Traighenna Bay

The sight of the picture-perfect Donegal-thatched cottage as you drive down the lane is uplifting. It's so pretty with pink roses rambling round the windows. The interior of the cottage is as beautiful as the exterior. Beautifully restored and extended, it's a wonderful place to just be in. The large windows all along the modern extension at the back allow a fantastic view of the stunning landscape, forever changing with the tide coming and going and the sun rising and setting. Each window frames a slightly different scene. Whether sitting at the dining area relaxing over food or lounging with a book on the comfy sofa - the views outside are compelling. The colours, the birdlife, the tranquility. Perfect. Apart from the stunning vista, the cottage is such a wonderful space - beautifully decorated with unusual pieces of furniture, gorgeous artwork and interesting artefacts placed in various spots. I kept seeing new items every time I looked around! The cottage has everything you could possibly need for a self-catered stay but there are many restaurants and cafes a short drive away also. These are detailed in the very useful welcome pack which you'll find on the table when you arrive. Also waiting for us was a box of freshly laid eggs! Four hen eggs and two duck eggs! A lovely touch! I'm not sure why I'm writing this review - it's only going to make it harder for us to book in the future!! Credit where credit is due though!! We didn't get to meet Greg and Lukas this time but a special mention for the lovely Annie who we met on arrival. She had the cottage sparkling for us and gave us some wonderful advice on local places to see - which we took. We particularly loved Dooey Beach - such a beach! Go there! I haven't even covered all of the great points about staying in Greg and Lukas' cottage but my final word on it is that we will definitely visit again! -Grainne

"Everything was what we expected from the description and the added bonus was the weather and the warm hospitality. Our first visit to Donegal and the cottage is in a great location for exploration. It was as clean as could be and had everything we needed. We loved the peace and quiet and restful, ever-changing landscape. I don’t usually say that we’ll be back to somewhere as we usually prefer to explore new places but we may well return to this lovely cottage.. Anne."

Cannot recommend enough.the little touches of fresh eggs and little slippers on arrival were a lovely surprise. The house was spotless and had every kitchen utensil you would need. Definitely take a soak in the huge bath with a glass of bubbles to add to the relaxation of a stay here. An easy transaction to book to arrange arrival and departure arrangements and a great dog friendly find!! Great location for seeing the north of the wild atlantic way.trust the UTT directions direct from the itenerary they will take your straight to the front door :) Would have happily stayed here another few days and highly recommend Greg and Lukas as hosts and this location for a great break away! Thank you again! Janine

Greg and Lukas cottage is a credit to them, and everyone involved in its design and upkeep. Mixing the old with the new, the place is homely and warm with central heating and a peat fire. Six picture windows, which allow you to enjoy the marvellous view of the bay, provide plenty of light. The thatch cottage doesn’t feel small in any way, and includes a large dining table, couch, modern bath, a very large shower and king size bed. Beautiful scenery, and nearby beaches in Dooey and Portnoo help make this a perfect getaway in County Donegal. - Cleve

This thatched cottage is a perfect getaway! The cottage has all been redone inside and it is lovely and full of antiques which only add to the charm. The view is stunning; there are windows along one entire side maximizing the view below. The surrounding area is just as beautiful as this traditional cottage. - Shannon

We had a wonderful stay, the house is beautiful. It is very comfortable and spacious and has lots of interesting furniture and decorations. I loved sitting in the window looking out at the amazing ever changing landscape. The kitchen had everything we needed, beds were comfie, table was perfect for family meals and games and couch was so comfie for sitting by the fire and listening to music. We had a really lovely family 4 day weekend here, really relaxing. Emma

Fantastic place and location Beautiful peat fire added to the atmosphere Quiet and remote but close to everything you need Great list of tips and places to see and where to eat left by hosts Perfect place to stay when visiting the wild Atlantic coast and county Donegal - Wayne

This is an exceptional cottage, beautifully presented. It is lovely to see a traditional cottage put to modern use. There are lovely personal touches throughout, without sacrificing the modern conveniences; the dishwasher and washing machine were much appreciated as I was with two children eager to get muddy at every opportunity. Everything is well thought out- the furnishing and decor are really comfortable and cosy, the kitchen is excellently equipped, the lighting is well considered....and there is even an abundance of hooks to hang things on! Cleanliness was top-notch. Super property. - Deirdre

