Heaven for design lovers is to be found at this beautifully located south-facing boutique B&B on Horn Head, just a short distance from Dunfanagahy.
Opened in 2017 by former Dublin accountants Cathrine Burke and Niall Campbell (and ten years in the planning), Breac.House is an ode to the rugged beauty of North-West Ireland and everything about this modern retreat is a celebration of the region's talents, craftsmanship, materials and produce. It is a philosophy that Cathrine and Niall share with their friends Ruairí and Marie-Thérèse de Blacam, of Inis Meáin Island Stays (formerly Inis Meáin Restaurant & Suites) on the Aran Islands, and it is wonderful to see it flourish in Donegal.
The bungalow that Cathrine and Niall bought may now be a distant memory, replaced by the 'modern retreat' created by celebrated MacGabhann Architects of Letterkenny and a team of local craftsmen (warmly credited on the website), but the magnificent view - stretching from the beaches of Carrigart to the famous red-hued cliffs of Bloody Foreland - is unchanged and, thanks to its simple low lines and gentle colours inspired by the surroundings, the minimalistic building sits remarkably quietly in the landscape.
Although it is a large house there are just three guest rooms in the main building - and one stunning recently added garden room just a few metres away - each with its own private terrace or balcony, a custom-made super king oak bed and many bespoke details including a specially designed hatch that allows your breakfast tray of local treats to arrive silently "as if by magic", to be enjoyed at leisure.
It's a place to explore and enjoy the great outdoors and activities can be arranged in advance (great interest is taken in guests from the time of booking, and packed lunches are supplied in specially designed backpacks) but those who simply want to chill are encouraged to stay around and relax in the library, by the fireside in the lounge, in the garden, or beside the open outdoor fire. A private seaweed bath is a favourite with guests, usually used in conjunction with a wood fired sauna in the garden.
While dinner is not normally offered, the nearby restaurants of Dunfanaghy and Port-na-Blagh can be booked on your behalf (with cocktails at 5pm, before you venture out) and occasional guest chef weekend breaks are another unusual feature of this exceptional destination. As well as the complimentary pre-dinner cocktails, Cathrine and Niall also stock their mini bars with a small selection of complimentary alcoholic and non alcoholic Irish drinks and snacks...
But, wonderful as everything at Breac.House is, the most special feature of all has to be its owners - everything that you find here is down to Cathrine and Niall's vision, and seeing this extraordinary region through that prism is a privilege indeed.
