Donegal self catering cottages, Ireland
| country: | Ireland |
| location: | Donegal Bay in Co. Donegal |
| price: | From 585 - 899 per cottage per week (sleeps up to 6 people and 1 baby) |
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
description
Donegal self catering cottages The self-catering accommodation is in a choice of 3 bedroom traditional stone cottages and situated on scenic Donegal Bay. With our unique private position why not take the opportunity to enjoy the views overlooking this historic area of Donegal, where once the locals fished for the king of fish - the wild Irish Salmon on the worlds 2nd best Salmon fishery. Experience nature at it's best to the south to the south of the Erne estuary where that mighty river system empties into Donegal Bay lies Ballyshannon the oldest town in Ireland and across the bay the Bluestack mountain range framing the view with Slieve League, the highest sea cliffs in Europe the distance.
Travel through the ancient Mountain pass of Barnesmore to explore the farmland of east Donegal and take in Glenveagh National Park, New Mills restored corn mills, Ionad Cois Locha at Dunlewy and catch the light departing the sky in the renowned Poisoned Glen nearby. Let evening commence with a relaxing drink in the delightful ambience of one of the many fine hostelries or ancient public bars that abound in the area. Or simply relax in your own cosy cottage with its open fire in a traditional stone fireplace and savour the tranquillity it has to offer. Take your time and unwind in front of the open turf fire while you study the history and plan your itinerary for the rest of your stay.
There are many fine restaurants nearby featuring the best of local food from mountain lamb to seafood from the local bay perfectly situated in close proximity, where guests can enjoy the peace and tranquillity of the sea and country side in a convenient location. There are various activities to be enjoyed including deep sea fishing or just try an eco-trip to view the beauty of the area from the sea, keep your eyes peeled for the many porpoise & dolphin and sometimes whales that frequent these shores.
Explore the coastal path along the edge of some ancient territory with the ruins of Kilbarron Castle, a pre-historic cemetery, rare bird colonies, flora and fauna as you tramp the moorland towards either Rossnowlagh's blue flag beach or the Abbey Bay on the shores of the Erne estuary, stop and meditate by St.Patrick's well where pilgrims join in prayer on 15th August since Patrick himself blessed the well in the 5th century. As often as not this quiet place of meditation is totally deserted, save for the swans sailing past into the gloom.
Do some rare bird watching our shore walk, as the cliffs and moorland feature many species, enjoy world famous surfing at nearby surf breaks said to be second only to Hawaii, A lifeguard is on duty nearby at the beautiful Blue Flag Rossnowlagh beach during the summer months so swimming and all other water activities are available including a surf school. Some of the best home baking is available at the Thatch tea rooms near to the Franciscan Friary with its landscaped gardens, and fantastic view from the top of Calvary. Dont forget to visit the Co. Donegal Historical Society's museum which is housed here.
Try truly great fishing, from Game, course or sea-angling with and even go beach casting in the evenings as the sun sets over Donegal Bay with the Bluestack Mountains to frame the picture. Visit our many historic gardens & houses, or just enjoy the countryside.
Walking & cycling: We are ideally located for hill walking or just leisure walks on the many quiet back roads as well as the cliff path, we have our own locally produced maps.
Angling: Anglers visiting will be spoilt for choice. Options include game angling on the nearby River Drowes, Lough Melvin and the Erne Estuary. Coarse anglers will be delighted to discover quality angling for pike, bream and roach on Assaroe Lake and the Cashelard Lakes.
Hill walking, canoeing, coastal walks, equestrian, cycling: all available locally, maps available, bicycle Hire arranged.
Golf: 18 hole Championship Golf Course in Bundoran and Murvagh.
Beach: Rossnowlagh & Bundoran have a blue flag beach which is ideal for swimming; Creevy is well known for diving and is ideal for younger children with its many rockpools.
Sea baths: Marine Spa, Rossnowlagh & Bundoran seaweed baths & relaxarium. A relaxing, invigorating environment for adults only. Unwind in one of the many individual bathing rooms, steam cabinets, seaweed baths with filtered and heated sea water, local seaweed and a refreshing sea water drench shower.
Bundoran: Bundoran Glowbowl & Mack's Amusements Complex, Main Street. Bundoran Adventure Park, Bundoran Adventure Park Seafront, Bundoran.
Surfing: Rossnowlagh & Bundoran would deservedly be regarded as one of the top surfing destinations in Europe and visiting surfers from all over the world troop to its shores year after year. Blessed by a wealth of both reef and beach breaks, the resort caters for everybody from the humble beginner to the top prophets to two European championships and the Quiksilver world masters, our breaks around Bundoran and indeed, all of Donegal Bay, will provide a worthwhile challenge to the best. Try Corrachin just opposite Creevy Pier.
Sea Faring: Exciting Marine Wildlife Tours of Donegal Bay. Departing from the Harbour at Bundoran, Creevy Pier and Mullaghmore daily (weather permitting), trips from one hour to all day excursions can be arranged offering the opportunity to get in touch with the elements and experience the thrills and spills of the ocean, ideal for group/family outings, surfers looking for an off-shore break or just general sightseers!
