The Perfect Holiday Home on the Spectacular Northwest Coast of Ireland
5.0
Outstanding(60 Reviews)House in Donegal City
12 guests · 4 bedrooms · 3 baths
Reasons to book
Guests love it hereGuests give this property a top rating
Includes essentialsGarden, Kitchen or Kitchenette, Internet / Wifi and more
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About this house rental
Accommodations: The Hilltown is a historic, recently renovated, traditional farmhouse plus additions, stable and farm buildings on 50 acres of actively farmed land - four bedrooms, three baths - sleeps up to ten.
Description: William McKinley, born in 1882 in a thatched cottage a mile from the Hilltown, emigrated to the US, and then returned to purchase the Hilltown in 1928. His reason? He wanted his expanding American family to learn of their roots. His parents and some of his siblings are buried in the Drumhome Churchyard on the hill directly opposite the house. Three of his grandchildren, the current owners, have rehabilitated and modernized the house from top to bottom while striving to retain the charm and feel of the traditional Irish farmhouse which they experienced as children. The house is located on a hillside with panoramic views of long, green, drumlin hills at the head of the Donegal Bay. These hills in turn are framed by the Blue Stack Mountains some 15 miles distant.
In mid-summer, when all is in darkness around the house, the tops of the Blue Stacks are often bathed in the sun’s last orange rays. Murvagh Beach, a three-mile strand on the South side of the bay, where the tide recedes for up to one quarter of a mile, is minutes from the front door. Donegal Golf Club, locally known as Murvagh Golf Club, is a superb links course described as the Muirfield of Ireland and is located about one mile away. Several pubs are also within a mile. What else does one need?
The Hilltown has proven to be the perfect setting for Irish-style decompression. It has been the romantic location of choice for many honeymoons, and a cozy nest from which three generations of McKinley heirs and many of their friends have launched excursions throughout the northwest of Ireland.
Amenities: Working fireplaces located in kitchen, dining room and sitting room with turf and wood provided. Full kitchen with microwave, dishwasher, refrigerator, and cooking utensils provided. Mudroom has large-sized washer and dryer. Dining room oak table seats eight. Two bedrooms have queen-sized beds, a third one has two queen-sized beds, and a bunk-room (with a half bath) can accommodate four kids. Linens provided. Two bathrooms, one with shower and the other with tub. Satellite TV and CD/DVD player in Sitting Room. WiFi signal is available.
Activities: Extensive hiking and mountain climbing opportunities including Slieve League, the highest edge-of-the-Atlantic mountain on the west coast of Europe, world-class golf courses within a days drive, cycling (mountain bikes can be rented in Donegal Town), beautiful beaches, horseback riding, ocean, lake and river fishing, exploration of ancient round forts, stone cairns, abbeys, castles and remains of great houses, trips to off-shore islands, shopping in Donegal Town, Ardara and Glencolumbkille for native tweeds and sweaters, boating, swimming, sailing, picnicking, and on and on.
Keywords: House
Description: William McKinley, born in 1882 in a thatched cottage a mile from the Hilltown, emigrated to the US, and then returned to purchase the Hilltown in 1928. His reason? He wanted his expanding American family to learn of their roots. His parents and some of his siblings are buried in the Drumhome Churchyard on the hill directly opposite the house. Three of his grandchildren, the current owners, have rehabilitated and modernized the house from top to bottom while striving to retain the charm and feel of the traditional Irish farmhouse which they experienced as children. The house is located on a hillside with panoramic views of long, green, drumlin hills at the head of the Donegal Bay. These hills in turn are framed by the Blue Stack Mountains some 15 miles distant.
In mid-summer, when all is in darkness around the house, the tops of the Blue Stacks are often bathed in the sun’s last orange rays. Murvagh Beach, a three-mile strand on the South side of the bay, where the tide recedes for up to one quarter of a mile, is minutes from the front door. Donegal Golf Club, locally known as Murvagh Golf Club, is a superb links course described as the Muirfield of Ireland and is located about one mile away. Several pubs are also within a mile. What else does one need?
