Ard Na Breatha

Albert Morrow
Ard Na Breatha
Drumrooske Middle
Donegal Town
Co. Donegal

Tel: 074 9722288
Email: info@ardnabreatha.com

Website: www.ardnabreatha.com

If you want to explore the Bluestack Mountains you couldn't wish for better than Ard na Breatha guesthouse, situated on a farm on the outskirts of Donegal Town.  Not simply for its location, a gateway to the Donegal hills and Lough Eske, but the breakfast alone here will keep you walking for a week.  Because Ard na Breatha is not only a green guesthouse, but also a thriving restaurant specialising in local, seasonal and organic produce if you time your break right, you can return after your hike in the hills to the finest lamb this side of New Zealand.  That's because it is from their own farm, and the chef who lovingly prepares it is Ard na Breatha's owner and retrained farmer, Albert Morrow.  Albert's wife, Theresa, manages the business with flare and ease, after years working in the hospitality industry.

The bedrooms and guest sitting room are in a converted barn, separate to the restaurant and bar, although their proximity still allows the guest to feel 'at home'. The Morrows were one of the first guesthouses in Ireland to gain EU Flower accreditation; "Within a year of working in tourism, I realised how much damage we were doing to the environment", says Theresa.  They changed to a green electricity supplier, lightbulbs were replaced, they compost or recycle everything they can, and use environmentally-friendly cleaning and visitors' bathroom products.  Ard na Breatha is on the Kingfisher Cycle Trail, and as well as bikes being provided for guests, a list of local walking guides, and weekly community hillwalks are top of the 'what to do' list. Theresa prepares pack lunches for guests while Albert marinades something special for when they come 'home' at the end of the day.

Written by: Catherine Mack