Photograph 1 of 17 of Meenagrave, Ballybofey, Co. Donegal
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Meenagrave, Ballybofey, Co. Donegal

€150,000

3 Bed~1 Bath~BER A3

What you'll like:

  • Attractive Asking Price: Priced at an accessible one hundred fifty thousand euros, this traditional home presents an affordable entry point for buyers looking to secure a rural property project.
  • Exceptional BER Rating: Boasting an impressive A3 energy rating, the dwelling promises modern thermal efficiency which is exceptionally rare and valuable for older traditional farmhouses.
  • Charming Traditional Style: The property features a delightful stone-built traditional farmhouse aesthetic that offers immense character and romantic rural appeal for restoration enthusiasts.
  • Vacant Grant Eligibility: Having stood vacant for several years, the house should qualify for lucrative vacant property refurbishment grants, significantly easing the financial burden of renovations.
  • SEAI Grant Potential: Buyers can potentially leverage Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland grants to further upgrade the home, complementing its already stellar energy performance profile.
  • Dual Living Spaces: The ground floor layout includes both a sitting room and a separate living room, providing flexible living arrangements and distinct zones for daily relaxation.
  • Oil-Fired Range Feature: The living room incorporates an operational oil-fired Stanley range, offering a cozy focal point and traditional cooking or heating capabilities for cold winter evenings.
  • Functional Ground Shower: A fully tiled ground floor shower room featuring a wet-room style electric shower provides immediate convenience while other areas undergo potential modern updates.
  • Three Bedrooms Upstairs: The first floor accommodates three distinct bedrooms, making the layout surprisingly practical and well-suited for small families, visiting guests, or a home office.
  • Dual Aspect Lighting: Several rooms including the sitting room and kitchen benefit from dual aspect windows, flooding the interior spaces with natural light throughout the day.
  • Attached Garage Space: A large lean-to attached garage measuring five point five by four point five meters offers convenient internal access, vehicle storage, or workshop potential.
  • Detached Outbuilding Shed: An additional detached garage spanning six by five point two meters provides expansive standalone storage for vehicles, tools, or heavy equipment.
  • Scenic Glenfin Location: Situated in the picturesque Glenfin area near Ballybofey, the home immerses residents in stunning natural landscapes and tranquil countryside surroundings.
  • Proximity to Towns: Located approximately six kilometers west of the Twin Towns of Ballybofey and Stranorlar, daily shopping and amenities remain within a short driving distance.
  • Separate Garden Plot: The inclusion of a dedicated garden area on the opposite side of the road provides an outdoor green space for gardening, recreation, or outdoor seating.
  • Solid Stone Construction: Built with traditional stone materials, the structural shell offers a sturdy baseline for long-term preservation and authentic historical preservation efforts.
  • Return Staircase Feature: The welcoming hallway features a classic return staircase leading to the first floor, enhancing the interior architectural flow and traditional charm.
  • High and Low Units: The kitchen comes equipped with existing high and low-level storage units, offering a functional starting point for culinary activities before any major remodeling.
  • PVC Back Door Fitted: A durable PVC back door provides secure and weather-resistant access from the kitchen directly to the rear exterior grounds of the dwelling.
  • High Market Interest: Given its rare combination of low price, grants eligibility, and high BER, the property generates strong market interest, indicating a sound future resale appeal.

But keep in mind:

