Holiday rentals in Ireland

Sitting between the United Kingdom and the vast expanse of the Atlantic Ocean in the northwest of Europe, Ireland is a country rich in myth and legend filled with luscious green vales, rolling mountains, and rugged seascapes. The ancient east of the country houses numerous historic structures, including Neolithic sites such as Newgrange, ruined abbeys like Glendalough Monastery, and fortresses including the Rock of Cashel. This region is also home to the capital of Ireland — the buzzing, cosmopolitan city of Dublin — with its museums, Georgian architecture, energetic nightlife, and traditional pubs, where visitors come to enjoy the craic.

The west boasts famously consistent waves at Lahinch, drawing surfers from far and wide, along with the Wild Atlantic Way, a 2,600-kilometre coastal road stretching from Kinsale in the south to Derry in the north and showcasing towering cliffs and a glacial fjord along the route. Cities including Galway and Limerick keep traditional folk music, Irish dancing, and the country’s ancient language alive in stone-built local pubs, while the circular Ring of Kerry route takes in thundering waterfalls and sweeping coastal vistas.

Awe-inspiring landscapes give Ireland year-round appeal, whether heading for the beaches in the summer or watching the waves crash against the Cliffs of Moher in the winter. The busiest months of the year are July and August during the school holidays, when visitors make the most of warmer temperatures and outdoor restaurant tables spill out onto the streets of Dublin. Rain is common even in the summer, when you may experience different seasons within just a few hours. However, Ireland experiences its highest rainfall and strongest winds blowing in from the Atlantic from autumn to spring. Bear in mind that some boat services, such as to Skellig Michael island and the Aran Islands, normally only operate in the peak season. Rain or shine, a weekend-long seafood festival brings seafood lovers to the west coast city each September.

Dublin

Perched at the mouth of the River Liffey on the country’s eastern coast, the cosmopolitan city of Dublin is the capital of Ireland, boasting more than 1,000 years of history, from the 9th-century manuscript the Book of Kells at Trinity College and St Patrick’s Cathedral right up the way through to Capital Dock. Visitors can soak up the atmosphere of hurling and Gaelic football at Croke Park and get a taste of the city’s whisky and stout-making heritage.

Cliffs of Moher

Take a walk along the Doolin Cliff Walk midway down the west coast of Ireland to reach one of the most photographed sites in the country, the dramatic Cliffs of Moher. The cliffs feature sheer drops of up to more than 200 metres and are around eight kilometres in length. Stop by in the early morning to see the mist rising up from crashing Atlantic waves.

Blarney Castle

The partially-ruined Blarney Castle on the outskirts of Cork in the south of Ireland is almost 600 years old. Sprawling grounds feature lush ferns, tranquil woodland, and even a poison garden. The castle is also home to the legendary Blarney Stone — it is said that if someone kisses it, it will grant them the power of great eloquence or ‘the gift of the gab.’