A taste of Donegal’s elegance – Seven courses of culinary excellence at Castle Grove Country House
By ELEANOR MCGILLIE 1 July, 2025
Castle Grove Country House truly is a step above the rest so as part of our 2025 gastronomic motorbike tour of Ireland we rode from the Orchard County to Donegal for a wine and food pairing night which captured everything we love about this country
IF every great dining experience tells a story, then the one which unfolded at Castle Grove Country House on June 27 was an epic tale of elegance, tradition and taste. Set within the walled estate on the shores of Lough Swilly, the seven-course tasting menu, paired with carefully selected wines by Tindal Wine Merchants, was nothing short of a masterclass in culinary storytelling.
This journey was part of our ongoing Live It Experience It gastronomic tour of Ireland by motorbike – an adventure featured back in January 2025 in the Belfast Telegraph which you can read here.
Castle Grove’s wine night was the perfect lure to steer us from Ireland’s Orchard County north westward to the place I consider the most beautiful in the world – Donegal.
Guests arriving at Castle Grove – a Georgian house built in 1695 – were greeted not only by the grandeur of its lengthy meandering driveway and ivy-clad façade, but by the genuine warmth of the Sweeney family. As the heavy front door opened into the grand hall, there was a palpable sense of occasion. The Sweeneys, who have restored and cared for the estate for over 40 years, extend a welcome which is as comforting as it is personal. Here, you’re not just dining – you’re being brought into the heart of a home.
Inside, the soft lighting, antique furnishings and delicate clink of glassware set the tone for the beautiful evening which was about to unfold. This wasn’t simply dinner – it was a celebration of Donegal’s produce, elevated by European wine and wrapped in the elegance of country house hospitality.
A menu which tells a story
The evening began with a glass of Prosecco Treviso Extra Dry ‘Sgajo’ from Veneto – crisp and refreshing, an ideal match for the creamy goat cheese starter, served with coffee-pickled beetroot, pear and walnut. This opening dish set a confident tone, combining texture and depth with visual artistry.
The second course – garlic chive roasted aubergine and courgette ribbon with lemon vinaigrette – was paired with a zesty Grüner Veltliner ‘Crazy Creatures’ from Austria. It was a dish which danced between earthy and bright, grounded by ingredients from the estate’s walled garden and elevated by global pairing.
Each course showcased not only technical precision but an intuitive respect for seasonality for what’s growing now in the garden. The scorched local mackerel fillet – served with dill, cucumber and a tangy salt ’n’ vinegar cream – was paired with a delicate Prestige Rosé from Château Sainte-Croix, Provence. It was a coastal homage, a nod to Donegal’s rich fishing heritage brought to life with Mediterranean flair.
Then came the main event – a perfectly pink rump of Donegal lamb with leek purée, whiskey-soaked dates and garlic courgettes. Paired with a bold Saint Joseph Vieilles Vignes Rouge, this course was a triumph of local meets luxury. The lamb, sourced nearby, was tender and full of flavour – enhanced by the complexity of the wine and the warmth of the story behind it. It was simply stunning.
The dessert – a strawberry custard tart with toasted almonds, fresh fruit and strawberry ice cream – rounded off the experience with a nostalgic yet refined sweetness. A final flourish of petit fours and fresh coffee marked the end of an evening that was as much about conversation and connection as it was cuisine.
Bringing the glass to life
What set this event apart was the presence of Karen from Tindal Wine Merchants – a company renowned for its carefully curated portfolio of fine wines. Karen educated, entertained and enriched the overall experience. Her knowledge of the vineyards, vintages and producers added layers to each pairing, turning every glass into a chapter of the evening’s story. Her approachable delivery made the wines accessible, whether you were a connoisseur or simply curious.
A house which speaks to the heart
What makes Castle Grove Country House unique is not only its architectural elegance, but the heartbeat of family which runs through it. The Sweeney family has created something rare – a fine dining destination which doesn’t lose its soul to formality. Guests are treated like old friends. Staff glide between tables with professional ease and natural warmth. Conversations flow, glasses clink, and laughter rises softly through the halls.
Even the produce reflects that ethos. Many ingredients are grown in the estate’s walled garden. Fish is locally landed. Oils and spirits are sourced from Donegal producers like Croithlí Distillery and Donegal Rapeseed Oil. This is provenance with purpose – food rooted in place.
Rest your head
Accommodation at Castle Grove is everything you’d expect from a country house with such pedigree – and then some. The rooms, each individually styled, are beautifully in keeping with the Georgian character of the estate. Antique furnishings, high ceilings, original sash windows and period features are offset by all the comforts of modern hospitality. Think deep, restful beds dressed in crisp white linen, generous en suites and uninterrupted views of the gardens, woodlands, walled garden or Lough Swilly beyond.
What makes staying at Castle Grove Country House so memorable is not just the quality of the surroundings, but the sense of peace they inspire. Mornings begin with birdsong and tea and coffee served in the drawing room, a fine breakfast menu offered us grapefruit, porridge, granola and a beautiful selection of hot plates while evenings wind down in the beautiful sitting rooms and in winter, you can enjoy a crackling fire with a good book or quiet conversation. The pace here is slower – designed for those who want to retreat, reconnect and savour the beauty of Donegal in a place which feels like home, only finer.
Whether you’re visiting as part of a food tour, attending a private event, or simply exploring the Wild Atlantic Way, Castle Grove Country House offers a base which blends warmth, elegance and authenticity. For couples, solo travellers or small groups seeking an experience steeped in charm, it delivers on every level – not least because of the Sweeney family’s unwavering dedication to making every guest feel part of something special.
Planning Your Visit
Castle Grove Country House is located between Letterkenny and Ramelton in Co Donegal. It offers seasonal menus, afternoon teas, private dining experiences and overnight stays – all within the splendour of its historic estate. It’s a superb wedding venue, hosts private functions and is one of 60 prestigious Ireland’s Blue Book Members and member of Food Coast Donegal.
To find out more, book a table or enquire about upcoming wine pairing events, visit www.castlegrove.com or call +353 (0)74 915 1118.
Final Thoughts
This was more than a tasting menu – it was an immersion into the best of Donegal’s hospitality. Castle Grove Country House and Tindal Wines have created a blueprint for what authentic, high-end food tourism can be. For us, it was a journey worth every mile on the bike – a reminder that in Ireland, the road to good food is also the road to unforgettable stories.
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