Hotels
John Doherty
Donegal is hot right now, and you can soak it ...

Food. Drink. Life - County Donegal is stepping into the international spotlight. With a steady rise in visitor numbers in recent years, Ireland’s northwestern corner is drawing global travelers in search of rugged coastlines, charming villages and open spaces far from the usual tourist trail. 

It didn’t take long for me to understand the appeal. There’s a rhythm to life up here that feels different. You’re not rushing to check sights off a list but lingering to take in the breath-taking views, pulling over because you spotted a castle ruin or a wool shop tucked into the side of the road. It’s spontaneous, a little daring and completely enchanting

Donegal is hot right now, and you can soak it all in by the sea
Hotels
John Doherty
5-star Lough Eske Castle leads the way in ...

Lough Eske Castle, County Donegal’s only five-star hotel, has taken a significant step forward in sustainable hospitality through a comprehensive suite of eco-conscious initiatives. Leading the way is the castle’s full transition to renewable energy, achieved through a long-term partnership with a leading green electricity provider. The historic estate is now powered entirely by clean, renewable energy marking a key milestone in its ongoing commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and aligning with Ireland’s national sustainability goals.

This move to renewable power is just one part of the castle’s broader mission to embed sustainability into every aspect of its operations.

5-star Lough Eske Castle leads the way in eco-luxury with sustainability overhaul
Art
John Doherty
Lucian Freud & me: The real 'Donegal Man' ...

Irish Examiner - A major exhibition of Lucian Freud's work is currently on at Titanic Belfast. Marc O'Sullivan spoke to two of the key people who were involved with the German/British painter

Pat Doherty has the distinction of having sat for three portraits – two paintings and a copperplate etching – by the legendary British painter Lucian Freud. 

Several copies of the etching feature in the exhibition, Lucian Freud’s Etchings: A Creative Collaboration, which has just launched at Titanic Belfast in partnership with the Victoria & Albert Museum in London.

Lucian Freud & me: The real 'Donegal Man' on his encounters with the great artist
Art
John Doherty
Freud exhibition with new immersive experience ...

A free exhibition celebrating the work of Lucian Freud has opened at Titanic Belfast, in collaboration with the V&A, giving visitors the chance to view over 60 of the renowned artist’s famous etchings as well as a new immersive experience created by the world-famous attraction.

Lucian Freud’s Etchings: A Creative Collaboration exhibition runs from Friday 2nd May until Tuesday 30th September in the Andrews Gallery on Level 2 of Titanic Belfast and charts Freud’s development as an etcher, from his early, tentative explorations to his later mastery of flesh and form through line.

Artwork featured in the exhibition will include Bella in Her Pluto T-Shirt (1995); Woman Sleeping (1995); Self-portrait: Reflection (1996); Pluto Aged 12 (2000) and Donegal Man (2007) – which has a special connection to Titanic Belfast as the sitter was Pat Doherty, the visitor attraction’s Chairman.

Freud exhibition with new immersive experience opens at Titanic Belfast
John Doherty
Harcourt Hotels Collection report strong start ...

The Harcourt Collection has announced a strong start to 2025, reporting group revenues up by 10% for the first quarter compared to the same period last year. The Ulster properties, Lough Eske Castle, Redcastle Hotel & Spa and Titanic Hotel Belfast, have been standout performers, recording an impressive 16% growth in total revenues year-on-year. The significant uplift was further bolstered by the €5 million investment in the Donegal Suites extension at Lough Eske Castle, launched late last year, which has helped deliver a remarkable 23% increase in revenue, against the same quarter in 2024.

Hotels

Donegal is hot right now, and you can soak it all in by the sea

Donegal is hot right now, and you can soak it all in by the sea

Food. Drink. Life - County Donegal is stepping into the international spotlight. With a steady rise in visitor numbers in recent years, Ireland’s northwestern corner is drawing global travelers in search of rugged coastlines, charming villages and open spaces far from the usual tourist trail. 

It didn’t take long for me to understand the appeal. There’s a rhythm to life up here that feels different. You’re not rushing to check sights off a list but lingering to take in the breath-taking views, pulling over because you spotted a castle ruin or a wool shop tucked into the side of the road. It’s spontaneous, a little daring and completely enchanting

5-star Lough Eske Castle leads the way in eco-luxury with sustainability overhaul

5-star Lough Eske Castle leads the way in eco-luxury with sustainability overhaul

Lough Eske Castle, County Donegal’s only five-star hotel, has taken a significant step forward in sustainable hospitality through a comprehensive suite of eco-conscious initiatives. Leading the way is the castle’s full transition to renewable energy, achieved through a long-term partnership with a leading green electricity provider. The historic estate is now powered entirely by clean, renewable energy marking a key milestone in its ongoing commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and aligning with Ireland’s national sustainability goals.

