The bedroom was in prefab, not very comfy. The breakfast and dinner were very average

The location is very good and the pub is very cosy

Stayed in September 2024

Rooms are tiny. No TV.

Staff and food very good

Stayed in September 2024

Staff attitude. I have contacted them twice since and they have totally ignored my query.

Location was fantastic

Stayed in July 2024

It was very cold in the bar, restaurant and in the bedrooms. We were told the heating was easy to adjust but there was a limit on it. The weather was very wet and cold. When we checked in they were very specific about booking a breakfast time and arriving on time for it. We were given the options left and went for 10 but there weren’t any tables available and we’d to wait. Then a few things on the menu were no longer available either. The restaurant is totally over priced, charging city prices and higher for a limited menu. The rooms don’t have TVs even though there’s a point for them and the fire alarm went off after we went to bed. People from the rooms were all out to check what was causing it but no staff came out or mentioned it the next day. We’ve knocked it off our bucket list but definitely won’t be returning.

The food was good

Stayed in August 2024

The food and accommodation are way overpriced. e12 for a bowl of bland chowder at lunchtime. We had booked dinner, but cancelled when we saw the prices, and spoke with other customers. The accommodation is hostel style bunk bads in a small modular room, behind the main building. Rooms 10 to 14 face the kitchen, which has the most powerful kitchen fan I have ever heard. It was so noisy, we couldn't sleep, although it went off at 10.30pm due to a power cut. We could hear the people in the next room, as the walls are very thin. You will not get mobile phone signal or be able to use phone data in the area, so we were relying on their WiFi which went down when the power cut. It wasn't reset until we were checking out the flowing morning despite us asking the Manager at 8.30am. The location is fantastic, and we were really excited for our stay but we couldn't recommend the Rusty Macekrel, and won't be returning.

The bar has a lovely atmosphere and the music was good

Stayed in August 2024

In another location this place would die a death as it oversells just about everything. The accommodation is not much better than a caravan. The food is ubiquitous and offers nothing regional or interesting. The staff (except one bartender) were all young, inexperienced and disinterested.

The location of this property is outstanding and perfect for travellers visiting the locality.

Stayed in July 2024

Area around bar too small could not listen to music. Be better if music in eating area or at least have speakers so could listen in. Also evening meal poor, service inattentive and inexperienced plus loud guests chatting and making too much noise to 3am at least without management intervention.

Breakfast was very good

Stayed in July 2024

We were not made welcome by staff. No-one smiled. The only pleasant staff were 3 barmen. You felt like an inconvenience. Rooms were tiny and far from soundproof. You could hear every sound from next door. No TV in room, just a socket on wall. Place over run by dogs. They were in dining room when you were eating. The limit came when a dog sat on a seat at the breakfast table. First night was impossible to sleep because of a dog barking at the accommodation. We don't dislike dogs but they got more attention than we did. I was given a jam portion at breakfast which had been already opened and half used. We won't be back 😢

Food was tasty but overpriced

Stayed in July 2024

Nothing

Superb

Stayed in July 2024

Unorganised staff , poor food . Brown bread was toughy in the middle.

Location was perfect, room was very nice & clean , comfy bed, but unfortunately the breakfast was a big let down . Staff was organised, shortage of basic fruit , yogurt & scones . Hot food was cold also .

Stayed in April 2024

No entertainment on the night we stayed despite them advertising that there was nightly entertainment so we were disappointed in the atmosphere of the pub

Stayed in March 2024

Food was only average. Staff not making eye contact, not that friendly at all. The live music was awful. We were expecting proper musicians, Irish traditional music. We got a guy strumming a guitar butchering a variety of songs.. Really disappointing.

Nice Guinness. Clean comfortable room.

Stayed in February 2024

More comfortable mattresses would be a good addition. I did not sleep very well.

The breakfast and location were very good. The beds were not comfortable, but the room and bathroom were clean. It was sufficient for our needs. I was hoping that there would be live music in the pub as advertised, but there was only radio/playlist music.

Stayed in January 2024

The accommodation was a bit less comfortable than we had expected. The price was exceptionally cheap and I should have investigated a bit further. For the price what you get it is great but we were travelling with two young children and it was a very cold and rainy evening. I was expecting some kind of guest house not a tiny pub that would have somewhere comfortable that we could relax and the kids could sit and play or draw while we ate or relaxed. the rooms were definitely too small for 3 people and although the showers were great, warm and clean the bathroom was very small and there wasnt even a place to put your wash bag when getting dressed or ready as there were 3 people in the room. also the fact that it was raining and stormy that night and the rooms are outdoor without a covered walkway there wasnt anywhere to put your shoes and wet coats and clothes to dry let alone just to hang so that they werent on top of other clothes. Rooms were also not noise proof and we could hear other people snoring and babies crying in other rooms. We were all looking forward to dinner as the reviews were so amazing online and it was fine but very expensive for what you got and not really anything extra special. Also in the dining area where we ate it was essentially an outdoor conservatory with hot air heaters. we were positioned under one and were either roasting hot when the heaters were on or cold when they were turned off.

breakfast was really good. a good variety for all our needs. Didn't get the scone in the end which I still regret as it looks fab! showers were hot and nice. rooms were warm. kids loved the bunkbeds

Stayed in January 2024

Room was small and cookie cutter built

Stayed in October 2023

The room although very clean and functional it lacked any sort of sound proofing so if you don’t sleep well I would avoid this place as I spent most of the night listening to the neighbour who from what I could hear had a lovely nights sleep snoring. There isn’t a tv in the room either and I can only assume it’s because the walls are so thin it wouldn’t be appropriate. With this in mind the room wasn’t worth the £60 I paid considering I stayed there for somewhere to sleep. The food was very over priced for what it was and the portion size was small I was disappointed really. It was tasty but just lacking overall.