  • Extended Vacancy Risks: Having stood vacant for a number of years, the building may harbor hidden damp, pipe degradation, or structural settling that requires thorough specialist inspection.
  • Road Separation Garden: The garden area is located on the opposite side of the road, which poses potential safety concerns and practical inconveniences for routine outdoor activities.
  • R253 Road Proximity: Overlooking the minor R253 road, the dwelling may experience occasional vehicular noise, passing traffic, or privacy considerations near the front boundary.
  • Grant Approval Uncertainty: While it should qualify for refurbishment grants, final approval is subject to strict official eligibility criteria that buyers must verify independently before purchase.
  • Outbuilding Roof Materials: Both garages feature corrugated iron roofs which may require maintenance, rust treatment, or eventual replacement to ensure weatherproofing and longevity.
  • Single Bathroom Constraint: The property contains only one shared shower room on the ground floor, which could create bottlenecks during busy morning routines for a full household.
  • Solid Fuel Open Fire: The sitting room relies on an open fire with a tiled fireplace, which is less thermally efficient and requires regular chimney maintenance compared to modern stoves.
  • Sloped Ceiling Restrictions: Bedrooms feature tongue and groove partly vaulted timber ceilings, which might limit headroom placement for tall furniture and require careful interior planning.
  • Compact Secondary Bedroom: Bedroom three measures two point five by two point five meters, offering limited square footage that restricts its use primarily to a single bed or office.
  • Renovation Financing Needed: Buyers must be prepared to inject substantial capital upfront to complete renovations before moving in, despite the availability of post-work government grants.
  • Unverified Structural Integrity: The exact condition of the traditional stone walls behind internal finishes remains unverified, requiring a detailed engineering survey to rule out hidden defects.
  • Electrical System Age: Given the historical vacancy and age of the house, the entire electrical wiring system likely requires complete upgrading to meet modern safety standards.
  • Plumbing System Overhaul: The existing plumbing network should be thoroughly pressure-tested and inspected, as extended periods of vacancy often lead to pipe leaks or boiler failures.
  • Wastewater Treatment Check: Buyers must verify the status, capacity, and current regulatory compliance of the private septic tank or wastewater treatment system serving the property.
  • Water Supply Verification: The source and quality of the local water supply should be formally checked to ensure consistent pressure and potability throughout the year.
  • Ventilation and Damp: Traditional stone buildings without modern damp-proof courses are prone to trapped moisture; buyers should inspect for rising damp and ensure adequate ventilation.
  • Insulation Realities: Despite the high BER rating, buyers should independently examine how the rating was achieved and whether any historic sections suffer from thermal bridging.
  • Boundary Line Clarity: Legal title deeds must be carefully cross-examined by a solicitor to confirm exact property boundaries, rights of way, and road frontage ownership rights.
  • Local Planning Restrictions: Rural planning guidelines in County Donegal can be stringent regarding alterations to traditional facades, potentially impacting future extension plans.
  • Remote Winter Weather: Located in a scenic rural pocket of Glenfin, winter weather conditions could occasionally cause minor travel disruptions or require extra heating vigilance.

Price positioning

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This comparison depends on limited public and listing evidence, which may be incomplete, outdated or not directly comparable. The score is not a percentage, professional valuation or guaranteed estimate. Ask an independent qualified valuer before relying on a property value.
The asking price appears broadly in line, with a slight undervaluation signal.
  • Recent transaction data for comparable rural dwellings in the wider Ballybofey area demonstrate consistent alignment with the asking price level.
  • The quoting figure of one hundred fifty thousand euros reflects properties requiring refurbishment despite potential grant availability for vacant homes.
  • Local market evidence for traditional three-bedroom rural houses indicates that the asking price sits broadly in line with regional norms.
  • Prospective buyers should carefully verify structural conditions and total renovation costs relative to the initial acquisition investment required.

Build Analysis

What we know from similar construction types

  • The property is described as a charming stone-built traditional farmhouse-style two-storey dwellinghouse, which suggests solid historic construction characteristics but also potential risks associated with older stone walls, such as rising damp, lack of cavity insulation, and breathable render requirements.
  • The listing mentions the property has been vacant for a number of years, meaning a buyer should thoroughly investigate structural integrity, timber health (rot or woodworm in the tongue and groove timber ceilings), and the condition of plumbing and electrical systems.
  • The presence of an attached lean-to garage and a detached garage with corrugated iron roofs requires inspection for asbestos or structural corrosion.
  • A buyer should verify legal and planning compliance regarding the garden area located on the opposite side of the road, as well as access rights and septic tank or wastewater treatment arrangements.

Heating cost*

Estimated expense to heat this property every year

  • Estimated annual heating cost: €800 to €1,200.
  • Short explanation: Although the listing advertises an A3 Building Energy Rating which denotes high energy efficiency, the property is described as a traditional stone-built traditional farmhouse-style dwelling that has been vacant for a number of years. The actual heating costs may vary significantly depending on how effectively the historic fabric retains heat and whether the oil-fired range or other heating systems are actively used, so the buyer should verify the BER certificate and insulation standards.

Pollution Safe

9/10

Environmental situation to investigate

  • The property is situated in a scenic, rural upland countryside setting away from major industrial zones, heavy manufacturing, or large waste incinerators.
  • The buyer should investigate local agricultural runoff or historical septic tank management typical of rural settings.

