Live It. Experience It.

01/07/2024

Castle Grove Country House Hotel near Ramelton, Donegal, will always have a special place in my heart.

Back in September 1994, in QUB halls of residence, I was in Ogilvie Hall and who ends up being my next door neighbour? Karoline Sweeney! That wasn't today or yesterday but I was a very lucky girl to meet someone so amazing.

When we were students, we'd get the bus from Belfast to Letterkenny and stay here for the weekend. The house was something else back then. You should see it now!

Years later, since we last saw each other, about 27 years to be precise, we finally arranged a night together in Karoline's home - back to Castle Grove Country House.

Times have changed but what hasn't changed is the warmth of the Sweeney family and my dear friend Karoline hasn't changed a bit. It's true what they say - the oldies are the besties!

Everyone who comes through that big front door into that stunning Georgian hallway is treated like family whether your staff, visitors or an old friend like me.

We had a brilliant night. We laughed, we ate, we laughed and laughed some more. It was great to be back.

This magnificent award winning country house and member of Ireland's Blue Book, is a very special place indeed. The bedrooms are all fabulous.

We were very privileged to get staying in the George B Shaw room which is exquisite with its seven foot bed, stunning bathroom, with views of the perfectly manicured lawns overlooking Lough Swilly.

The food in the Michelin recommended restaurant - my goodness. When you're in Donegal, like I often am as it's my favourite place on earth, I just have to indulge in whatever seafood offerings there are. The flavours and textures, the vibrancy and care of every plate which came out of the kitchen, was top class. Compliments to the chef and the front of house team - your attention to detail was phenomenal.

Castle Grove Country House is one of the few remaining private estates in the northwest of Ireland. Once you drive through the gates and meander your way towards the house, with its own walled garden to your right, you are immediately feeling the tranquility. You know you're somewhere special.

I just love it!

This is a home away from home. A destination. A wedding venue. A place to hold your special occasion. A big old Georgian country house to be admired.

If you've never been, you must go. If you've been and haven't been in a while, go back!

To book, you can ring directly on 00353 74 9151118 or book online https://www.castlegrove.com/

Castle Grove Country House is a treat. So treat yourself!

A big thank you to the Sweeney family. ❤️

25/12/2023

Happy Christmas everyone. Here's to a new year full of adventure, stories and making memories!

19/11/2023

This is mind blowing!

Game of Thrones tour, Linen Mill Studios, Banbridge. What an experience!

Get on the Westeros bus at the Boulevard which will transport you to this magical location!

Visit Armagh Visit Belfast Visit Ireland Linen Mill Studios Live It. Experience It.

23/10/2023

This Saturday is the hugely popular Richhill Apple Harvest Fayre and I'm gutted to be missing it! This is a great celebration of the Armagh Bramley Apple and there'll be a wonderful array of food and drink producers on their stalls. This is a brilliant day out so enjoy it if you go!

I, however, will be lapping up the sea air in Donegal for a impromptu trip west! Our home for the weekend is Creevy Cottages so I'm looking forward to the smell of turf, the feel of the wild Atlantic gusts, the taste of freshly caught seafood, long walks with the dogs and my handsome other half!

06/07/2023

So far on our we've been hiking with alpacas at BallyBurren, deep sea mackerel fishing with Causeway Lass and today we are taking some friends with us on a woodland walk at Breckenhill with Hawk Walks Falconry Experiences N.I... the children are going to love this.

If you've any other recommendations, tag below. Much appreciated.



📸 Hawk Walks Falconry Experiences NI.

06/07/2023

It looks like it's all happening in September as two of my favourite things feature during the month - food and cider!! Check out this itinerary and book your spots!

The Armagh Food and Cider Weekend is happening from September 7-10 - the biggest foodie event of the season in the heart of the Orchard County.

Visit Armagh Crannagael House Long Meadow Cider Navan Centre & Fort Yellow Door Burren Balsamic Wee Buns Cookery School Armagh Observatory and Planetarium Spadetown Krazi Baker Kinnego Bushcraft

VisitArmagh.com is Armagh’s official visitor site with events, things to do, tourist information tours and attractions. Plan your visit to Ireland's ecclesiastical capital.

