Book a seaside holiday home with a swimming pool in Ireland

It is only when you give in to those requests from younger family members to book one of those self-catering cottage holidays with a swimming pool that you realise what a good idea they have come up with…yep, those little tongues can certainly flap some common sense if you really stop and listen. But if the kids get to choose the cottage, it is only fair that the grown-ups should decide the location. If you love folk dancing, music, a drop of the hard stuff, verdant green landscapes, historic ruins and scenic castles then Ireland is your port of call…So key in ‘self-catering cottage holidays with a swimming pool in coastal Ireland’ and let the magic unfold….

The moment you arrive the pool will have that innate ability to surgically remove technology from young hands. Yep…when the water starts a splashin’ the ipods, mobile phones, tv’s and computers start relaxin’ because a swimming pool puts an instant end to unhealthy distractions. Gone will be the sound of text messages and in will be the sound of good old fashioned laughter, splashing and fun…yep, the swimming pool is a cool way of strengthening that family bond. What could be more pleasurable than cooking up a treat in the garden whilst watching the family enjoy the splash of your cash?  Not only that…a self-catering holiday cottage with a swimming pool is very cost effective as the bath becomes the main attraction…meaning you do not have to spend a fortune on expensive days out to keep the kids amused.

They say that the best things in life are free and if you are on a budget, Ireland is the best place to keep the cash flowing at a rate you can afford. In fact, there are many activities you can enjoy with the family without having to spend a single penny! Whether you are looking for paddling paradise, wet and wild or staggeringly serene, coastal Ireland awaits the pitter patter of your family’s feet…

The beauty of a self-catering holiday cottage with a swimming pool in coastal Northern Ireland

Rent a holiday cottage in Northern Ireland and challenge the family to a hike along the stunning and natural formation which is the North Antrim Coast…ramble through a beautiful tapestry of ever changing colours and scenery set against a striking coastal backdrop…pass through the nine Glens of Antrim where emerald hills unfold before your very eyes and you are refreshed by the sound of rushing waterfalls and enchanted woodland…Or if you fancy somewhere mythical…filled with ancient legends… the Causeway Coast will lead you nicely into the Giants Causeway… an area of natural outstanding beauty. You cannot help but gasp at the rugged symmetry of those basalt columns, cut with such precision you could almost think they were hand carved by machinery…but those hexagonal stones were formed from volcanic activity over 60 million years ago and act as a natural rampart against roaring Atlantic storms…it is wonders such as these which open the mind to the wonderful forces of nature. Whilst you are here…inspire the children with the mythical tale of Finn Mc Cool…the giant who was challenged to fight an enemy on the other side of the sea. He built these huge stepping stones to avoid getting his feet wet whilst crossing to face his opponent...hence these gorgeous structures...wait for their little faces to light up with amazement when they view these columns from a younger but equally rewarding perspective! The Benone Strand rests on the west side of the Causeway Coastal Route…here you can head into a land of peace and tranquillity…where folds of golden sand stretch for miles…for most of the year it is so peaceful, it is almost deserted…so deserted you will struggle to find a toe-stubbing rock a piece of shingle or seaweed…

The beauty of a self-catering holiday cottage with swimming pool in coastal Southern Ireland

If you rent a holiday cottage in the south-west coastal region the kids could head out in June to learn if Fungi, the dolphin is real or just a mythical fairy tale…tell them the story and hop on board a boat in Dingle, County Kerry…the ride is free unless you spot him…the kids will love looking out for this gorgeous creature and if they find him, the look on their faces will be worth catching on camera…and Fungi will certainly expect his share of attention from the camera lens as he frolic’s before your very eyes, his body twisting, arching and dipping….gathering up speed alongside the boat and then flipping high into the air, showing off his prominent white belly…pulling every trick out of the sea to delight his audience. And if this has whet the kid’s appetite, how about some whale spotting in the Dingle Peninsula? If you look carefully you might see a humpback or a Minke whale…look out for those giants of the underworld, rare gentle giants spanning over 20 feet in length. Older children may be more intrigued with the Titanic Pier in Cobh, County Cork, for this marks the spot where the famous ship sailed off with its final passengers. A great piece of history to educate, fascinate and captivate young minds. If your teenagers have not seen the movie, hire out a copy and nestle down with the family in your cosy holiday cottage with popcorn at the ready and plenty of tissues for the dramatic and poignant ending! 

No doubt the kids will want to take another splash in the pool when they return…what better way to round off those stimulating walks and tales of giants than with a few more dips and splashes in the water to drain out that last bit of youthful energy. In fact, your little brood will be so worn out by the end of each day, they will let ‘you’ know when they are ready for bed and it will be earlier than you think! If you were not able to kiss the Blairney Stone in County Cork…no need to worry…one of your wishes will already have been granted, for the kids will be sound asleep before you know it!