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Overview
The Rusty Mackerel founded in 1892 is located in Teelin outside the village of Carrick in South West Co Donegal. The Rusty Mackerel is in the Donegal Gaeltacht region at the foot of the Sliabh Liag. Sliabh Liag or also known as Slieve League, is Ireland’s ultimate sea cliff experience and a point of viewing excellence on The Wild Atlantic Way. The cliffs at Sliabh Liag are the highest sea cliffs in Europe and rise to 600m above sea level. They are an impressive natural wonder that gives the Cliffs of Moher in Co. Clare a run for their money! Visitors to the area can take a safe and organised walking tour of the cliffs. Prepare to be amazed by the breathtaking panoramic views across Donegal Bay that you will encounter along the way and at the designated viewing platform. This is a must-see experience. This South West corner of Donegal is full of surprises you never know what is around the next bend, maybe a secret beach, a hidden cove, a rare wildlife sighting, exciting views or local history sites. The Sliabh Liag is a walker’s paradise and offers different trails suitable for different levels of ability. Walkers need sustenance and refreshments and The Rusty Mackerel is ideally placed to meet visitors’ requirements. Entrenched in the local community for many years, The Rusty Mackerel is a haven of good local food & drink, craic agus ceol and the warmest of welcomes for both locals and visitors to this beautiful corner of the world.
Read MoreDining
The Rusty Mackerel is an award-winning Gastro Pub receiving national recognition as Ireland’s best Gastro Pub in 2022. As you approach up the hill from Carrick, this very distinctive establishment is revealed. There is car parking directly across the road from The Rusty Mackerel.
The Rusty Mackerel is a very atmospheric bar, visitors can expect to find a crackling fire to add to the atmosphere on cold days. Adjacent to the bar, upstairs and to the front, the very impressive outdoor dining terrace is a popular dining option, which is a sun trap on sunny days and can also be heated and covered when required during cooler periods of the year.
When you arrive into The Rusty Mackerel, visitors have a choice of locations, the centre of the operation is the atmospheric Rusty Bar. Don’t be surprised to find an impromptu ‘session’ going on. There are house musical instruments available for visitors to use. The Rusty Mackerel is a famous house for Traditional Irish Music both organised and impromptu. The team at The Rusty Mackerel say ‘you come in as a stranger and you leave as friends!’.
The dining space at The Rusty Mackerel is available just off the bar, upstairs and the outdoor covered terrace to the front.
As you might expect, fresh local seafood features high on the The Rusty Mackerel menu. Located just 20 minutes from the commercial fishing port of Killybegs, access to fresh fish caught in Irish waters is readably available to The Rusty Mackerel kitchen. The menu on offer is a family friendly bistro style and represents good value.
The day we visited, we tasted their house special Seafood Chowder, an expertly prepared seafood velouté style soup with a liberal selection of shellfish and seafood served with homemade bread. Just the thing, if you need to warm up after a day exploring the Donegal coast. For the main course, we followed chef’s recommendation of Fresh Cod deep fried in a light beer flavoured tempura, perfectly cooked and jumping fresh.
The ethos at The Rusty Mackerel is showcasing the best of Donegal and Irish produce on their menu.
Rooms & Facilities
The Rusty Mackerel has 11 en suite bedrooms. A mixture of double, twin and family rooms are available. The bedrooms are a unique and clever recent addition to the Gastro Pub.
The accommodation offering at The Rusty Mackerel is a new and innovative addition to the hospitality offering. The 11 rooms are cleverly designed cabins cut into the hill-side behind The Rusty Mackerel. Each room is finished to a high standard and includes amenities such as a high power drench shower, tea and coffee making facilities, WIFI and television and ironing and hair drying facilities.
The rooms are spacious and offer a choice of double, twin and family rooms. Above the accommodation block a stepped path way leads onto a viewing platform. Staying at The Rusty Mackerel provides visitors with a convenient overnight stop with easy access to the stunning Sliabh Liag Cliff Walks and the local scenic touring locations in South West Donegal.
Sustainability
In terms of sustainability, The Rusty Mackerel prioritise the sourcing of local ingredients where possible with their food and drink offering. They make good use of the nearby fishing port of Killybegs for their fresh fish and seafood.
Nearby Experiences
Experiences- Accommodation
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