The current owners of a property called Shore House, located in Muff, Co Donegal, embarked on a full restoration of the building when they purchased it in 2016. The house, originally built in 1895, required significant work, including the replacement of its foundations and dealing with damp issues caused by cattle-feed bags.
Originally a three-bedroom house, it has been transformed into a home with two larger bedrooms as well as a bathroom on the upper floor, spanning a total of 134sq m (1,422sq ft). The ground floor features a family room, a cosy winter sitting room (equipped with a stove), a summer sitting room, and practical areas like a kitchen and a utility room.
Shore House, like many old properties, possesses a rich history, enhanced by its location on the boundary between Donegal and Northern Ireland, bordering Lough Foyle. Over its 129 years, the house has witnessed many happenings, including being a hub for the illegal distribution of untaxed and duty-free alcohol. It’s said that the current sitting room was once a storage room for beer kegs that local pub landlords would purchase.
Before the current owners found it, the house had been uninhabited for over ten years. The owners, in search for a home, stated they had made a ‘pretend pot’ to manifest their dream house which included being close to the sea and surrounded by native trees, and remarkably, Shore House fulfilled all of their desires.
Apart from refurbishing Shore House, the current owners have also set up an eco-friendly glamping business which goes along with the selling price of €365,000, managed by Savills. Positioned away from the main house, there are four glamping pods that can accommodate three to four adults each night, with an adults-only policy to preserve the peacefulness of the setting by allowing guests to enjoy the calming sound of birds and water bodies. The nearby old oyster beds also provide intriguing walking trails during low tide.
The lodging also features a local pub, inviting guests to relax and enjoy their favourite drink while engaging in a pool game. In addition, the Wee Céili House provides a space for traditional dance or a cosy fire post lengthy walks along the coast. The freshwater supply for the property comes from a privately owned well, equipped with a costly filtering system, and there are also a second kitchen and bathroom provided for guests.
The property offers expansive recreational opportunities with direct access to the coastline, and is conveniently located opposite the neighbouring GAA field. On the premises, guests can make use of amenities such as a hot tub, an infrared sauna and an ice bath carved from vintage whiskey barrels. Guests can also enjoy unspoilt walks amidst indigenous plants and trees, as well as visit an “energy well” for releasing negativity. Despite seeming secluded, the property is merely a 25-minute walk to Muff Village (or a five-minute journey to the nearest pub), and is ideally positioned near the new Derry Greenway, making it a perfect spot for cyclists to pause.
The proprietors, after nearly twenty successful years, are relocating to warmer climates due to health considerations. Despite having completed a comprehensive restoration, the Ber rating remains at an F, signifying that improvements are required to this otherwise exceptional property located on the solitary expanses of Lough Foyle’s shoreline.