We’ve created the below guide for those of you in search of unique Airbnbs in Donegal.
Emails regularly soar into our inbox with senders on the lookout for rentals with a bit of a difference.
It was these frequent mails that led us to create a guide to the most unique places to stay in Ireland (check it out if you haven’t done so already).
Below, you’ll find many a unique and unusual Airbnb in Donegal.
1 – The Library on Inch Island
We’re going to kick things off with a rental on Inch Island that is, in my opinion, the most unique Airbnb in Donegal and easily one of the most charming in island.
Why? Well… just look at it.
You’ll find ‘The Library‘ on the secluded Inch Island.
The house itself dates back to the 17th century and was beautifully renovated a couple of years back.
It’s since been kitted out with hotel furnishings and all of the features of a modern home, so you’ll be able to flake out in style and comfort during your stay.
You’ll also have your pick of an extensive selection of books.
That you can read by the glorious fire above.
A night here will set you back €80.
2 – A Luxurious cliff lodge with panoramic sea views
This newly renovated swanky cliff-side lodge overlooks the stunning Rossnowlagh beach and offers visitors panoramic views of the rugged Donegal coastline.
You can nearly hear the crash of the waves and smell the salty sea air from a glance at the photo below.
If you fancy taking a ramble out to the beach, it’s a handy 7 minute stroll, with restaurants and pubs just 2 minutes away.
According to the hosts this unique Donegal Airbnb contains state of the art electrical appliances, furniture and fittings to make the perfect self catering experience.Â
A night here will set you back from €174.
3 – A hideaway in the hills of Donegal
Aptly known as ‘The Hide’, this cosy AirBnB is a beautifully handcrafted cabin that offers stunning views towards Glenveagh National Park.Â
For those of you that follow our Donegal itinerary, you easily use this place as a base for one of the nights on the road trip.
The hosts describe the cabin as a cosy, self contained space that’s been designed to make the most of the stunning mountain views that surround it.
Imagine kicking back out here on a warm summers morning with a coffee.
Or in the evening as the sun sets with a beer…
Grab a night here from €80
4 – The “Honeymoon Suite” at Meadowsweet Forest Lodge
The ‘Honeymoon Suite’ at Meadowsweet Forest Lodge looks like something you’d see deep south in America.
Minus the chap sat on the front porch with a glass of whiskey and a sawn-off shotgun…
This really is a gorgeous little spot and it boasts character by the bucket load.
You’ll find Meadowsweet Hill Lodge nestled in the hills of Donegal near Fintown in a secluded woodland area.
The Lodge is situated in a quiet and peaceful location where it’s tucked into a scenic woodland well off the beaten track.
It’s also part of an organic farm where the hosts grow their own veg and produce homemade herbal teas.
A night at this unique Donegal Airbnb will set you back from €56 per night.
5 – A snug cottage with a private beach
Yes, you read correctly – this Airbnb in Donegal comes with its own PRIVATE BEACH.
This one has caused me a bit of physical pain. I’d love to own somewhere like this.
This AirBnB is a traditional granite cottage that was fully refurbished for 2018 with a contemporary timber extension.
The cottage itself is over 100 years old and even though it has been recently refurbished, it retains its original ‘underthethatch’ (I’m not sure what that means, but it sounds class) under a modern roof.
The icing on the cake?
It comes with a private beach in the pictures above and below!
A night here will cost you from €62.
6 – Island Hill House
You’ll find Island Hill House just five minutes drive from the little fishing village of Killybegs in Donegal.
For me, it’s the view out over Fintra Beach that gives this Donegal Airbnb it’s zing.
The house is a new, modern, spacious home, with 5 double bedrooms, 5 bathrooms (3 ensuite + 2 jacuzzi baths), kitchen/ dining, family room, sitting room, games room and study.
Considering its size along with its proximity to Killybegs (a 15-minute stroll), this would be the perfect spot for a night away with a group of friends.
You can rent this spot from €185 per night.
7 – Live Like a Hobbit in the hills of DonegalÂ
The chances are that you’ve seen this place before.
But it’s easily the most unique Airbnb in Donegal, so it’d be impossible to exclude it from this list.
