Found in the southern end of County Donegal is Ballyshannon, the oldest town in Ireland. This historic town is also captivating as it sits beside River Erne and along the famous Wild Atlantic Way. Build sandcastles with your kids at Rossnowlagh Beach – ideal for travelers with dogs. Castle Adventure Farm - a sanctuary for various birds and animals - is a destination that kids will surely love. The nearby Rougey Cliff Walk in Bundoran offers scenic and easy walks. These long walks are even more pleasing as the trails lie along picturesque golden sand beaches. Want a challenging climb? Head to Blue Stack Mountains, just a 32-minute drive away. To maximize your vacation experience in this lovely town, enjoy a relaxing stay with friends, family, or your partner in one of the top Airbnb vacation rentals in Ballyshannon, Ireland.
We handpicked these listings carefully, considering (wherever possible) Superhost status, recent guest reviews, location, accommodation type, prices, availability of dates, decor, and amenities. The image galleries get refreshed with the latest updates regularly. They were last updated on April 12, 2024.
1. Navone
Ballyshannon is Ireland’s oldest town and is thus replete with traditional houses such as Navone. This cozy and comfortable traditional Irish cottage is set in the courtyard of an 18th-century townhouse. Skylight windows and unfussy classic-style furnishings add a homey charm to the place. The turf-burning stove not only adds warmth but also accentuates the living area. This barn house can accommodate up to six guests in three bedrooms.
Established at the heart of Ballyshannon, the cottage is a good base from where one can explore other counties of northwest Ireland.
17.99 km (11.2 mi) from Donegal CastleSuperhost
Accommodates: 6
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
dish washing liquid and kitchen paper were very useful tooadditional little extras such as hand soap shower gel & shampoo bath matsCleanliness:
cosy unique clean spacious fun accommodationthe house was spotlessly clean and a lovely welcome parcel from conor the hostlovely clean accommodation and nice friendly hostlovely property spotlessly clean and conor is a great hostHost:
the host made us feel extremely welcoming and helpfulhe is a perfect hostconor was a great host very helpful and welcomingconor is a great host highly recommendedconor was a great host and nothing was too much troubleRead more reviewsLocation:
great location in ballyshannon and so close to all beachesgreat location for exploring the local areas beaches etcperfectly situated for a bit of exploring around donegal and so close to bundoran for surfinggreat location for visiting beaches aroundproperty is charming and in a great location for various wild atlantic way spots
2. Country home overlooking Erne Estuary (from USD 131)
An easygoing feel emanates from this country-style home with light-toned wood furnishings, walls, and ceiling. With four bedrooms and three and a half baths, this spacious house can comfortably accommodate eight. The stone fireplaces in the dining area and the lounge give out a traditional vibe. The kitchen is well-equipped to meet daily cooking needs.
Rossnowlagh Beach – one of Ireland’s safest beaches, is only 6.43 kilometers (4 miles) from the accommodation. Meanwhile, only 200 meters (656 feet) away lies the Castle Adventure Center Open Farm.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
the beds were comfortable and the views were stunningnice space large and comfortableCleanliness:
it was spotless clean and has lots of roomthe property was clean and well equippedthe house was clean and had everything there for self cateringthe house is spacious and clean and has everything you might needthe house is large modern and very cleanHost:
martin was a fantastic hostmartin was a fantastic hostmartin was a fantastic hostmartin is an excellent hostmartin is a brilliant hostRead more reviewsLocation:
house and location was greatgreat location for touring or just chillinglovely quiet safe location only a stones throw from ballyshannonmartin's place is an ideal location for a surfing weekendbrilliant location and so handy to all the main towns
Nearby Airbnb vacation rentals
3. Relaxing home with a spectacular view (from USD 102)
This three-bedroom mobile home has picturesque views of the countryside and the sea. Its open-plan interior has simple but comfortable furnishings. The TV, fireplace, and comfy sofa make the living area relaxing. The kitchen is well-equipped as well. Enjoy your dinner on the deck while taking in the picturesque views.
Though the accommodation is on a secluded farm, Ballyshannon is approximately 3.21 kilometers (2 miles) away from the place, while the beaches of Bundoran are 11.26 kilometers (7 miles) away.
