*NEW - The Boathouse

Directly on Traighenna Bay (Bay of Birds) in West Donegal, Ireland, with direct private shore access.
Guests: 6       Wifi: available       Pets? Pets welcome (max. 1 dog), fee applies

*NEW - The Boathouse

more about *NEW - The Boathouse

add to favourites

about the property

Built by Under the Thatch on Traighenna Bay, West Donegal. Priced for 2, sleeps 6.

A contemporary home with direct private shore access onto Traighenna Bay, completed in 2017. Designed by UTT in conjunction with retired London Transport architect Keith Makinson, this remakable modern home sits under a turf roof with immediate private access to the shoreline.

We designed it to as a pointer to the Northern Lights that are regularly seen here - and the house sits  like a compass pointer to magnetic North; there's even a thin line of steel from the entrance door right through the building to the front spire (13m high) that is aligned precisely to N/S. From the seashore looking back the house echoes the prow of an Atlantic oceanliner, yet from the South the roof is wild turf and heather, rising from the landscape it sits in. 

This is a good place to find peace, spot Red Deer, otters and the ever-changing Atlantic weather. There are three large bedrooms (each en-suite, each with a freestanding bath and a shower), and a reception space with fireplace on each floor. 

You've your own private seashore access but a 5 minute drive (or 40 minute walk on a quiet lane) takes you along the shore to pristine sandy beaches - the bay in front of the house is tidal and relatively shallow, though we swim there. 

We let this property for maximum 90 nights a year when we work away - it is comfortably (rather than luxuriously) furnished, but the chief delight here is the landscape outside. 

grading

luxury
heritage
unique
green
price

latest review

A beautiful property overlooking the sea in a gorgeous part of Donegal! The house has everything you need to make your stay memorable. We saw red deer crossing the beach in front of the house, a pair...

2025

Love this place? Tell everyone!


special offers for you - quick booking
datespricebook holiday
from {{ offerItem.validFrom }} to {{ offerItem.validTo }}
late availibility
£{{ offerItem.value }}
not available
available
special offer
reserved
booked
* required

Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
{{ day.day }}

Selected dates: {{ selectedData.fromDate }} - {{ selectedData.toDate }}
Guests: {{ sleeps.id }}
{{ parseSelectedDataPrice() }}

good to know

arrival at
16:00
depart by
10:00
guests
6
pets
pets welcome (max. 1 dog)
bed layout
Master Double (ground floor), Double (ground floor), Double (ground floor)

facilities at *NEW - The Boathouse

bathroom
bath
general
beach (within walking distance)
farm or rural location
coastal location - within 5 miles of the sea
secluded location
open fire / woodburner
media & technology
television
wifi broadband internet
cleaning services
washing machine
infants
young children welcome
high chair
cot
travel cot
accessibilty
relatively accessible (ground floor bedroom)
ground floor bathroom

map - location

in detail

The house is centrally-heating and built almost to Passive House standards, and has WIFI

Ground Floor - all the bedrooms

  • Hall, with staircase up and 13' ceiling, access both sides to the outer deck. Fireplace.
  • Principal Bedroom - Kingsize bed, bath in bedroom overlooking the water, shower en-suite with rainfall shower. Direct access to the outer deck
  • Bedroom 2 - Double bed with direct access to outer deck, bathroom en-suite with freestanding bath (water views) and large rainfall shower. This large bathroom is 'Jack-and-Jill' accessed from the entrance corridor
  • Bedroom 3 - Twin bedroom with direct access to outer deck, bathroom en-suite with freestanding bath (water views) and large rainfall shower.
  • Utility room - Washing machine

First Floor - all living (note relatively steep stairs from hall)

  • Lounge with woodburner, dining with access to balcony overlooking the sea.
  • Kitchen with oven, microwave, dishwasher etc
  • Office area
  • Cloakroom toilet

Outside - parking for several cars

  • Acre of wild land with many fruit trees (it entices the deer in the autumn).
  • A decking area surrounds the property, and a covered veranda one side
  • Direct private access to the shoreline (tidal). You may swim here when the tide is in but it's only 3km (40 minute walk or 5 mins in car) to pristine whitesand beaches that have often have turquoise water.
  • Approximately 20 metres to the rear of your property (inland) is a laundry shed (no windows overlooking the property) that is accessed by the property manager - it has its own drive-in area entrance, parking etc and in no way faces or causes disturbance, but you may occasionally see the property manager accessing the shed (though you can't even see the door from your property). 

local area

You're right on one of the most beautiful shorelines in the world. Most people spend their days discovering the many beaches (there are hundreds), the great local food and welcome in the pubs and walking across 'wilderness' landscapes. ​

  • Dooey Beach - 5km of sandy beach (also walking distance) - known for surfing  (5-minute drive).
  • Lettermacaward - 2 km or less than 5-minute drive - your village with 2 shops, petrol, hairdresser, 3x pubs (trad. music every Friday). 
  • Dungloe town - a 12-minute drive - 'Capital of the Rosses' with supermarkets (Lidl, Aldi, Supervalu, The Cope), pubs (10) 
  • Maghery Beach - horse-riding on the beach - 20 mins. drive
  • Portnoo - amazing beach, walk over to the island at low tide - 15 mins. drive
  • Sliabh Liag - Europe's highest sea cliffs (amazing) - 45 mins. drive
  • Horse Riding at Dunlewey - 40 mins. - also, kids play park and mini zoo there.
  • Glenveagh National Park / National Park  - 45 mins
  • Belfast city - 2hr 35 mins. 
  • Ardara 'Heritage Town' (cafes, pubs, tweed/weaving) - 20 mins.
  • Donegal County & Events Guide
  • Local angling, boat trips & local walking
  • Glencolmcille Folk Village & beach & pubs - 55 mins.
  • Ulster Folk Park - one of the best open-air museums in Europe - 1hr 20 mins.
  • Derry ('Londonderry') - fascinating UK City of Culture 2013 -  1 hr. 20 mins. 
  • Giant's Causeway - 2 hr 10 mins - or also see Derry on the way

properties nearby

Restored from a ruin by Under the Thatch, at Dooey..
guests 4

£699 to £1,495 for 1 week

Overlooking Traighenna Bay and Glenveagh National ..
guests 4

£625 to £833 for 1 week

Traighenna Bay, Donegal on Ireland's Wild Atlantic..
guests 2

£480 to £601 for 1 week

Restored directly by Under the Thatch, at Dooey be..
guests 4

£746 to £2,118 for 1 week

Overlooking Traighenna Bay in West Donegal, NW Ire..
guests 2

£897 to £778 for 1 week

overlooking Traighenna Bay in West Donegal, on Ire..
guests 2

£480 to £601 for 1 week

customer reviews for *NEW - The Boathouse

A beautiful property overlooking the sea in a gorgeous part of Donegal! The house has everything you need to make your stay memorable. We saw red deer crossing the beach in front of the house, a pair of herons catching eels at high tide each day and even a brief glimpse of an otter… Muirrinn (the property manager) made the stay even more special and is a fantastic host. She communicates very well, answering any query we had promptly and is very friendly and personable. We would highly recommend the house and look forward to staying again sometime soon! - A.

-
2025