Welcome Aboard!​

Nestled on the beach overlooking scenic Dildo Cove on Trinity Bay, the Dildo Boathouse Inn sits waiting to welcome visitors to the area. Established in 2018, the inn offers six rooms with an ocean view, modern décor, up-to-date amenities, and an in-house public dining room known as the Music & Friends Restaurant. The fully licensed restaurant specializes in local Newfoundland seafood and tasty traditional pub fare, but also offers vegetarian and gluten-free options. With true Newfoundland hospitality in mind, local musical entertainment can often be found here and we welcome you to share your own talents with us during our open mic kitchen parties!  It’s not unusual to see whales, porpoises, seals, or eagles right outside the Inn.

 

The history behind this venture is a story entwined with the sea. The property was originally owned the late James McEntegart of Dublin, Ireland. Seeing the potential in the area, James partnered with his brother-in-law, James Barrett, and the two entrepreneurs began a boat building facility they named the Dildo Boat Yard. Over the course of 20 years, they, along with their crew, built and launched 67 vessels ranging from 35’ to 65’ at this facility. The last vessel built here is the current tour boat, the Irish Mist. Dennis and wife Paula embarked on a journey to ensure James’ legacy here and it has grown into what you see today.

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In 2025, Jeanette (Newhook) Gilliland and son Matthew Gilliland fell in love with the site, and pruchased the property from the McEntegarts. The Newhook family came to Trinity, Newfoundland in 1752 as shipbuilders from Dorset, England. The family has been settled in communities around Trinity Bay ever since, and Jeanette's grandfather, Samuel, was born right here in Dildo in 1897.

 

The story of these two families shows how tightly Newfoundland history is woven together. ​Stop by soon for  a pint of Newfoundland brew - we’ll be happy to see you coming!