Twig and Heather Cottage
Inishowen,
Co. Donegal
Self-catering
+353 831 484 854
Visit owner's website
€142 - €207
per night
€995 - €1450
per week
The cottage looks down over Lough Swilly, idyllic for boats and safe swims... and the neighbours are friendly, just sheep and cows
1 bed
1 bedroom
Sleeps 2
Your dates are available!
2 Guests 15 Oct 24 - 15 Oct 24
Direct with the owner
Visit the owner’s chosen website for availability, online booking or contact details.
Enquire through Sawday's
Fill out the enquiry form and we'll pass your questions onto the owner.
What part does Sawday’s play?
€142 - €207 per night
€995 - €1450 per week
The Experience
Built in the 1930s on the footprint of an older cottage, this dreamy house is filled with rugs, books, flowers, art, and breathtaking views. Pick blackberries in the rambly garden. Stroll to the beach at Dunree.
Prosecco, chocolates, and eggs from local hens greet you. Feather duvets, patchwork quilts, books, magazines and old fishing hats make you feel at home; as does Andrea, whose love for Ireland’s most northerly point, the wind-whipped Donegal coast, is infectious. Scan the surfers from the white sands of Ballyliffin (18km); treasure the view to Glashedy Island. Dive for ancient wrecks off Inishowen Head (an hour’s pootle) or take the coastal route to Inch Wildfowl Reserve, 30 minutes. For restaurants and shops head for Buncrana, an old seaside town with a ferry to West Donegal, and Irish music in the pubs.
Return to the comfort of armchairs by the wood-burner – and watch the weather roll in over the sea.
Read more
We think you'll love
- Walking down the hill for a wild swim early in the morning
- Watching the drama unfold outside while you sit cosily by the wood-burner - winter stays are fabulous
- Discovering the countryside, studded with pubs and live Irish music
You should know
- We can not accept dogs because of the sheep in our surrounding fields
- The cottage is unsuitable for children
- The nearest pub and shop are a couple of miles away
Essentials
- EV charger
- Self check-in
- Swimming pool
- Hot tub
- Garden
- Open fire / woodburner
- Breakfast included
- Breakfast available
- Meals available
- Vegetarian meals
- Oven
- Parking on premises
- Free parking nearby
- Accessible by public transport
- WiFi
- Television
- Central heating
- Limited mobility
- Wheelchair access
- Mobile reception
- Hob
- Barbecue
- Paid parking nearby
- Air conditioning
- Relaxation areas
- Washing machine
- Tennis court
- Microwave oven
- No smoking
- Credit cards
- Working farm
- Owner has pets
- Electricity included
- Dishwasher
- Pets welcome
Family friendly
- Baby monitor
- Books and toys
- Children welcome
- Babies welcome
- Stair gates
- High chair
- Fire guard
- Cot available
Nearby
- Pub/bar within 3 miles
- Restaurant within 3 miles
- Shop within 3 miles
Activities
- Bikes available
- Food courses
- Kayaking
- Other courses
- Sailing
- Surfing
- Wild swimming
Read more
Pricing
- Nightly price
- from €142
- Weekly price
- from €995
- Damage deposit
- €150
- 1 Cottage for 2
- From €1421 bed1 bedroom
Read more
Information
Booking information
- Check in
- From 4.30pm
- Check out
- By 10.30am
- Other details
- Minimum stay: 3 nights. 7 nights in high season.
- Closed
- Never.
- No smoking
- Smoking not permitted anywhere in the property.
Read more
Reviews
Read more
Read more
We had a great week in Andrea's lovely cottage. It's been renovated with a lot of care and feels really comfy with its mixture of antique and Asian furniture, and all those little details, like the welcome treats in the fridge and the fresh flowers on the kitchen table. We spent most of the time at the huge kitchen windows, just enjoying the amazing view of the beautiful beach below... Inishowen is a peaceful and quiet place, just right if you want to unwind walking along beautiful beaches or enjoy world-class chowder.
