Roartys Bar

Donegals, best pub for local Irish music and a good pint.

Roartys Bar and self catering is situated in the centre of Glencolmcille overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and miles of golden beaches. Surrounded to the north and east by mountains the most famous one Slieve League. Glencolmcille is the number one hill walking destination in Donegal. The walk from Glen Head to Port and the Slieve League (highest sea cliff in Europe) walk across the one mans pass are the most scenic in Ireland. ( bring your camera) Roartys Built in the 1870s and run as a small hotel up until the 1950s still remains in the same family ownership. Some of the guests to stay around the turn of the century include. Arnold Bax master of the queens music who wrote some of his most famous music in Glencolmcille, namely his fifth symphony where he captures in music his first view from Slieve League. Bax met another soon to become famous guest (P H Pearse) while staying in the hotel in 1907. They became good friends. Bax later wrote in his book ( Farewell my youth) that while on holiday in the Lake District he heard of the 1916 Rising. I bet my friend Pearse is involved. Bax finished his book with the line. My dying wish is to look out of the window of the small hotel in Glencolmcille. In 1990 the BBC filmed the book Bogmail by Patrick mc Ginley in Roartys calling the movie Murder in Eden) hence the name Roartys named after the the main character. In 1995 Roartys underwent a major restoration, upgrading all rooms to ensuite while keeping the character built up over the years. During the summer months and weekends through out the year the bar really comes alive with the sounds of local traditional musicians playing and groups of adult students from the nearby Oideas Gael college practicing their Irish. Local amenities Golf, Boat trips, lake river and sea fishing can be organised by the management. Historic sites of St, Columba after whom the area was named are all within walking distance.