Breac.House

Breac. House is an eco-design guesthouse filled with locally sourced crafted elements and a sustainable heart. A short drive northwards from the small seaside town of Dunfanaghy’s white sandy beaches, Breac.House lies secluded within the Horn Head Peninsula, Ireland overlooking Sheephaven Bay and the Muckish mountain. Created to blend in with its surroundings, the house, designed by the local MacGabhann Architects, allows County Donegal’s mountainous yet green Irish landscape in via the many windows and terraces, yet also allows its visitors to look inward, in the quiet library, lounge with a fireplace where Donegal craftsmen took the perfect finish of each nook and detail to heart. 

Beach, mountain, lake and sea are all within reach from this luxurious countryside retreat. Explore the area on foot, by bike or on horseback to experience this unique landscape at close range. Swim or surf on the waves of the tumultuous Atlantic Ocean. Come back to Breac.House to an indulgent hot seaweed bath and a rustling fire, or a 5pm tipple and a relaxing board game.  Watch the sky change colour with the seasons – feel intensely close to the stars. Up here, it’s different.

The four rooms at Breac.House are named to reflect the sensory experiences guests take in at Horn Head. Dulse refers to the seaweed on the beach, in the hot baths, and in the scones served here with smoked salmon. A seaweed print adorns the lounge, as well. The gorse flowers that flourish in springtime name the second room. Their petals are used in various sweet treats and syrups.  A third room is named Turf after the inescapable smell of turf fires in Donegal, used also to smoke the salmon.

Each room, as with the remainder of the house, is furnished as much as possible with locally crafted furniture and features native materials, such as Fanad granite and Ardara Quartzite from a South Donegal quarry. 

You will also find a wonderful handwoven tweed throw made by local artisan Eddie Doherty. But don’t forget to look outside – every room boasts panoramic views thanks to private outdoor spaces that connect you with the rugged outdoors.

The breakfast at Breac.House comes to you in a self-effacing way that matches the serenity of the house’s location. Delivered through a hatch directly to your bedroom, in beautiful clay pottery by Muck ‘n’ Muffins, your morning nourishment could not be more wholesome for the body and soul. Depending on the season, there may be slight tweaks to it, but the foundation will remain: home-made bread, pastries, butter, yoghurt and locally sourced organic salmon and fruit. For lunch, Breac.House offers a homemade picnic package. After your day of exploring, come in for the 5pm cocktail hour in the lounge or in the privacy of your room.

A modern retreat at the far edge of Ireland, Breac.House is just a short walk or cycle ride away from Dunfanaghy, a small seaside town with white sandy beaches.

Horn Head, the peninsula the house is located on connects with the ocean and the iconic Muckish and Errigal mountains, cliffs, forests and lakes. National Parks, Napoleonic towers, historic houses and views over the Wild Atlantic Way are all in close proximity, possible to explore in springtime through to late autumn thanks to Donegal’s mild climate.

Cathrine and Niall materialized their vision of a unique, contemporary retreat that would draw new visitors to this corner of Donegal. With Breac.House, they’ve been able to combine their love of food, design, heritage and nature – all from the Donegal angle. Let Cathrine and Niall look after you during your stay, and allow your attention turn to the rare luxury of a relaxing retreat that connects you with nature’s elements.