There is lots happening in Donegal this Christmas season- Festive Escapes, Family Fun and Seasonal Dining, the annual Lighting Up ceremony, and Food Drive in aid of St Vincent de Paul.
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Celebrate Christmas at Donegal’s five-star castle, with a four-night festive stay from €1,329 per person sharing
This Christmas, Lough Eske Castle is inviting guests to embrace the festive season with a programme of luxury stays, seasonal dining, family entertainment and special events throughout November and December.
Set within 43 acres of woodland just outside Donegal Town, the five-star castle will once again transform for Christmas, offering everything from its four-night Christmas at the Castle experience to festive afternoon tea, family events and its annual Christmas lighting ceremony.
Four Nights of Christmas at the Castle
Guests staying on 24th, 25th and 26th December 2026 will receive the night of 23rd December complimentary, giving them four nights to relax and enjoy Christmas without the usual preparations at home.
The four-night Christmas at the Castle package starts from €1,329 per person sharing and includes breakfast, festive dining and live entertainment throughout the stay.
Christmas Eve includes a three-course dinner in Cedars Restaurant or the Gallery Bar, followed by mulled wine and mince pies for guests returning from Christmas services and live music in the Gallery Bar.
Christmas Day begins with a full Irish breakfast and a welcome glass of sparkling wine, followed by a festive buffet lunch in the Castle Ballroom from 1pm to 4pm. Christmas night buffet supper is served in the Gallery Bar from 7pm to 9pm, followed by live music.
On St Stephen’s Day, guests can enjoy breakfast followed by a three-course dinner in Cedars Restaurant or the Gallery Bar and another evening of live music.
Four-night adult rates per person, based on two adults sharing, are:
Courtyard Room – from €1,329
Deluxe Room – from €1,409
Superior Deluxe Room – from €1,549
Junior Suite – from €1,699
Garden Suite – from €1,839
Donegal Suite – from €1,959
A Magical Christmas for Children
Families are particularly well catered for, with spacious family accommodation and a dedicated Children’s Christmas Package.
Young guests can look forward to breakfast each morning, dinner on Christmas Eve and St Stephen’s Day, Santa’s Little Helpers entertainment, a visit from Santa Claus on Christmas Day, festive Christmas lunch and Christmas night buffet supper.
The programme also includes a Festive Fairy Trail, family activities, a St Stephen’s Day family quiz and complimentary festive carriage rides with Theresa the horse from 11am to 3pm on Christmas Eve and St Stephen’s Day.
Children’s four-night package prices are:
Ages 3–12 sharing with two adults – from €468 per child
Ages 3–12 not sharing with two adults – from €678 per child
Children over 12 – from €775.50 per child
Festive Afternoon Tea
Throughout the season, guests can enjoy Festive Afternoon Tea in the Gallery Bar or Drawing Rooms, served daily from 12pm to 4pm.
The menu combines festive sandwiches with seasonal pastries and sweet treats, including homemade scones, Black Forest gâteau, spiced carrot cake, frangipane mince pies and festive gingerbread.
Traditional Festive Afternoon Tea – €40 per person
Sparkling Festive Afternoon Tea – €55 per person
Champagne Festive Afternoon Tea – €65 per person
Teddy Bears Afternoon Tea Party
One of Lough Eske Castle’s most popular family traditions returns on 13th and 20th December 2026, commencing at 1pm.
The Teddy Bears Afternoon Tea Party takes place in the Castle Ballroom and includes a special children’s afternoon tea, a disco and a visit from Santa. Children are encouraged to bring their favourite teddy along to join the party.
€35 per adult
€25 per child
Local fun: The annual Christmas lighting up ceremony & charity food drive
The festive season officially begins at Lough Eske Castle on 29th November 2026 at 4pm with the annual Christmas Lighting Ceremony, followed by a children’s disco in the Castle Ballroom.
The event also marks the beginning of the hotel’s Christmas charity food drive in conjunction with St Vincent de Paul. The event is open to the public, with guests and visitors encouraged to bring non-perishable food donations for local families. The food drive will continue until 18th December.
Festive Gift Ideas
For those looking to give an experience this Christmas, Lough Eske Castle gift vouchers are also available and can be used towards stays, dining and spa experiences. Other gift ideas include the hotel’s whiskey tasting experience, priced at €40 per person.
Or treat yourself to a trip to the hotel’s award-winning CARA Organic Spa. The Wrapped in Wellbeing ritual is a 75-minute treatment combining a soothing back, neck and shoulder massage with a bespoke GROUND facial, priced at €140, while the Winter Warming Hot Tub Experience includes 45 minutes in an outdoor hot tub, a complimentary glass of bubbly and one-hour access to the CARA Organic Spa thermal suite for €35 per person.
Booking Information
The four-night Christmas at the Castle package starts from €1,329 per person sharing.
A valid credit card is required to confirm reservations. A 50% deposit will be taken on 1st October, with the remaining 50% due on 1st December.
Cancellations after 15th December 2026 are non-refundable.
Reservations:
Tel: +353 74 972 5100
Email: reservations@lougheskecastlehotel.com