05/07/2023

What a glorious evening to be out mackerel fishing on the Causeway Lass with skipper Richard Connor and his nephew Jay! This is a really cool experience for anyone looking something different to do with the kiddos during the summer holidays. We were out from 6pm to 9pm and loved every minute. This cruiser was in the bay on her journey from America. Then as we finished our fishing trip she was continuing her voyage to Iceland apparently! what a great night. If you fancy a fishing trip, book online, but definitely bring a warm coat and hat - you'll appreciate it. Cheers all for a great evening and thanks Jay for the scones! Treat!!



https://causewayboats.com/book-a-tour/

02/07/2023

Something for the summer holidays!! Alpaca trekking at BallyBurren which ends with coffee and cake for the mums and dads and treats for the children!

The trek is on stoned ground, you'll go over little bridges, see lots of wildlife, little piglets and giant ponds! It lasts about 1hr15 ish and there's great chat along the route!

What else will we do? Tag an experience below.....

Causeway Lass coming up as is Hawk Walks Falconry Experiences N.I -

01/07/2023

Two weeks, no work, just activities for the next 16 days, starting with breakfast at 4C Restaurant Armagh.

It's so great to see the place full to the gills at 10am! Of course Armagh V Monaghan today so lots of supporters in getting filled up before heading south! Good luck Armagh!!

We are also booking a three hour Mackerel fishing trip with Causeway Lass and a VIP Falconry experience with Hawk Walks Falconry Experiences N.I

Any other recommendations? Tag below!

Let down time commence! PS if you're on TikTok follow us there

08/04/2023

No surprise here at all. Our spectacular Mourne Mountains named 'one of the most remote and beautiful places in the world'

The study named 50 locations worldwide

08/04/2023

We love Hillsborough Castle and Gardens - the architecture, the gardens, the lake, the nature, the vegetables, the walkways, the restaurant, the friendliness of the team and the fascinating history of this 18th century Irish Big House (it was very common for the rich, predominantly Anglo-Irish upper classes to call their grand country houses ‘castles’, as this reinforced the antiquity of their families.)

If you're looking for somewhere to go this Easter, we recommend here.

03/01/2023

Fermanagh is a county I've often thought I could live in because of its sheer beauty. It's a place where you can indulge yourself with lakes, National Trust properties, activities, culture and great food and drink.

Over New Year we stayed in the Beckett Suite at the Killyhevlin Lakeside Hotel & Lodges - it was an opportunity to indulge for sure. With views like this, as the sun goes down, what more could you ask for?

27/10/2022

A mid week treat in our nearest and dearest Digbys Bar & Restaurant Killylea, Co Armagh!

10/09/2022

Panang Curry, Uluru Bar & Grill, Armagh.

Delicious! Book a table!

02/09/2022

When I worked as a news editor for a regional daily newspaper in England I became really good friends with a girl from Antrim. She still lives in England but is currently on a visit home, so, last night, we met up for the first time in four years. And it was just amazing.

Wine&Brine in Moira was our perch for the night and what an evening it was. The standard of food was something else!

We had the house sourdough cheese and onion bread with cultured butter, crispy olives and goats cheese. For mains, My friend had dairy cow rump, crispy ox cheek and chimichurri. I savoured on the Indian spiced monkfish with masala, cucumber yoghurt and we shared some beautiful season potatoes and broccoli with yoghurt and almonds.

Neither of us could move at this point but the lovely Hanna came back with the dessert menu.

Chocolate, cherry
Pavlova, Goodberry Farm strawberries
Warm savarin, blackcurrant, cherry blossom cream Peach, raspberry, almond
Elderflower cream, local gooseberries, doughnut Selection of Irish cheese, homemade biscuits & chutney

Hard to ignore so we trooped on!

This was a dining experience full of flavours. It's intimate, you can watch the chefs create in the open kitchen restaurant, and, as for Hanna who looked after us - what a gem! Talk about knowing the menu inside out - she very much encouraged our choices with her wonderful knowledge.

We'll definitely be back! An amazing evening - great company, great food, a great experience.

27/08/2022

This, my friends, is what a 16oz burger looks like at The Hungry Goat - the popular eaterie which was named the 2022 Ulster Winner of the Best Newcomer award at the recent Irish Restaurant Awards.

Needless to say it wasn't me eating this but my other half had no problem clearing his plate. 💪

The new menu is fabulous so if you haven't been yet, book your table. It's situated in Dyan, Co Tyrone just two miles outside of Caledon. A hidden gem!

20/08/2022

Last night, I was treated out to dinner by my handsome other half and we chose Digbys Bar & Restaurant - it's our favourite, it's on our doorstep and we hadn't been since the new chef arrived.

