With its stunning mountains and dramatic coastline, Ireland’s County Donegal offers a breathtaking setting for corporate retreats. Molly Dyson is your guide
If anyone has ever questioned Ireland’s nickname of “the emerald isle”, they obviously haven’t been to Donegal. Lush green fields stretch as far as the eye can see, breathing life into the fitting sobriquet. With scenery like this, who could fail to agree with the local tourism board’s slogan, “Up here it’s different”?
As the fourth-largest county in the Republic of Ireland, Donegal also accounts for the majority of the western border of Northern Ireland. It is the biggest and most mountainous county in the Ulster province and its deeply indented coastline has formed numerous loughs (lakes), as well as some of the highest cliffs in Europe.
The region was once home to the O’Donnell clan, who lived in Donegal Castle. Probably the most famous member of the family was Prince Red Hugh, the man who led his forces in a battle against the English during the Nine Years War. When Hugh lost and the English granted the land to a captain, the O’Donnells destroyed much of the castle to keep it from being used against their people, but it was quickly restored.
Possibly due to its relatively small population, Donegal has maintained much of its traditional culture – a percentage of residents speak Irish and most road signs in the area are written in Gaelic and English. The annual Seachtain na Gaeilge (Irish Language Festival) is a celebration of the native tongue.
Getting to Donegal from England requires a mixture of air and ground transportation. Aer Lingus flies from London Gatwick to Ireland West Knock airport, which is an hour and 45 minutes’ drive from Donegal Town. Alternatively, you can land at Dublin (about three hours by car) or Belfast (a little over two hours).
If sampling the local cuisine is on your agenda you might want to consider visiting in August for the Taste of Donegal Food Festival. The county’s top restaurants and hotels set up stands at the town’s pier every year to showcase their finest dishes, compete in a chowder cook-off and receive awards in various categories. Visitors can indulge in tasting sessions, take part in lessons and enjoy live entertainment throughout the event.
There are plenty of leisure activities in the county, making it a good choice as a place to hold a corporate retreat with scheduled team-building events. The Bluestack Mountains and rocky coast provide the perfect setting for hiking and climbing, while the countryside is ideal for bike rides. If setting off into the hills seems too tame for your group, Bluestack Adventure offers a mountain rescue simulation in which groups have to work together to find their way to their ‘victim’ while blindfolded. They then figure out the best way to get them back to civilisation quickly and safely.
Those looking for watersports won’t have far to go, as there are lots of opportunities for white-water rafting and sea kayaking. Donegal’s landscape of loughs offers peaceful locations for trout and salmon fishing and the ocean provides excellent deep-sea angling.
Although it might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Ireland, the coast also features sandy beaches and some of the best surfing spots in Europe. In fact, Bundoran is home to the Sea Sessions surf and music festival, which consistently attracts some of the world’s best athletes and artists every year.
Those companies looking to give their employees a fun physical retreat will find the area’s multiple cycling trails of particular interest. There are many places to rent bikes for the whole team, and shops can provide you with a map of some of the best routes in the county. For outside sports tips and reviews visit Globo Surf.
The Wild Atlantic Way is a relatively new tourist driving route that stretches for 1,500 miles from Derry along Ireland’s west coast down to Kinsale. Some of the most dramatic views are to be found in Donegal, with the trail taking you to Malin Head, Ireland’s most northerly point, and Sliabh Liag, one of Europe’s highest cliffs.
Dining options are abundant in Donegal Town, with literally dozens of tearooms, cafés, bars and restaurants serving both traditional Irish dishes and international cuisine. The Olde Castle Bar, located in the shadow of Donegal Castle, is one of the longest established pubs in the county and offers fine dining in a relaxed atmosphere, with dishes such as whole lobster, braised lamb shank and Irish stew. The menu is focused on fresh local produce, while the bar is well stocked with a long list of whiskey, wine and spirits.
As you take in the incredible landscape of Donegal, you’ll think back to a simpler time when emails and board meetings didn’t rule the world. A few days in this beautiful countryside is all you need to put things into perspective and return to work completely refreshed.
Solis Lough Eske Castle – a tranquil environment
Molly Dyson stayed at Solís Lough Eske Castle Hotel and Spa. After the original 19th-century castle burned down in 1939, the property sat abandoned for nearly 70 years until the Capella hotel group purchased it and spent almost £32 million on restoration works. The venue was opened under the Solís brand and has since won multiple hospitality industry awards. It is currently the only five-star castle hotel in County Donegal.
The winding drive opens to reveal a stunning castle front surrounded by lush green grounds. Members of staff dressed in the local Magee tweed are always on hand at the entrance to welcome you and help with your bags as you check in.
Past the grand staircase and main lobby, the hotel is a labyrinth of 96 bedrooms, including luxury suites that are located in the property’s former stables. The large executive rooms feature king-size four-poster beds, a desk for when you need to do some work, comfortable sofas and huge bathrooms with walk-in showers and deep tubs. There are also plenty of handy outlets for charging mobiles and laptops.
The venue offers lots of choice for dining and drinks. If you’re after a light lunch, the Gallery Bar & Lobby Lounge features a menu of soups, sandwiches and salads, as well as an extensive cocktail list and a collection of more than 60 whiskeys for after-dinner drinks. For fine dining, make a reservation at Cedars Grill, where the head chef and his team have created tasty dishes made from local ingredients, including salmon that is smoked on site.
Spa Solís, situated in the castle’s former greenhouse, is the ideal setting for relaxing after a day of meetings. Go for a swim in the pool, wind down in the hot tub, or de-stress with one of the many treatments on offer. The spa’s line of Ogra products is made from local peat, while its Aromatherapy Associates line features natural ingredients designed to help improve all skin types.
Lough Eske is also available for exclusive use, which gives you the opportunity to host a corporate retreat with a difference. Take advantage of the property’s different-sized meeting spaces, including the ballroom and the oak boardroom. The expansive grounds are perfect for team-building activities or summer parties. If you need additional bedrooms, the staff can help arrange accommodation at the nearby four-star Harvey’s Point hotel.
For more information, visit solishotels.com/lougheskecastle
Getting there
Molly Dyson’s flight to Ireland West Knock airport with Aer Lingus was sponsored by Tourism Ireland, which offers advice on activities and attractions at tourismireland.com. Aer Lingus operates more than 70 flights from London to several popular Irish destinations. For more information and prices, visit aerlingus.com
