Stepping off the plane from London at Knock airport, I found myself slipping into a slower, more natural pace of life. I was on the way to the castle of Lough Eske but the Northern Irish country of Donegal’s all-embracing Irish charm can be felt from the offset: the locals pride themselves on being the friendliest folk in the UK and I can’t say they’re wrong. The drive from the airport is a captivatingly picturesque journey, filled with sweeping country roads and rugged coastal views.

But don’t let that give you the impression that Lough Eske Castle is rustic: the reality is anything but. Nestled in the heart of the unspoilt, Irish countryside, between a beautiful lakeside reserve and the foothills of the Blue Stack Mountains, you can’t help but feel overawed as you arrive. Inside, you’re immediately greeted by a lavish Tudor interior, complete with a grand split level staircase, original Chesterfield leather sofas and a roaring open fire. While the castle prides itself traditional on traditional décor, the hotel has 96 modern and comfortable guest rooms, including the incredible two bedroom presidential suite - it’s a fresh and contemporary take on castle life. My room featured a grand four poster bed, a walk-in wardrobe and a marble bathroom equipped with twin sinks and heated flooring. It is a place where every little detail has been thought out carefully and it shows. Yet, the beauty of Lough Eske is, despite its luxurious settings, the wonderfully low key atmosphere.

I kicked off my first full day in Ireland with a hearty breakfast that included a delicious omelette and some traditional potato bread. The rest of the morning saw a vain attempt to burn it off, via team-building activities led by an enthusiastic Irishman with a passion for the outdoors (think Bear Grylls in a medieval setting) in the hotel’s 43-acre grounds. Lunch was followed by an afternoon spent exploring the vibrant, bustling market town of Donegal with its array of independent boutiques and lovely quaint pubs, which, bizarrely, has become something of a surfer’s paradise.

Along with the beaches that bring surfers from across the globe to Donegal, the town also has a surfer-friendly Sea Sessions Surf and Music Festival, held every July. Like me, festival-goers are also partial to a taste of the local brew – Guinness – which, as I discovered is harder to pour than you might imagine. But there’s more to the area than a perfectly poured pint: Donegal has a steeply rocky coastline with cliffs that plummet 300 metres down to the surf, deserted white sandy beaches and jaw-droppingly beautiful loughs. You don’t have to go far for the latter when you’re staying at Lough Eske Castle: there’s one just outside the front door.

But if outdoor pursuits, surfing and boozing aren’t enough for you, there is another option: Lough Eske’s award-winning spa, which is located within the castle’s old walled garden. Spa Solis won the Tatler award for the best spa treatments in the UK, and - with beautiful wood and sandstone floors, cosy neutral walls and a pool big enough to please Henry VIII - it’s easy to see why. Then there are the products, which are made by a brand called OGRA [Irish Gaelic for ‘youth’] that are based on - wait for it - peat. Yes, the brown contents of all those Irish bogs actually do good things for your skin, unbelievable as it might sound.

Not quite ready to plump for peat, I tried out the Spa Solis massage instead, which was done using a combination of Swedish techniques and Aromatherapy Associates products. I loved how the scents were perfectly in tune with the strokes made by the therapist – it really worked for me and went some way to ameliorating the muscle-busting effects of the team building exercises. After my treatment, I spent some down time in the hydrotherapy pool for a moment of quiet reflection before leaving feeling rejuvenated and a little lighter.

Although Lough Eske does sell itself as a spa hotel, wellness was by no means the main part of what was on offer. I was really struck by the sheer amount of cultural and historical activities on offer. From learning how to weave to whale watching and white water rafting, there’s no shortage of things to do in and around Lough Eske. If you’re planning a quick getaway this year and are looking for something a little different, then Donegal is perfect. You can throw away the map and have a woodland adventure, relax all day in the spa or even take to the chilly Atlantic waves with the surfers. Whatever you choose, Donegal is a relatively undiscovered part of Ireland that’s well worth getting to know.

Aer Lingus flies from London Gatwick to Knock, with prices starting at £99 return. See aerlingus.com for more information, special offers and to book. Rooms at Solis Lough Eske Castle start at £168 per night based on two sharing. For more information or to book, see solishotels.com. For more on Donegal and the surrounding area, see donegaldirect.ie.