Madra Rua Organic Accommodation

MADRA RUA

Located along the Wild Atlantic Way and overlooking the Trawbreaga Bay and the Isle of Doagh, Madra Rua is the perfect place to set up your base camp to explore the delights of the Inishowen peninsula and its wild scenic coastline, part of the North West Region of Ireland, the most northerly area in the country.

Madra Rua is another way of saying Sionnach (fox in Irish language) what recalls the original name of our townland of Ráth Sionnaigh (Rashenny) which means The Fox Fort.

CONVENIENTLY LOCATED

Our surroundings offer assorted places: cliffs, forests, beaches, lakes and mountains, all surrounded by the Atlantic ocean and the sand dunes, and also gorse and heather. Ever-changing with the seasons, hours and weather. You'll be able to observe the changes of the landscape with the seasons and the stars and northern lights in the sky.

Ideal whether it's for pleasure, family gatherings or special occasions, our house is conveniently located to enjoy a wide range of attractions and festivals available in the area: Ballyliffin Golf Club (2 Km), Isle of Doagh Famine Village (6 Km), Clonmany Music Festival (5 Km), Tullagh Bay (equestrian centre and surf school)... just to mention a few of them.

ORGANIC ACCOMMODATION

Each room has its own view: ones of the Trawbreaga Bay and Isle of Doagh, others of the Glashedy Island or the Coolcross Hill. And as an organic accommodation, you'll be wrapped up in organic bamboo bed linen and you'll find organic cotton towels for your shower or bath.

All our bedrooms boast the following features:
En-suite bathroom with power shower
Walk-in wardrobe
Wi-Fi access
Complimentary bottled water
Irish designed and made mattresses
Double Rooms: King size bed
Twin Room: two Single beds
Triple Room: one King size bed and one Single bed
Family Room: one King size bed and two Single beds
Organic bamboo bed linen
Organic cotton towels and bath mats
Lyocell and cotton duvets and pillows: you experience a comfortable and dry sleep since the lyocell fibres breath and absorb moisture
Hairdryer
Toiletries: organic shampoo, conditioner and shower gel, organic cotton and bamboo swabs and tissues
To help guests relax there are no TVs in the guests bedrooms but you'll find one in the guests living room as well as board games.

We don't have the facilities to pamper pets in the way we'd like to so we can't accommodate them.

Check in time: from 3 pm.
Check out time: at 11 am.

We have room where we are happy to store luggage on days of arrival and departure.

There is a cot and a high chair for babies available in our house.

DINING

We offer a range of dietary choices (gluten and/or dairy free options, vegetarian, vegan...). If you let us know of any dietary special requests, we'll do our best to make sure we get everything just right for you.


Breakfast

A great day starts with a good breakfast and... Better if it's organic!

Served until 10 am, offers a variety of delicious options that include tea, coffee, fruit juices, cereals, muesli, seasonal fresh fruit, butter, jam, marmalade and honey, homemade yoghurt, homemade cottage cheese, homemade cakes, fresh scones, sourdough bread...

If you prefer a home cooked breakfast, cooked to order, we also offer Full Irish Breakfast which includes sausages, bacon, tomato, baked beans, black and white pudding, mushrooms and eggs cooked to your taste (poached, scrambled, fried or boiled).

You can also ask for pancakes with syrup or fresh home cooked porridge or choose from a selection of toasties.

A nice way to set you up for the days activities and adventures ahead whether you choose from our cold buffet selection or go for a traditionally cooked Irish Breakfast. Or... Try a little of both!


Afternoon tea

Enjoy a welcoming tea or coffee with a homemade scone at your arrival or help yourself at a later stage on your stay. You'll find a kettle always available for you upstairs and another one in the dining room.


Evening meals

Served from 7 to 9 pm. On request. Organic. Ask for “Today's menu”. Extra charge.


Packed lunch

Ask for our homemade and organic picnic goodies to keep you going during the day. For packages and prices please request.


Late supper

Hungry before going to bed? Ask for a sandwich or snack. Until 10 pm. Extra charge.

LOCAL ACTIVITIES & ATTRACTIONS

There's something here for everybody: Hiking, trekking, walking, horse riding, cycling, surfing, swimming, playing golf, fishing, angling... Come and get closer to nature or immerse yourself into the ocean.

Culture, art, music, poetry, small galleries and local festivals.

County Donegal is rich with culture: language, music and tradition. You'll find many local crafts-makers, historic houses, summer festivals, Gaelic football games...

Find the traditional music sessions in the local pubs and enjoy a pint of Guinness. Visit the Walled City of Derry, in Northern Ireland.

Boat trips with your car: you can cross the River Foyle by ferry from Greencastle to Magilligan Point, in Northern Ireland (where you can follow the “Causeway Coastal Route until the “Giant's Causeway” and visit a few places where “Game of Thrones” was filmed and the oldest distillery in Ireland, located in Bushmills) or you can cross the River Swilly from Buncrana to Rathmullan and drive to Dunfanaghy and enjoy the stunning views from the Horn Head.

Visit Malin Head, the northerly point of Ireland, where a few scenes of “Star Wars” were filmed, following the R2D2 road and, in your way back and around Inishowen, remember: “Drive safe you must”! (As Yoda would say...)

EVENTS & FESTIVALS

A few of those you'll be able to find:

“Inishowen Traditional Singers' Circle”: with live sessions every second Friday of the month from September to June.
“Ballyliffin Coastal Challenge”: in Spring.
“Inishowen International Folk Song and Ballad Seminar”: in March.
“Inishowen Agricultural Show”: in July / August.
“Clonmany Music Festival”: at the beginning of August.
“Disappear Here Film Festival”: in September.
“The Seamus Grant Weekend of Traditional Music and Culture”: in October.
“Donegal Lapland”: in December.
In Letterkenny: the Regional Cultural Centre hosts regular events and exhibitions and the Grianan Theatre stages a wide variety of concerts and plays.

LOCATION

Donegal is actually closer than you think and there are transport options if you don't want to drive.

If you come by car, we're less than 4 hours' drive from Dublin or 2.5 hours from Belfast. You can also consider the Donegal Airport.

The length of your stay and how far afield you'd like to roam while here will help you decide if you need a car or not. Walking and cycling is always an option from our house and there are also a few routes whose buses may stop at our front door if you're coming from Dublin, Letterkenny, Buncrana or Moville. We're also happy to collect you from the bus stop in Carndonagh in case you're coming from Derry. Give us a shout to discuss further.