Our vision for Breac.House was to create both a beautiful home and a world class, modern hospitality experience in a place we love. Having spent many years looking for the right site in Donegal, the site on Horn Head answered many of our requirements but the existing house also presented many challenges. The elevated location is all about the natural beauty of the area with panoramic views of Sheephaven Bay and the Derryveagh mountains – as well as its exposure to the changing weather. With the exception of the main living room, the existing house and its multitude of internal rooms did not invite you to look outwards and connect fully with the landscape. If we had one single overriding objective it was the creation of that connection.

We have long admired the work of MacGabhann Architects and in particular their ability to deliver contemporary design solutions that can be both visually arresting but also at one with the stunning Donegal landscape. It was also important to us that this project would be a genuine collaboration, combining the many ideas which we had developed ourselves with the design and execution expertise of MacGabhann’s. We also wanted to use the best quality local materials and trades people wherever possible, maximising the use sustainable sources for heating and water.

The result has exceeded all of our expectations. Not only do we have a stunning contemporary home which sits perfectly into its location, but we have created a place that we are proud to market internationally as a unique destination for lovers of good architecture and design – all set in a place of wild natural beauty.