Old world luxury meets the best of modern design in Sweeney’s Hotel

Listening to the stories being shared at a soirée to mark the reopening of Sweeney’s Hotel in Dungloe, it is clear that this beautiful building is very close to people’s hearts.

From waitress Big Aggie’s generous helpings - and seconds - at funeral dinners, to memories of special family occasions, many a story and memory was shared among those gathered on Wednesday evening.

Owner Pat Boyle ably assisted by manager Martina Rafferty have done a fantastic job of blending old and new to create something unique and wonderful. And the decision to keep the name Sweeney’s Hotel has been very well received in the Rosses area.

Pat the Cope Gallagher performed the official opening. He told those gathered that the hotel went back to famine times, to the 1840s when it was opened by John D Sweeney after making his fortune in the US. 

“Sweeney’s Hotel was the social centre of the Rosses for many years,” he said.

“I’m glad to say it was my social centre when I was a lad, a place where I spent many happy days and evenings.

“And of course, it was in the kitchen that the idea of the festival Mary From Dungloe was conceived 57 festivals ago - and we hope that it will continue for very many years to come.”

Mr Gallagher was full of praise for Pat Boyle and his brother Kevin for their commitment and vision in refurbishing the hotel.

“I know from getting a tour of the hotel on a number of occasions that Pat put exceptional work into this,” he said.

“We are very grateful. He could have gone to a greenfield site; he could have invested in some other part of the country where you would be assured of footfall. 

“Pat, thank you very much, and I sincerely hope that this will be one of the most successful ventures of Pat and Kevin Boyle.”

Those gathered were treated to delicious canapés, giving a very promising flavour of what is to come as the hotel opens its doors to diners.

There was entertainment in the form of a piper, live music and Irish dancers. And there was even an impromptu performance from Daniel O’Donnell, who recalled performing the same song - My Donegal Shore - from his first record 41 years ago in the same venue.

Pat Boyle said that it had been a long road to get the hotel open, and he was delighted to have done so in time for the Mary From Dungloe Festival. 

He told those gathered that the five rooms in the original part of the hotel were named after people associated with the area - Daniel O’Donnell, Margo, Moya Brennan, Packie Bonner and the late Gay Byrne with the blessing of his family.

“That is a tribute to the people of this part of the world,” he said.

He thanked everyone involved in the project, including Martina Rafferty and head chef Richard McKee.

While some work is still being carried out, the restaurant is open with a special Mary From Dungloe menu as of Friday, July 26 at 3pm.

There will also be a pizzeria and bakery for casual dining, an afternoon tearoom, and 16 bedrooms opening shortly. 

A gala ball is planned for later in the year.