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In the 1840s, the Andrew Nugent set sail
from Sligo carrying butter, eggs, bacon, and sugar to England. In particularly
stormy weather, the ship was tossed about in the torrid waters of the Atlantic
and stranded on a rugged promontory. The ever watchful men of Aran Island
witnessed the shipwreck and rowed out to help. They boarded the fateful ship
and agreed to stay on board until morning when others from the island would
come to their aid. But during the night, a violent storm sank the mighty ship.
All aboard were lost to the sea.
At daybreak, another group from Aran rowed
out to the wreckage, saw the disaster, and found one particularly jagged rock,
close to the shores of Dungloe, covered with butter. From that day, the craggy
rock has borne the name Butter Rock.
The Butter Rock Restaurant serves as a
local gathering place for those who want a cup of hot tea, a delectable slice
of homemade apple pie, a lunch of freshly breaded haddock, or a bit of friendly
conversation with owner and chef, Ann Boyle and her industrious helper,
Kathleen.
With a no-frills country cottage look,
Butter Rock is comfortable, cozy, and loaded with local charm. Visitors are
greeted with a warm hello and a glass display counter filled with the day's
homemade goodies: lemon cheesecake, mandarin gateaux, chocolate fudge cake, and
muffins of every sort.
Chef Ann Boyle says that Butter Rock is
famous for two things: fresh haddock and homemade éclairs. But with a full menu
of daily specials, an a la carte of a variety of soups, salads, and sandwiches,
it is not easy to decide which tasty delight is best.
Butter Rock serves generous portions of
food and ample portions of friendly conversation. Pull up a chair. Sit a spell.
You'll be glad you did.
Sample menu and prices:
Starters €3.75 Haddock €9.25
Soups, salads €3.75f Desserts €4.75
Lunch specials €8.95 Bottle
of house wine €10
Hours: Monday thru Saturday 10:00-6:00/ Sunday 11:00-5:00
How to get there:
From Dublin: 3 hours, take N3 and A509 to
Enniskillen. Then A46 to Belleek (scenic route) then N3 to Ballyshannon where
it joins N15. Most direct route is N4 to Sligo Town, N15 to Donegal Town, N56
to Dungloe.
From Belfast, A6 to Derry, N13 to
Letterkenney, R250 to Fintown, R252 to Dungloe.
Address:
Butter Rock Restaurant
Main Street
Dungloe, Co. Donegal
T: 074 956 1738
Written by Joy Davis - Summer of Travel 2007
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