Ireland holiday lettings: Cottages & more

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Destination guide

Enjoying holiday homes in Ireland

A land of myth and legend and vibrant humanity, the fabled Emerald Isle has long inspired poets and painters and travellers. Rising like an ancient relic between the frothing waves of the Atlantic Ocean and the Irish Sea, it's home to bucket-list cities like Dublin and Cork, where traces of fearsome Vikings mingle with foot-stomping Gaelic pubs. Leaving the slosh of Guinness behind, you can also delve into the wild hinterland by opting for Ireland holiday lettings that are more off the beaten track. They dot the salt-washed cliffs of the rugged Ring of Kerry or nestle in the folds of the Wicklow Mountains, where mystical stone circles inspire spine-tingling tales of faeries and wizards.

History

Exploring rich history near Ireland holiday lets

The sheer length of Ireland's long history is enough to flabbergast and amaze. Some of the relics found studding the wild Irish hills were there even before the pyramids of Giza were built. You can see those mysterious Neolithic relics in County Meath, where the UNESCO-attested Bru na Boinne and its haunting rough-stone tombs and monuments go back more than 5,000 years, by some estimations. Vikings also helped to forge this land. The Dublinia and Viking Ireland Exhibition in the capital can help to immerse you in their world of swords and daring seafaring. And that's not even mentioning the lichen-spotted castles that cling to the countryside fells. The sumptuous Kilkenny Castle and the half-ruined remains of Blarney Castle – home of the famous Blarney Stone, the Stone of Eloquence – are 2 of the most popular to visit.

How to get around

How to get around Ireland

Trains, planes, cars, buses and boats all combine to make hopping around the Emerald Isle nice and easy. Renting your own wheels is a great way to go if you really want the freedom to explore the wilder reaches of counties like Kerry and Wicklow, or have booked Ireland holiday rentals in more off-the-beaten-track places. Getting from Dublin to other major cities can be done on the national railway network, which has modern carriages and, most of the time, truly beautiful routes that weave through mountains and along wave-splashed coastlines. More adventurous travellers might like to hit the long-distance greenways on a bike – they run for 100s of miles to connect the north, south, east and west of the country.

Food & drink

The must-try foods of Ireland

Irish cuisine is synonymous with hearty, filling comfort food. You'll never be short of potatoes on an island that's been famed for the rustic veg since time immemorial. Creamy colcannon is a must-try, a medley of homegrown spuds mashed together with cabbage or wild kale and oodles of Irish butter. You should be sure to sample the fish in towns like Sligo and Galway during the spring and autumn salmon runs. And don't miss the celebrated shellfish of the Atlantic coast. Irish stouts and whiskeys are staples on the drinks front. Those staying in Ireland holiday lettings in Dublin can visit the very source of those tipples, whether at the Guinness Brewery, or the Jameson Distillery on Bow Street.

Essential info

Facts to know when staying in an Ireland holiday let

Ireland drives on the left-hand side of the road, so you won't have to change sides if you're passing across the UK border from Northern Ireland
The currency in Ireland is the euro
It's normal to leave a 10% tip in Irish restaurants
You can call 112 or 999 in case of an emergency in Ireland
Ireland experiences changeable weather for much of the year, so it's always wise to pack a raincoat and something warm

Events

Ireland: An island of festivals

Thousands of years of heritage and a local passion for having a good old time combine to make Ireland a top place to let loose, party and hit a festival or 2. The obvious choice is St Paddy's Day, which turns the whole capital of Dublin, and countless other towns and cities, into a sea of Leprechaun green come early spring. Folk music rollicks in the pubs then, while parades bring energy to the streets. A smaller festival in little Clonmellon celebrates the nation's favourite food – the humble potato. Hit that to taste spuds in all forms, mingle with locals and watch peeling competitions. And then there's the centuries-old Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival, which draws more than 60,000 people with the promise of traditional dances, processions and love-finding rituals.

How many holiday rentals are available around Ireland?

Our 2019 accommodation listings offer a large selection of 5,297 holiday lettings around Ireland. From 2,598 Cottages to 1,505 Houses, find unique self catering accommodation for you to enjoy a memorable stay with your family and friends for a long holiday or a weekend break.

What are the most popular destinations to visit in Ireland?

There are many lovely places to stay for a long holiday or just a weekend break in Ireland. From HomeAway travellers, the popular destinations to visit are:

Dublin: 643 holiday homes
County Donegal: 394 holiday homes
Galway: 793 holiday homes
Galway: 226 holiday homes
Cork: 122 holiday homes

HomeAway offers you the possibility to discover many other popular destinations in Ireland! Please use our search bar to access the selection of self catering accommodations available in other popular destinations.

What are the main cities to discover in Ireland?

Whether you are travelling solo or with family and friends, here are the cities in Ireland with the largest selection of holiday lettings for a perfect city break:

Dublin: 643 holiday lettings
Galway: 226 holiday lettings
Cork: 122 holiday lettings
Killarney: 435 holiday lettings
Donegal: 65 holiday lettings

For other cities, please use our search bar to access the selection of holiday homes available.

Can I find easy access holiday homes when travelling by plane to Ireland?

Yes of course. Our owners offer a large selection of self catering accommodations near to airports. Airports with a large selection of self catering accommodations in Ireland are:

Ireland West Knock Airport (NOC): 83 self catering accommodations
Kerry Airport (KIR): 294 self catering accommodations
Letterkenny (LTR-Letterkenny Airfield): 101 self catering accommodations

For other airports, please use our search bar to access the selection of holiday rentals available.

What are the most popular points of interest and landmarks to stay near in Ireland?

HomeAway offers a large selection of holiday lettings near great places to visit in Ireland. From HomeAway travellers, the top popular points of interest to stay for a holiday trip or just for a weekend are:

Rossnowlagh Beach: 136 holiday rentals
Banna Beach: 235 holiday rentals
Portsalon Beach: 146 holiday rentals
Ireland's Eye: 627 holiday rentals
Malin Head: 78 holiday rentals

But there are many other points of interest around Ireland listed on HomeAway where you can find your place to stay. Just write your wanted destination in our search bar and have a look at our selection of holiday accommodations.