Martin and Marguerite Howley’s beautifully located clifftop hotel has wonderful sea and coastal views over the ruined castle after which it is named. It is a comfortable and relaxing place to stay, with a little bar, a residents’ sitting room and a large decked terrace that can be covered with an awning in a good summer, so meals may be served outside.
A charming recent addition is an enclosed flower garden, supplying herbs to the kitchen and fresh flowers for the restaurant.
Most of the bedrooms have sea views and all are quite large with a double and single bed, refurbished bathrooms (some with full bath) and all the necessary facilities including digital TV as well as phone and tea/coffee trays.
Bedrooms have a mixture of modern and older pieces that give each room its own character, and are gradually being refurbished; the newer ones, which are more contemporary and gently stylish, feel more spacious but all are pleasing – and a sunny area on the sheltered flat roof at the back of the building has direct access from some bedrooms.
Lovely breakfasts are served in the restaurant, and there’s an appealing bar menu.
Banqueting (80); free broadband wi/fi. Children welcome (under 5s free in parents room, cots available, baby sitting arranged). Pets permitted to stay in bedrooms by arrangement (no charge). Garden. Walking. Off-season value breaks.
Rooms 10 (6 shower only, 2 family, all no smoking). B&B €50pps, ss €10 Feb-Aug & B&B €40pps, ss €10 Sep-Dec.
Restaurant
The restaurant is on the seaward corner of the hotel overlooking the sea and the castle (which is floodlit at night), and an open fire makes for real warmth in this dramatic location, even in winter. Remy Dupuy has been head chef since 1994 and there is a consistent French house style, with a strong emphasis on local produce.
Menus are well priced and there is plenty to choose from, including vegetarian dishes. Seafood is the speciality of the house in the summer months - Remy has dedicated fishermen who fish lobster, monk, scallops and other fish for him.
Mouthwatering menus open with starters like a house speciality of prawns & monkfish in garlic butter, and may also offer a choice of local oysters (fresh or grilled) - and non-fishy treats like terrine of foie gras; main course choices are extensive, perhaps including less usual dishes like stuffed rabbit saddle with black pudding & Calvados, roast pheasant (in season), and at least one vegetarian option as well as seafood dishes; it’s good value too, even the supplement for lobster, from McSwynes Bay, is quite reasonable. In winter, when seafood is less plentiful, there are more red meats, poultry and game.
Service, under the direction of proprietor manager Marguerite Howley, is friendly and accommodating - and the wonderful location, helpful staff and interesting food make this a place people keep coming back to.
Sommelier Fabrice Costes is also at hand to advise on the best wine to match your food choices - complementing the menu, the wine list leans towards the Old World, particularly France; it offers good house wines, a pair each of organic and non-alcoholic wines, an extensive selection of champagnes and plenty of half bottles.
[NB: The Sunday lunch menu is quite traditional, with less emphasis on seafood.]
*Cookery Classes - Five week block courses run throughout the year, details on application.
Seats 80 (outdoors, 20); not suitable for children after 8pm. D daily 6.30-9.30 (to 8.30 Sun), L Sun only, 5 course €31, childrens menu €15, 1.30-3.30pm; Set D €40; house wine €22; No SC. Bar menu also available - Jun-Aug 12.30-3pm; also wise to check restaurant times off season (closed Mon & Tue low season). Hotel closed mid Jan-mid Feb. MasterCard, Visa, Laser.
