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

10.0 (68 Reviews) |   4 Bedrooms  2 Bathrooms  12 Guests
Laghy House | The perfect vacation home on the spectacular Northwest Coast of Ireland

4 Bedroom House in Laghy, 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.

The perfect vacation home on the spectacular Northwest Coast of Ireland is located in Laghy. The perfect vacation home on the spectacular Northwest Coast of Ireland provides accommodation, featuring Laundry, Sports/Activities, Fireplace/Heating, among other amenities. This House features Laundry, Sports/Activities, Fireplace/Heating, to make your stay a comfortable one.

The perfect vacation 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 Laghy has interesting places to visit. If you want to learn more about the House in Laghy, such as places to visit and things to do nearby, you can check below to learn more.

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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

Facility Overview

Air Conditioner
  • Heating
Bathrooms
  • Towels provided
  • Hair dryer
  • Bathtub or shower
  • 2+ bathrooms
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
Bedroom
  • 4 bedrooms
  • Bed sheets provided
  • Dining table
  • Dining room
  • Living room
  • Fireplace
Kitchen
  • Toaster
  • Microwave
  • Electric kettle
  • Stovetop
  • Refrigerator
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Ice maker
  • Dishwasher
Laundry
  • Near laundromat
  • Washing machine and dryer
  • Laundry facilities
Ocean view
  • Near the beach
Parking
  • Car required
  • Onsite parking
Pet Friendly
  • No pets allowed
Accessibility
  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Upper floors accessible by stairs only
  • Smoke-free property
  • No elevators
Activities
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Kayak on site
  • Mountain climbing nearby
  • Horse riding nearby
  • Boat on site
  • Golfing on site
  • Hunting nearby
  • Scuba diving nearby
  • Surfing/body boarding nearby
  • Cycling nearby
Entertainment
  • Books
  • Games
  • DVD player
  • Smart TV with cable/satellite service
General
  • Unit size: 2600 sq ft (242 sq m)
  • English
  • Near a health or beauty spa
  • In a rural location
  • Near the bay
  • Near the sea
  • Near a hospital
Guest Services
  • Travel crib
  • Highchair
  • Iron/ironing board
  • Phone
Internet
  • Free WiFi
Outdoors
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture
Security/Safety
  • First aid kit
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Carbon monoxide detector installed (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Deadbolt lock
  • Smoke detector installed (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)

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.
Event Policy
No events allowed
Pet Policy
Pets not allowed
Smoking Policy
Smoking is not permitted

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

Reviews

Bridget W.
Sep 18, 2025 09:15:12 PM
Review Score:   10
Summary: We’ve been renting holiday homes in Ireland since 1996 and have been fortunate to choose good ones nearly every time. The Hilltown is our new favorite after a recent 10-night stay. Everything was exactly as advertised, the house is comfortable and spacious. We loved being in a family home rather than a generic rental; the photos, local artwork, and Irish books/resources made us feel like we’d been invited to a reunion. The 1970s farm ledger was a particularly fascinating glimpse into the property’s not-so-distant past.We are familiar with Co. Donegal from previous visits but were still able to find new places to explore such as the nearby cemetery with its many poignant markers. We visited several beaches and landmarks, and we learned the history of the area at the small but mighty County Donegal Museum in Letterkenny. We had great meals at many local spots but also enjoyed hearty home-cooked meals including a beef stew with 100% Irish ingredients including bay leaf from the garden! Both Michael (owner) and Jennifer (property manager) were quick to respond to inquiries and full of helpful information. More importantly, they were accommodating and compassionate when our plans changed twice due to an emergency back home. We can’t thank them enough for their kindness during an exceedingly difficult time.We would absolutely stay at The Hilltown again and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a peaceful retreat in beautiful Co. Donegal.
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