Me and my girlfriend don't drive, so we got a train to Derry, and a bus that goes to Buncrana, but stops at Fahan, and to be honest, the bus driver would happily have left us off at the door. Immediately I could see, Location - Location - Location.
Walking down the steps from the main street, and seeing such a gorgeous landscape, textured with hills, and the Lough, looking over to the nearby Inch Island...it was magical...and turning around to see the flat, and the bench which is sheltered under a veranda, I knew that I could stay here gazing out at that view all evening.
I loved that we could let ourselves in with the key in a keysafe, which is so handy. Sometimes I love meeting the hosts, and other times I love the total autonomy of letting myself in. The flat had everything I needed, and even had a cooker, and we had brought food with us, not knowing what would be available (and I eat vegan so have more limited options).
There is a filling station with a fairly basic shop, about a fifteen minute walk away, and on the way there is a lovely piece of history at St. Mura's Monastery, with the ancient Cross-Slab dating back to the 6th Century. We also went for a walk straight from the flat, around the little harbour, and there are other walks along the coast from there. It is quite magical being on the shores of Lough Swilly, and we even got our feet wet on the way back, as the tide had come in, but that just added to the adventure (btw you can walk back along the road and avoid wet feet). We picked up some bottles of beer to take away from the Railway Tavern, which, on a winter's night may have been a lovely place to while away the evening, but, we were fully intent to soak up the beauty on the bench at the flat (so, I probably would have brought some bottles of wine as the tavern charge restaurant prices) I had brought some blankets with me, and some fairy lights that I use in my tent when I am camping. My girlfriend put on some tunes, and we sat, loving where we were. We weren't lucky enough to get a sunset, but, it is a perfect spot for that potential.
It was lovely waking up in the morning, to see the water had receded, and people were out walking their dogs and taking strolls along the coast again, and the Heron were flying around, and the Robin was visiting, probably hoping for some bagel crumbs. Being somewhere like this in the morning, with a coffee in my hand, is pretty idyllic...and I hope it is for you too. I didn't have a big budget, and this place was so affordable, but offered so much, that I intend to come back, hopefully for several days.
We walked from Fahan, up to Buncrana, partly on footpaths and then on the beach, which was lovely, and then headed on up to Malin Head. So, Fahan for me, and especially this apartment, were very much part of this trip.