Other activities include:
Travel through the ancient Mountain pass of Barnesmore to explore the farmland of east Donegal and take in Glenveagh National Park, New Mills restored corn mills, Ionad Cois Locha at Dunlewy and catch the light departing the sky in the renowned Poisoned Glen nearby. Let evening commence with a relaxing drink in the delightful ambience of one of the many fine hostelries or ancient public bars that abound in the area. Or simply relax in your own cosy cottage with its open fire in a traditional stone fireplace and savour the tranquillity it has to offer. Take your time and unwind in front of the open turf fire while you study the history and plan your itinerary for the rest of your stay.
There are many fine restaurants nearby featuring the best of local food from mountain lamb to seafood from the local bay perfectly situated in close proximity, where guests can enjoy the peace and tranquillity of the sea and country side in a convenient location. There are various activities to be enjoyed including deep sea fishing or just try an eco-trip to view the beauty of the area from the sea, keep your eyes peeled for the many porpoise & dolphin and sometimes whales that frequent these shores.
Explore the coastal path along the edge of some ancient territory with the ruins of Kilbarron Castle, a pre-historic cemetery, rare bird colonies, flora and fauna as you tramp the moorland towards either Rossnowlagh's blue flag beach or the Abbey Bay on the shores of the Erne estuary, stop and meditate by St.Patrick's well where pilgrims join in prayer on 15th August since Patrick himself blessed the well in the 5th century. As often as not this quiet place of meditation is totally deserted, save for the swans sailing past into the gloom.
special things to do and see from our Donegal self catering cottages
For those interested in hill walking, the nearby Bluestack way can be accessed just a few miles away near Donegal town, or nearer to home try the breezy mountain walk. Explore the local forests, at the Knader Wood in Ballyshannon, Castle Caldwell across the border in Fermanagh at the homestead of the founder of world-renowned Belleek Pottery. Do some rare bird watching our shore walk, as the cliffs and moorland feature many species, enjoy world famous surfing at nearby surf breaks said to be second only to Hawaii, A lifeguard is on duty nearby at the beautiful Blue Flag Rossnowlagh beach during the summer months so swimming and all other water activities are available including a surf school. Some of the best home baking is available at the Thatch tea rooms near to the Franciscan Friary with its landscaped gardens, and fantastic view from the top of Calvary. Dont forget to visit the Co. Donegal Historical Society's museum which is housed here.
Try truly great fishing, from Game, course or sea-angling with and even go beach casting in the evenings as the sun sets over Donegal Bay with the Bluestack Mountains to frame the picture. Visit our many historic gardens & houses, or just enjoy the countryside.
Walking & cycling: We are ideally located for hill walking or just leisure walks on the many quiet back roads as well as the cliff path, we have our own locally produced maps.
Angling: Anglers visiting will be spoilt for choice. Options include game angling on the nearby River Drowes, Lough Melvin and the Erne Estuary. Coarse anglers will be delighted to discover quality angling for pike, bream and roach on Assaroe Lake and the Cashelard Lakes.
Hill walking, canoeing, coastal walks, equestrian, cycling: all available locally, maps available, bicycle Hire arranged.
Golf: 18 hole Championship Golf Course in Bundoran and Murvagh.
Beach: Rossnowlagh & Bundoran have a blue flag beach which is ideal for swimming; Creevy is well known for diving and is ideal for younger children with its many rockpools.
Sea baths: Marine Spa, Rossnowlagh & Bundoran seaweed baths & relaxarium. A relaxing, invigorating environment for adults only. Unwind in one of the many individual bathing rooms, steam cabinets, seaweed baths with filtered and heated sea water, local seaweed and a refreshing sea water drench shower.
Bundoran: Bundoran Glowbowl & Mack's Amusements Complex, Main Street. Bundoran Adventure Park, Bundoran Adventure Park Seafront, Bundoran.
Surfing: Rossnowlagh & Bundoran would deservedly be regarded as one of the top surfing destinations in Europe and visiting surfers from all over the world troop to its shores year after year. Blessed by a wealth of both reef and beach breaks, the resort caters for everybody from the humble beginner to the top prophets to two European championships and the Quiksilver world masters, our breaks around Bundoran and indeed, all of Donegal Bay, will provide a worthwhile challenge to the best. Try Corrachin just opposite Creevy Pier.
Sea Faring: Exciting Marine Wildlife Tours of Donegal Bay. Departing from the Harbour at Bundoran, Creevy Pier and Mullaghmore daily (weather permitting), trips from one hour to all day excursions can be arranged offering the opportunity to get in touch with the elements and experience the thrills and spills of the ocean, ideal for group/family outings, surfers looking for an off-shore break or just general sightseers!
Other activities include:
- Water based and out-door activities
- Our own dedicated 33ft charter boat for hire
- Drama
- Pub culture, disco dancing, concerts, festivals
- Absolute peace and tranquillity if required.
rooms, food and facilities
Our Donegal self catering cottages are furnished with traditional pine furniture and each has one bedroom en-suite, separate wetroom, 2 bedrooms have vanity units, telephone, hairdryer, T.V. and full kitchen & laundry with separate washing/drying/freezing & storage facilities. Set in landscaped gardens with secure parking, barbeque in local stone and seating on paved patio. Internet access is available.
