The weekend at last! (Friday 27th March 2009)  

It is Friday afternoon and I am winding down from a hard weeks work.  Like for most of you I am sure, the weekend never seems long enough.  Being in the wedding business many of my weekends are taken up attending wedding fayres across Ireland, however, this weekend I don't mind.  Why is this I hear you ask!  This weekend I have been invited down to Harvey's Point Hotel in Donegal to help them celebrate 20 years in hospitality. I was so excited when I received my invite..........  

'The Gysling Family would be delighted to invite you to join us along with Special Guest Sybil Mulcahy of TV3's Xposé for our exclusive Wedding Fayre, which forms part of our Calendar of 20 Year Celebrations. We invite you to join us on Saturday 28th for a Gourmet Dinner in our Gourmet Suite and an overnight in our luxurious accommodation and after breakfast you can tour our awarding winning banqueting suites'  

For anyone that knows me I never turn down the opportunity to be wined and dined, however I must admit this has come at a particularly bad time as I have just started the Weight Watchers diet this week.  Oh well, one more week will do no harm.  So of I go on my travels. I will report back soon ………… 

My experience of visiting Harvey’s Point Hotel, Donegal (Monday 30th March 2009)  

Oh my, where do I start?  The drive home from Donegal yesterday was the quietest I have been in a long time.  I was on a real low knowing that my weekend had come to an end and I had to go back to normality after having such a fantastic weekend.  

On the Saturday afternoon we did not arrive at Harvey’s Point until 4.30pm which meant that we missed out on the visit to the Stables Bar at the Gysling Family home, which comprised of a short trip on Harvey’s Jarvey along the way. Later that evening though I was told by the others what I had missed.  They enjoyed a relaxing afternoon by the open fire sipping mulled wine at the Stables Bar.  They also informed me that Harvey Jarvey is available for brides on their wedding day and for other special occasions.  The drive up to the hotel was truly amazing as the hotel is nestled on the edge of Lough Eske and beneath the Blue Stack Mountains.

On arrival we were greeted at reception and showed up to our room.  When the door opened my mouth dropped.  Our room was massive and had a king size bed, a plasma screen TV, a mini bar, a seated area and a separate foyer. I will definitely be requesting room 315 on my return.  The bathroom was also very spacious and had a Jacuzzi, a double vanity unit, walk- in shower, WC and bidet. I could have lived in my room the very best. 

The celebrations begun at 7.30pm in the Gourmet Suite, after a few glasses of champagne and mingling we were taken to our seats.  The Gourmet suite is the function suite used for weddings with numbers over 120 guests and then there is also the ‘Dome Suite’ which caters for weddings up to 120 guests, so there are facilities to cater for all.  We had the pleasure of sitting beside Noreen D’arcy, director of D’Arcy Marketing & PR and Cybil Sybil Mulcahy of TV3’s Xposé alongside many other wedding professionals. We enjoyed a five course gourmet dinner, homemade mushroom soup to start with followed by the chef’s special plated starter selection.  For my main course I had Oven baked cod, with a Shrimp & Tarragon Beurre Blanc.  I must say I would not normally choose fish but I thought I would sample on this occasion.  To finish, I chose the fresh fruit salad from a selection of over fifteen desserts.  I actually didn’t have the courage to visit the sweet platter as I was trying to be good so I kindly got my partner to bring my fresh fruit salad down to me to avoid any temptation but when I saw what everyone else was sampling it was hard not to be jealous. We then danced the night away to the Keith McDonald Showband. Before going to bed we made sure to put our clocks forward one hour so that we would not miss the breakfast.

Breakfast was served in the restaurant were we enjoyed a full Irish breakfast, along with a selection fresh fruits, cereals, yogurts and pastries.  If you are ever visiting I recommend that you try the gammon and also the homemade crepes which are freshly made before your very eyes.  After breakfast we decided to take a stroll around the gardens of the hotel so that we could make room for lunch.  There are many walks to avail of around the lake depending on how energetic you feel.  

Overall my experience at the hotel was fabulous.  The staff could not have been any friendlier and each time they passed you in the corridor there was always a genuine smile and welcome.  The hotel has so much character and history.  On my visit I had the pleasure of meeting the two proprietors of the hotel Deirdre & Marc Gysling.  Deirdre gave a short speech at the event on the Saturday evening and talked about how the hotel started out as a small cottage and gradually over the years has become the luxurious 74 bedroom hotel that it is today.   

I would have no hesitation in recommending Harvey’s Point to any bride seeking a truly magical location for their wedding day. The function rooms and restaurant are right at the water’s edge and the food was second to none.  The Gourmet suite had been set up on the Saturday evening exactly how a wedding would be with the fabulous starter and dessert banquets available to all.   

Harvey’s Point County Hotel, Lough Eske, Donegal Town

Eire: 00353 74 97 22208

http://www.harveyspoint.com

* If there are any other venues out there that would like to be reviewed by Bookourwedding please do not hestitate to call.