This Airbnb is hosted by Greg and Lukas and can be found tucked into the rugged landscape of Southwest Donegal in Glencolumbkille.
It was recently voted ‘Best Play to Stay 2018’ by the Irish Times and had previously been given the illustrious title of ‘Best Place in Ireland to Get Away from it All’ (2017) by The Times.
Can you see why… ?
Aside from the glorious view that visitors are treated to from the comfort of their bed, something that really appeals to me is that fact that you can take a short stroll to a secluded beach nearby.
A night here will set you back from €52 per night.
8 – An Corrach by the waterfront
An Corrach is not only stunningly built, it’s also situated in an absolutely magnificent location that provides those that stay with breathtaking views out over Tranarossan Beach.
Less than a year old (it was built in 2018), an Corrach offers the perfect blend of luxury and scenery.
One thing to note is that An Corrach is directly at the waterfront.
According to the hosts, young children will need supervision as there are steep cliffs and dangerous areas surrounding this Donegal Airbnb.
A night here starts from €185.
9 – A romantic rural thatched cottage
This is one of a handful of old thatched cottages in Donegal that you’ll find on Airbnb.
Nestled in a little hollow in a peaceful rural setting with beautiful surroundings and a lake within walking distance, this little cottage will satisfy any explorer looking to experience an Ireland from times past.
The cottage is 150 years old and has been restored to ensure that many of its original features have been brought back to life.
The perfect little getaway for those looking to step back in time.
Stay here from €90 per night.
10 – The Wild Atlantic Yurt
This gorgeous little yurt is located up in the North-West of Ireland in the middle of the Gaeltacht in Gweedore.
I love the idea of sleeping in one of these as the rain batters the material from all angles.
This yurt sleeps 2 in twin beds and it’s structure has been based on a traditional Mongolian design with a shared bathroom hut nearby.
And it looks seriously damn cosy.
Grab a night here from €43 (just to note that the next available date that I could find was January 2020).
11 – An off-grid eco-cottage
This eco-cottage is a 3-minute walk to the Atlantic Ocean…
It sits alone in an wild, iconic location above a smooth-stoned beach and the tiny harbour of Port in Donegal.Â
See the little white blob in the centre of the bottom photos – that’s it!
According to the host,
‘This is a simple, mod-con-free, and genuinely eco, zone. A small amount of power comes from the solar panels – enough for a 12V. few lights Our water comes into the house from a hillside river, and we heat it at the back of a wood-burning stove.
We have no fridge – food is chilled in the outside larder and milk/drinks in the stream. This is an important part of the simple charms of Port, but it wouldn’t suit anyone too power-hungry’.
If you stay here, you’ll be a handy 25-minute drive to Maghera’s huge sandy beaches and caves, 35 minutes from Silver strand and 45 minutes from Tramore, and Bundoran.
A night here starts at €87.
12 – Errigal House
You’ll find Errigal House, a spacious 4-bed eco-friendly home suitable for groups of up to 10, located at the base of Errigal Mountain in Donegal.
The property offers those that spend a night or two an almost endless number of spectacular views of the surrounding mountains and countryside from every window.
Imagine chilling with a coffee at the table below as the sun rises?! Magic.
A night here, based on a Friday and Saturday night in April 2019, will set you back €254.
13 – A Native American TipiÂ
You’ll find this tipi beautifully located in the forests of the Knader, surrounded by clear lakes, mysterious mountains and roughed fields.
The way the hosts describe this unique Donegal Airbnb has me slightly transfixed;
‘Whether you wanna head off after a hearty breakfast with homemade bread and free-range eggs and go ride the waves of the wild sea or swing yourself on the back of a horse, hike the green mountains or canoe the great lakes, go out for some action and do a bit of whitewater-rafting or cliff-jumping, or take it easy and follow the footsteps of famous Irish writers, poets and revolutionaries exploring the country’s mysterious ancient and recent history – we’ve got you covered’
It also looks pretty damn comfortable.
A night here will cost you from €50.
Are there are any unique Airbnbs in Donegal that we’ve missed?
I monitor the comment sections below, so pop a comment in with an other Donegal Airbnb that you think needs to be on this list.