Read more
Read more
I defy anyone to stay at Twig & Heather and not switch off. The accommodation is just the loveliest space to relax in and you would never tire of the view. Other than a stroll down to the beach we could quite happily have remained at the cottage the whole week. But there is plenty to do within a short drive if needs be.
Read more
Read more
I had a beautiful time at Twig & Heather cottage in June 2023. The cottage is so comfortable and beautifully decorated. It had everything we needed and there is a beautiful view over the bay. We took a quick drive down the hill (about 3 minutes) to the beach each morning for a swim. It is gorgeous, very safe to swim in, and quite shallow for a good distance. The location of the cottage is perfect for exploring the Inishowen Peninsula. There are lots of other beaches to visit for a walk or swim. Good cafes and restaurants also. Andrea was a great host.
Read more
Read more
We had the most wonderful stay in the very beautiful & cozy Twig & Heather cottage. The views were spectacular. Great place to get away from the hustle & bustle & unwind. I highly recommend it.
Read more
Read more
This a very special place. I really do not want to review it for danger of not getting availability again. Perfect romantic getaway with the best view from your private patio. Gorgeous decor..spotlessly clean.. little sheep in next door meadow..2 minute drive or ten minute walk to a lovely secluded beach..very safe to swim. Loved it. Cried leaving.
Read more
Read more
We really enjoyed our stay at Twig & Heather. The accommodation is in a stunning location with fabulous views. Inside the cottage is really well presented with everything we needed. Andrea, the host, was really helpful and gave us some great suggestions for places to go in local area. I would definitely recommend Twig & Heather.
Read more
Read more
My husband and I enjoyed 3 lovely days at the beautiful Twig and Heather cottage. Andrea’s cottage is stylishly decorated and spotlessly clean. She has thought of everything from kitchen items to tons of books to read and browse. Andrea also is a wealth of info on the best places to visit for views, history and dining. It was a pleasure to stay here and we look forward to visiting again.
Read more
Read more
What a magical cottage this is; a blissfully serene place to find peace and quiet amidst magnificently wild countryside. So many delightful touches make this cottage a beautiful and calming retreat. Thank you, Andrea, for allowing us to share your little piece of Heaven!
Read more
Read more
Inviting beautiful cottage with fabulous views overlooking Lough Swilly and all the comforts you could think off. Definitely worth a visit.
Read more
Read more
Stunning Location. Peaceful with a magnificent view to wake up to every morning. This wonderful cozy cottage had everything we needed and things we didn’t realise we needed! Wonderful host.
Read more
Read more
Twig & Heather cottage is not just a place to stay, it’s an experience. Nestled in the hills overlooking the waters of Lough Swilly it is an unmatched location to relax and unwind and just enjoy the silence. In the mornings we were greeted by sunshine and rainbows as we ate our breakfast in the big windowed kitchen. Then we’d head out on our rambles to all of the different places Andrea had recommended, - Tullagh Strand, 5 finger strand, the Buncrana shoreline walk, Knockamany Bends, just to name a few. We shall return.
Read more
Read more
Our second visit and this time we booked two whole weeks. We knew what to expect as the cottage is perfect in every way and Andrea is a wonderful host. What we didn’t expect was so much sunshine in November! Lots of cycling, walking and hiking with every necessary comfort in the cottage. Very cosy with the wood burning stove.
Read more
Read more
A week in a hidden paradise if you like to be in the quiet countryside. A beautiful cottage with stunning views. Immaculate, full kitchen, bathrooms, sitting room. Hearty walks on the hills to Dunree beach. So quiet, only the bleating of sheep and birds.
Read more
Read more
This cottage is in a perfect part of the very special inishhowen peninsula. We stayed for a week. Our expectations were exceeded as everything was thought of - very clean, comfortable and well designed. The owner is lovely. We cycled, hiked and swam all the days as the Irish weather is always grand. The view brought calmness - a true holiday away…
Read more
Read more
We’ve stayed twice in this cottage and hope to return. The cottage is much more spacious than the photos show and decorated and furnished to a high standard. It was well equipped and very clean. The house is in a quiet location with great views. It’s a nice walk down to the Fort but is also within driving distance of many great places. Andrea is a great host and gave us plenty of information on places to walk and eat.
Read more
Read more
I found Twig and Heather cottage when looking for a place to retreat by myself. It couldn’t have been more perfect. So tastefully and creatively decorated,a beautiful table to eat or work at with gorgeous view,every comfort thought of…a walk down the country lane there is a beach and the sea and a gorgeous wild swimming spot at the pier…a short drive away are some beautiful hill walks. I slept well, swam in the sea,walked the quiet country roads many times,spent many hours at the table by the picture window…so lovely and restorative and Andrea is a kind and attentive host.
Read more
Read more
We had the best week at Twig and Heather Cottage, which is in the most beautiful location – it's tough to tear your eyes away from the view over the water. Andrea, the host, is a brilliant and communicative host who was happy to help with any queries, but the cottage is set up to make it as easy and comfortable for guests as possible, and we had no problems during our stay. We could not recommend Angela's place more and hope to be back soon!
Read more
Read more
Love Twig & Heather, and we’ve visited 5 times this year! It’s the ideal spot to relax and refresh with stunning views over Dunree Beach and Head and its quiet, which we love living in busy Dublin. The cottage is beautifully restored and decorated and so comfy, and just a short walk to the beach and Dunree Head. We’ll keep coming back!
Read more
Read more
We enjoyed a very relaxing and comfortable week in the cottage. Great location for exploring the Inishowen peninsula’s stunning scenery and culture. Lovely beach within walking distance. Very cosy furnishings and fires for the evenings. An oasis of quiet escape, we are returning again this year!
Read more
Read more
Read more reviews
Location
The neighbourhood
The Inishowen Peninsula, known for its beaches and majestic beauty, is home to amazing sunsets and wild winter storms. You're on the headland so join the coastal path and hike, bike, surf, swim. Birdwatch from the cottage... oyster catchers, hooper swans, not a house in sight. Buncrana, 10km, is your nearest shopping town, while the village of Clonmany holds a farmers' market once a month.
Local points of interest from Andrea Shaw
- Try the Seafood Chowder at Nancy’s Barn winners of the World Chowder Champions in Rhode Island USA. They out chowdered the best of them!
- Walk the rugged coastline at Malin Head, Ireland’s most Northerly point where the producers of Star Wars shot The Last Jedi. Eat Crab claws right off the boat at Ireland’s most northerly restaurant. Walk with Alpacas at the highlands of Knockamany .
- Head up the mountains to the many stunning and empty hill walks around Inishowen. Walking guides supplied by the cottage. Sea swim, pier jump, go fishing or just walk the many beautiful beaches that skirt the Inishowen Peninsulas coastline, arguably Irelands most stunning beaches are here.
- Walk from the cottage to the Fort Dunree Military museum, a defensive site since Napoleonic times and now a military museum with one of the best collections of coastal artillery guns in the world.
- Visit the Inch Wildfowl reserve to watch the Graylag Geese or Whooper Swans grazing, sometimes in their thousands or witness their return at dusk, one of the most impressive displays of bird watching you are likely to witness. Then visit the nearby ancient Hill Fort at Grianan of Aileach. (2500 BC
- Daytrip to the Antrim Coastline, Bushmills Distillery & the Giants causeway, Glenveigh National Park, Castle and Gardens. Join the excellent and award winning walking tours of Derry city Walls. (Just 20 km away)
Read more
Introducing
Andrea Shaw
Andrea, in the fashion industry for years, came home from Hong Kong to help care for her father. In 2015 she found this dilapidated, single-storey cottage, owned by two sisters who left Ireland long ago, and brought it back to life. Now it shines. Andrea lives nearby, and enjoys sharing her great local knowledge.
Twig and Heather is an exceptional place to stay. Beautifully and thoughtfully decorated, meticulously clean and comfortable, it was a lovely place to come back to each evening after a day of exploring the wonderful coastline of Donegal. We have every intention of returning!