The past – a home with deep roots
Tucked away in Inishowen, our cottage has stood for nearly two centuries. The earliest maps from the 1830s mark it clearly, a small dwelling in a rugged corner of Donegal where generations of families lived close to the land. Its thick stone walls and thatched roof once sheltered children, farmers, storytellers, and neighbours who would gather around the fire to share music, warmth, and laughter.
Every stone, every beam, carries that sense of continuity. The cottage is not just a building — it’s part of the living history of this place.
Restoring with respect
When we began restoring the cottage, our goal was never to erase its past but to honour it. Twelve years of work brought it gently back to life: repairing stone walls with traditional lime mortar, restoring original doors, fitting new wooden floors, and adding windows that frame the wide Donegal skies.
It was a labour of patience, but also of love. The result is a space that feels authentic and timeless — a cottage that still whispers its past while welcoming new stories.
Sensory Inishowen – what you feel when you stay
What makes the cottage special is not just how it looks, but how it feels.
- In the morning, soft light filters through dormer windows, falling across wooden floors.
- Outside, you’ll hear the calls of seabirds and the rustle of hedgerows in the wind.
- The air smells of salt and stone after rain, or of wildflowers in summer.
- At night, the silence is broken only by a distant wave or a crackling fire.
These sensory details are what guests remember most — the sense that time slows down here, and creativity has room to breathe.
A base for creativity and retreat
Today, the cottage is more than accommodation. It’s an integral part of our artist retreats and creative holidays in Donegal, offering you not just a place to stay, but a chance to connect with your creativity. Alongside the cottage sits a light-filled studio, fully equipped for painting and artistic exploration.
Guests can spend their days sketching the Donegal landscape, trying en plein air painting when the weather allows, or working indoors with the changing light. For those who want support, tuition with Sinéad is available — but equally, the studio is yours to explore in your own way.
Staying today – comfort and inspiration
The cottage sleeps up to four people across two twin rooms, making it ideal for individuals, pairs, or small groups. It is self-catering, so you can cook your own meals or sample local cafés and pubs nearby. The décor is simple and authentic, blending history with modern comfort.
Whether you stay for a weekend or a month, the cottage offers an inspiring base from which to explore Donegal’s coastline, villages, and rolling hills. And always, the studio is waiting whenever creativity strikes.
Plan your stay – join us in Donegal
Our cottage is a little piece of Donegal history, lovingly restored and now alive with new stories. If you are looking for more than a holiday — if you want to rest, create, and immerse yourself in place — then this may be exactly what you need.
Learn more about our artist retreats and creative holidays in Donegal, and start imagining your own time in Inishowen.
Or, if you want a shorter creative experience, explore our art classes for weekend workshops throughout the year.