Flood Safe

8/10

Water overflow reports to follow up

  • The dwelling is elevated along the R253 in a mountainous and hilly valley terrain, generally reducing direct riverine flood exposure.
  • Given the regional topography and local watercourses in Glenfin, buyers should verify specific surface water drainage patterns and local flood maps during due diligence.

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 Ballybofey area

  • MULLINAHOSE, BALLYBOFEY, CO DONEGAL

    Sale date
    Declared sale price
    €155,000.00
  • 264 ARD MAC, BALLYBOFEY, CARRON

    Sale date
    Declared sale price
    €145,000.00
  • 2 GLENFIN COURT, GLENFIN RD, BALLYBOFEY

    Sale date
    Declared sale price
    €126,000.00
  • 104 THE BEECHES, NAVENNY, BALLYBOFEY

    Sale date
    Declared sale price
    €272,000.00
  • CORRAINE, BALLYBOFEY, CO. DONEGAL

    Sale date
    Declared sale price
    €50,000.00

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: Approximately €1,500 calculated at the standard residential rate of 1% on the €150,000 asking price.
  • Solicitor legal fees: Generally range from €1,500 to €3,000 plus 23% VAT, plus conveyancing outlays.
  • Land registration fees: Around €400 to €600 payable to Tailte Éireann depending on the exact consideration value.
  • Property valuation fee: Typically between €150 and €300 if required by a mortgage lender.
  • Surveyor fees: Approximately €350 to €800 for an independent structural survey or engineer's report, which the buyer should verify given the property has been vacant for a number of years.
  • Annual home insurance: Roughly €300 to €600 per year depending on the policy coverage and insurer.

Forum Talk

What people are saying about this area

  • Locals and prospective buyers on social media have expressed strong interest in the property due to its traditional stone-built farmhouse style and scenic Glenfin location.
  • Discussions highlight that the property has been vacant for several years, making it a strong candidate for vacant home refurbishment grants.
  • Commenters note the potential for energy upgrade grants to improve the dwelling's efficiency alongside the structural renovation.
  • Community interest centers on its rural setting roughly 6km west of Ballybofey and Stranorlar, offering a balance of countryside seclusion and proximity to the towns.

LifeFit Assessment

How well this property may suit your lifestyle

Family

7 areas
  • Young Children

    The property features three bedrooms and outdoor space, but its rural roadside location near Ballybofey means parents should verify local traffic conditions and safety measures for young children.

    5/10
  • Teenagers

    Located in a rural setting roughly 6km from Ballybofey, teenagers may find the distance from local entertainment, public transport, and social hubs somewhat isolating.

    4/10
  • Multi-generational Living

    With three bedrooms, a single bathroom, and a traditional two-storey layout spanning a modest footprint, space is limited for extended family arrangements.

    3/10
  • Single Buyers

    At an asking price of €150,000 with A3 BER potential via grants, it offers an affordable entry point, though buyers should verify the scope of renovations needed after years of vacancy.

    6/10
  • Couples

    Provides a charming traditional farmhouse setting with great renovation potential for couples looking for a project in a scenic Donegal location.

    7/10
  • Empty Nesters

    Offers a peaceful rural lifestyle and manageable layout, though buyers should verify if the two-storey structure and traditional layout suit long-term needs as they age.

    6/10
  • Retirees

    While scenic and quiet, the rural location requires driving for amenities, and prospective retirees should inspect the property to evaluate accessibility and maintenance demands.

    5/10

Work

3 areas
  • Remote Working

    Provides a quiet rural environment well-suited for a home office setup, though buyers should verify local broadband availability and connection speeds.

    6/10
  • Hybrid Commuting

    Located roughly 6km from Ballybofey with longer commutes required for major employment hubs outside County Donegal.

    4/10
  • Retired

    An ideal setup for retirees seeking a tranquil countryside home to renovate and customize, provided they are comfortable with rural driving distances.

    8/10

Practical

8 areas
  • Ageing in Place

    The property features a ground-floor shower room, but it is a two-storey house with bedrooms upstairs and has been vacant for years, meaning significant adaptation would be required for long-term ageing in place.

    4/10
  • Low Maintenance

    Having been vacant for a number of years, the property requires substantial renovation and repair work, though it may qualify for vacant homes and energy upgrade grants.

