
Vacation rentals in Lough Eske
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Carnaween Mountain Cottage
We couldn’t have enjoyed our stay more. Stephanie was so welcoming & friendly. The house felt like home. It is further out in the country but worth the drive. Such beautiful views surrounding the house. Perfect for a long stay!

Luxury with Lough Eske Lake View
A beautiful farmhouse overlooking Lough Eske. We stayed for 3 nights with our extended family and it was perfect. Only 10 mins from Donegal Town, and a beautiful view of the lake, it’s a perfect location, and the house itself is very nice, the rooms were really nicely furnished and modern. The hosts were so helpful and accommodating and were really quick to respond. We would absolutely recommend this house as a gorgeous getaway and hope to visit again some time in the future!

The Old Sawmill, Lough Eske 18th Century Mill
Came to Ireland for a family vacation - 8 adults and a 1 year old. This was our third AirBnb on the trip and cannot say enough about how wonderful it was! So much history but with modern amenities. It was the best part of our trip. Went on many walks - over to the castle and to Harvey's Point stopping at the Famine Pot and seeing great views of the lake & farm animals along the way. Stayed three nights and used the pool/pond and sauna every day. The dining & living rooms were really spacious. We cooked all of our meals - the kitchen is a great set up with loads of dishes and anything you could need. The butcher in town had a great selection. Musical instruments were a huge bonus. It was quite warm for May so we didn't have a chance to have any fires - but the fireplaces would be wonderful for cool nights. There is also the 'wagon' which has a double bed, small kitchen and seating area and an adjacent full bathroom available. Rose was always a message away and super helpful. Loved it!

The Boat House
The boathouse is a great place to stay with a beautiful view of the water. The house is spacious and cozy, there were five of us and we were all able to relax very well. Thank you!

Peaceful 2 bedroom apartment with balcony.
Gorgeous, cosy apartment, very clean and perfect for our requirements. Noel was very helpful and prompt with his responses. Also an extra star for the cute donkey 😍😂 We thoroughly enjoyed our stay in such a peaceful locale. Highly recommended accommodation 🙏

★ Spacious & Modern | In the ♥ of Donegal Town ★
This place suited our needs perfectly. Donegal town itself is a beautiful place with lots of good pubs and restaurants and plenty to do. We also used it as a base to explore the incredible Donegal countryside. I think this rates as one of the top places we have stayed on AirBnb.

Lake View House
Could not have been more perfect! The accommodations were comfortable, everything was spotlessly clean, it was stocked with the essentials and then some, even tea and coffee! The setting was absolutely gorgeous, and the furnishings were very comfortable. Fionella was very responsive and helpful. We absolutely enjoyed our stay and wish we could have been able to stay longer!

The Lodge
This was the perfect space for 2 couples. The home was clean, cozy and beautifully decorated. The views were scenic and the location was great. It was the perfect half way point between Galway and Belfast for our road trip. Donegal is close and worth a visit with lots of dinner options. I wish the Donegal Craft Village would have been open when we were there. We would recommend Joan’s place and would stay there again.
Your guide to Lough Eske
All About Lough Eske
Lough Eske, or "Lake of the Fish," is a small lake nestled in Ireland's Northwest region in County Donegal. Wedged between the Blue Stack and Tawnawully Mountains, this scenic body of water is best known for its dramatic backdrops and excellent angling. It has a shoreline length of nine miles, and a maximum depth of 100 feet. As its name implies, Lough Eske is a hotbed for different species of fish, including salmon, sea trout, brown trout, grilse, autumn fish, and char. The three-mile River Eske is also great for fishing and flows southwest from Lough Eske through Donegal town.
Because of its scenic and unspoiled surroundings, the lake is a popular getaway destination, especially in the summer. You can explore one of many paths on the southwestern shores or along the newly reconstructed paths in Ardnamona Wood, or spend your day on the water. Kayaking and canoeing are popular activities here thanks to the numerous islands that can be explored along the way.
Several day walks and mountain biking trails wind through the beautiful Bluestack Mountains, and also by the beaches close to Donegal. Fifteenth-century castles dot the nearby landscape, adding to the lake’s charm.
The best time to stay in a vacation rental in Lough Eske
Fishing season runs from the first of March to the end of September and is the most popular activity in the area. The weather during this time ranges from lows in the 40s to highs in the 60s Fahrenheit. Fall is a beautiful time to visit for those who are interested in other activities such as hiking, horseback riding, and golfing, as temperatures are in the comfortable 40s to 50s Fahrenheit. The winter is slightly cooler — and also note that it gets dark early here, as Lough Eske is so far north — calling for meals in front of a warm fire at night.
Top things to do in Lough Eske
Fishing
Depending on when you visit, there are all types of fishing to be had at Lough Eske. Spawning spring salmon are best caught between early April and the end of September (catches of up to 20 pounds are not uncommon). Grilse is prevalent from June through September, and sea trout are rife between July and September. Char populates the lake en masse for roughly two weeks at the end of October and beginning of November, when fishers can walk away with 30 or 40 specimens per day.
Ardnamona Wood Nature Reserve
Ardnamona Wood Nature Reserve is a native oak woodland stretching some 46.6 hectares along the western shore of Lough Eske. It’s one of the few old oak woodlands in Ireland, and is of scientific interest for its size and age. There’s a two- kilometer great loop walk that takes you by a wet woodland and rare plants such as Wood Sage, Bluebell, and Foxglove.
Donegal Castle
Visit this beautiful and historic Jacobean-style castle, first built in 1474, and learn the history of the O’Donnell clan. The original castle burned down in the early 1600s during the Nine Years War and was rebuilt after the war by Bastille Brooks, an English captain. The castle was practically in ruins for years but was refurbished back to its former glory in the 1990s. Visit the castle to learn more about its history, and that of the surrounding area, and to wander its picturesque grounds.
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