The food was scrumptious to say the least and the service, as always, was top notch. I had these beautiful king prawns and then hake risotto while my other half got the goats cheese and sirloin steak.

Thank you Claire and Michael for a great night and hats off to the new chef - the food was exceptional! See you again soon.

If you haven't been to Digby's in a while - get your table booked. You're missing out!

13/08/2022

Round Donegal in a van conversion! That's the craic with us this weekend. We picked up the mighty Red In The Wild from Cushendall on Thursday and hit the open road! What a joy this is in this weather. It was lovely meeting tourists on Thursday night at Dunluce before heading west first thing yesterday morning. Loving this van conversion life and totally get the TikTok hype! Here's a quick look at our home for the weekend! To book Red In The Wild visit redinthewild.com

07/08/2022

Good evening from Rostrevor, Co Down.

24/07/2022

Nothing to see here. Just a dad enjoying the beauty of Donegal with his daughter!

📸

16/07/2022

We've headed south today for a bit of sunshine. Slane is a fabulous place to be lazing around. The castle brings back memories of, when I was a lot younger let's say, when I came here to watch Neil Young and Pearl Jam perform. Now, there's a beautiful whiskey distillery, walks and a restaurant with seating outside. Perfect for a chill out after the Cuchulain Coaster at Tayto Park. It was so hot we went for a dip in the River Boyne!

Slane Castle Slane Whiskey

04/06/2022

That's a day for lying out 🌞🌞

29/05/2022

Well, what a little gem in Dyan, just a few miles outside of Caledon village in County Tyrone.

The Hungry Goat is one of those places that you open the doors and you get a feeling you've just stepped into somewhere pretty special. The welcome is warm, the food is delightful and you can bring your own! The interior is in keeping with the feel of the old Dyan Mill and it caters for intimate meals or special occasions.

To the side and back of the restaurant there's a play park and a petting farm. It's definitely unusual to go to Dyan for dinner on a Sunday night let alone see a zebra grazing, wallabies wandering and goats being mischievous. There's much more apparently but that's for another day.

If you haven't been, give it a go. It's one of those places you'd get food envy very quickly. Every dish which passed by us looked pretty scrumptious. Great portions, a varied menu and there's something for everyone. Thumbs up from me! Quality food in a quality location. Have a peek!

24/04/2022

Well, that was scrumptious!

Uluru Bar & Grill in Armagh city centre never disappoints! Our meal tonight was fabulous. I do love the Goats Cheese Tartlet and the varieties of meat, chicken and vegan dishes on the menu.

Again, there's an amazing range of locally produced beers, ciders and spirits to choose from as well as a great range of cocktails.

It's so nice to be dining out again and having food to this standard reminds me how much I missed dining out over the last few years.

Thanks to the team tonight for the great, friendly service as always. Home now to lie up! The Easter holidays are officially over!

Have a great week all.

22/04/2022

I was speaking to a friend recently who said he'd no idea where to take his girlfriend locally where they'd be guaranteed a delicious meal, in a chilled out and relaxed setting.

The orchard county is full of great places but this is one of them - Groucho's On The Square in Richhill. This is a cracking pub serving sumptuous food and a selection of locally produced / distilled spirits, ciders and beers. So local are the producers that visitors can see them listed in terms of 'miles from the pub' on a blackboard.

Mervyn Steenson, head chef, is a local legend. He's always been a key player in the county's Food Heartland and also the Richhill Apple Harvest Fayre. The guy is just so passionate about food, food provenance and supporting local growers and producers.

The lunch and dinner menus are really amazing and the staff are super! So, if you want somewhere really cool in County Armagh, take a spin out the road to Grouchos. You'll be well looked after.

19/04/2022

A beautiful Spring day at Hillsborough Castle and Gardens Our day started with breakfast in Yellow Door followed by a walk around the walled garden, around the woodland, the perimeter walk around the lake and back up to the gift shop. This is a stunning day out for all of the family. Our day finished with dinner at The Pheasant Restaurant. All the fresh air and great food has wiped us out. If you're going to Hillsborough Castle, you can book tickets online in advance. A thoroughly enjoyable day and what a wonderful team of people.

18/04/2022

I feel as though I've done nothing but eat all day. But, when Digbys Bar & Restaurant is on your doorstep it's hard to say no to an Easter Monday treat! A great chef, a great team and sublime food! Thanks Claire and Michael.

18/04/2022

Out and about in the ecclesiastical capital! Breakfast at 4C Coffee House & Kitchen Great food, great menu, great service!