This move to renewable power is just one part of the castle’s broader mission to embed sustainability into every aspect of its operations.

Titanic Hotel Belfast takes top prize in US TV competition

Titanic Hotel Belfast takes top prize in US TV competition

The Titanic Hotel Belfast, the former headquarters of Harland & Wolff, the firm which designed RMS Titanic, has won the primetime CBS show Hotels ByDesign People’s Choice Award.
Season 3 of this internationally acclaimed hotel design television programme presented the prestigious award in recognition of the hotel’s distinctive design and sense of authenticity on a global stage.

Think you know Belfast? Try this gem of the Titanic Hotel Belfast on the 'hidden' Maritime Mile

Think you know Belfast? Try this gem of the Titanic Hotel Belfast on the 'hidden' Maritime Mile

Belfast Newsletter - Well well well. There is a whole different side to Belfast that I suggest many people have been totally unaware of - to their loss. So you are familiar with city centre shopping, Belfast City Hall, The Cathedral Quarter, the Ulster Museum and Botanic Gardens, the Golden Mile, the Victoria Square and environs, Lisburn Road and the Troubles Tours in the west of the city?

But what about the Titanic Quarter as a weekend leisure designation?
Never thought of it? Me Neither.

But that all changed with a stay in the delightful Titanic Hotel.

Inside England's 'best large hotel' - on a stunning dockside site in Liverpool

Inside England's 'best large hotel' - on a stunning dockside site in Liverpool

The Daily Mail - It's on the site of a filming location for Captain America: The First Avenger - and it's a marvel of a place to stay.

Titanic Hotel Liverpool won the Large Hotel of the Year gong at this year's VisitEngland Awards for Excellence. And I can confirm that it was a worthy recipient, with the location's Captain America cameo adding an extra dollop of allure.

This is officially the best hotel in England for 2023

This is officially the best hotel in England for 2023

Time Out - Liverpool’s Titanic Hotel wins gold at VisitEngland’s Awards for Excellence.

Every year, the tourism body VisitEngland hosts its Awards for Excellence to celebrate the ‘crème de la crème’ of the country’s tourist and hospitality industry. 

Last week’s ceremony saw Liverpool’s Titanic Hotel win the gold award for large hotel of the year. It sits in a former warehouse on the city’s Stanley Docks overlooking the River Mersey.

Harcourt to invest €5m in expanding Lough Eske’s five-star luxury hotel

Harcourt to invest €5m in expanding Lough Eske’s five-star luxury hotel

Irish Independent - Harcourt Developments, one of Ireland’s largest property development and management companies, is to invest €5m in an expansion of its five-star Lough Eske Castle Hotel in Co Donegal.

The company, which was founded by Donegal property developer Pat Doherty and is behind the Titanic Quarter in Belfast, recently submitted a planning application to expand Lough Eske Castle by building a two-storey extension with 24 suites and four bedrooms.

Pat Doherty’s vision celebrated at 15th anniversary of Lough Eske Castle: Picture Special

Pat Doherty’s vision celebrated at 15th anniversary of Lough Eske Castle: Picture Special

Donegal Daily - The team at Lough Eske Castle celebrated its 15th anniversary last night with a memorable event which included special guest Packie Bonner. 

With over 100 guests attending including Donegal Mayor Pauric Kennedy and Directors of Harcourt Developments, who opened the property in 2007 after €40 million investment. Prior to the event commencing, Donegal man Pat Doherty OBE planted 15 Irish Oak Trees on the estate to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the hotel first opening.

Inishowen Peninsula is a staycation paradise

Inishowen Peninsula is a staycation paradise

Sunday Independent - ‘Do bears really love marmalade sandwiches?” Judging by her smile, this isn’t the first time our guide, Fiona, has heard this question.

Today it’s asked by my 10-year-old son as we stand in a forest in Donegal watching two enormous brown bears wrestle in the grass beyond. It’s a hot day so the exertions don’t last long. Rionach, the smaller bear, climbs a log to sunbathe while her brother Donnacha takes to the lake to retrieve some floating fruit treats.

Northern Ireland's leading hotel celebrates fifth birthday

Northern Ireland's leading hotel celebrates fifth birthday

Titanic Hotel Belfast is celebrating its fifth birthday this month with a quarter of the hotel’s original staff. Named Northern Ireland’s leading hotel at the World Travel Awards every year since opening its doors in 2017, the longest serving staff member Adrian McNally said he was proud of what the hotel has achieved. Adrian, the General Manager, said…

Redcastle Hotel and Spa to unveil 90 refurbished rooms in June

Redcastle Hotel and Spa to unveil 90 refurbished rooms in June

Derry Journal - The Redcastle Oceanfront Golf & Spa Hotel, Inishowen is set to unveil the results of a complete refurbishment of 90 of their bedrooms in June 2022 representing a renewal of the entire bedroom stock.

