The perfect holiday home on the spectacular Northwest Coast of Ireland | House in Ballintra

10.0 (64 Reviews) |   4 Bedrooms  2 Bathrooms  12 Guests  Stay&Play
Donegal House | The perfect holiday home on the spectacular Northwest Coast of Ireland

4 Bedroom House in Donegal, Ballintra

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, two and a half baths - sleeps up to twelve.
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. 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 WiFi included.
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

The perfect holiday home on the spectacular Northwest Coast of Ireland is located in Donegal. The perfect holiday home on the spectacular Northwest Coast of Ireland provides accommodation, featuring Wellness Facilities, Entertainment, Child Friendly, among other amenities. This House features Wellness Facilities, Entertainment, Child Friendly, to make your stay a comfortable one.

The perfect holiday home on the spectacular Northwest Coast of Ireland has 4 Bedrooms , 2 Bathrooms, and max occupancy of 12 people. The minimum rental for this property is 1 nights, but this can change depending on the season you plan on staying. Previous guests have given good rated it, and VRBO labeled it a top-rated House because of the excellent services rendered by the owner or manager of this House, and has consistently provided great experiences for their guests. Most families or guests that use it recommend it to their friends and some of them are repeat guests. House has a friendly neighborhood, and the Donegal has interesting places to visit. If you want to learn more about the House in Donegal, such as places to visit and things to do nearby, you can check below to learn more.

Show more
OneKey Logos

This Property is OneKey Eligible

Earn OneKeyCash for every dollar spent on eligible vacation rentals, villas, cottages, cabins, and more when you book on Vrbo.

JOIN TODAY

Unique Amenities

  • Parking
  • TV
  • View
  • Ocean View
  • Balcony/Terrace
  • Oceanfront
  • Security/Safety
  • Sports/Activities
  • Bedding/Linens
  • Wellness Facilities
  • Fireplace/Heating
  • Entertainment
  • Child Friendly
  • Internet
  • Kitchen
  • Laundry
 
Read More Read Less

Policies

Check-in Check-in time starts at 3:00 pm minimum check-in age: 18
Check-out Check-out before 11:00 am
Child Policy Children are welcome.
Pet Policy Pets not allowed
Other Policy Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed this property is managed through our partner, vrbo. you will receive an email from vrbo with a link to a vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
 
Ballintra, F94C6R0, Ireland

What Our Guests say 500 + Reviews

Jan 2, 2025 03:28:07 AM
Summary: Bill and I spent another incredible two weeks at Hilltown. The family connection is so important to us! We enjoyed walking the strands with old and new friends, meeting up for lunch dates with Bill’s cousin, visiting other cousins and friends! Our friends, who traveled with us,thouroghly enjoyed the comforts afforded at Hilltown, the beauty of the country-side and exploring what Donegal has to offer. We are already looking forward to planning another visit back to Ireland!
Pat M. Pat M.
Jan 1, 2025 05:22:44 AM
Summary: Thoroughly enjoyed our time at this charming home in the countryside of Donegal. Quiet with spacious rooms. The hosts were great and all our needs were met. Highly recommend. You will need a car to get to town and other places. Donegal
j m. j m.
Sep 24, 2024 09:57:23 PM
Summary: 8 adults in our group who all enjoyed staying at Hilltown. Very clean and tidy, spacious with large dinning space, nice sittingroom and very comfortable double/king sized beds. Ideal for families with children who can sleep in the room with 2 bunkbeds though that was a bit more challenging for our older group of adults getting up to the top bunks! Jennifer was very helpful on arrival and was nearby and contactable for any issues. We would all recommend Hilltown as a great base for exploring County Donegal and Donegal town has good eating and is not far away. Only thing to note for future visitors is that 3 of the bedrooms dont have curtains or blinds so any light sleepers may wish to bring sleeping masks, particularly in the height of summer. Thank you for the use of your lovely house.
Andy M. Andy M.
Aug 22, 2024 04:55:32 AM
Summary: Myself, my husband and our four children (15,19,20,21)stayed here along with my sister, her husband and their two (19,21)children. We also had one niece (21)staying with us. Everyone had a fantastic time! We love the house and adore the setting. Jen, who minds the house, greeted us the first day and was excellent with communication throughout the whole trip. We enjoyed the cows and walking to Murvagh Beach. The sunsets were gorgeous there. The front patio area was a perfect spot for coffee every morning, and to gather at the end of the day and catch up on everyone’s day. There was plenty of space for everyone. You cannot walk to Donegal Town from the house, but I HIGHLY recommend Gallagher Cabs. The owner Michael and his wife Marie went above and beyond with transportation to and from town and also with an excursion. We stayed for two weeks, it was hard to leave Hilltown and I could not recommend it enough!
Jennifer L. Jennifer L.
Jun 22, 2024 05:22:20 AM
Summary: 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.
K W. K W.
May 31, 2024 08:34:23 PM
Summary: 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.
deb m. deb m.
Apr 23, 2024 11:00:37 AM
Summary: 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.
Tucker M. Tucker M.
Oct 2, 2023 11:01:17 AM
Summary: 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.
Mary K. Mary K.
Aug 27, 2023 11:01:15 AM
Summary: 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.
Margaret m. Margaret m.
Aug 15, 2023 11:01:39 AM
Summary: Wonderful house and location
Jan c. Jan c.

