Location

Lough Eske Castle, Ireland

Built in 1861 from locally quarried sandstone delivered by teams of Clydesdale horses, Lough Eske Castle sits on 43 acres of sessile oak forest between Donegal’s Bluestack Mountains and the waters of Lough Eske. Now a boutique hotel, the castle features turrets, stained glass, manicured lawns and drawing rooms warmed by stone fireplaces and wood paneling. Lakeside trails wind through the estate for walking and biking, while guided tours explore the castle’s history.

Guest rooms feature custom oak furniture, leather upholstery and marble-tiled bathrooms with full bathtubs and rainfall showers; some open onto the castle courtyard or private garden terraces. Menus showcase local ingredients, including fresh fish landed at Killybegs, while whiskey tastings explore Ireland’s distilling traditions. Traditional afternoon tea pairs finger sandwiches and pastries with warm scones, cream and preserves.

Set within the gardens, the spa occupies the footprint of the estate’s original Victorian conservatory. The spa has a sauna, eucalyptus steam room, sanarium, hydrotherapy pool, ice fountain and infinity pool, while private outdoor hot tubs are tucked into the surrounding greenery.

The castle transitioned to renewable electricity in 2023 and uses biomass heating, water-saving fixtures, LED lighting and programmable thermostats to reduce resource consumption. Estate beehives and wildflower gardens provide food and habitat for local pollinators, while a comprehensive recycling program further reduces waste.