TIME AND SPACE Cathrine Burke and Niall Campbell have created a modern retreat in Horn Head on the tip of Co. Donegal. Their approach at Breac.House, focusing on local crafts and striking architecture, has given the traditional concept of bed and breakfast a new lease of life, writes SIOBHÁN BREATNACH
How have you redefined
Eddie Doherty - Tweed
the concept of B&B?
throughout the house
We wanted to take all the things that
The Veneerist - Wooden bathroom
concept was going to be important to us. Where’s good to eat nearby? There is a great food scene in Donegal
people love about the B&B experience
beakers and wooden rituals box
and take it to the next level of modern
McNutts - Linen sauna towels
comprising some fantastic long-
hospitality to include concierge style
The Pear in Paper - Bespoke prints
standing establishments and newer
bespoke service, thoughtful design,
Atlantic Equipment project - Picnic bags
ventures by young chefs returning
simple but delicious local food, extra
Superfolk - Bespoke prints
to the area. In our local town of
services such as our seaweed bath and
Tricia Harris - Living room
Dunfanaghy, guests absolutely adore the
wood fired sauna and a sense of total
unit and in-room chairs
sourdough pizza in The Rusty Oven.
and complete privacy and relaxation.
Simon O’Driscoll - Sofa and table
For something special with views over the bay, it’s hard to beat The Cove.
We toyed with so many names How do you define luxury?
There are also great options including
closer to the European concept
We believe modern luxury is
Fisk in Downings, Batch in Falcarragh
of an inn so we generally define
about time, space and generosity.
for the concept as we are probably
ourselves as a modern retreat. Why was it important to incorporate the work of nearby craftspeople? For us, modern travel is all about connection. We feel strongly that even those with us for a short
and Teach Coll in Magheraorty.
Life is very busy for most people so the last thing you need on a break is to
Aside from Breac.House,
feel constrained or limited in any way.
where would you choose to
So we provide the time and the space to do loads or nothing, to just
staycation in Ireland? Obviously we are pretty biased
be, to catch up with each other, to
on this one as there are so many
sleep and eat and to breathe.
amazing locations and hospitality
Our concept of generosity is simply
providers in Donegal. Donegal has everything from the
stay should feel some connection
that once you book with us, you
to the people and this place.
have everything you need whether
beautiful family run country houses,
it’s pre-dinner drinks or unlimited
Rathmullan House and Castle Grove
supplies of treats and mineral water.
House, to more modern accommodation
When guests arrive, the first thing we do is bring them to the large window in
with amazing food at Carnaween House
the living area that provides an almost complete view of the northwest coast from
What was the inspiration behind
Sheephaven Bay across to Bloodyforeland.
the name Breac.House?
Almost everything they see, touch,
Breac.House takes its name from the
(Narin/Portnoo). Further afield, Inis Meain Restaurant and Suites is a very unique place and it’s really hard to beat
taste and experience during a stay comes
town land of Lurgabrack on Horn Head
the sublime food and amazing hospitality
from people who live within that view.
in which we are situated. Lurgabrack is
at The Wild Honey Inn in Lisdoonvarna.
It has been one of the great joys of
an Irish language name, meaning ‘the
the project to work so closely with
specked shin’, which describes both the
so many makers, some just starting
speckled landscape and our location
out and some representing the very
at the shin end of the leg that is the
best of Donegal’s craft heritage.
Horn Head peninsula. In a nice local geographic and linguistic twist of fate,
Keeping it local – makers to look out for
the Irish name for trout is also ‘breac’
Donegal Natural Soap Co
meaning the specked fish. As we also
Bespoke toiletries
overlook an inland lake, which is famed
Muck n Muffins - Breakfast crockery
for its stocks of brown trout, we knew the
Go Wild Magazine - Staycation Edition 2020
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www.gowildmagazine.com
