We’ve been sharing a lot of articles in recent months about our new build and our thoughts and tips for things to do when styling your home both inside and out. This has meant less focus on our travels, but with the summer months now upon us, we thought we’d start to share some of our most recent travel tales.
Today we’re going to be sharing about our visit to Donegal last year, when we stayed in the wonderful Redcastle Hotel & Spa. Located just outside the town of Moville, and along the coast, this was our first time away with Lewis since he was a few weeks old (we had previously visited Killyhevlin in Fermanagh when he was very young, so at least this time Lewis could do a few more things on our trip).
Check-In and Exploring The Redcastle Hotel
We booked a family room for our trip to Redcastle and spent two nights in the hotel, and we were joined by Grandma Pikalily (aka Retta), and the room was great for the four of us. Our room had separate sleeping areas, both with en-suite, while there was a small living area that joined both rooms.
We found this extremely useful as it ensured there was a lot of room, something that was badly needed as Lewis was just starting to walk, so the more room for him to move about, the better!
When checking in to our room were greeted to the surprise of a nice bottle of prosecco and some truffle chocolates on our arrival – a great start to the trip. Once we got settled in, it was ready for a nice meal for two at the hotel’s Edge Restaurant.
As most new parents will relate to, getting some quality time together can be a bit of a rarity, so we made the most of having a live in nanny for the trip, and enjoyed a romantic meal for two.
You can read more about our dining experience at the Edge Restaurant here, but it certainly ticked a lot of boxes, and was a good sign of the quality of food we could look forward to on our trip. With a wonderful view overlooking the sea, and a nice quiet dining room, this really was a great way to spend a few hours together.
Be sure to read our review to learn more.
Things To Do At Redcastle Hotel
We spent a lot of our trip exploring the north of Donegal, but if you’re planning on visiting Redcastle Hotel and don’t want to venture far, you’ll have plenty to do at the hotel. The hotel boasts several dining options including the Edge Restaurant, while it is also home to an 9-hole golf course.
The on site golf course, coupled with the hotel’s proximity to other golf courses in the area makes Redcastle a popular destination for golfing enthusiasts (Ballyliffin is about 30 minutes away while Royal Portrush, home of the 2019 Open is about a 45 minute drive away).
Along with golf, the other big draw for guests is the spa and leisure facility. While we didn’t get time to visit this on our break, if you’re planning a trip away for two, then these facilities will provide a great space for some R&R.
During the summer and Easter holiday season, the hotel also offers a kids club for visitors which includes arts & crafts and the cinema. Alongside this, there are some small areas to walk around and explore when visiting Redcastle.
Things to do Near Redcastle
Redcastle Hotel is located between Moville and Quigley’s Quay, and is on the start/end point of the popular Wild Atlantic Way coastal route, depending on where you are travelling from. The larger coastal towns of Greencastle, Buncrana and Malin are a short-drive away, while Redcastle itself is located in the Inishowen Peninsula, an area that offers plenty for visitors to see and do.
Some of the places we visited include Malin Head (Ireland’s most northern point), Doagh Famine Village, Inishowen Maritime Museum, Stroove Lighthouse and Grianán of Aileach. The area also has some spectacular beach and harbour areas, with the beach at Doagh and Inishowen Head two in particular that caught our eye.
Our advice for visiting Redcastle – hop in the car and drive off into the unknown. You will come across some truly wonderful areas, with ample opportunities for scenic picnics and picture-perfect photos. Some of the roads can be a bit hairy, so take your time when navigating along the coastal roads.
Follow the signs for the Wild Atlantic Way or the Inishowen 100 and you’re sure to come across a few gems. Check out this itinerary for the Inishowen 100, a popular scenic drive surrounding Redcastle which is approximately 100 miles. View Inishowen 100 driving itinerary here.
Have You Visited Redcastle Hotel & Spa?
Have you visited Redcastle, or indeed the Inishowen Peninsula? We’d love to know what you thought of the area and what your highlights were. Share your travel tales with us below.
Until next time, thanks for reading.
Helen, Nial and Lewis.
Welcome to Pikalily, an award-winning food, travel and lifestyle blog. We are Nial and Helen, a happily married couple from Northern Ireland, who share a passion for food and travel among many things. We became parents to our beautiful boy Lewis in 2017. Follow our adventures through the blog.
