Our Community
SUPPORTING LOCAL BUSINESS
No man...or business...is an island. The same way a plant needs soil, rain and sun to grow so too too does a small business rely on the people, organisations and other businesses in the community to grow and thrive.
Here in Donegal we have been fortunate to be able to collaborate with some very special local businesses and crafts people and in doing so, together, we enrich the Donegal experience for every visitor who comes to stay. Beautiful Studio Donegal woollen tweed blankets are on all the beds, each traditionally handwoven at their mill here in Donegal. The curtains have been made from more Donegal tweed fabric from the world renowned Magees whose weaving mill is close by. Both Magees and Studio Donegal are icons of their industry having preserved the tradition of handweaving over the generations, continuing on the craft that is part of the cultural heritage of this area and to this day still only use all-natural fibres like wool, cashmere, flax and alpaca. And the quality and beauty of what they produce is unparalled.
The Lodge is scattered with local crafts and pieces, handmade artisan creations that have been made with natural materials, eg. all the wooden candle holders used throughout the property were made from upcycled driftwood from one of the wonderful craft shops in Ballyshannon.The lush sheepskin rugs come from Campbells of Adara.
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Our Full Irish breakfast packs are all locally sourced from Donegal artisan butchers Eddie Walsh & Sons.
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And all our eco cleaning supplies and products are purchased locally at Simple Simons in Donegal Town.
And lastly the ever-popular tie-ins with amazing local adventure providers; Doneqal Equestrian Centre for beach rides, Finn McCool's Surf School for surf lessons and Wild + Free for guided SUP sessions.
SUPPORTING LOCAL ORGANISATIONS
Our community is also full of wonderful people doing great things. To shine a light on some of the great work being done in the community we are proud to support award-winning charity Liquid Therapy who are based in Rossnowlagh and provide inclusive and adaptive surf therapy programmes for young people. They believe (as do we) the mental health and wellbeing benefits of the outdoors, and Blue Space in particular, should be available to everyone regardless of any existing barriers; intellectual, physical, behavioural or emotional. If you would like to support Liquid Therapy you can do so when booking with us by simply adding the €1 donation optional extra as part of the booking process - and for every €1 donated we at Lough Mardal will match it.
PROVIDING A SOCIAL & ECO HUB
We are always delighted to offer the Lodge as a meeting place for local groups, e.g. local walking group Rossnowlagh Ramblers as well as the Tir Chonaill Writers group.
We also offer eco-building walk-throughs and chats to anyone interested in the principles, benefits and methods of natural building and the construction of the Lodge.
