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At a Glance

This exquisitely restored 17^th-century manor house is an intimate exclusive-use retreat set in Donegal’s stunning countryside.

Indagare Loves

• The spacious and stylish bathrooms, outfitted with beautiful wallpaper and freestanding tubs
• The large orangerie carved out of the property’s rock
• The pièce de résistance: the double-height foyer illuminated by a grand chandelier

Review

With dramatic Donegal scenery and coddling luxury, Rockhill House is a sumptuous estate that is exclusively available for full takeovers. The 17^th-century manor has undergone many incarnations, including housing the Irish army during the Troubles in the 1960s. In 2014, a prominent surgeon happened upon the neglected estate, was struck by the beauty of the double-height foyer and vowed to restore the house to its former glory.

Today, that soaring sanctum is lit by a massive chandelier specially constructed for the space. Each of the grand salons boast spectacular décor with silk chaise lounges, antiques and extraordinary chandeliers, as well as French doors that open onto the beautifully manicured garden.

The 19 rooms range in size from petite to spacious, and each boast a particular color scheme, such as deep navy, forest green or rich fuchsia with plush upholstery, canopied beds and silk duvets. Bathrooms are particularly special: high-ceilinged spaces wrapped in gorgeous wallpaper with freestanding tubs. The large suites offer gorgeous views over the estate’s gardens and the Irish countryside beyond.

Dinner is served nightly in the gracious dining room, and the menu emphasizes locally sourced cuisine. The property’s horticulturalist is an expert on the products of the region and grows vegetables in the on-site garden. For larger affairs, the orangerie, a glass-enclosed hall carved from the foundation’s rock is a magnificent setting. After dinner, guests can retreat to the cozy library bar, decorated with bookshelves and tartan-upholstered furniture.

The concierge can arrange a range of diversions, such as cooking classes, farm visits, castle tours and adventurous excursions. The spa, fed by the natural spring waters on property, will house treatment rooms, a hydrotherapy pavilion and a small but well-equipped gym when it is completed in 2018.

Who Should Stay

Currently only available for exclusive use, Rockhill House is an extraordinarily special property for multigenerational trips, groups of friends or destination weddings.

Author

• Kira Reinke