My stay at Ireland's first whiskey hotel
This article contains affiliate links that will earn us revenue
Score 7/10A former coaching inn built in 1848, the hotel was at one point inherited by Winston Churchill — a fact to which framed 1922 deeds in the bar attest. Run by the O'Neill family from 1947 until last summer, when it changed hands, it has just completed an extensive £1.6 million restoration and offers 35 rooms, including three suites. Think homely but smart comfort with deep carpets, floral quilts and headboards on comfy beds, work by local artists and striped armchairs. Bathrooms glisten with brushed gold showers and toiletries by the upmarket Sligo-based brand, Voya. Rooms in the front have harbourside views, while those at the back look out onto the hills.
Score 8/10While the spacious lounge is snug with sofas and a roaring fire, the characterful adjoining Wee Bar is filled with books, framed old whiskey posters and vintage Guinness signs. In the booth-lined Coach House restaurant, the hearty menu balances rustic dishes with thoughtful touches. Whiskey is naturally a key ingredient in starters, mains and desserts: pears poached in the stuff are balanced with crumbly goat's cheese and bitter leaves, while a moreish Irish coffee cheesecake is soaked in Outwalker. An impressive slow-cooked beef shoulder, meanwhile, is braised in Guinness, and breakfast majors on locally cured bacon and golden-yolked Ballygarvey eggs. Service is chatty and relaxed.
10 of the best places to visit in Ireland
Score 8/10The Wee Bar hosts free trad music sessions on Fridays and contemporary local musicians on Saturdays. Throughout the hotel whiskey takes centre stage, with a stylish library and shop selling bottles, T-shirts, gift sets, tasting glasses, gilets and even seaweed bath detoxifiers. Co-owner McNally is a master distiller, a whiskey flight is a must, overseen by an expert who talks you through four distinct styles at one seating, sampling 15ml each. The hotel also hosts regular whiskey-themed events, including the Carnlough Whiskey Festival (August 20-23).
• Read our full guide to Ireland
Score 9/10Carnlough, in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty on the Antrim coast, has a harbour made for lingering — with fishing boats, lobster pots and chalk steps made famous by the TV series Game of Thrones. It's a 45-minute-drive from Belfast International airport (or a 50-minute bus ride from Ballymena, the nearest train station). Glenarm Castle, with its flower-filled walled gardens, cafés and craft boutiques, is three miles away. For an artisan coffee or brunch try Carnlough harbourside's Twilight Coffee & Bunkhouse, before making the atmospheric 20-minute walk up to Cranny Falls, a spectacular local waterfall.
• Revealed: 100 Best Places to Stay in the UK for 2025
Price B&B doubles from £165Restaurant mains from £17 Family-friendly YAccessible NDog-friendly Y
Stephen Emms was a guest of the Harbourview Hotel (theharbourviewhotel.com)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
3 hours ago
- The Independent
The ‘eye-opening' lesson Ben Earl learned on first Lions tour
The British and Irish Lions may just have suffered a third Test defeat, but the broad smile on a beaming Ben Earl 's face could virtually span the Sydney Harbour. Of course, a series had been secured, reason enough for celebration, but the effusive Englishman is speaking about something greater. 'It's been a life-changing experience,' he begins. 'It showed me something completely different in terms of the rugby side of things. I've loved it. Honestly, it has been completely transformative for me and I'm a far better player because of it.' So far, so normal – it is tough to find a Lions player who hasn't come back from this trip having had the experience of their lives. That is in part due to a group that, even among Lions squads, has developed a special bond; plans are already afoot for a reunion in 12 years. But for Earl, as dedicated and ambitious an individual as they come, this trip has allowed him to reconnect with primitive rugby days and learn to approach the game in a distinctly different way. 'Just get out of your own way,' Earl says when asked for his biggest learning. 'You can overthink this sport so much, but when you've got a game on Saturday, then you've got to play again on Tuesday or Wednesday, you're not going to be able to do every rep, review everything opposition. Get out of your own way and just play rugby. 'It's almost like you get to the pinnacle of our sport, this is what it is, and you're back playing under-12s on a Sunday morning. That's honestly how it feels, there's no preparation, you just go out, you have a plan, you try to implement it, you express yourself in a way that Andy and the rest of the coaching staff have allowed us to do and I've loved every minute of it.' The evening of the third Test provided an experience that Earl believes displays the sort of spirit he hopes to carry back to Saracens and England. 'We got on our Lions bus and the door got jammed. We're trying to go 3-0 and we had to change buses, and you should have seen the group. I've been involved in groups where that would have thrown boys off, but we're just laughing, having craic. 