Travel columnist Anna Farren indulges in some deluxe delights close to home at Castle Grove Country House and Hotel

With Christmas nearly upon us, the time is fast approaching to cosy up by the fire and enjoy the festive period, in which over indulging in tasty food and treating ourselves is perfectly ok.

This month, I began my eating out and over indulging, with a beautiful Sunday lunch in Castle Grove Country House and Hotel, just outside Letterkenny town. Christmas had only just landed in Castle Grove and with it, brought beautiful new decorations, several Christmas trees and my personal favourite attribute – a winter wonderland scene beneath a snowy tree, displayed in the sitting room just right of the front door.

Feeling festive, my family and I made our way to the equally as festive dining room to delight in beautiful starters and mains and an even tastier dessert.

Only too happy to stay in Castle Grove beyond dinnertime, we retired to the living room, just off the dining hall and relaxed by the fire with teas and coffees after dinner.

With sprinklings of Christmas dotted all over the already stunning house that is Castle Grove, I couldn’t recommend visiting the house enough – especially over the festive season. Be your visit for a Sunday lunch, afternoon tea as a group or even just teas, coffees or a glass of wine by the warmth of the open fires, Castle Grove will not disappoint in providing a switch off zone in the cosiest of settings.

Castle Grove is a place that always provides such a warm Donegal welcome and I for one, am very jealous of the lucky winner of the Donegal Woman, Day 10 of the 12 Days of Giveaways – the chance to dine and stay in the beautiful Castle Grove Country House Hotel!

For those of you who were not lucky enough to win the Day 10 prize, I urge you to make it your business to treat yourself and visit, eat, unwind and feast your eyes on the Christmas magic Castle Grove has to offer.