Top guest reviews
Cleanliness:
clean and beautiful areaaccommodation was clean tidy and very cosyclean quiet and great value for moneylovely clean and homelyhome is very clean and cosyHost:
victoria was very helpfulthe host's hospitality was great she even gave us some fresh eggs from her farmvictoria and family were always there if we needed them and so helpful and friendlygood value for money with beautiful surrounding scenery and friendly animals tooyou'll even be greeted warmly by cats dogs and a very friendly donkeyRead more reviewsLocation:
great location for surfing tripsloved the location and was very cozy and comfortable to stay ingreat quiet place to stay lovely location and spacious accommodationwe would definitely recommend this place and will be back in the summerthe place of victoria was very nice and welcoming located in a beautiful setting
4. The Cuddly Cow (from USD 147)
At this one-bedroom farmhouse, you have access to the milking parlor. The property is situated on a working dairy farm, and for a reasonable fee, you can enjoy a llama walk, a farm tour, or take part in the Animal Assisted Therapy and Green Care with your child. Bundoran’s seaside resort is also nearby.
This accommodation is self-contained and can sleep three. The kitchen is complete and the living area comes with a classic wood stove. Wi-Fi is strong to help you stay connected. For an authentic farm experience, use the bathroom’s watering can shower.
5. Three-bedroom bungalow with fully equipped modern kitchen (from USD 162)
Found in the center of Ballyshannon, this bungalow is a favorite launchpad for families looking to surf, kayak, and hike. Downtown is only a five-minute stroll from the bungalow. The coast of Bundoran and the beach of Rossnowlagh are just 10 to 15 minutes away.
The bedroom has clean and traditional furnishings. There’s a fireplace and a plush sofa in the living area. The complete and well-organized kitchen comes with a small dining space. The walled garden with picnic benches and chairs is a perfect spot to enjoy dinner with the whole family. With three bedrooms, the bungalow can sleep six.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
nice touches such as the herb garden and breakfast supplies in the fridgewe also really appreciated that he left breakfast food in the fridge and fresh fruit for usthe beds were comfortableCleanliness:
very clean and comfortablenice clean and comfortable housegreat place very clean left breakfast for us which was a nice touchHost:
chris our host was great and had supplies left to start us offRead more reviewsLocation:
lovely place and great location in a peaceful neighbourhoodit is within walking distance of the centre of this lovely townnice well kept property in a good location near the middle of ballyshannonballyshannon is a lovely place to stayexcellent location and very friendly neighbours thank u chris
6. Big Jimmy's Cottage (from USD 120)
This stone cottage nestles in a charming rural location and is close to many attractions. Abbey Assaroe, Rossnowlagh Beach, and Bundoran Beach are all nearby. Planning on exploring the county a little further? This three-bedroom cottage is also a practical base from where you can visit the historic Wardtown Castle in Donegal.
The cottage has a large deck with benches and a table. Enjoy your breakfast with the refreshing countryside view as the backdrop. A barbecue grill is also available outdoors. Bring your whole family to Ballyshannon as the house can comfortably sleep six. The accommodation is also wheelchair-accessible and smoke-free.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
it also has fully functioning mod cons including wi-fi and a great conduction cookerthe authentic cottage has a beautifully designed living roomthe cottage itself was homely and comfortable with plenty of space for 6 guestsCleanliness:
spotlessly clean and the host was a pleasure to deal withHost:
very friendly and helpful hosthughjohn was a great host who provided us with local knowledgehughjohnn was very helpful and flexible on our checkout timevery helpful and friendly hosthugh john was very helpful and brought a welcome pack and was just a phone call awayRead more reviewsLocation:
quiet but close to ballyshannon and all interesting spots in the arealovely house great locationthe location is very unique views from the house are amazingbeautiful location and comfortable cottage can’t beat the sunsets and proximity to the beachbeautiful location & host hughjohn couldn’t be more helpful
7. Serene hut by the lake (from USD 123)
This one-bedroom hut found under the canopy of trees sits beside the magnificent Assaroe Lake. Smoke some barbecue while enjoying the view of the lake as there is plenty of sitting area outdoors. The hut is small but is well-fitted for couples. The king-sized bed, the kitchen, and the heating system are adequate in making the house comfortable.
