Traighenna Bay

This is a truly unique, special place which offers real home comforts in a gated complex where you instantly feel secure in a most beautiful setting..... all our needs were met, the information booklet had all the necessary details to help make our stay very comfortable. The thatch cottage is wonderful, a mix of old, new and quirky.... great space for 2 or more, kitchen was well equipped with a fabulous view through the picture windows over the bay from the dining table and th3 sofa, the fire came in very handy when the evenings rolled in, the smell of turf burning just atmospheric...... I’d highly recommend staying, the location is perfect for exploring the coastal route - Wild Atlantic Way - Ross

Outstanding location with the most beautiful views. In the ideal spot in Donegal. - Kerry

We had a wonderful time at this beautiful cottage. Peaceful and relaxing with outstanding views! The cottage is a gem, thank you Greg and Lukas.

WOW! What an amazing spot! The cottage is absolutely gorgeous with a view you cannot get enough of. We lit the fireplace every night and watched the sun go down. 5* cottage, and we cannot wait to be back ❤️ - N.J.

Had a lovely stay here for the weekend! Stunning location, don’t miss out on Dooey beach. Somewhere you would need a car for and dogs would absolutely love! Hannah

Amazing location, beautiful architecture and such a romantic peaceful place to go off grid and spend couple time together. Thank You both - SallyAnne

Beautiful space, lovely hosts and we will be back x - Stellar

Absolutely loved our stay! Spent a month here during the Corona madness and it couldn’t have been better. Greg and Lukas are fabulous hosts. Great communication, helpful tips, friendly and deeply caring — can’t rave enough about them. Even in the lockdown situation they were readily available, while giving us all the privacy we wanted. (Lukas even spoiled us with freshly baked pastries a few times.) The house is spacious and in great shape. Everything works, it’s warm and cozy with plenty of blankets and cushions to make it even cuddlier on those occasional rainy days. And then there’s the fireplace for the extra dose of romantic charm. The location is stunning. Lots of green, mountain and ocean views — just look at the photos. (And they don’t even do it justice.) The kitchen has everything you want. We cooked every day, even backed a cake for my sweetheart’s birthday. Dungloe village has Lidl, Aldi and other shops to cover your daily needs. If you’re looking for a relaxed getaway with beautiful views, quiet and a country side feel — This is it - Martin

A wonderful dwelling in a wonderful surround at a wonderful location. Super-responsive and helpful hosts. Within easy reach of dozens of the northern half of the Wild Atlantic Way's most tempting spots. We spent a month here, as a global pandemic caught fire and spread, in total comfort. We would not hesitate to go back. We are lovers of traditional, vernacular architecture, living in a 120-year old adobe house in New Mexico. We are also lovers of modern design, and of integrating dwellings with the natural environment. This property rings all the bells for us. Starting with a careful restoration of a traditional two-room thatched cottage, Greg and Lukas wrapped the original structure on three sides with a modern bath, kitchen, and living/dining space. From the road, the traditional extended thatched dwelling profile is preserved, away from the road the new build is wrapped in unfinished board and batten wood that blends nicely with the surround. The living/dining space has a row of large windows looking down and over the bay, where you can watch the tides, the ever-changing weather, and the mountains, including on a good day a striking view of Mt Errigal in the distance. Downhill from the house the landscaping is beautifully and sensitively done to preserve and enhance the natural landscape, with limestone rock shelves dropping to a pond and wetland. As a wildlife photographer I was excited to see the pond is a visiting place for grey heron, ducks, pheasant, a variety of songbirds, and spawning frogs. Donegal can be a windy place in early spring, and sleeping in a stone and thatch cottage during a howling gale is an amazing experience - there is a deep feeling of solidity and safety and comfort. Deep and sound sleep can be expected! The living area has an ancient-looking fireplace of whitewashed stone, where a peat fire creates a sweet ambiance. Seating in the living area is comfortable and ample for four people, and the long dining table provides good space for laying out maps and planning adventures (or for sorting your photography gear) as well as eating. The kitchen is well designed and provisioned for real cooking, and has wonderful light in the mornings. The bath is spacious with a clean modern design, a good shower and a big soaking tub. The many nearby attractions start with Dooey Beach, a five minute drive or easy walk away. Bike routes are plentiful. The location right off the N56 puts most of Donegal a day-trip away. Greg, our contact during our stay, was very responsive via email and provided a great trove of local knowledge for hikes, beach walks, and great views for photography as well as shopping and provisioning for our extended stay. This is a great stay and a very good value for exploring Donegal. - Mary Whalen

