Miriam Breder - Sweeney's Hotel, Donegal

Sweeneys Hotel in Dungloe, built circa 1850, is reopening In 2021 as a Boutique Hotel, with 18 bedrooms. Situated in The Rosses, West Donegal, it has an important, long-standing history with its local residents.

Ground Floor Plan

First Floor Plan

Third Floor Plan

Elevation

The concept for this project is "stones”

The stones are probably the natural material that is more related to humans.

From them, we can know where man began to think only of how he used stones as instruments.

The journey starts when you step into the hotel.

In your right door, you will find a traditional Irish pub. With natural dark wood flooring, a dash of stained glass and a lovely warm fireplace.

In your left door, a reading room named after Charles Dickens, whom Murray Sweeney was a big fan of. In the reading room, you first step onto a bespoke carpeted map of Donegal from 1908. at the walls, wainscotting and a bespoke wallpaper of written words from Charles Dickens.

Following the corridor, the guests can read on display on the walls all the Sweeney's history and very curious locality facts from that time.

At the end of the corridor on your right, you will find the reception area.

The bookshelves in front of the reception area are bespoke glass pieces that contrast to the original rough walls. From them, we can begin to feel a contemporary atmosphere that will start to be more present as you walk through the hotel, just like the time passing, a journey through the times.

Just after the reception, you will find toilets and a lobby where the lift is.

Moving outside to "Miss Biddy's" courtyard, A retractable structure is installed, bringing the outdoor dining experience possible throughout the whole year and all weathers. (miss biddy was the unmarried daughter of Murray Sweeney and lived her entire life in the hotel being a very present figure in the good old times of the hotel) .a suspended fireplace will bring even more of the contemporary feeling to the ambience.

The function room is a signature restaurant and a convention room for business conferences. Together they can also be converted into a 230 square meter wedding venue by moving the walls around the convention room. The walls are acoustic moveable wood panels that can be easily arranged at each wall's back.

A bar is at the end of the function room, as well as a complete toilet facility.

The café is in the courtyard, and fresh baked goods from the artisanal oven, which is installed in the kitchen, can be found on the premises.

The staff room is located beside the café as well as an independent laundry facility.

Still in the courtyard is located A wet room for wet and mucky outdoor clothing and is very easily accessed from the lane entrance as well from the parking lot.

The rooms are named after 18 islands of Donegal. Each room has A hand-carved piece of wood displaying a bird eye photograph of the respective island named after the room. The rooms also have the named island's colour scheme to bring the feeling of belonging to the guest.

Sustainability

The hotel will be almost free from plastic materials giving preference to environmentally friendly companies that uses recyclable materials. Solar panels to be installed providing up to 70% of energy needed for the building function.