The Hilltown has proven to be the perfect setting for Irish-style decompression. It has been the romantic location of choice for many honeymoons, and a cozy nest from which three generations of McKinley heirs and many of their friends have launched excursions throughout the northwest of Ireland.
Amenities: Working fireplaces located in kitchen, dining room and sitting room with turf and wood provided. Full kitchen with microwave, dishwasher, refrigerator, and cooking utensils provided. Mudroom has large-sized washer and dryer. Dining room oak table seats eight. Two bedrooms have queen-sized beds, a third one has two queen-sized beds, and a bunk-room (with a half bath) can accommodate four kids. Linens provided. Two bathrooms, one with shower and the other with tub. Satellite TV and CD/DVD player in Sitting Room. WiFi signal is available.
Activities: Extensive hiking and mountain climbing opportunities including Slieve League, the highest edge-of-the-Atlantic mountain on the west coast of Europe, world-class golf courses within a days drive, cycling (mountain bikes can be rented in Donegal Town), beautiful beaches, horseback riding, ocean, lake and river fishing, exploration of ancient round forts, stone cairns, abbeys, castles and remains of great houses, trips to off-shore islands, shopping in Donegal Town, Ardara and Glencolumbkille for native tweeds and sweaters, boating, swimming, sailing, picnicking, and on and on.
Keywords: House
Amenities
Kitchen or Kitchenette
Internet / Wifi
Fireplace
Parking
Laundry
Dishwasher
TV
Garden
Family friendly
Map of Donegal City
Reviews
5.0
Outstanding(60 Reviews)5.0
Absolutely charming house and location. Plenty of places to walk - beach was a favorite for our family. Loads of charm, room to spread out and comfortable beds. Jennifer the house agent is incredibly friendly and great with communication.
5.0
Beautiful, spacious, comfortable, well-equipped house in a rural location. Our group of 8 had plenty of space & options for sleeping. We were lucky to have great weather during our stay so took full advantage of the outside patio area. The scenery is out of this world. Bedrooms were lovely and comfy, the kitchen and big dining room perfect for a group to cook at home. A short drive into Donegal Town was a small surprise based on the description of the property where it states walking distances to nearby attractions. This should be more accurate but wasn't a big deal. Communication with the property manager was excellent. The morning cow parade past the property was a special treat that everyone enjoyed.
5.0
This was one of my family's favorite adventures that we've ever had the pleasure of enjoying. Hilltown was an amazing house and an amazing property. Both the house and the surrounding area are absolutely beautiful. The house had everything that our family of five needed, and it would certainly accommodate at least two families. We hiked all over the property, drove (5 minutes) to the beach, visited the resident horses and sheep, and explored Donegal Town Centre which was 15 minutes away. We were able to drive 1.5 hours to Malin Head, 2 hours to Giant's Causeway / Bushmills, and 2 hours to Belfast. The owners and property managers (located nearby) were exceptionally helpful before and during our stay. I would highly recommend this house for a relaxing family adventure with plenty nearby for fun. We look forward to visiting again soon! Thank you for having us, we loved our time here.
5.0
Our family had the best time in this gorgeous house. The location is off the beaten path, the views are spectacular, the locals couldn't have been more friendly. Hilltown gave us the perfect spot to relax and enjoy the company of all under one cozy roof. We had our walks in the woods, visits by the ocean, trips into Donegal town, Glenveagh National Park, Slieve League, fresh fish in Killybegs, or just sitting on the hill and enjoying the view. Our caretaker Jennifer and host Michael were always just a phone call away. Thank you Hilltown for giving us the happiest vacation our family could ever have imagined.
5.0
what a wonderful location and beautiful house so well equipped and maintained! The property manager was very helpful and lived near by. you can’t go wrong if you rent this property.
5.0
Wonderful house and location
5.0
We all thoroughly our week at the Hilltown, even the two days we were forced to ‘stay in’ due to constant rain our seven grandchildren ages ranging from 2 to 13 had great fun playing in this very spacious house. (Only niggle there were little spiders making their webs in the corners which freaked out one of the girls)!!
