Donegal County

As of June 2026, Donegal Town, Letterkenny, Bundoran have 1,455 active Airbnb and VRBO listings. This represents a 8% decrease from the previous year.

The average Airbnb or VRBO in Donegal County generates €18K per year. High-performing properties earn €37K/year, while low-performing properties earn €9K/year. The substantial variance between high and low tiers suggests that revenue potential is heavily concentrated in a specific subset of listings, rather than being distributed evenly across the market.

Airbnb and VRBO can be profitable in Donegal County. Average annual revenue is €18K with 32% occupancy. High-performing properties earn up to €37K/year. A 32% occupancy rate points to a seasonal or niche-driven market where premium earners differentiate themselves by capturing a disproportionate share of the limited available demand.

The average occupancy rate for Airbnbs and VRBOs in Donegal County is 32%. This occupancy level, combined with an average nightly rate of €172, results in a RevPAR (revenue per available room) of €32 per day.

4+ bedroom properties demonstrate the strongest performance in Donegal County, with annual revenue of €24K. These properties balance operating costs and rental demand most effectively in the Donegal County market. Property performance varies significantly by location, amenities, and management quality.

Short-term rental regulations vary by jurisdiction in the Donegal County area. Donegal Town: Lenient. Planning permission required for material change of use, but enforcement minimal. Most hosts operate without formal approval. Light oversight. Letterkenny: Lenient. Planning permission theoretically needed for short-term lets, rarely enforced. Hosts commonly list properties without permits. Minimal enforcement. Bundoran: Lenient. Planning rules apply but seldom enforced given tourism economy. High density of vacation rentals operates informally. Very light enforcement. Always verify current regulations with local authorities and obtain necessary permits before operating a short-term rental.

The Donegal County Airbnb and VRBO market is currently showing balanced conditions. Supply has declined 8% year-over-year, while RevPAR has decreased 13%. This indicates balanced supply-demand dynamics. The simultaneous contraction in supply and revenue suggests that demand is softening at a rate that currently outpaces the reduction in inventory.

Launch around May, 2-3 months before peak summer season (August peaks). This pre-peak timing lets you build reviews when competition is 1% lower than peak months. Avoid launching during peak season when established listings dominate, or slow months (November-January) when gaining traction is harder.

The most common amenities in Donegal County listings include: Kitchen (96%), Tv (89%), Heating (89%), Washing Machine (80%), Private Yard (65%). Amenities that boost revenue the most include Hot Tub, Bbq, Washing Machine, with Hot Tub properties earning approximately 20% more (€38K/year vs €32K/year).

Monthly estimated revenue per listing in Donegal County over the last 12 months: May: €1K, June: €1K, July: €2K, August: €2K, September: €976, October: €919, November: €611, December: €848, January: €506, February: €543, March: €814, April: €1K. These figures are based on RevPAR (revenue per available room) multiplied by the number of days in each month.

The overall average nightly rate in Donegal County is €172, up 28% year-over-year. By property size: 1-bedroom properties average €116/night, 2-bedroom properties average €155/night, 3-bedroom properties average €175/night, 4+ bedroom properties average €277/night. Rates peak in December and are lowest in May.

Guests in Donegal County book an average of 40 days in advance, down 21% from last year. By property size: 1-bedroom: 35 days, 2-bedroom: 40 days, 3-bedroom: 40 days, 4+ bedroom: 45 days. Larger properties tend to have longer booking windows as guests plan group trips further ahead.

Over the past year, the Donegal County Airbnb and VRBO market has seen the following changes: supply declined 8%, revenue per listing decreased 13%, occupancy fell 10%, average nightly rates increased 28%, and lead time decreased 21%. The sharp rise in nightly rates alongside falling occupancy signals a pricing environment that may be struggling to align with current consumer booking behaviors.

In Donegal County, Saturday sees the highest booking demand while Tuesday has the lowest. Nightly rates peak on Saturday and are lowest on Wednesday. Weekends show 34% higher occupancy than weekdays.