
Meadow Cottage, Acres, Burtonport, County DonegalF94K5K3
€179,950
3 Bed~1 Bath~BER G
What you'll like:
- Generous site area: Occupying approximately 0.6 acres of land, this property provides ample outdoor space for extensions, gardening, or general recreational activities. This substantial plot size enhances privacy and long-term potential for any future homeowner.
- Extensive landscaping completed: The current owners have carried out thorough landscaping works across the grounds, showcasing the full potential of the property. Buyers will inherit a neatly presented exterior ready for immediate enjoyment.
- Walking distance to amenities: Conveniently situated within walking distance of a local shop, cafe, and Burtonport village, daily errands and social outings are easily managed on foot. This accessible location adds notable everyday convenience for residents.
- Proximity to unspoilt beaches: The property is located just a short drive from gorgeous unspoilt coastal beaches, offering fantastic recreational opportunities for swimming and walking. This makes it an especially attractive option for holiday home seekers.
- Additional external cabins: The grounds feature two external cabins, including one that is fully wired and fitted with electrical heating. These versatile structures provide excellent auxiliary spaces for a home office, workshop, or hobby room.
- Solid fuel stove feature: Bedroom one is equipped with a functional solid fuel stove, adding a cozy and traditional heating option to the living quarters. This feature can help reduce reliance on central heating during colder months.
- Flexible attic accommodation: The first floor includes an attic room and a separate office space, providing valuable extra functional areas outside the main footprint. This layout flexibility is ideal for remote working or hobby pursuits.
- Internal renovation underway: Renovation works have already commenced internally, giving buyers a head start on modernizing the accommodation to their own taste. This partial upgrade reduces the initial burden of planning and organizing foundational improvements.
- Attractive asking price: Priced at one hundred seventy-nine thousand nine hundred and fifty euros, this property presents an accessible entry point into the rural property market. It offers strong value for buyers willing to complete ongoing renovation projects.
- Dual-purpose potential: Marketed as an ideal permanent residence or holiday retreat, the property accommodates various lifestyle needs and long-term ownership goals. Buyers can easily pivot between full-time living and seasonal letting depending on their preferences.
- Stone chip driveway installed: The exterior benefits from a clean and durable stone chip driveway, offering practical off-street parking for multiple vehicles. This feature enhances curb appeal and keeps muddy conditions at bay near the main entrance.
- Defined ground floor layout: The layout includes a dedicated kitchen, living room, three bedrooms, and a bathroom on the ground level, ensuring single-storey accessibility. This configuration is convenient for families or individuals looking to minimize stair usage.
- Separate entrance porch: An entrance porch provides a practical transitional zone to keep outdoor weather and mud out of the main living areas. This small architectural feature improves overall household cleanliness and thermal efficiency.
- Established local auctioneer: Managed by an established regional agency, prospective buyers can access professional guidance and arranged viewings directly. This ensures a transparent and structured purchasing process from start to finish.
- Quiet rural setting: Positioned in the scenic Acres area of Burtonport, the property benefits from a tranquil countryside atmosphere away from urban noise. Buyers will appreciate the peaceful surroundings and community-oriented rural vibe.
- Holiday rental potential: Given its coastal location and proximity to local attractions, the property holds strong potential for short-term holiday letting. This could generate supplemental income for owners when the dwelling is not in personal use.
- Compact footprint efficiency: The manageable scale of the original cottage rooms makes them easier and more cost-effective to heat and maintain once renovations are complete. This keeps ongoing utility and upkeep expenditures relatively manageable.
- Rear hallway utility access: A designated rear hallway provides a secondary access point to the back of the house, improving everyday functional movement. This addition is particularly useful for coming in from the garden or managing muddy footwear.
- Defined bedroom counts: The inclusion of three bedrooms on the ground floor ensures adequate sleeping arrangements for family members or visiting guests. This layout accommodates multi-person living despite the property's modest cottage origins.
- Clear development scope: With renovation works partially started, buyers have a clear framework to design and finish the remaining interior elements to a high standard. This allows for total customization of fixtures, finishes, and interior styling.
But keep in mind:
- Extremely poor BER rating: The property holds a G energy rating with a very high energy performance indicator, indicating severe thermal inefficiency. Buyers must budget substantially for deep retrofitting, insulation, and modern heating installations.
- Extensive renovation required: Because renovation works have only commenced internally, the buyer will need significant funds and time to complete the project. Unfinished structural or cosmetic elements require careful professional inspection before purchase.