FAQ's

Is this Donegal house pet-friendly for guests?

No, pets are not allowed at this property. Check the guest reviews to learn what guests had to share.

Does the Donegal house have a swimming pool?

No, this Donegal house does not have a swimming pool. Check the Facility Overview section for details about the pool and other available facilities.

How much does it cost per night to stay in Donegal house?

Best-rates for the Donegal house starts from $266 per night with includes View, Internet, Parking, Ocean View, Oceanfront, Laundry, Balcony/Terrace, Wellness Facilities, Entertainment, Child Friendly, TV, Security/Safety, Sports/Activities, Bedding/Linens, Fireplace/Heating, Kitchen StayAndPlay offers fully equipped golf villas, golf hotels, golf resorts, luxury golf cabins, and exclusive golf retreats, making it easier than ever to find your perfect golf escape — ideal for families, peaceful getaways, or pet-friendly retreats with the whole crew.

Is Donegal house a family-friendly place to stay?

Based on the information we have received from the owner or our partner, this is considered to be a family-friendly property. Families have rated this house Good or guests have recommended them suitable for families. As reported by the owner or manager, the house has specified that children are welcome. Please see details about suitability for your family or inquire with the property to learn more.

Is the Donegal house wheelchair accessible or offer services for disabled guests?

Based on the information received from our partner, the Donegal house has not specified they are wheelchair accessible. Likewise, there is not an elevator specified as being available at the property. Specific accessibility details may be addressed in the property details section of this page.

What is the minimum night stay policy for the Donegal house?

Based on the information reported by the owner or manager, the Donegal house indicates 1 day stay policy at this house. Guests are cautioned that the minimum stay policy may differ based on seasonality or availability and may be at the discretion of the owner or manager.

What cancellation policy is in place for Donegal house?

Based on the information reported by the owner or manager, details for the cancellation policy for the Donegal house are as follows: Cancellation policy Guests are cautioned that the cancellation policy may differ based on seasonality, availability, or current travel restrictions. Guests should also be aware that this policy may be subject to change and should be confirmed prior to booking. More details may be available on this page in the property description. However, early check-in or late check-out can sometimes be negotiated between the guest and the owner or the manager of this property.

People Also Ask

Check House Availability
Nightly rates from:
US $266
You will be redirected to  
Hot Deal - It has been viewed 50 times today
Not the right fit? Check out our other properties in Donegal
Golf Course
|
10.0 (10 Reviews)
House
  • Parking
  • Balcony/Terrace
  • Security/Safety