Cró na Trá: A 100-Year-Old Cottage by the Sea in Donegal

More than 100 years old and sitting on the edge of a sheltered Atlantic bay, Cró na Trá is a Donegal cottage with a fair bit going for it.

Beneath its modern roof, the old granite cottage still retains its original underthatch, while a timber-clad extension has brought the property firmly into the 21st century.

It sleeps 4, has sea views from every room bar the bathroom and gives you access to 7 acres of land stretching right down to the shoreline. And although the setting feels wonderfully remote, you’re only around a 5-minute drive from the shops and three pubs in Lettermacaward.

A 100-year-old cottage by the sea

Cró na Trá is an old granite cottage that has been given a very clever new lease of life. The original building dates back more than 100 years and remarkably still has its old underthatch sitting beneath the modern roof.

A newer timber-clad extension has been added alongside it, so from the outside you get a nice mix of old Donegal cottage and something considerably more contemporary.

The location is hard to beat. The cottage sits on a slope above the bay, with the Atlantic dominating the view and access to over 7 acres of land and shoreline.

Take a look inside

Inside, the living, dining and kitchen areas are open-plan, with three cushioned window seats positioned to make the most of those sea views.

There’s a large sofa along with a fireplace, and your first basket of turf is provided, which should come in handy when the Donegal weather inevitably does its thing.

The kitchen is well equipped, too, with an oven, hob, dishwasher, air fryer and coffee machine amongst the bits and pieces provided.

The bedrooms

Cró na Trá sleeps 4 across two bedrooms. The first has a king-size bed positioned so that you can see the sea without getting up, while the second has two adult single beds and another cracking view across the water.

In fact, every room in the cottage apart from the bathroom has a sea view. There’s also a large walk-in rainfall shower in the bathroom and a washing machine in the utility area.

And then there’s the shoreline

This is the real selling point for me. Guests have access to the shoreline below the cottage, where you can spend the day swimming, poking around the rockpools or simply finding somewhere to sit and enjoy the peace and quiet.

Then you can wander back up, get the turf fire going and listen to the waves outside as you settle in for the evening.

Good news if you don’t fancy leaving the dog behind. Up to 3 well-behaved pets are welcome, although they aren’t allowed on the beds or sofa and there’s an additional fee.

One thing worth keeping in mind is that the garden isn’t enclosed, so you’ll need to keep an eye on any four-legged escape artists. See more of this place and check prices here.

Discover more unique places to stay in Ireland

The stays above are just a handful of the wonderfully weird places you can spend a night around Ireland.

You’ll find plenty more in my guide to the most unique stays in Ireland, along with everything from treehouses and cabins to bell tents in my guide to the best places to go glamping in Ireland.

1. The Tranquil Tigín

You have to walk 300 metres across a meadow to reach this tiny off-grid cabin in the Wicklow Mountains.

It sleeps 2 and comes with a mezzanine king bed, enormous countryside-facing window, copper outdoor bath and fire pit, with a wood-fired sauna a short stroll away.

2. Grove Treehouse with hot tub

This adults-only West Cork treehouse sleeps 2 and comes with a roll-top bath opposite the bed and a private two-person hot tub amongst the trees.

You reach it via tree-trunk steps before stepping inside to an open-plan bedroom, kitchen and living area, with French doors opening onto a large private deck.

3. The Ballybunion Beach House

Breakers Beach House sits right beside Ladies Beach in Ballybunion, with the Atlantic filling the view from the house.

It sleeps 6 across 3 bedrooms and has Ballybunion’s beaches and Cliff Walk on its doorstep, along with a hot outdoor shower for warming up after a swim or surf.

4. The Hidden Haven

The Hidden Haven is a luxury lodge for 2 in the hills of West Cork with its own lake, a wood-fired hot tub and a deck stretching over the water.

There’s a super king bed and bath with a view inside, while stone steps outside lead straight into the lake when you fancy undoing all the good work of the hot tub.

5. Balance Treehouse

The Balance Treehouse in County Armagh is reached via a private rope bridge and sits high amongst the trees overlooking the Ring of Gullion.

It sleeps 2 and comes with a glass roof above the bed, private hot tub, outdoor shower and a large outdoor net where you can kick back and admire the surrounding hills.

6. The Dunmanus Bay Barn

This restored stone farmhouse and barn sits on West Cork’s Sheep’s Head Peninsula, looking across Dunmanus Bay towards the Mizen Peninsula.

Along with its old stone walls, timber beams and slate floors, you’ve got more than an acre of grounds, a spring-fed pond and a solar-heated outdoor pool.

Read more about the Dunmanus Bay Barn

7. Dolphin Beach Lodge

Dolphin Beach Lodge sits just metres from the Atlantic on Connemara’s Sky Road, with Clifden Bay outside the windows and a secluded beach directly in front.

The lodge sleeps 6 across 3 bedrooms and, despite the wonderfully remote-feeling setting, you’re only around a 10-minute drive from Clifden.

8. The Hide at Neadú

With its grass-covered roof and views towards Glenveagh, The Hide at Neadú is one of Donegal’s more unusual little cabins.

Inside you’ll find reclaimed and upcycled pieces, an alcove double bed and wood-burning stove, while double doors open onto a private deck overlooking the surrounding mountains and valley.