The Hide at Neadú: A Grass-Roofed Cabin in Donegal With Mighty Views
The Hide at Neadú is one of those places where whoever designed it clearly knew exactly what they were doing with the view.
This little grass-roofed cabin sits on a slope near Fintown, with uninterrupted views across the Donegal countryside towards Glenveagh National Park.
It’s handcrafted, sleeps 2 and sits around 15 minutes from the Wild Atlantic Way, making it a great base for exploring during the day before retreating back to the stove in the evening.
Welcome to the Hideaway in Donegal
The Hide was designed and handcrafted by its owner, Pete, with the cabin positioned specifically to make the most of the surrounding mountain views.
You’ll reach it via a private gravel and stepped path that runs for around 40 metres behind the owners’ traditional cottage. It’s a peaceful little spot in the Donegal countryside, and the grass-covered roof helps the cabin blend into its surroundings rather nicely.
You’re also staying in a Gaeltacht area, with plenty of opportunities nearby to experience traditional Irish language, music and culture.
All kinds of cosy
Inside, the cabin is small but very cleverly laid out, with plenty of handcrafted, reclaimed and upcycled pieces used throughout.
The wood-burning stove sits right in the centre, with an alcove double bed tucked away to one side and a couch facing both the fire and the views through the double doors.
Fuel for the stove is provided, which is particularly welcome when Donegal decides to remind you exactly how far north you are. There’s also a small bathroom behind the sleeping area.
Fully equipped for self-catering
Despite its size, The Hide has everything you’ll need to cook for yourself during your stay. The kitchen comes with a four-ring electric hob, a combined oven, grill and microwave and a fridge with a freezer compartment.
There’s also access to a washing machine and dryer in a nearby outbuilding. So, while this very much looks like a little back-to-basics cabin from the outside, you won’t be attempting to cook dinner over the wood-burning stove.
The patio area at the Hideaway is just something else
The private deck at the front is arguably The Hide’s best feature.
There’s outdoor seating, a table and a BBQ, with the mountains and valleys of Donegal stretching out in front of you towards Glenveagh National Park.
On a fine morning, it’s a lovely spot to kick back with a coffee. When the weather turns, you can retreat inside, light the stove and admire the same view from the couch.
And, if you fancy exploring, the Wild Atlantic Way is around a 15-minute drive away, while walkers and cyclists can also head off directly from the property.
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.
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.
Keith O’Hara has lived in Ireland for 35 years and has spent much of the last 13 creating what is now The Irish Road Trip guide. Over the years, the website has published thousands of meticulously researched Ireland travel guides, welcoming 40 million+ visitors along the way. In 2022, the Irish Road Trip team published the world’s largest collection of Irish Road Trip itineraries. Keith lives in Dublin with his dog Toby and finds writing in the 3rd person minus craic altogether.
