Swell Group

Well, we have had a lovely week here in Secret Cottage. We will go home now and tell everyone that Ardara has managed to hold onto what the rest of us are losing fast – time for each other, a kindliness and generosity that’s really special. Thank you Bart, Rosemary and Tracy for your welcome and hospitality.

A wonderful wee break from the outside world! Arrived to a roaring fire, champagne on ice, a beautiful bouquet of roses and lilies, and the lightest, tastiest Victoria sponge ever (thanks Rosemary!) – what a start to the weekend. (And what a team – Mark (the Man) and Bart (the Fixer) – thank you both!) Cycled North to Portnoo and Nairn on the first day, enjoying ripe brambles from the hedgerows as we went. Loved the scent of the wild honeysuckle too. Day two was a meander over the hills to Glencolmcille – wild, rugged, beautiful. Windy too. Excellent meal and Carnaween, and first class pizza from Aroma’s the next night. Oh and a tasty steak from McLoone’s was dinner on day three. And all too soon it’s time to head homeward. Bart, Rosemary and Tracey’s hospitality and kindness is exceptional – thank you all.

Delicious scones got us off to a great stay here. We have loved it despite the Donegal drizzle! Maghera beach, Nairn and Loughros Bay were highlights for us – we have trampled miles and miles of white sand – bliss. Thanks to Bart and family for their hospitality.

A gorgeous secret hide-away. Had a fab time. Bart’s wife’s sponge cake was phenomenal . It was so big you could have slept on it. Make sure you visit the waterfall and the beach at Portnoo. K2 does a great Indian meal – BYOB.

I am writing this as we end our 3 day stay in Secret Cottage in Ardara. Although we appear not to have done as much sight-seeing and activities as the other writers in this book, we have had just as great a time. We adopted a much lazier approach to our stay in Secret Cottage, just relaxing and chilling, enjoying a glass of wine, a beer or two and of course the beautiful scones and blackcurrant jam that Rosemary baked and left for us. We have enjoyed every minute of it and we’re now going back to the rat race that is Dublin, refreshed and revitalised and very calm and peaceful. Thanks to Bart and Rosemary for their wonderful hospitality and we will definitely be back for more next year. Thanks so much.

After running the Dublin marathon this week, a little R&R was much needed. Our visit to Secret Cottage was wonderful. The fresh scones, crackling fireplace, and cozy charm were graciously enjoyed.

We were just coming to the end of our holiday in Donegal. It was our first visit and it didn’t disappoint. We visited - Glenveagh National Park, a very convenient shuttle bus operates from the car park to the castle but it is a very easy walk. The cakes in the tea room are a very pleasant reward and ‘pick-me-up’ before further walking. The beach at Portnoo. It definitely blew away the cobwebs Sliabh Liag (park at the second car park as all in all it can be quite a long and tiring walk). Magnificient views from the top especially from the viewing area further up from the ‘Giant’s Table’ Letterkenny where we had a nice meal at the Lemon Tree Donegal town where we met many welcoming business people who were only too happy to offer discounts. We ate at the Aroma Café in the Craft Village. The owner was very friendly and the food good. We bought a lovely carrot cake to take away. Very pleasant. All in all, we had a great stay and are very happy with the Cottage. It’s very well kitted out and nicely decorated. Bart met us on our first night and we were greeted with a fire, freshly-baked scones, buns and homemade chocolates. A very welcome treat and nice touch. Many thanks, it was what the doctor ordered.