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Surround yourself with beauty and enjoy a good value cottage holiday in Ireland

The Irish countryside is a wonderful place for a little get away, and there are endless villages you could visit while you are there to get a feel for the people and culture.  Rent a holiday cottage in one of the most beautiful places in Ireland and surround yourself with stunning scenery and scenes that bring joy to your heart and pocket.

Beautiful places to stay in County Kerry

Everyone knows about County Kerry, its beautiful landscapes, the fabulous beaches, picturesque harbours, friendly pubs, gourmet food and multitude of visitor attractions. Portmagee and Baltimore, in County Kerry, are all perfect for a couple wanting to spend a weekend away as they are full of culture and romance. If walking is your call, why not visit Derrynane, or Roundwood? They are all filled with walking trails, mountains and incredible coastlines, perfect if you want to bring your dog.  Many holiday homes allow guests to bring their dogs with them when they book a self-catering break.

Sneem is the place to be if you enjoy driving or cycling, there are miles of country roads with views of the rugged mountains. In addition, a famous river goes through the village, stay for a few days or just visit for a day out exploring. There are plenty of cafes for an afternoon tea, Irish style.

Tralee

Tralee is another name that regularly pops up when people talk about good places to holiday in Ireland.

Have you booked your summer holiday yet? If you’re thinking you’d like to get away, but aren’t sure if you want to spend your break at the same old resort – why not consider taking a holiday cottage in Tralee, County Kerry? Tralee is one of the most popular areas of Ireland in the world, and is frequented by thousands of tourists from many different countries every year. The pretty Irish town is famous for its Rose of Tralee event which is held each year, and attracts a fun festival atmosphere. Staying at a cottage means that you can enjoy all the benefits of this gorgeous little spot completely at your own convenience, and at a budget to suit you.

Easy access from the rest of Ireland and the UK

If you’ve ever had to sit through a two-hour flight to get to your destination, and endured the expense – a cottage break in Tralee is the perfect antidote. You can drive from anywhere in the UK to Ireland by getting the ferry from Scotland. If you are driving to get to your cottage, you have the option of tailoring your journey to meet your own requirements. Don’t want to drive for hours on end or miss out on some of Ireland’s other stunning areas of interest along the way? Going self-catering means that you are in control, and you can create your own itinerary that can be as relaxed as you want it to be.

Good value holiday homes - save money on expensive hotels

Taking a holiday cottage in Tralee means that you get to enjoy all the modern conveniences that you would expect with any break – but without the crippling expense and added extras like safe or laundry costs. If you choose to enjoy a drink from the fridge in your cottage, it’s not going to come with a huge mark-up – which means that you have more money to spend on other aspects of your break. Use what you’ve saved to visit Kerry County Museum and theme park, ideal for kids, or check out the beach and riversides for gorgeous (and free!) spots to have a lovely picnic.

Biennerville Windmill in Tralee

A laid-back holiday in Wicklow and the mountains

Alternatively, if you are feeling the need for more of a laid-back break visit Laragh in County Wicklow and explore the monastic settlement of Glendalough, then maybe go to a pub for your dinner before settling back into your cottage for a night of relaxation and peace.  

If you are planning a family getaway or have a passion for photography, I would highly recommend you to visit Derrynane. Home of Derrynane House and the missing road. It has a lot to offer, including the breath-taking views of the mountains. Spend the day at the beach with all the family then perhaps you are wanting a bit of a community touch, go visit one of the pubs for a local pub quiz. If you enjoy wildlife, I would highly recommend you book a sightseeing tour to the Skellig Islands where you may see Grey seals, Basking sharks, minke whales, dolphins, beaked whales and sea turtles. This would be perfect for the kids so they can get an insight into marine wildlife. If they are wanting to adventure more, take another day at the beach, rent some canoes or kayaks, and take them out onto the water for a few hours. After a night of laughter, or a day in the sun, you can settle down at your cottage with a nice book and a home cooked meal.  Rent a holiday cottage in Ireland with a garden and you could find yourself taking a snooze in a hammock.

