Donegal Cottage Holidays Home Page

Great Arch Cottage - Portsalon

Great Arch Cottage is a wonderful holiday home situated on the spectacular Fanad Peninsula in North Donegal. The cottage is located 5km north of Portsalon village and overlooks the majestic Lough Swilly – “The Lake of Shadows”. The elevated position of the holiday home enables it to enjoy superb panoramic views of the lough and the Inishowen Hills.

The cottage takes it name from the spectacular Great Arch, the largest natural arch in Ireland, it is just minutes away at Doaghbeg. Indeed there are numerous caves and natural arches along the coastline in the vicinity of the holiday home – including the dramatic “ Seven Arches”. Check out our picture gallery for the seacave photo at Doaghbeg beach.

A few miles north of the cottage is the spectacular Fanad Head where Lough Swilly meets the wild Atlantic Ocean. This is the location of Fanad Lighthouse. From the attractive lighthouse grounds you can see the rugged horn of Dunaff Head across the bay.  You will also see an unspoilt rural ireland with cottages and homesteads speckled across Fanad Head, you might even smell the turf, it is magical.

This charming and comfortable cottage is in an excellent location for a range of activities including golf, hill walking, horse riding, fishing, angling, boating, diving, surfing, and -  for those for whom such pursuits are a little energetic - it’s also the perfect location for a relaxing getaway!

There are 8 golf coursees within an hours drive of the cottage and a season pitt and put course beside Ballyheirnan Bay.  Milford, Ramelton, Rathmullan, Kerrykeel, Portsalon, Carrigart, Downings are all within easy reach and offer a host of things to see and do.

Local Activities

A few minutes drive from the cottage will bring you to the holiday village of Portsalon where you will find a wonderful blue flag beach and a top class golf course. Portsalon Golf Club has been extensively redesigned in the last few years and is now one of the finest links courses in Donegal. At the village harbour there is a water sports centre where kayaks, pedal boats, wetsuits and boogie boards can be hired.

Portsalon itself is centrally located on the  Fanad Peninsula. This beautiful peninsula stretches north from the village of Milford to Fanad Head and back down to the heritage village of Ramelton. It contains numerous bays, glorious beaches, rugged mountains, rolling hills and numerous small lakes.

A 5 minute drive away from Great Arch Cottage is Ballyheirnan Bay. This beautiful unspoilt beach is the location of the Adventure One Surf School  -  the leading ISA (Irish Surfing Association) approved school on the north coast of Donegal. 15 minutes away at Carrigart you can expereince all types of watersports activites at Mevagh Diving Centre.

Sea angling  and boat charters are available at both Portsalon and Rathmullan  - on the Lough Swilly side of the Fanad Peninsula. On the Mulroy Bay side of the peninsula is the location of the Meadows Fishery. This is a two acre stream fed lake with good road access and parking space. Fishing is by fly only using barbless or debarbed hooks. A range of fishing options are available to cater for both the experienced angler and the beginner.

The spectacular landscapes of the Inishowen and Rosguil Peninsulas, the unspoilt Donegal Highlands, Glenveigh National Park and the ancient and historic walled City of Derry are all with an hours drive of the cottage. For families, we would recommend a day trip to Doagh Isle on Inishowen, to visit the Doagh Famine Village.  In winter it becomes Santa's lapland!

For any budding botanists, the vast array of wild flowers, shrubs and trees is breathtaking and enviable.  The minerals in the soil make for stunning colourful landscapes and wild meadows.  For the artists the colours and light in this part of the world has to be seen to be believed, it is not comparable.  In addition, the night skies are a sight to behold, the stars appear so close, since there is little or no light pollution to distort the effect.  Writers and poets will find this area an artisans paradise, with inspiration at every turn! 

Facilities & Living Space

Facilities

• 3 bedrooms to sleep 8 (1 ensuite)
• Ground Floor Master Bed 1 - Kingsize Bed with Ensuite
• Upstairs Bed 2 - Kingsize Bed & Single Bed
• Upstairs Bed 3 - Double Bed & Single Bed
• large Large decked patio, windows provide wonderful panoramic views
• bathroom with bath and separate power shower
• living area with open fireplace
• TV with Free View Channels, DVD Player, CD/Radio
• kitchen and dining area, natural slate floor
• electric oven and gas hob
• microwave, fridge, dishwasher
• Large dining table for 8
• outside utility with freezer and washing machine
• first floor alcove has small sofa and tv
• childrens games and books available
• Iron and ironing board
• High Chair, Steriliser, baby bouncer and stairgate
• More Sandy Beaches than days in the week nearby!
• 2 minute drive to shop
• 5 min drive to pub and golf course in Portsalon
• 5 min drive to Fanad Head
• quiet and peaceful location
• ideal touring base
• ample parking
• pets welcome
• Failte Ireland Approved 4**** cottage
• 8 golf courses within an hours drive!

Living Space

  Living Area

  Bedrooms

  Kitchen / Dining Area

  Outside Space/Panoramic Views

Tariff

Booking Details

Booking Deposit of 100/€100 to be paid to confirm booking  

Balance of cost to be paid 6 weeks (42 days) in advance of arrival date

Payment by cheque or Bank Transfer (£ / €)

Discount available for couples

Check in after 4pm - Check out by 11am

Sat - Sat rental, except by special arrangement

What's Included

• Bed Linen
• Towels
• Oil Central Heating
• Cooking Gas
• Turf/Blocks for Fire

Availability Key

Availability for Great Arch Cottage