Family & baby friendly: Children are welcome. We have cots available, a garden, and there is plenty to do in the area with children. Baby sitting can be arranged in advance if notified.
Disabled access: we have one purpose built 4* VAS Grade 4 disabled accessible cottage and the others are to VAS Grade 3, all are ground floor rooms.
Pet friendly: Pets are very welcome.
Family & baby friendly: Children are welcome. We have cots available, a garden, and there is plenty to do in the area with children. Baby sitting can be arranged in advance if notified.
Disabled access: we have one purpose built 4* VAS Grade 4 disabled accessible cottage and the others are to VAS Grade 3, all are ground floor rooms.
Pet friendly: Pets are very welcome.
how to find our Donegal self catering cottages
We are just a five minute drive from Ballyshannon town centre. Derry airport is a 1.25 hour drive, Belfast airport is a 2.30 hour drive, Dublin airport a 3.5 hour drive. We are less than 1 hour from Sligo and Derry train stations 1 hour 15. how this holiday makes a difference
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We feel that we make a difference by helping to protect the environment, and taking responsibility for our everyday actions. By staff training and advising all customers, making people aware; we are contributing to better, safer environment for our families. While wishing to keep things as they are, to some extent, more finance assistance is needed for training programmes; so people are aware of the damage that is being done currently in mass tourism. Even small changes over a period of years should have a very positive effect. We hope to learn, improve with time, and influence others to make bigger and better changes.
Our aim is to minimise negative economic, environmental and social impacts. We will generate greater economic benefits for local people; we promote relevant responsible working conditions. The industry must involve access to local people and in planning decisions that affect their lives. We will be positive in our contributions to the conservation of our natural, built and cultural heritage. We provide an enjoyable experience for all tourists, greater understanding of the depth of local culture, who we are and what makes us Irish different, our history, heritage, the various social and environmental issues affecting us and the wider EU population. We will be culturally sensitive, encourage respect from tourists and the local population and thereby build confidence. We support many local charities, from the St. Vincent de Paul to the RNLI, encourage the use of public transport to visit local attractions. We are currently advocating a campaign to have Rail brought back to Donegal to complete the circle by joining Derry to Sligo. We have been for 12 years to the forefront in campaigning for a local rural transport initiative in South Donegal and feel this will roll out by the end of 2008. We have a local eco-tour bus operator who runs on vegetable oil available for hire. We assess economic impacts at our Donegal self catering cottages before developing any new tourism activity and exercise that development so that local communities benefit and minimise negative impacts on local livelihood. We recognise that tourism and large developments may not always be the most appropriate form of local economic development. We maximise local economic benefits by increasing linkages, by involving local communities so they can benefit from tourism wherever possible, and use these links to assist in poverty reduction. At our Donegal self catering cottages we develop quality products that reflect and enhance the destination, market tourism in ways that the natural cultural and social integrity of the destination. We pay and charge fair prices and build partnerships in ways in which risk is minimised, and recruit and employ staff recognizing international labour standards. We provide sufficient support and help in every way to support and advertise small, medium enterprises, so they will thrive and remain sustainable. We actively involve the local community in planning and decision making and provide capacity building to make this a reality. We also provide more enjoyable experiences for tourists through more meaningful connections with local people and a greater understanding of local cultural social and environmental issues, ie. traditional music, dance, story-telling etc. drama, art exhibitions, and Ballytour a local street drama over the summer. We support local charities by helping with fund raising, being supportive by attending meetings, joining in activities e.g. quiz nights, car boot sales, the local charity shop and giving unwanted items to these fund raining events. We aim to comply with all relevant environmental legislation, reduce our use of non-renewable resources and of energy produced from such resources, reduce waste and pollution deriving from what we do, and use all resources efficiently. We pass on our knowledge to our staff and local community. We bring environmental considerations more explicitly into our corporate thinking and decision making process conserve and improve the built and natural environment. We reduce water flow, use energy efficient bulbs, collect rain water for flowers and gardens and the compost pit, changed our laundry policy and use only natural products, we use wind electricity, have turn off lights signs visible to guests, encourage wild life, provided bird tables and nesting boxes from re-cycled wood, we compost and recycle all waste. Water reduction systems are placed on showers, sinks, toilets etc, and we have signs asking guests not to run water unnecessarily. We save energy by using all energy efficient bulbs, making guests aware of turning off lights etc when leaving rooms. We recycle all our cardboard and paper, compost all natural kitchen waste, dogs eat all cooked leftovers, we recycle all bottles, and glass etc. We keep any hazardous waste for collection at the local depot. We changed to natural electricity, encourage wildlife by having bird tables, in the garden we also feed the birds. Hares, rabbits and foxes often appear to eat any leftovers. We employ local people, buy from farmers markets everything locally produced, we always recommend local attractions and places of interest, the spin off from tourists assist local shops, filling stations, restaurants and local tradesmen are employed to do repairs. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |