Dog Friendly Donegal Holiday Cottages

Reviews

What our customers say about their holidays

• Stephen - Verified booking

  An Unforgettable Retreat with Mesmerizing Views and Comfort Nestled next to the waters of Lough Swilly, Ferry House offers a truly stunning location for a peaceful getaway.

  From the moment we arrived, we were captivated by the picturesque setting and the tranquillity that enveloped the area. One of the highlights of our stay was the simple yet perfect pleasure of sitting at the kitchen table and looking out at the water of Lough Swilly. This daily ritual became a cherished part of our mornings, the ever-changing light and the movement of the water provided a backdrop that set the tone for the day ahead. The charming town of Ramelteon is just a short drive away from Ferry House, offering access to most amenities you'll need to enhance your stay. Ramelteon is a delightful town with a rich history and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. It's the kind of place where you can take leisurely strolls, explore local shops, and enjoy the friendly vibe of a close-knit community. The surrounding area also boasts a number of beautiful beaches, each with its own unique character. Whether you're looking for a quiet spot to unwind or a more active beach to enjoy water sports, there's something for everyone. Ferry House itself exudes warmth and comfort. The house was very cosy and comfortable, making it a perfect retreat from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. One of our favourite features was the lovely Rayburn in the kitchen. Not only did it provide a cozy warmth, but it was also incredibly practical for drying wet dogs and raincoats after our beach outings. The kitchen is well appointed, with everything you need to cook full family meals. On the days we chose to dine in, we were able to prepare delicious meals for our group of seven adults with ease, then retire to the lounge to relax in front of the open fire to reminisce about the day over a glass or two of wine. Those who still had a bit of energy left can easily burn that off by battling each other in a game of table tennis :) For those nights when we wanted to treat ourselves to a meal out, we found a gem of a restaurant in Ranny. Ripples Restaurant, located just a 25-minute drive away, and is a firm favourite of ours. The food and service is superb, and to top it all off, the restaurant is dog-friendly. We visited Ripples in both January 2023 and January 2025, and despite the off-season, the quality of the food and service remained outstanding. We can only imagine how popular this place must be during the summer season. If you're planning to visit, we highly recommend giving them a call to reserve a table. You won't be disappointed! The bedrooms at Ferry House were equally impressive, with extremely comfortable and cozy beds that ensured we had a restful night's sleep. The attention to detail in the décor and the quality of the furnishings contributed to the overall sense of luxury and relaxation. After a day of exploring the beautiful surroundings, it was a pleasure to return to such a welcoming and comfortable space. Our dogs also thoroughly enjoyed their stay at Ferry House. The spacious outdoor area provided plenty of room for them to play and explore, and the proximity to the water meant they could enjoy refreshing swims. It's clear that Ferry House is a pet-friendly property, and we appreciated the thoughtful touches that made our furry friends feel right at home.

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• Jenny - Verified booking

  We loved our stay at Ferry House, very relaxing, beautiful sunrises and moon over the lough.

  We saw loads of wildfowl, including and huge stork which had a little forage on the shore close to the house. We had one day of stormy weather on the first night, the swell caused the water level to rise on the lough. Marty from the boat house appeared in the darkness with his head torch and banked our door with sandbags just in case. They were not needed in the end, but we felt well looked after, Marty is lovely. We visited many beautiful spots during our stay including Giant's Causeway, the lighthouse, Glenveigh National Park and Ards Forest. We had a lovely day in Derry and some of our party visited the Science Museum in Belfast. Letterkenny is great for bigger shopping and eating out - take a look at the Hiring Fair Monument in Letterkenny Square. The house was very cosy and comfortable, lovely Rayburn in the kitchen, great for drying wet wellies and raincoats. The only thing we needed and didn't take with us was tableware - cups, plates and bowls for very young children. Otherwise, we managed to cook full family meals on the days we ate in. The house is in a very peaceful, secluded spot, we quickly found ourselves becoming absorbed into the landscape and ebb and flow of the tides, it was lovely.

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• Colin - Verified booking

  We really enjoyed out stay despite inclement weather.

  The house is very well renovated. Loved the sash windows, Rayburn stove, Beautiful lounge, Spacious bedrooms and comfortable beds. Also the garden was very well enclosed and a great size for our dogs.Loved the beachfront location.When we needed to contact the owners they were friendly and very helpful and Marty was very helpful also We felt well taken care of. Only took 1 star away from accuracy of listing because advertised as set on a private cul de sac, the small road outside past the cottage was used regularly by people walking especially dog walkers and occasionally drivers. It meant that we couldn’t let our anxious dog off the lead on the beach directly opposite the house which was a pity ,(in case anyone appeared.) A large PRIVATE notice at the entrance to the cul de sac would help. We found the sink in the utility room rather than the kitchen a little getting used to ,and the hand held shower head in the en-suite ,but in general loved the feel and history of the house. We loved Donegal , and despite the few points above, would highly recommend and would love to stay in Ferry House again.

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• Robert - Verified booking

  The property is not to a standard to give a comfortable winter break, the temperature in the living area was only 16c .

  If the oil fired central heating on its high setting used 1 litre per hour, oil is charged at €1 per litre which is 27+% over its actuall cost . All the heat was sucked up the open fire chimney. We used 60kg of coal , 5 baskets of peat and 1 bag of logs. Total cost of heating €81 for 6 days to attain at temperature of 18c at the end of the 6th day. This issue was exasperated by a draft around the double bedroom window, no seal around the loft space doors in the upper bedroom and no flap valve on the toilet extractor fan . All heat was lost if you opened the front door because there was no porch. A hot tap was not fitted on the left hand side , good job none of us is blind ( Europe Standard) . A sink was loose on wall , and the hot water tank had no insulation at all. I also think the bed quilts were not winter tog , their was not one sharp piece of cutlery. Dust in the corners and cobwebs all over. Bed room lay out was very poor, I'm sorry there is no finesse or care visible on this property.

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• Timothy - Verified booking

  What can you say about the Ferry House that hasn't already been said.

  It is in a stunning location next to the Lough. The views in the morning were wonderful. Watching the Harvest moon shining on the water, the sunrise, all very beautiful. The Ferry House was clean and very well appointed, although a hair dryer and a cork screw would have been nice! The location is excellent for exploring North West Donegal, with the pretty little town of Ramelton nearby, yes we fell in love with the Blue Goat Deli. Letterkenny has all that you need. For dog owners the enclosed large rear garden is excellent. The bathrooms are a little tired and an update to the shower would be a bonus. But you need to understand that it is a very old property with a few foibles that go with the territory. Would I recommend The Ferry House? Absolutely 100%.

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