The Hilltown is an historic family home and I really enjoyed reading some of the history of the area.
It is a lovely home to relax in and even though we’d rain most days we also got to see quite a bit of the surrounding area.
Glenveigh National park is a must visit and also the beautiful local beach(Murvagh).
We also took the kids for a day to Castletown Farm and activity park- this was a great hit with the kids.
We had planned on a day trip to Bundoran but weather did not permit.
Everything you need and more to self cater is provided for and all the instructions and info that was emailed before we arrived Ll was of great help.
Many thanks for our great holiday in your historic family home, Michael, and we will hopefully return again.
5.0
I found this property listed on VRBO several years ago, and wistfully planned and replanned how we might visit the Northwest of Ireland again and stay there. And this year, we made a 10 day stay happen! The house is wonderful..:comfortable, with plenty of space, nice kitchen, baths and beds. We had fantasy-like weather, so walks outside and coffee/wine on the patio were a huge bonus to our stay. Michael sent a lot of helpful material about the house and the area ahead of time. Once there, Jennifer and Geoffrey were terrific property managers who helped with recommendations and any quick questions. When you want to go to dinner and/or listen to music in town, a taxi service (we used Michael Gallagher who was superb) will ease any worries of a drive in the evening after a Guinness. It was an amazing stay due to such an amazing property and the good people who make you welcome. I’d go back in a heartbeat, even without the incredible patio weather! Thank you Michael, Jennifer and Geoffrey!
5.0
Beautiful property located in the country side, very peaceful and relaxing. 15 minutes to town made it handy for groceries and restaurants. Beach near by is a bit of a walk but a quick drive. Lots of great sites to see in the surrounding areas. Was one of our top family vacations. Would highly recommend this property.
5.0
We were delighted when we arrived and saw that they had put up a Christmas tree and lights. A great touch.
We had a large group of 10 and it was terrific. A short drive from Donegal Town and many other places are easily accessible. The house having some basics when you arrive is excellent. The pantry has lots of spices and odds and ends so that you can easily make a meal.
Most nights we cozied up in the living room and playing games altogether.
Jennifer the caretaker was amazing and helped us being sure we had firewood and turf and knew how to work the oven. (Timer must be on…who knew?)
Just an amazing experience for us all! Thank you!!
5.0
Lovely Property in Donegal
near horse, cows, sheep and a cemetery
10 minutes car to town
5.0
Absolutely love this beautiful old stone farm house. Fabulous location close enough to walk to the beach. Great place from which to stage a touring of County Donegal. Extremely well equipped. Having a washer and dryer made it possible for all of us to go with carryon luggage for a 2 week stay. All of the bedrooms & beds are extremely comfortable. We really made use of the host's recommended list of excursions which were much better than any travel guide book I reviewed. Five star stay all the way!!!
5.0
Well equipped house with great character and wonderful location.
5.0
a lovely, warm and inviting house -- terrific location to explore the beautiful ruggedness of County Donegal.
5.0
We had a lovely week . Great location. Both the owner and the property manager Jennifer were could not have been nicer. Jennifer even forwarded items we had left behind-thanks Jennifer.
5.0
The property was great, full of nooks and crannies that the smallies loved to hide in. The two neighbours were always good for a chat, we even named them, Jacob and Evan. Murvagh beach is beautiful and so close. We would strongly recommend this house for a large group. Thanks so much to all.
5.0
I cannot say enough about this beautiful idyllic house and location, EVERYTHING about the experience was A+. Indeed it was our 2nd time staying here and we went back because the 1st visit was so awesome. Clean welcoming warm- the rooms are amazing and the beds, every single adult and child slept like a baby!!. With a kitchen so well equipped we ate 3 meals a day at home most days over our 10 day visit and a beach just 15 minute stroll that was nearly empty making us feel like it was a just for us. And with all of that only 10 minute drive and you have the great town of Donegal to grab a bite, a pint or do your shopping. I cannot recommend this place enough for allll to be reasons above. We will definitely be back to this hidden gem!
5.0
This house is lovely and spacious, very relaxing and totally kitted out with everything you would need
5.0
We had an amazing time in the Hilltown. The house is stunning and in an absolutely phenomenal location with murvagh beach only a 10 minute walk from the house.
The owner and caretakers are incredibly polite and quick to respond to any queries.
The house had everything we needed and I've never slept on a more comfortable bed.
The Hilltown is the perfect place to get away from it all and relax surrounded by some of the most beautiful places in Ireland.
5.0
There is ample space at Hilltown House to accomodate 2 families , 5 people in each. Wifi is available however coverage is a little poor. The house is within a 5 - 10 min drive to two beautiful beaches, Rossnowlagh and Murvagh. The house itself is well equipped with washer / dryer facilities and particularly good kitchen equipment which makes self catering easy. We were lucky to have very good weather during our stay and could enjoy bbqs outside taking in the lovely views. I would recommend Hilltown House whole heartedly as even if the weather is not so good, there are many visitor attractions within a reasonable driving distance from the property. The Salmon Inn is a very good local restaurant.
5.0
An amazing and comfortable stay for my large Irish family. Very comfortable beds with amazing view out the front.
5.0
The house was spotless and in a great location close to the beach. Geoffrey and Jennifer were so helpful. We will be back.
5.0
A perfect place for our family to reunite with my husband during his 2-week leave during his tour of duty in Iraq. The caretakers were helpful and accommodating to our every wish - we were welcomed by a decorated Christmas tree upon our arrival on Christmas Eve. The Hilltown is the perfect place for any holiiday - especially with children, as there is ample space, a large dining room, and plenty of fresh air and scenery to admire. The town has shops aplenty - and the people are all wonderful and helpful. Make sure you go to the Cliffs of Bunglass - highest cliffs in Europe!
5.0
We landed home yesterday evening and just wanted to share our feelings about Ireland and the Hilltown. Both were everything we expected and much more, offering a snapshot into a wonderful home and a wonderful heritage. The entire Donegal area was beautiful and the caretaker for the Hilltown was kind and very helpful. We spent a tremendous week together as a family and loved the house, the land, Lizzie the pony, the people, the scenery, the beach (although we could never find Bell's Isle), and more. We enjoyed the guest book and browsed through two family albums we found in the book shelves, intrigued by the history and stories within those pages. The house itself was perfect and we did our best to respect the property. We were even sure that we had the company of a friendly ghost but your imagination can go crazy in an old farmhouse in an ancient land on a foggy night. We were amazed by the rapid changes in weather and appreciative for the very brief rain storms, the wind howling at night, the warmth of the fire places and the Cadbury drinking chocolate we became addicted to, and the many rainbows we saw as we drove from one end of the north country to another. Eventually we ran out of time but never out of love for what we saw. A week certainly wasn't long enough and we are already talking about going back. Thanks again for the wonderful opportunity to experience Ireland through the truly magical portal of the Hilltown.
FAQs
How much does this house cost compared to others in Donegal City?
The average price for a rental in Donegal City is $146 per night. This rental is $283 above the average.
Is parking included with this house?
Yes, parking is listed as an amenity at The Perfect Holiday Home on the Spectacular Northwest Coast of Ireland. For more information, we encourage you to contact the property about where to park.
Is there a pool at this house?
We didn’t find pool listed as an amenity for this house. It may be worth double checking if a pool is important for your stay.
Is The Perfect Holiday Home on the Spectacular Northwest Coast of Ireland pet friendly?
Unfortunately, this house is not pet-friendly. Try searching again and filter for "Pets Allowed"
What amenities are available at The Perfect Holiday Home on the Spectacular Northwest Coast of Ireland?
We found 9 amenities for this rental. This includes kitchen or kitchenette, internet / wifi, fireplace, parking, and laundry.
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