- Unknown floor area: The total square footage of the property is not provided in the listing details, making it difficult to calculate per-square-meter value. Buyers should verify precise dimensions independently to ensure the space meets their needs.
- Unverified building regulations: It is unclear whether necessary planning permissions and building regulations were secured for past or ongoing internal renovations and cabin additions. Buyers should instruct their solicitor to investigate local compliance thoroughly.
- Services untested by agent: The listing explicitly states that appliances, fixtures, fittings, and services have not been tested by the selling agent. A comprehensive independent survey of plumbing, electrical, and heating systems is strongly advised.
- Attic conversion compliance: The usability and legal status of the first-floor attic room and office space require professional verification regarding building control standards. Buyers must check if these rooms comply with current headroom and fire safety regulations.
- Potential septic tank issues: Rural properties in this region often rely on private wastewater treatment systems requiring inspection for current environmental standards. Buyers should commission a specific test to determine the condition and compliance of any septic tank.
- High heating costs expected: Given the G energy rating, occupants will likely face steep heating bills until comprehensive insulation and window upgrades are finished. This ongoing operational expense should be factored into affordability calculations.
- Restricted living room size: The main living room measures approximately three point nine eight meters by two point seven nine meters, offering limited communal space. Larger families might find this area restrictive for daily seating and entertainment.
- Compact kitchen dimensions: The kitchen measures approximately three point nine five meters by two point zero nine meters, providing a relatively narrow workspace. Buyers may need to plan layout modifications to optimize food preparation areas.
- Bathroom layout constraints: The bathroom is modestly sized and relies on laminate flooring, which may not be ideal for wet-room conditions over time. Upgrading fixtures and waterproof surfaces will likely be necessary during modernization.
- Unclear structural condition: Older rural cottages can suffer from hidden dampness, stone wall degradation, or roof timber issues requiring expert structural evaluation. A detailed pre-purchase structural survey is essential to uncover any latent defects.
- Access and parking limitations: While a stone chip driveway is present, winter weather or heavy vehicle traffic could necessitate surface maintenance and drainage improvements. Buyers should assess how well the driveway handles heavy rainfall.
- Reliance on solid fuel: The presence of a solid fuel stove in bedroom one suggests potential dependency on manual fuel sourcing and regular chimney maintenance. Buyers should verify the safety and operational condition of the flue system.
- Cabin electrical compliance: The outbuilding described as fully wired with electrical heating needs professional inspection to ensure compliance with local electrical safety standards. Faulty wiring in external structures poses a significant fire hazard.
- Strict appointment viewing only: Viewing is strictly by appointment through the auctioneer, which may limit spontaneous visits or independent reinspections during the negotiation process. Buyers should schedule multiple visits to thoroughly assess the property.
- Uncertain water supply source: Rural homes in Burtonport sometimes rely on private wells or group water schemes requiring quality and pressure testing. Buyers must verify the source and potability of the domestic water supply.
- Remote location logistics: While close to local village amenities, the broader Burtonport area is relatively remote, which may increase contractor travel costs for renovation work. Sourcing reliable local tradespeople for the completion phase could present logistical challenges.
- Future resale value risks: Purchasing a G-rated property with incomplete renovations carries financial risk if the cost of upgrades exceeds the final market value. Careful budgeting is required to ensure the total investment remains economically sensible.
- Proximity environmental checks: Given the coastal proximity, buyers should investigate potential weather exposure, salt spray degradation on exterior elements, and local drainage capacities. Ensuring robust exterior weatherproofing will be vital for long-term durability.
Price positioning
?
- The asking price appears somewhat overvalued because the property currently holds a very poor energy rating, indicating that substantial capital investment will be immediately required to bring the dwelling up to modern habitation standards.
- Undervaluation signals are absent given the extensive modernization needs, though the generous site area and included external wired cabins provide underlying assets that partially compensate for the heavy renovation burden.
- Factors that could significantly support such a price include strong local demand for rural holiday homes, whereas potential risks involve unexpected structural remediation costs and prohibitive expenses associated with energy efficiency upgrades.
- Additional relevant considerations involve the convenient walking distance to local amenities and nearby coastal attractions, which heavily enhances the long term lifestyle appeal despite the current unfinished state of the interior.
Build Analysis
What we know from similar construction types
- The property is described as a cottage where renovation works have commenced internally and extensive landscaping has been carried out on the 0.6-acre site.
- Accommodation includes a ground floor layout with an attic room and office space on the first floor, which a buyer should verify complies with all relevant planning permissions and building regulations, particularly regarding attic conversion standards.