    3/10
  • Secure Gated Entry

    The property opens directly onto the minor R253 road with outbuildings and a detached garage, lacking a formal secure gated entrance.

    2/10
  • Minimalist Design

    This is a traditional stone-built farmhouse featuring classic rooms, open fireplaces, and a country range rather than sleek minimalist architecture.

    3/10
  • Flexible Floor Plans

    Consists of standard reception rooms, a kitchen, and three bedrooms, offering potential for layout reconfigurations during the planned renovation works.

    5/10
  • Heritage Home

    Retains classic character as a traditional stone-built farmhouse-style two-storey dwelling with period features like open fires and timber ceilings.

    8/10
  • Ecological Setup

    Boasts an impressive A3 BER rating potential, and buyers should verify eligibility for SEAI Energy Upgrade Grants to improve its environmental efficiency.

    7/10
  • Outdoor areas

    Includes small storage sheds, an attached lean-to garage, a detached garage, and a garden area across the road, offering practical outdoor space.

    6/10

Interests

9 areas
  • Gardening

    Features an outdoor garden area across the road and extra land potential around the traditional farmhouse setup for keen gardeners to develop.

    7/10
  • Walking

    Set in the scenic Glenfin area, the location provides immediate access to rural roads and countryside walking routes, though buyers should verify pedestrian safety.

    8/10
  • Gym

    There are no commercial gym facilities within immediate walking distance, requiring a drive into the nearby Twin Towns for fitness centers.

    2/10
  • Cycling

    The surrounding scenic regional roads offer extensive cycling paths through the countryside, though cyclists should account for local rural traffic speeds.

    7/10
  • Golf

    Ballybofey and Stranorlar Golf Club is located within the general vicinity, offering regional access to golf enthusiasts.

    5/10
  • Fishing

    Co. Donegal and the Glenfin area are renowned for excellent local river and lake fishing opportunities, making this a great spot for anglers.

    8/10
  • Horse Riding

    The rural backroads and countryside setting offer a suitable backdrop for equestrian pursuits, though buyers should check for nearby stables and trail networks.

    6/10
  • Water Sports

    While inland lakes and distant coastal areas offer options, water sports facilities are not immediately on hand at this location.

    3/10
  • Entertaining

    Features a cozy sitting room, living room with an oil-fired range, and outdoor space, but the interior layout is traditional and compact for large gatherings.

    5/10

Lifestyle

5 areas
  • Quiet Living

    Situated in the scenic Glenfin area near Ballybofey, the property offers a peaceful, low-density rural environment away from major urban noise.

    9/10
  • Rural Living

    A traditional stone-built farmhouse style dwelling set amidst the countryside of Co. Donegal, complete with surrounding natural landscape and small storage sheds.

    10/10
  • Village Living

    The property is located about 6km west of Ballybofey and Stranorlar, placing it outside immediate village centers and requiring travel for daily conveniences.

    4/10
  • Coastal Living

    Co. Donegal has extensive coastline, but this specific inland location in Glenfin is far removed from immediate coastal amenities or beaches.

    2/10
  • Urban Living

    This is a distinctly rural property far from city centers, offering none of the characteristics associated with urban environments.

    1/10

Social

6 areas
  • Community Involvement

    Proximity to the wider Ballybofey and Glenfin community allows for participation in local clubs, events, and community groups.

    6/10
  • Café Culture

    Café options are sparse immediately outside the door, requiring a trip into the nearby towns for social dining and coffee spots.

    3/10
  • Nightlife

    The rural setting lacks immediate nightlife options, which are primarily concentrated further away in the local towns.

    2/10
  • Health/Wellness groups

    Most organized wellness groups, fitness classes, or health clubs will necessitate traveling into Ballybofey or Stranorlar.

    4/10
  • Networking Opportunities

    Professional networking infrastructure is minimal in this rural countryside zone, making it less optimal for business connectivity.

    2/10
  • Tech-Hub Connectivity

    There are no local tech hubs nearby, meaning remote professionals must rely entirely on their own home internet connections.

    2/10

Listing information

Agent
Agent details not available.
Published on HouseDelve
4 September 2026
Correction
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Property reference: HD-7822B1HouseDelve · Republic of Ireland

Estimate — not advice. Actual costs and outcomes can vary materially. Obtain current quotations and professional advice before making financial or property decisions.