Hosted Wine Dinner at Lough Eske Castle

A proper sit-down wine dinner at a five-star castle is one of those evenings that tends to stay with you. The Hosted Wine Dinner at Lough Eske Castle pairs a curated selection of wines with a gourmet menu in the Cedars Restaurant - one of the more serious dining rooms in the county. It suits couples marking an occasion, food and wine enthusiasts who want something more structured than a restaurant visit, and anyone who has always been curious about how well-chosen wine can shift the whole character of a dish.

What to expect

The Cedars Restaurant sits inside a restored 19th-century castle overlooking the still waters of Lough Eske. The room is elegant without being stiff - white linen and stone walls, with views out to the lake and the surrounding woodland. The wine dinner format means each course arrives with a matched wine, introduced by a host who explains the pairing and the producer. Lough Eske Castle has used this format previously with prestige producers including Ayala Champagne, so expect the wine selection to lean towards classic French and European styles rather than anything casual.

The kitchen draws on strong local sourcing. The port of Killybegs, less than an hour’s drive away, supplies some of the best seafood landed in Ireland, and the Cedars menu regularly features it. Beef and lamb from Donegal farms appear alongside it. Expect a multi-course dinner that moves from lighter seafood starters through to richer main courses, with the wine progression building accordingly.

Getting there

Lough Eske Castle is about 4km northeast of Donegal Town, off the R250. From Donegal Town follow signs for the castle along the lough road - the entrance is well signposted. If you are coming from Dublin, the N3 and N15 bring you up through Cavan and Sligo; allow roughly three and a half hours. From Belfast, the A5 through Omagh and Ballybofey is the straightforward route, around two and a half hours. Bus Eireann serves Donegal Town from Dublin and Sligo, but there is no regular public transport to the castle itself, so you will need a car or taxi for the final stretch. The hotel has ample parking on site.

While you’re in Donegal

A stay the night before or after the dinner makes good sense - the castle has its own spa, and the Blue Stack Mountains rising above the lough make for a fine morning walk. Donegal Town is small but has a lively Diamond square with independent craft shops and a good Friday market during summer. There is more to see in Donegal and across Co. Donegal.

Good to know

• Date: Saturday 15 August 2026
• Time: Various sittings - confirm directly with the hotel when booking
• Price: TBD - contact Lough Eske Castle Hotel directly for current pricing
• Booking: Via the hotel’s website at lougheskecastlehotel.com or by phone; advance reservation is essential as capacity is limited
• Dress code: Smart casual is the norm at the Cedars; the setting warrants an effort