Launched in 2012! Click here to see inside this beautiful Donegal cottage.

The wild, mountain landscape of Donegal is dotted with derelicts, many of them abandoned as long ago as the Great Famine. This one had such a lovely position about Loughanure lake that Keith & Pat, an architect/artist pair who live locally, decided to renovate it as a sustainable holiday let. We're delighted they did as they've created a snug, stylish abode with lovely views in a fabulous area - exactly what Under the Thatch is all about. It is green, characterful, peaceful and refreshingly simple.

You'll find perfect peace & quiet here, as well as lake views from bed, and it'd be tempting just to snuggle up by the fire and write that novel you've always dreamt you would. But if you can peel yourself away from An Teach Eile ('The Other House') you'll be rewarded by one of the most beautiful and traditional landscapes and cultures in Ireland. Here you'll still hear Irish spoken naturally, the music and singing in the pubs is for real (not made for tourists) and you'll find a welcome that is frankly shocking if you've never been to this part of the world.

You can walk down the field to the lake shore for wild swimming, or enjoy some of the most beautiful white sandy beaches in Europe. If you've never been to Donegal you're in for a treat. This isn't 'touristy' Kerry or over-developed Galway - this is probably the Ireland you'd always hoped still existed.

Considering a two-centre holiday? You may want to stay at one of our other Irish cottages en-route - secluded Croaghacullion or thatched Geaglum. 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 by the efficient modern stove (wood provided).

• Kitchen: Contemporary kitchen, well-equipped with fridge (freezer compartment), hob and oven, microwave
• Dining area with doors out to patio - dining furniture in and out
• Lounge with comfortable Scandinavian sofa, wood-burner and views. Radio.
• Bathroom: Huge walk-in shower with dinner-plate shower-head
• Bedroom: Comfortable bed with a lake view, heated slate floor & sheepskins
• Outside: Almost an acre of your land & you can walk down to the water
• Utility Shed: Recycling bins, great for wet boots, storing mountain bikes etc.

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 (only 15 mins away.)
• Derry (Londonderry) via 6 UK airports & Ryanair (1 hr, 45 mins.)
• Belfast International via these departure airports & Easyjet (2 hr, 45)
• Belfast City via these departure airports & Ryanair (3 hr.)
• Knock via these departure airports & Ryanair (3 hr.)
• Dublin via these departure airports & Ryanair (4 hr.)

Sail with either Stenaline or Irish Ferries to:

• Belfast via Liverpool/ Stranraer (3 hr away.)
• Larne via Fleetwood (3 hr.)
• Dublin via Holyhead/ Douglas (4 hr.)
• Dun Laoghaire via Holyhead (4 hr. 20 mins.)
• Rosslare via Fishguard/ Pembroke Dock (6 hr. 15 mins.)
  (Tip - ferries cheapest Mon>Thu)

• Walk from the door - some lovely routes
• Wild swimming in Loughanure - chilly, but clean and easily accessed
• Fishing boats on the lough by the cottage for a small licence fee.
• Donegal County & Events Guide
• Loughanure village - (lake, shop, pub, chippie) - 10 mins.
• Dungloe town - (coast, food, music, art) - 12 mins.
• Leo's Tavern (home to Clannad & Enya, great food & music) - 15 mins.
• Glebe Art Gallery - (country house, great art gallery) 45 mins.
• Dunlewey - (heritage, music, mountain) 30 mins.
• Glenveagh National Park - castle, lake, mountains, gardens - 35 mins.
• Ardara 'Heritage Town' (cafes, pubs, tweed/weaving) - 40 mins.
• Ulster Folk Park - one of best open air museums in Europe - 1hr 40 mins.
• Derry ('Londonderry') - fascinating UK City of Culture 2013 - 1hr 40 mins.
• Giant's Causeway - 2 hr, 35 mins & a great daytrip via Derry

This is one of our greenest properties:

• Rescue & new use for former derelict in the landscape
• Low impact conversion on original footprint - no extension
• Traditional lime plasters, not cement or gypsum
• Rainwater collected for toilet flushing
• Solar-heating of hot water (also has back-up)
• Heating via wood from sustainable, local source
• High level of insulation in roof and floor
• Triple-glazed windows and door, sustainable, locally crafted wood frames
• Low energy lighting
• AAA rated kitchen appliances
• Local craftsmen rebuilt the drystone walls using the on-site stone
• On-site recycling collection of plastic, paper, glass, metal, compost
• Efficient glass-fronted Irish-built Stanley woodburning stove
• Internal doors made locally from sustainable wood source

Note there is one step up from the dining area, another into the bedroom under a low lintel. Garden generally enclosed but take care with dogs as sheep nearby. The property has just one bedroom and is ideal for couples but a child would be fine sleeping on the large and very comfortable sofa if you are happy with this arrangement.