The Great Getaway: 13 Irish Airbnbs perfect for group staycations this summer
From seaside coastal escapes to cosy log cabins, Victorian coach houses and thatched cottages; Ireland is blessed with the best when it comes to beautiful places to stay.
Two summers at home showed us that there are still plenty of local gems to discover and international travel may have resumed, but our love for staycations remains.
Some people will always favour hotels (of which there are many!), but Airbnbs offer much more freedom – particularly where groups are concerned.
Enabling you to really tailor your trip according to your needs, most places come fully equipped with just about anything you could possibly need while away and there’s a lot to be said for having access to a workable kitchen at any time of the day or night.
With that in mind, we took a look through some of the listings still available and picked out a few standouts. So, time to rally the troops and get booking.
Nanny Murphy’s Cottage, Co Longford
€140 a night, accommodates up to five guests
Craving peace and quiet? Nanny Murphy’s Cottage in Longford is the perfect midland retreat. All about tradition and culture, it boasts many authentic features from cob walls to an open fireplace… and yes, there’s even a neatly-piled stack of turf for that quintessential Irish experience. It also has a fully-equipped kitchen and large shower.
The Beach House, Co Sligo
€329 a night, accommodates up to nine guests
Located just 50 steps from the beach, it’s clear that this gorgeous property in Enniscrone, Co Sligo, is aptly named. Overlooking the sparkling Atlantic Ocean, it’s home to some of the west coast’s best views and with a large outdoor balcony area, it has plenty of space for guests to catch up with friends and family over the summer.
Log Cabin, Co Cavan
€500 a night, accommodates up to nine guests
Only a two-minute drive from the small market town of Shercock, the Log Cabin can be found near Lough Silan in Cavan, which boasts some of the best course fishing in Europe. Featuring a designated games room (with a bar!), an outdoor decking area and BBQ and a telescope in the turret room, you definitely won’t be stuck for ways to entertain yourself here.
Stone Townhouse, Co Clare
€300 a night, accommodates up to six guests
Oozing character and charm, this 120-year-old stone property in Lahinch opens right out onto the water. Featuring an open-plan kitchen and dining room, it has two private bedrooms – one with a double bed, the other with two single beds – while the third bedroom is an open loft with two single beds.
Castlepollard Cottage, Co Westmeath
€195 a night, accommodates up to nine guests
Situated on 231 acres in the middle of the Irish countryside, Castlepollard Cottage sits at the end of a long avenue under Knockeyon (the second-highest hill in Westmeath. A great option for active holidaymakers, the property has access to a range of different activities with everything from a trampoline to croquet, tennis, swimming and scenic woodland nature trails to keep you busy.
Ballinskelligs Wild Atlantic Way, Co Kerry
€160 a night, accommodates up to eight guests
Sitting pretty along the Wild Atlantic Way, this beautiful home in Kerry has both nature and culture on its doorstep with tourist favourites such as Valentia Island and Skellig Rock (a famous Star Wars filming location) nearby. The property also offers guests direct access from the garden to the blue flag beach below. You can’t get much better than that.
Ardcarne Lodge, Co Roscommon
€285 a night, accommodates up to nine guests
A beautifully-restored stable house perched on the magnificent grounds of an old rectory, Ardcarne Lodge dates all the way back to 1807. Only a short distance away from Lough Key Forest & Activity Park and conveniently located between Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands, the Wild Atlantic Way and Ireland’s Ancient East, it’s an ideal base from which to explore our little country.
Catherine’s Cottage, Co Galway
€385 a night, accommodates up to six guests
One of three courtyard cottages at Ross Castle in Galway, Catherine’s Cottage is every bit as picturesque as it looks and the lush gardens, colourful flowers and dainty garden furniture will help you feel like you’re Daphne Bridgerton in no time.
Mill House, Co Kilkenny
€350 a night, accommodates up to 10 guests
An 18th-century coach house in Nore Valley, it’s clear from the quaint ivy-adorned exterior that Mill House is something special. An expansive yet cosy property apportioned over the first floor in a tranquil courtyard, it features a large kitchen/dining area with a separate sitting room, wood-burning stove, and outdoor deck area too.
Errit House, Co Mayo
€512 a night, accommodates up to 12 guests
Spanning 31 acres of private family farmland, Errit House straddles the Mayo/Roscommon border, with nothing but green fields and blue skies (weather dependent, of course) as far as the eye can see. Well-equipped for large gatherings, this place has just about everything and anything you could possibly need for a summer staycation – including an electric car charging point and a hot tub which even has a built-in speaker and LED lights that can change colour.
Sheila’s Cottage, Co Kerry
€350 a night, accommodates up to six guests
Hiking enthusiasts will love Sheila’s Cottage in Co Kerry which offers spectacular panoramic views of MacGillycuddy Reeks and Ireland’s highest mountain, Carrauntoohill. Flooded with golden sunshine by day and twinkling stars by night, the addition of several large windows means that you can just sit back and take it all in, whatever the time.
Hunters Lodge, Co Kilkenny
€270 a night, accommodates up to six people
Synonymous with opulence and grandeur, Hunters Lodge would give any luxurious five-star hotel a run for its money. Just a 30-minute drive from Kilkenny city, the lodge is surrounded by nature and looks down upon the picturesque village of Inistioge – incidentally the location for multiple big-screen movies.
The Glendalough Lodge, Co Wicklow
€350 a night, accommodates up to nine guests
Another worthy choice for those looking to get out in nature, the Glendalough Lodge is – as the name suggests – right next to Glendalough in Co Wicklow. Sitting at the top of Laragh Village, it’s only a two-minute drive to the nearby lake and is listed by the Irish Government as a building of historical significance and importance. Ordinarily a private home, the entire house is available for each letting.
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