- External structures include two cabins, one of which is wired and heated, requiring verification regarding their planning status and compliance.
- Given the poor BER rating and incomplete renovation status, a thorough structural survey is recommended to assess the condition of the existing fabric, dampness, insulation, and the extent of unfinished works.
Retrofit Cost*
Possible renovating / insulating expenditure
- The property has a very poor BER rating of G with an extremely high energy performance indicator of 1151.93 kWh/m2/yr.
- A comprehensive deep retrofit to bring the property to a modern energy efficiency standard (such as a B2 BER or better) would likely cost between 50,000 and 80,000 euros or more, depending on the exact floor area, extent of existing insulation, heating system installation, windows, doors, and airtightness measures required.
- Given that internal renovations have already commenced, a buyer should budget for completing these works alongside necessary energy upgrades like external wall insulation, heating system replacement (potentially a heat pump or high-efficiency stove system), and renewable energy integration.
Heating cost*
Estimated expense to heat this property every year
- Estimated annual heating cost: €3,500 to €4,500.
- Explanation: Given the very poor BER rating of G and an energy performance indicator exceeding 1,150 kWh/m2/yr, heating efficiency will be extremely low, resulting in exceptionally high energy consumption for this property.
Pollution Safe
9/10Environmental situation to investigate
- The property is located in a rural coastal setting in West Donegal, appearing distant from major heavy industrial zones, large incinerators, or active commercial landfills.
- Any potential local sources of legacy waste or minor environmental impact should be independently verified by the buyer during standard conveyancing and surveys.
Flood Safe
8/10Water overflow reports to follow up
- The property occupies a generous rural site in Burtonport, generally appearing removed from major river flood plains, though proximity to the coast means local drainage and heavy rainfall run-off should be checked.
- Buyers are advised to review official local authority flood maps and conduct a site-specific survey to fully assess any localized water accumulation risks.
Recent Local Sales
Verified residential transactions published in the previous five years
Sales on the same street or estate
No verified results were found for this group in the previous five years.
Recent sales in the wider Burtonport area
MILLTOWN, BURTONPORT, CO DONEGAL
- Sale date
- Declared sale price
- €163,500.00
LACKENAGH, BURTONPORT, CO. DONEGAL
- Sale date
- Declared sale price
- €70,000.00
MEENBANAD, BURTONPORT, CO. DONEGAL
- Sale date
- Declared sale price
- €115,000.00
SHANDON, BURTONPORT, DONEGAL
- Sale date
- Declared sale price
- €85,000.00
THE CHALET, LACKENLAGH, BURTONPORT
- Sale date
- Declared sale price
- €167,500.00
Source: Property Services Regulatory Authority (PSRA), Residential Property Price Register (PPR). Matching uses address information published by the PPR rather than measured map distance. It may omit nearby properties on differently named streets.
Last Sale
A confidently matched previous PPR transaction for this property
No confidently matched previous sale was found in the Property Price Register.
Buyer fees*
Associated expenses guide
- Stamp duty: €1,799 based on 1% of the asking price of €179,950 for residential property under €1 million.
- Solicitor legal fees: €1,500 to €2,500 plus outlay and VAT.
- Land registration fees: €175 to €700 depending on the application type and registration method.
- Property valuation fees: €150 to €300 typically required by mortgage lenders.
- Surveyor fees: €400 to €800 depending on the level of detailed inspection carried out.
- Annual home insurance: €400 to €800 depending on the level of cover and property location.
Forum Talk
What people are saying about this area
- Locals in the Burtonport area frequently discuss the scenic coastal amenities, including nearby unspoilt beaches and island ferry links.
- Community discussions often highlight the peaceful rural lifestyle combined with the convenience of being within walking distance of local village shops and cafés.
- Residents note that the surrounding West Donegal region is popular for both permanent living and holiday homes, leading to seasonal variations in local activity.
- Property forums and local news occasionally mention the charm of traditional cottage renovations in the area alongside the need to upgrade older buildings for modern energy efficiency.
LifeFit Assessment
How well this property may suit your lifestyle
Family
7 areas- Young Children6/10
The property features a generous 0.6-acre site with spacious garden areas which are great for young children, though internal renovation works have commenced and should be verified.
- Teenagers5/10
The additional cabins and attic space offer extra independence for teenagers, but the rural location means limited entertainment options nearby.
- Multi-generational Living4/10
With three bedrooms and one bathroom in the main cottage plus external cabins, space is somewhat limited and the layout may not ideally suit extended multi-generational living without further adaptation.
