Named in the Sunday Times (Travel) as one of 'Top 20 Places for the Summer in UK or Ireland' 2012!

Croaghacullion is a traditional Donegal coastal cottage that enjoys a remarkable secluded position overlooking Lougheraherk (lake) in this, the most traditional and picturesque part of Ireland. The cottage sits in the heart of the Irish-speaking Gaeltacht in what is probably the most traditional area of Ireland. You can walk down to the beach from the cottage and you're unlikely to see another tourist, maybe just a lobster fisherman or one of the friendly, farmer neighbours. See more photos of this Donegal cottage. Just sitting on the bench in front can be lovely - you can usually hear the waves from the other side of the mountain.

Stay here to discover one of the most remarkable and beautiful landscapes in Ireland - we doubt you'll ever find better beaches than can be found locally, friendlier people, or such a sense of wilderness. These photos show the walk down to Port beach from the cottage, which feels like the very edge of Europe (9 times out of 10 you'll have the whole bay to yourself), or sit at home and enjoy the views over 'your' lough (lake). Click to see extra photos of this Donegal cottage.

If you are lucky you'll see the golden eagles that nest locally or wild deer that roam the mountain around the cottage. The land about the cottage is preserved as a European Special Area of Conservation and you have free access to roam hundreds of acres of land. In this area you'll still see farmers thatching hay-ricks and traditional Donegal cottages, lobster-fishing from traditional boats, and you'll hear genuine (not touristey!) local music played live almost every night of the week in the local pubs. It's the kind of Ireland that the touristic areas lost decades ago. These photos show what Donegal is like in summer or this tourist video amuses. These guest photographs give you a feel for what a holiday is like at Croaghacullion including views on the walk down to the beach.

Although the cottage is private, and secluded, within a 15 minute drive you have a choice of two villages with great pubs, a Folk Village museum, shops, craft-galleries and cafe/restaurants. The cottage is one of a number of mostly traditional properties dotted around the lake, and Mary the housekeeper will surely invite you in for tea at her farm some 200 yards down the valley.

Considering a two-centre holiday? You may want to stay at one of our other Irish cottages en-route - thatched Geaglum and eco-conversion An Teach Eile. Or if driving over from UK we have a number of beautiful properties near to Fishguard and Holyhead in Wales.

The cottage is centrally heated throughout, and has Wi-Fi internet. Every window enjoys mountain or lake views.

• Traditional Kitchen - this, the main room has a wood/turf burner, dining table and antique furnishings
• Parlour/ Bedroom - this room has a modern wood/turf burner, sofa (with dropdown arm) and a single bed.
• Bedroom - with double bed & writing desk with mountain view
• Kitchen - the small, modern kitchen has a cooker & hob, fridge (small freezer compartment) microwave, dresser etc.
• Bathroom - with shower over bath

Outside:

• thatched cowshed with storage if you're going to bring mountain bikes (ideal area for bikes), washing machine
• about 3/4 acre of enclosed garden, access to open landscape (dogs on lead as sheep around)

You can easily fly by lowcost carrier but we prefer the greener (and nicer) route by ferry with your own car. Ireland is such an amazing country, and you'll find so much to do and see 'en route'.

Note Aer Lingus often have deals as cheap as Ryanair/ Easyjet and fly to 15 UK airports

Fly to:

• Donegal - flights to Dublin and Glasgow (1hr, 15 mins. drive to cottage)
• Derry (Londonderry) via 6 UK airports & Ryanair (2 hr. away)
• Belfast International via these departure airports & Easyjet (3 hr.)
• Belfast City via these departure airports & Ryanair (3 hr. 15 min.)
• Knock via these departure airports & Ryanair (2.5 hr.)
• Dublin via these departure airports & Ryanair (4 hr. 20 min.)

Sail with either Stenaline or Irish Ferries to:

• Belfast via Liverpool/ Stranraer (3 hr. away)
• Larne via Fleetwood (3 hr. 20 mins.)
• Dublin via Holyhead/ Douglas (4 hr. 30 min.)
• Dun Laoghaire via Holyhead (4 hr. 35 mins.)
• Rosslare via Fishguard/ Pembroke Dock (6 hr.)
  (Tip - ferries cheapest Mon>Thu)

• Donegal County & Events Guide
• Glencolmcille Folk Village & beach & pubs - 13 mins. or a lovely walk
• Port beach - 5 mins. or a lovely walk from your cottage
• Sliabh Liag - one of the most impressive sights in Ireland - 18 mins.
• Silver Strand (Trabane) - one of many many local beaches -25 mins.
• Maghera beach & caves - 18 mins, or amazing walk from cottage
• Glenveagh National Park - castle, lake, mountains, gardens -1 hour
• Ardara 'Heritage Town' (cafes, pubs, tweed/weaving) - 25 mins.
• Ulster Folk Park - one of best open air museums in Europe - 1hr 45 mins.
• Oideas Gael (Irish language courses etc) - 13 mins. or a lovely walk
• Derry ('Londonderry') - fascinating UK City of Culture 2013 - 2 hr.
• Giant's Causeway -3 hr & a great daytrip via Derry

• renovation brought cottage back into fulltime use
• cement renders replaced with breathable lime/ limewashes
• natural paints and pigments used
• low energy lighting
• efficient modern boiler
• modern windows replaced with tradionally-made sashes
• let for holidays when not in fulltime use as main home

"It has been great - we love your cottage and we love the area! The quiet here is so relaxing." Ann & Graham

"A lovely cottage, we've had a fab. time and caught lots of mackerel! Diolch yn fawr." Bethan, Huw & baby Megan

Approached by a fairly bumpy council-maintained lane which is suitable for all but the lowest vehicles. Wi-Fi internet is provided free but is restricted to normal internet usage, not extraordinary downloads, as internet provided by satellite dish. Although we anticipate that internet will always be available we cannot guarantee this.