • Slieve League cliffs hike
      Slieve League cliffs

      Slieve League cliffs hike

      Slieve League cliffs hike

      Explore some of Europe’s highest sea cliffs at Slieve League in Donegal on a guided walk along the striking coast, taking in far-reaching views of distant counties, sweeping cliff vistas, ruins and local marine life and wildlife.

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    County Donegal and nearby places