'Two minutes max, but it was like, we're not on the team bus, so what does that mean? Get out of your own way. It's a game of rugby. Whatever bus you're on, it doesn't make a difference how you're going to play.' A few superstitious sorts may take exception to Earl's life lesson, but there is a marked difference in tone from a player who has flourished in several process-driven environments. Having arrived in Australia with no preconceptions about the tour nor his place in Andy Farrell 's pecking order, the 27-year-old is delighted to have featured twice off the bench in the Tests. The close friendships forged on tour will make next year tricky, he thinks. 'It'll be bizarre during the Six Nations to play against these fellas again because they're such knock-out blokes.' He speaks highly of Farrell senior – 'every time he talks to the group, I'm like, 'I'll do anything for that man'' – and Farrell junior, with Owen set to be a club, and perhaps country, teammate again when he and Earl return to Saracens. 'Every time I take the pitch with Owen, I think 'we're going to win'. That's his best quality.' For Earl, a break beckons, with a 10-week mandatory stand-down period before a return to Prem Rugby likely to be filled with plenty of golf for a very low handicapper. A bit of cricket watching is on the cards, too – England opener Zak Crawley is a Tonbridge schoolboy chum and Earl enjoyed his mate's cavalier first-innings half-century at the Oval. The body will be glad of a break after an 11-month season of more than 30 games, but when the time comes to return, Earl believes he will be ready to rip in. 'I'm almost excited to get going again. I need my time off, but I'm almost excited to get back into certain environments to be like, 'well, actually have you thought about this'. 'There's stuff that I've spoken to fellow Englishmen about that, actually, there's some cool stuff that we can bring back to camp and that's sort of the whole point, isn't it? We can come back and say, 'actually, there are some bits that we've done here that actually work when we have time away or during campaigns'. 'I've probably got more trust in what I've done rather than second-guessing myself. Honestly, some of the best players in the world are in that changing room and some of them are the most relaxed people I've ever seen about preparation, training. It's eye-opening.'
Daily Mail
4 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Storm Floris batters Britain as fallen trees and 90mph winds cause travel chaos with flights axed and trains cancelled - while Tom Holland's Spider-Man movie is forced to stop filming
Britain has been battered by 90mph winds as Storm Floris has hit Scotland, Northern Ireland and parts of northern England causing widespread travel disruption. In Scotland, police have warned drivers to stay away from two roads in Aberdeenshire and the Western Highlands - which were blocked by fallen trees and overturned campervans respectively. Bridges such as the A9 Dornoch Bridge, Highlands, and the A1 Tyne Bridge were also closed due to high winds. Filming for the new Spider-Man movie with Tom Holland in Glasgow was brought to a halt by adverse weather conditions. Flights from Glasgow to Scotland's islands have also been cancelled due to the weather. A number of rail lines in Scotland were blocked by fallen trees, including one near Cornton in Stirling which landed on overhead wires. Crews were also called out to cut back fallen trees from the line near Giffnock, East Renfrewshire. A yellow warning for wind for northern parts of the UK became active at 6am on Monday, lasting until 6am on Tuesday. It is unusual to see a storm with such strong winds at this time of year. However it is the fourth August storm in three years, following storm Lillian last year and Antoni and Betty in 2023. A meteorologist has warned people in regions affected by a weather alert to 'watch their backs' as Storm Floris brings unseasonably strong winds. Central and northern Scotland are covered by a more serious amber warning from 10am to 10pm on Monday. A number of train services were halted at midday and ferry sailings have been cancelled. Train operator LNER has told passengers not to travel north of Newcastle while Avanti West Coast has advised passengers not to travel north of Preston, warning it will be 'heavily impacted' by the weather. On Monday afternoon, a number of roads were blocked by the storm, including: the A96 in Aberdeenshire, the A87 and the A82 in the western Highlands. The west of Scotland saw heavy rain early on Monday morning, with winds picking up later in the day. Western coastal areas are expected to bear the brunt of the storm. Storm Floris has also impacted Edinburgh's busy festival period, with the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo cancelling its Monday performance. A Scottish Government minister said it is 'imperative' that people follow advice as Storm Floris hits the country. Props for the Marvel movie were kept undercover to protect them from the wind and rain today Justice Secretary Angela Constance told the BBC's Good Morning Scotland news programme: 'Storm Floris is well and truly with us today and it's imperative that people follow advice because there will be significant disruption on our travel network.' She said anyone who has to travel is likely to face disruption and should plan ahead, adding: 'Consider this a winter journey as opposed to a summer journey. 