Loved our stay here. The location is perfect with beautiful views. We had rain for most of the trip which didn’t ruin it one bit. Just pack wellies and waterproofs so you can see what the area has to offer. Would highly recommend this amazing stay. - Nuala

Great place, lovely finishing touches, hosts thought of everything - Chere

Beautiful place to stay, stunning views, very clean stylish and cosy. Greg and Lukas are great hosts. Would recommend to anyone. - Beata

What a gorgeous little spot to relax and unwind. Perfect for few days away from it all. The cottage has a lovely feel to it - it is is warm and cosy especially when the turf fire is roaring. There is everything you need to just lock yourself away for a few days. Lots of information on things to do and places to eat in the area. We loved just reading and mastering the jigsaw puzzles left by the owners. Our little one loved seeing the wild geese on the beach nearby and our dog loved exploring with us. To top it all the lovely ladies that look after the cottages couldn’t have Been nicer - such a wonderful spot and such lovely people. Thank you and see you soon. X -Tracy

This is a stunning property set in a stunning landscape. The house was spotlessly clean and yet with enough personal touches to make it feel like a home from home. We were very unfortunate with the weather, but did not mind being stuck inside such a charming house. Thank you so much, we will be back! Celia

A relaxing and romantic escape. Very clean and quaint. - Chloe

Second time staying in one of Greg and Lukas's Donegal cottages and this one was as good as the first. The cottage is well renovated with nice modern touches. Very clean, ideal location and helpful, friendly cleaners. - Neil

Comfortable, stylish, cosy, clean, loads of facilities. Perfect for a couple of nights away. Loved it. Thank you - Tracy

What a lovely place to spend a weekend! Roomy and cosy at the same time with everything you need under one roof. Beds are super comfy and shower was unreal. Location is great, 5 mins from the beach and not far from a local pub. Will definitely be back! - Maria

What a beautiful place - it's a gift. Perfect in every way. Located one of the most beautiful parts of our country - if you're lucky enough to get the chance to book this, make sure you go for it. - Kate

Such a wonderful property which completely exceeded our expectations!! I'd go back in a heartbeat! - Fiona

Just after spending a lovely weekend in this lovely cottage. The cottage is tastefully decorated and had all required amenities. Very pet friendly and only 5 mins drive to a beautiful beach. - Tracey

Lovely space to relax while enjoying the views of the bay. Beds comfortable and kicthen had everything we needed. - Ray

We had a fantastic time at Greg and Lukas's gorgeous place. It was just as in the photos, with amazing views and lots of space. It was comfortable and well equipped, nice and cosy with lots of hot water. Also lots of helpful local tips. Highly recommended! - Ellen Christie

Greg and Lukas's cottage was such a wonderful base to explore Donegal. We loved the warm cozy feel to the cottage, yet it was very spacious as well. Kitchen is stocked for cooking in, there is laundry in case you get muddy tramping through bogs, a great bathroom and tub as well as comfortable space to relax in. It was a perfect central location to explore the beauty of both North and South Donegal, as well as the local incredible beach which is just 5 minutes away. Greg and Lukas were gracious hosts with plenty of suggestions as to where to visit, they left us the most delicious fresh eggs on the kitchen table and were quick to respond to any questions we had. Highly highly recommended!! - David

Amazing accommodation! Clean and perfect in every way. Especially loved the aesthetic and decor. We were there on a day where the sky was clear and the color landscape would change by the minute as the clouds shifted. Truly a magical site. The housekeeper and owners are very friendly. I’d come back in a heartbeat! - Lisa

This was our second visit to the cottage and it was just as good as we remembered. Very cosy sitting in front of the fire and enjoying the changing scenery. Great bath. Nancy’s pub in Ardara good for a pint. Thanks for having us, hope to return soon. - Ciaran

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)