The property/pub/restaurant is situated remotely with lovely surroundings. The staff were lovely, very friendly and helpful.

Stayed in September 2023

Sadly the bungalows were cold and noisy. They had very friendly and nice staff, but some were a bit inexperienced and not too motivated. The older staff was very nice though.

Very nice bar, great location

Stayed in September 2023

Rather brusk staff. Not recommended for food. "Rooms" compete with refugee containers and one can enjoy neighbours breathing - not during mating.

The pub.not the music.

Stayed in September 2023

Barely room to stand next to bed.Had to turn sideways to step into shower. Paper thin wallks in prefabricated huts .Very noisy ,intoxicated amorous neighbours in next room disturbed us .

Good idea to have accommodation co-located with the pub

Stayed in August 2023

The accommodation part is absolutely horrible! We got room number 12 just opposite the kitchen ventilation, so there was a terrible noise and a dreadful smell of fried fish. The room is so small and tiny, completely without any windows, any natural light and no possibilities for fresh air.. And then of course - no view! Staying inside reminded us of being trapped in a dark tiny closet, without knowing if it was day or night. The ventilation didn’t function, and neither the thermostat - so it was unbearable hot, without any chance of lowering the temperature .. We asked for help 3 times, and one very stressed man tried to fix it, but without any luck, and it also didn’t seem like he cared..he was more busy waitering the bar guests.. So we were very frustrated, and very disappointed about the lack of help and care from the staff- and we had to try and sleep in this very tiny - too hot room, and only got a headache .. This is not 120€ worth - actually it’s a rip off, and find it appealing that they charge you this amount for such a tiny low standard room, even without a window or possibility for some fresh air.. The staff are too stressed, and they lack interest and empathy for their guests.. The place is crowded with people, so all though the pub looks nice and inviting- the place totally lack a cozy atmosphere.. Will never recommend this place to anyone - there are so many other more pleasant places, where you actually feel welcome.. The staff here doesn’t know how to treat their customers - they are way to busy, and always in a hurry.. So 0 stars from us!! And we regret, that we booked this place, as it’s not worth a visit! Spent your money on someone, that actually cares about their customers!!

The location is nice - and the pub looks cozy…but….👎

Stayed in September 2023

over priced

poor

Stayed in August 2023

Unclean and items not functioning in the room.

The pub was wonderful and good customer service from restaurant staff.

Stayed in August 2023

Check in! We waited quite a while while they served Guinness to those in the queue (fine) but then also to those who were behind! Not so good!! We were told where the room was rather than taken to the room? OK I guess. We booked dinner for 7.30! Great and no problem. We ordered. My wife ordered vegetarian linguine! It came with chicken!! Not good! Her food ultimately arrived but honestly was largely tasteless. Once again vegetarians lose out! And there was little, actually no, choice! The food is good pub food and maybe that’s what the Rusty Mackerel is striving for? But in an age when healthy eating is almost an imperative almost everything was served with ‘chips’ as a first option!!! We will, as a nation, be the most obese in Europe by 2025!! Come on let’s strive for healthier options? My seafood crumble was ok at best! There was some fish in there but I could not find any seafood beyond this? The staff worked hard, so hard I felt they had little time for us! We were staying here!? They were rushing and had no time to spare! So busy serving that the quintessential smiles and the Irish welcome were lost!? Has popularity outweighed the potential to connect and make you feel welcome? I run tours and live in Donegal. I would certainly consider taking people to stay here and avail of the photographic opportunities and sights in the area but perhaps a little self appraisal is needed? I asked for espresso at breakfast - 9.45am! ‘Sorry the machine isn’t on - yet’! Really? Morning time is espresso time? Last orders for dinner at 8pm? Truly early and we were refused dessert after dinner because it was too late! No one asked if we wanted dessert! It was my wife’s birthday! I had asked earlier if they could do something - with dessert, they said yes! Dessert, however, was denied at 9.05 pm and nothing happened…. Very very disappointing, we were residents!! It’s a great little hostelry but the staff appear rushed, under pressure, brusque and a little dismissive?

A great location, ambience and clearly reflective of success. A Gastro pub with a reputation.

Stayed in August 2023

The accommodation was somewhat less than we had hoped for. Essentially the rooms are wooden/MDF cabins out the back and, though the room we reserved on Booking.com was described as a ‘superior double room’, it was in effect a very small space with no window and the only natural light coming from a frosted pane in the front door. The room was clean and the bed was comfortable and the bathroom and shower were fine. The WI-FI was good but there is no mobile phone signal in the cabin we were in and most of the time no signal in the bar/restaurant though there was a signal across the road in the carpet.

The food was good and the bar and dining areas are very nice. The staff are pleasant and helpful generally particularly the woman who was arranging seating for diners and the woman who handled our breakfast on two of the three days. Also you can bring your doggie to stay there with you and in our case we were able to bring our (very little) Yorkie into the bar/dinner/breakfast with us. The pints of Guinness were good and the prices quite reasonable.

Stayed in August 2023

There was a light that kept going on and off during the night. Which the blinds did not conceil. The breakfast was poor service. We waited almost an hour for some scrambled eggs. It looked like they put in charge some students, who couldn’t mamage the amount of work.

Very clean. Overall good stay…

Stayed in August 2023