Also, the location is off-grid so you can enjoy blissful solitude. There is no television or Wi-Fi to distract you from just relaxing in nature.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
everything about the “romantic hut” was amazing - the decor was perfect and the furniture was extremely comfortablethe hut itself is so cute and comfortable and had so many thoughtful additions and artistic touchesit was a great stay very comfortable and warmCleanliness:
very clean super comfy and with nice little details we would highly recommend ithighly recommended such an amazing place very cleanthe cabin is stunning clean secluded and has everything you need and morethe cabin itself was exceptionally clean and located directly on the lake with amazing viewsthe space itself is cosy clean and functional has everything you needHost:
they were so helpful as hostswelcoming and lovely hoststhey were so welcoming and helpfulthe hosts were lovely and welcoming and very helpfulthey were very welcoming and accommodatingRead more reviewsLocation:
fabulous location peace and quiet location and great facilitiesthis cabin is in an absolutely beautiful location ideal for a staycation and very privatetheir cabin is so cosy and the location is stunningthis place is fantastic to get away from the world and relaxlovely place to stay in a good location to visit different places in donegal
8. Farmstay in a tipi (from USD 142)
This remote farm stay is surrounded by the Knader Forest and the resplendent Assaroe Lake. The accommodation is a spacious Native American tipi that sleeps three. Go birdwatching, enjoy a hike in the mountain, or go on a canoe ride on the lake. The tipi is also near Ireland’s captivating beaches and the popular Wild Atlantic Way.
Enjoy resting on the available double or single bed while listening to the calming sounds of nature. Cozy blankets and hot water bottles are also provided to keep you warm on chilly nights.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
the breakfast left for us was a lovely touch for our morningsuch a lovely experience the tipis are amazing and the campfire breakfast bits are a nice touchCleanliness:
the tipi was tidy and cleanthe shower room and bathroom were also cleanthe cookhouse was spacious and cleantipi was class - really clean and surprisingly warmthe tipi's themselves were amazing - very clean and comfortableHost:
hosts are very informative friendly and helpfulpaul is an amazing hostpaul is an absolute gent lovely chatting to him and very helpfulpaul is a great host always welcoming and checking inlovely place with even lovelier hostsRead more reviewsLocation:
beautiful location and fantastic tipisperfect quirky accommodation and ideal location to exploreit's very cute and there's lots of walking trails nearbywe had a wonderful stay in an amazing locationgreat location and brilliant host
9. Cozy studio near the beach (from USD 79)
This studio boasts scenic views of Erne Estuary. It is also close to the ruins of Abbey Mills. The splendid Rossnowlagh Beach and Creevy Pier are just a 10-minute drive from the accommodation. This one-bedroom studio is small yet adequately equipped. Guests can use the well-equipped kitchen to prepare simple meals. The bedroom is relaxing with pretty floral linens, and the bath is neat and clean.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
we had a very comfortable stay with a lovely breakfastCleanliness:
our room was tidy and cleangreat place to stay very clean and comfortableeverything was spotless and the apartment is lovely and cosytrisha’s place is very clean and well equipped with everything you need for a few days awayit was very clean and tidy and she provided us with plenty of food for our stayHost:
the hosts are lovely friendly peoplethey are really good hostshosts were very nice very accommodatingcouldn’t have asked for any more from the hosts and we’ll certainly be going backtrisha and her husband were great hostsRead more reviewsLocation:
perfect location just a walk to towngreat location would highly recommendshort walk to town passing a lovely millgreat place to stay and great locationthe location is fantastic great for walks and good food is not too far away
10. Mary Ann's Cottage
Mary Ann’s Cottage is a 250-year-old dwelling with a thatched roof. It is only a three-minute drive from the border of Ballyshannon. Enjoy a stroll in the countryside and explore Rossnawlagh Beach – the surfer’s paradise – which is only 10 minutes away.
With two bedrooms and a bath, the cottage can sleep four. The central heating system keeps the accommodation warm, while the floral bed linens add a lovely touch. The kitchen is well-equipped and the dining area has Windsor chairs and a round table that gives off a country feel. There’s also an enclosed garden that’s an ideal spot for afternoon tea or a stroll with your pet.
County Donegal, Ireland
17.01 km (10.6 mi) from Donegal CastleAccommodates: 4
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
the beds were very comfortableHost:
deirdre was a fantastic hostdeirdre was an amazing hostthe host was very helpful and approachabledeirdre was a great host and very accommodatingdeirdre was truly welcoming host very pleasant and quick to communicate withRead more reviewsLocation:
cottage is situated in an ideal location for visiting bundoran and rosnowlagh beachthis is a fabulous place a cute cottage in a great locationlovely house and facilities in a great locationvery authentic countryside retreat for peaceful and calm stay in ballyshannon/donegala wonderful cottage in a great location
Unwind in Ballyshannon
Ballyshannon is a captivating old town. If you like walks on the beach, picnics by the riverbank, fishing in the lake, or hikes along forest trails, it is the town for you. So ready your boots and rain jacket, book accommodation, and head to enchanting Ballyshannon, Ireland.
History
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