Messing about with boats on holiday in Ireland

If you are interested in boats, visit Glasson and book a tour on one of the many barges they have, it would be a small adventure for the kids to partake in. However, if you fancy a getaway with your friends, visit Rosses. It has golfing facilities, yachting facilities as well as sea angling and boat charters. It would be perfect for a relaxed week of sailing.  

Active Irish holidays

Aughrim is the perfect place if you love sports. It offers everything from hiking to horse riding and even stretches as far as archery. There are classes for beginners in pretty much any sport possible as well as arts and crafts lessons for the children. For the adults, there are also world renowned spas and swimming facilities. 

Explore Roscrea in Tipperary

Book a cottage holiday in Roscrea, one of the oldest towns in Ireland. Having your own place to settle down for a few days establishes a base to come home to at nights.  The town has a wide selection of shops and pubs that make self-catering in a holiday cottage effortless. If you run out of milk, pop down to the shop. If the shop is closed, you go to the pub to eat out. Go with the flow in Roscrea.

This interesting town has an eclectic mix of houses through the ages, some in very strong red, green and blue shades that are only seen in Ireland. Stare in bewilderment at the Roscrea round tower in Church Street. This was once part of a monastery complex which has now been converted to an elegant glass-fronted museum and the tower has been left standing like a sentinel to the past.  There are numerous relics dating back to the 12th century in and around Roscrea.

Any holiday home that you rent is likely to be much younger, modern and comfortable, although some people like to stay in houses furnished with antiques. Take a look at the cottages, houses and apartments available to rent and see if there is somewhere that you would like as a base for your self-catering holiday in Tipperary.

Book a cottage break in County Cork

If history is what draws you to visit a place, go to Leighlinbridge in County Cork. It is laced with history and incredible architecture including the black castle - one of the earliest Norman castles, Bawn wall, and the ruin of the original Carmelite priory, which ages back to 1270.  Photographers and arty types will fall in love with the picturesque landscapes and the many sculptures you can find dotted around the village.  

For a scenic coastline and seaside holiday homes, there are few places more stunning than the Beara peninsula. Part County Kerry, part County Cork, a holiday in Beara is one of charming fishing harbours, good fish restaurants, walks along the coast and boat trips to go dolphin and whale watching. View a list of holiday homes on the Beara Peninsula.

Find holiday cottages in County Cork to rent for a few days.  A cottage with a garden and BBQ in County Cork adds a place to relax outdoors when the sun shines. And there is always an opportunity to visit the City of Cork for a day out as a contrast to a lazy rural holiday.

Colourful Cork City

Top-notch Irish breaks

For those with deep pockets and used to luxurious getaways, go to Termonfeckin and book a chauffeur tour of Ireland. Your knowledgeable guide offers specialist insight into all of the towns and these can be private or open tours.  

Adare is the place to visit if you fancy a weekend away with the girls. Boutiques, exclusive brands; it has it all. There is even a spa in case you are wanting to wind down and relax. There is also plenty of high-class bars and restaurants for the nigh ttime if you want to get dressed up to go for an elegant drink. 

The bright colours of Adare

Dunmore East in Waterford would be another village perfect for a family getaway. Museums, sailing clubs, a race course, an adventure park, art galleries and beaches with coves, it has the perfect facilities if you have an arty family that enjoys laid back weekends away.  

Killaloe in County Clare has a fascinating history. From a sixth-century monastic settlement to St Flannans cathedral to St. Lua's Oratory, it is the perfect place for people who enjoy the past and who have a thirst for knowledge of it. It is also thriving with a wonderful tight knit community that would be able to recount stories of old and fabled people, especially after a few drinks.

Moynalty in County Meath is the place to go if you enjoy walking in the countryside. Every walk leads to a new discovery. It may be different wild flowers in the grass verge or unusual breeds of cattle in the fields.  It is a bit more laid-back than the rest of the county and consists of just a few, but smart, streets. It would be perfect to walk around the village and find some hidden gems that may take the form of pubs, cafes or little art galleries.  Visitors cannot fail but appreciate the charm of the white and blue house next door to the village store, or admire the yellow pub and the hanging baskets that adorn Main Street during the summer.