This is a lovely cottage set in a quiet area along a narrow country lane, once you leave the main road. The instructions are clear. The cottage has all facilities you will need, note no TV which was wonderful. The cottage was clean and tidy, supplies can be obtained from number of well equipped Supermarkets only a short drive away. Toured around by day and it was pleasing to return to a relaxing quiet night with family. Loved the sheep next to us. Recommend a stay. - Christopher

Great communication, everything as advertised. This is a great place to stay if you want a true Irish coastal experience in a unique setting. Both modern and old world amenities. The cottage was spacious, great views, impressive design and craftsmanship. Finally, just a great setting with tons to do within easy driving distance. Could not have been a better experience! - John

We had such an enjoyable time in Traigheanna Bay. The changing colours of the bay were so beautiful. The cosy evenings in the cottage and the stunning beach, sand dunes and rock pools gave us the perfect mix of indoor and outdoor relaxation. The cottage had everything we needed and was warm and comfortable after our days in the outdoors. Thanks for the wonderful space to base ourselves, it made the weekend much more enjoyable.

Wonderful cottage. Traighenna Bay from all the lounge windows. Peat fire Cosy comfortable and Donegal. Enough said.

Really an exceptional stay in an amazing part of Ireland, we were super comfy as a family, the fireplace, kitchen, shower, comforts and really homey space just made our few days incredibly relaxing, even in the middle of winter with grey skies, wind, rain galore. Super hosts, totally reliable and friendly communication, if you come to stay you'll love it :) Tricia

We had a fantastic week at the cottage. It is beautifully restored, very comfortable, well designed and a great space to hang out in as a family. The location in itself is idyllic and serves as a perfect base for exploring in any direction. Head any time of year, it's the middle of winter at the moment and we were toasty warm! From point of booking until saying goodbye this morning, all aspects of our rental were flawless. Thank you so much, we hope to return some day! Pamela

We enjoyed a lovely few days in Dumhaigh. From sunny spells to galeforce we explored the wider surroundings knowing that a warm welcome in the spacious cottage was awaiting us.

A wonderful 12 nights at Traighenna Bay where apart from getting out walking and exploring also spent hours just watching the scenery change in accord with the weather. Also got to experience the equinox high and low tides and it was fascinating watching the water creep ever further up the creek and listening to the sea in the distance. This was the fifth UTT cottage we've stayed and as usual offers something different, interesting, cosy and comfortable with a dash of practicality thrown in. Was certainly worth the long drive from Dublin (just for the views) and hoping to be back soon.

We had a wonderful few days in south Donegal. The best bit was returning to Traighenna Bay at the end of each day, watching the tide rise and fall and the constantly changing colours of the landscape.

We had a wonderful stay here. The views from the window were a joy to wake up to every morning and watch the sun set every evening. The beaches nearby were fantastic. We found the open plan living space was great for our kids and the space was great to hang out in.

Wow! Gorgeous, comfortable and the perfect location for exploring the north-west coast. All credit to UTT for mixing old and new in such a beautiful and considerate way. Bring luxury bath products for that sumptuous bath with instant hot water. We were there in August and the roads were awash with colour - golden yellow ragwort, purple loosestrife, scarlet fuscia and the creamy froth of lammas flowers - wow. It really is four seasons in one day on this coastline so be sure to bring sunwear and rainwear and head out whatever the weather.

Myself and my 88 year young mother have just spent 4 days in this beautiful part of Donegal. Greg's house played a huge part in such a pleasurable trip.The house is in a wonderful setting with cracking views and the use of picture windows enhances that view. Lovely to sit with a cup of tea watching the changing weather of Donegal .Even better with the fire lit and a glass of wine. It is a very cosy house,comfy beds,powerful shower and everthing a kitchen should have. I had no problems with wi-fi connection. It is only a 5 minute drive to the N56 which will bring you to anywhere in Donegal but the road is narrow so no speeding. Had a wonderful walk every morning on the deserted beach listening to the crashing waves and standing in awe of the power of nature. Owner was extremely helpful and had a couple of great chats about his current projects. Restoring Irelands past and blending it with modern building techniques.Great vision.Will be back. Thanks - Fergal & Bernie

Fantastic cottage, amazingly done, perfect mix of old and new. Looks even better than in the photos! Surroundings are beautiful and peaceful. Owners were super welcoming and friendly. On our next trip back to Donegal this will definitely be the place we'll stay! Paul (Lisburn)