'Please make sure you've got warm clothes, food, water, plenty of fuel and that your mobile phone is charged up.' Met Office chief meteorologist Matthew Lehnert said: 'Across the warning area, many inland areas are likely to see gusts of 40-50mph, with 60-70mph more likely at higher elevations and around exposed coasts in Scotland. 'There is a small chance that some locations here could even record gusts of 85mph.' The strongest winds will most likely affect Scotland on Monday afternoon and night but 'there remains some uncertainty in the depth and track of Floris ', a spokesperson added. 'Winds will first ease in the west later during Monday but remaining very strong overnight until early Tuesday in the east. 'Heavy rain may also contribute to the disruption in places.' The warning zone covers Scotland, parts of Northern Ireland, north Wales and the north of England. Storm Floris is the sixth named storm of the 2024-25 naming season, which runs from early September to late August. January's Storm Eowyn was the most recent. Jim Dale, founder of the British Weather Services, has described the storm as 'serious' and 'unusual' for the summer months. He told the BBC Radio 4's Today programme on Monday: 'The yellow warning does expand down into northern England, north Wales, Northern Ireland. 'So it's still going to be gusty day - you're going to have to watch your back.' A weather forecaster has warned that Storm Floris will bring 'extremely rough' conditions to coastal areas. A sign at Edinburgh train station warns commuters about disruption due to Storm Floris Grey skies and choppy waters at the promenade in Blackpool as the tower stands in the background A lifeguard struggles to erect a flag in the high winds on a beach in Northern Ireland ScotRail has asked anyone with garden equipment such as trampolines to keep them secure, as Storm Floris begins to hit Scotland. Posting on social media, the rail operator said: 'We're asking anyone with garden equipment, such as tents, trampolines or furniture, to secure items so that they don't blow onto the tracks and interfere with lineside equipment.' Scottish Government minister Angela Constance also urged people to check on the welfare of vulnerable neighbours as Storm Floris hits Scotland. The Justice Secretary told the Good Morning Scotland radio programme: 'If you have an elderly relative or neighbour who may be a wee bit vulnerable, please be a good neighbour, be friendly, just check they're alright. She said anyone who has to travel is likely to face disruption and should plan ahead, adding: 'Consider this a winter journey as opposed to a summer journey. 'Please make sure you've got warm clothes, food, water, plenty of fuel and that your mobile phone is charged up. ' Western coastal areas are expected to bear the brunt of the storm although strong winds and rain will likely lead to disruption at Edinburgh's festivals. Network Rail said several lines will be closed from 12pm on Monday, with all other routes experiencing a reduced timetable and longer journey times. Edinburgh - Fife/Perth/Dundee, Perth - Dundee/Aberdeen/Inverness and the West Highland Line are among the routes that will close at noon. Ferry operator CalMac has also issued a series of cancellations ahead of the storm. 'Heavy rain may also contribute to the disruption in places.' The warning zone covers Scotland, parts of Northern Ireland, north Wales and the north of England. Storm Floris is the sixth named storm of the 2024-25 naming season, which runs from early September to late August. January's Storm Eowyn was the most recent. A 'danger to life' alert is in place for most of Scotland today. And a yellow warning for wind has also been issued for as far south as Manchester and north Wales - as well as the entirety of Northern Ireland between 6am and midnight tomorrow. In a post on X offering advice on how to stay safe in a storm, the Met Office said: 'Storm Floris is forecast to bring strong winds and heavy rain for parts of the UK from Monday. Stay #WeatherReady and check out some advice from our partners about keeping yourself, your home, and your garden safe.' Other advice included 'opening internal doors only as needed' and 'closing them behind you', as well as parking vehicles in a garage, securing loose objects such as ladders, garden furniture or anything else that could be blown into windows - and staying indoors as much as possible. Experts have also warned of potential travel disruption when the summer storm hits, with the Scottish Transport Secretary saying the unseasonable weather makes raising awareness even more important. Avanti West Coast said services are likely to be impacted in Lancaster, Oxenholme, Penrith, Carlisle, Lockerbie, Motherwell, Haymarket, Glasgow Central and Edinburgh. Tickets dated for Monday for these areas will be accepted on Sunday and Tuesday, it added. Scottish Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop said a meeting had been held on Friday to ensure the country is ready for the storm, adding: 'Given the unusual timing, and the fact some people will be on holiday, travelling or perhaps unaware, we are trying to raise even more awareness than usual of this potentially disruptive storm. 