With over half a million euro already spent and further investment due later in the year this represents a major project for the hotel. It is also a very bold and positive step forward for a hospitality business following the last two years that the industry has endured.

Double Award Celebrations for Titanic Hotel Belfast & Liverpool

Double Award Celebrations for Titanic Hotel Belfast & Liverpool

Titanic Hotels are jointly celebrating winning two prestigious awards in the past 6 months, with Titanic Hotel Belfast having been awarded the most sought-after title of ‘Northern Ireland’s Leading Hotel’ at the World Travel Awards 2021, and its sister hotel, Titanic Hotel Liverpool, having been awarded ‘Hotel of the Year’ at the Liverpool City Region Tourism Awards.

Lough Eske Castle named Best Luxury Hotel in Ireland by The Times

Lough Eske Castle named Best Luxury Hotel in Ireland by The Times

The Times - Ireland is as renowned for the warmth of its hospitality as for the beauty of its landscapes, and its five-star hotels deliver magnificently on both counts. Many are privately owned, and run by loyal staff who are as fiercely proud of their hotel’s history and setting as they are delighted to share their knowledge with guests — preferably over a whiskey by a roaring fire. And well they might be proud, for the houses of Ireland are fabulous, and their settings world-class, especially along the Wild Atlantic Way

An immersive staycation at the Titanic Hotel and Museum

An immersive staycation at the Titanic Hotel and Museum

RTE - It can be easy to forget that we live on the same island that once produced the largest moving object ever made by man, that generations of Harland & Wolff workers forged Belfast's reputation as the engineering capital of the world, and that its most famous ship – the Titanic – would go on to inspire the first film to break the billion-dollar mark at the box office.

So it's fitting that the Titanic Hotel and visitor attraction in Belfast was a world-leading tourist destination before they opened their doors, in 2017 and 2012 respectively.

Fourth travel award for Titanic Hotel Belfast

Fourth travel award for Titanic Hotel Belfast

Love Belfast - For the fourth consecutive year, since opening in 2017, Titanic Hotel Belfast has been awarded the most sought-after title of ‘Northern Ireland’s Leading Hotel’ at the World Travel Awards 2021.

Renowned as the most prestigious and comprehensive in the global travel industry, the World Travel Awards acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence and are recognised globally as the ultimate hallmark of industry excellence.

Adrian McNally, General Manager, Titanic Hotel Belfast, said: “This World Travel Award is for the people of Northern Ireland who still believe in us and who have voted for us to win the title of ‘Northern Ireland’s Leading Hotel’ for the fourth year in a row.

Lough Eske Castle crowned No.2 Top Hotel in Ireland

Lough Eske Castle crowned No.2 Top Hotel in Ireland

Lough Eske Castle, outside Donegal Town, has been recognized as No. 2 in the Top Hotels in Ireland category of the Condé Nast Traveller annual Readers’ Choice Awards.

The awards are the longest-running and most prestigious recognition of excellence in the travel industry and are commonly known as “the best of the best of travel.”

Dónal Cox, General Manager of Lough Eske Castle commented: “It’s a great honour to be recognised as one of the top ten hotels in Ireland by the readers of Conde Nast Traveler Magazine for the fourth year running.”

It's the treble for Titanic Hotel Belfast

It's the treble for Titanic Hotel Belfast

Love Belfast - Three is the magic number as staff at Titanic Hotel Belfast celebrate the treble this week, having received the overall award of Ireland’s Hotel Restaurant of the Year, the regional award of Ulster Hotel Restaurant of the Year and the Great Place to Stay Quality Award. This is the second consecutive year the hotel has been recognised by the Irish Hotels Awards winning these three awards for excellence with the ‘Wolff Grill’ restaurant being judged on the standard of food and service for which it has become renowned.

Belfast: The great escape - How and why Belfast is buzzing with visitors from the Republic

Belfast: The great escape - How and why Belfast is buzzing with visitors from the Republic

Irish Independent - Belfast is fast becoming the social capital of Ireland as hotels, restaurants and pubs fill with a flood of weekend visitors from as far away as Cork and Kerry.

City centre hotels are reporting up to 80pc of their weekend trade is southerners who are flooding into the city to enjoy wining and dining with fewer restrictions. Iarnród Éireann announced yesterday that all trains to Belfast from Dublin Connolly were booked out.

Titanic Hotel scoops World Travel Awards for third time

Titanic Hotel scoops World Travel Awards for third time

Belfast Telegraph - In the toughest of trading years for the hospitality sector, Titanic Hotel Belfast has been awarded the most sought-after title of ‘Northern Ireland’s Leading Hotel’, for the third time in a row, at the World Travel Awards 2020.