- Single Buyers7/10
At an asking price of €179,950, this property presents an affordable option for single buyers willing to take on renovation projects.
- Couples7/10
An appealing countryside retreat for couples looking for a permanent residence or holiday home with extensive outdoor space.
- Empty Nesters6/10
Offers a peaceful rural lifestyle with a manageable footprint, though the G energy rating and ongoing renovations require careful consideration.
- Retirees5/10
The single-floor ground layout is convenient, but the poor BER rating and remote rural setting may require significant upgrades for comfortable long-term retirement living.
Work
3 areas- Remote Working7/10
Features a dedicated office space on the first floor and an external fully wired cabin, though broadband connectivity should be verified.
- Hybrid Commuting3/10
The remote rural location in County Donegal makes regular commuting to major employment hubs impractical.
- Retired6/10
Well-suited for a quiet retirement lifestyle, provided that necessary thermal and structural upgrades are managed.
Practical
8 areas- Ageing in Place6/10
Ground floor accommodation includes bedrooms and a bathroom, but overall modernization is needed to ensure comfort for ageing residents.
- Low Maintenance4/10
With a G energy rating and ongoing internal renovation works, the property will require continued maintenance and investment.
- Secure Gated Entry3/10
The property features a stone chip driveway and open boundaries rather than a secure gated entry.
- Minimalist Design4/10
The cottage features traditional rooms and layout elements rather than a sleek minimalist design.
- Flexible Floor Plans6/10
The inclusion of attic rooms, an office, and external cabins offers flexibility in how the space can be utilized.
- Heritage Home7/10
Meadow Cottage offers a traditional cottage feel with character, though buyers should verify its historical status.
- Ecological Setup2/10
The property currently holds a G BER rating, indicating significant energy inefficiency that requires substantial ecological upgrades.
- Outdoor areas8/10
Boasts an approximate 0.6-acre site with extensive landscaped garden areas and two outdoor cabins.
Interests
9 areas- Gardening8/10
The property benefits from an approximate 0.6-acre site with extensive landscaping works already carried out by the current owners.
- Walking8/10
Proximity to unspoilt beaches and scenic countryside makes it a great spot for walking enthusiasts.
- Gym3/10
Dedicated fitness facilities and commercial gyms are sparse in this rural location.
- Cycling7/10
Scenic local roads offer good cycling routes, although rural topography and traffic speeds should be considered.
- Golf4/10
Access to golf courses will require some travel, as there are limited options directly in the immediate vicinity.
- Fishing8/10
The coastal location in County Donegal provides excellent opportunities for fishing enthusiasts.
- Horse Riding6/10
The rural setting is suitable for equestrian interests, though local stables and dedicated trails should be verified.
- Water Sports8/10
Proximity to the coast and unspoilt beaches makes this location highly attractive for water sports.
- Entertaining6/10
Spacious front gardens and outdoor cabins provide good potential for entertaining, though indoor living areas are modest.
Lifestyle
5 areas- Quiet Living9/10
Situated in a peaceful rural setting in County Donegal, offering a high degree of privacy and tranquillity.
- Rural Living9/10
Occupying an approximate 0.6-acre site surrounded by countryside, ideal for those seeking an authentic rural lifestyle.
- Village Living8/10
Conveniently located within walking distance of Burtonport village, local shops, and a café.
- Coastal Living8/10
Unspoilt beaches are within a minutes' drive, providing wonderful coastal access in the local area.
- Urban Living2/10
The location is distinctly rural and far removed from major urban centres.
Social
6 areas- Community Involvement7/10
Proximity to Burtonport village allows for participation in local community life and village activities.
- Café Culture5/10
There is local access to a café within walking distance in the village, but broader café culture is limited.
- Nightlife2/10
Nightlife options are extremely sparse in this quiet rural and coastal area.
- Health/Wellness groups4/10
Local wellness or fitness groups are likely limited, requiring travel to larger nearby towns.
- Networking Opportunities2/10
Professional networking opportunities are virtually non-existent in this remote setting.
- Tech-Hub Connectivity2/10
The property is located far from major tech hubs, relying entirely on remote connections.
Listing information
- Agent
- Campbells Auctioneers
- Phone
- 074 95 21020
- Published on HouseDelve
- 30 September 2026
- Correction
- Report an issue
HD-275999HouseDelve · Republic of IrelandReport checks
Sources used: Public marketplace, Property Price Register, and grounded web research where available.
Automated quality checks: Passed
* Estimate — not advice. Actual costs and outcomes can vary materially. Obtain current quotations and professional advice before making financial or property decisions.