'Please check with operators as we do expect rail, ferries, roads and bridges to be disrupted on Monday across the country. 'This is a slightly unusual situation for August, however the message is the same as winter - plan ahead, check your journey in advance, allow extra time, and don't take any unnecessary risks. 'Officials will be monitoring the situation and are ready to stand up the Multi Agency Response Team, if required. 'I am grateful to those who are giving up their weekend and time off to help co-ordinate the transport sector's response. 'Traffic Scotland, Police Scotland, Sepa, local authorities and others will communicate any closures to the public and provide real-time updates.' Scottish ferry operator CalMac has issued a series of cancellation warnings ahead of the storm. 'Disruption to sailings is expected across our network on Monday August 4 due to forecasted strong winds across parts of Scotland's west coast,' it posted on X. A family fights against the wind as they walk down Blackpool Promenade Giselle Munoz Alarcon (left) and Dominica Sepulveda Gutierrez shield from the wind at Carrickfergus Castle, County Antrim Elsewhere, motorists have been urged to slow down in poor weather and avoid exposed Highland and coastal routes. Rod Dennis, of the RAC breakdown service, said: 'This unseasonable bout of stormy weather will mean drivers in the north and west of the UK need to take extra care at the start of next week. 'It's the height of the holiday season, so those towing trailers and caravans, as well as those with roof and tent boxes, must ensure their loads are properly secured.' Shaun Jones, of the AA, said: 'If you're planning a journey - especially through exposed or rural areas - it's worth checking the latest forecast, allow extra time, and be prepared for the unexpected. 'Keep both hands on the wheel, especially on open roads and motorways, and be mindful of high-sided vehicles and cyclists who may be more affected by gusts. 'Watch out for fallen branches or debris, particularly in rural areas - this could be telltale signs of a fallen tree ahead.' Met Office chief meteorologist Matthew Lehnert said: 'Across the warning area, many inland areas are likely to see gusts of 40-50mph, with 60-70mph more likely at higher elevations and around exposed coasts in Scotland. 'There is a small chance that some locations here could even record gusts of 85mph.' The strongest winds will most likely affect Scotland on Monday afternoon and night but 'there remains some uncertainty in the depth and track of Floris', a spokesman added. 'Winds will first ease in the west during later Monday but remaining very strong overnight until early Tuesday in the east. 'Heavy rain may also contribute to the disruption in places.' The warning zone covers Scotland, parts of Northern Ireland, north Wales and the north of England.
The Independent
4 hours ago
- The Independent
Around 10,000 homes without power as Storm Floris arrives in Ireland
Around 10,000 homes in Ireland are without power after Storm Floris brought strong winds to the island. Weather alerts remain in place on both sides of the border. In Northern Ireland several flights have been cancelled and some public facilities closed and a small number of homes are without power. Yellow weather warnings are in place in Northern Ireland and across several counties south of the border, although the island seems set to escape the worst of the storm. Wind speeds of 59mph were recorded in Eglinton and Magilligan in County Londonderry, while Ballypatrick in County Antrim recorded 56mph on Monday. Dublin Airport said flight operations were continuing as normal but Emerald Airlines had cancelled six flights on Monday. Passengers at airports in Northern Ireland have been advised to contact their airline directly for updates on the status of their flight. More than 10,000 homes in Ireland are without power with Co Donegal and Co Roscommon among the worst affected areas. A spokesperson for ESB Networks said: 'Yellow level winds associated with Storm Floris have led to a number of power outages across the country this morning, predominantly in the North West region. 'The impact on the electricity network has been modest and in line with previous such wind warnings. 'As of 10.30am, approximately 10,000 homes, farms and businesses across the country are without power. 'ESB Networks crews are mobilised in impacted areas and responding to power outages where safe to do so. 'Real-time information on power outages and restoration times is available on 'We apologise to all homes, farms and businesses impacted for the inconvenience caused.' A number of councils in Northern Ireland have closed outdoor spaces including parks and recycling centres. The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs has also advised the public not to visit affected forests and parks on Monday and Tuesday until the high winds have passed. The Kempes Stone Road in Dundonald, which was closed at the Greengraves Road due to a fallen tree, has now fully reopened.
