Cosy cottages, beach houses, lakeside retreats and designer homes, these holiday homes in Ireland are sure to give you wanderlust.
Holiday homes in Ireland have never been more sought after, so much so that I decided to search some alternatives to Airbnb. I have many posts on Airbnbs in Ireland on my website, but for anyone looking for more options – I found them! VRBO, which is an acronym for ‘vacation rentals by owner’, is owned by Expedia group and they have 1000’s of holiday homes in Ireland listed – and a whopping 2 million rentals all over the world.
I’ve spent sometime searching their website and picked out some of my favourite holiday homes in Ireland near the coast. I will bring you lots more posts in the coming months, featuring romantic retreats and lakeside cabins, but for now, feast your eyes on these and get planning your next holiday in Ireland.
All properties are highly recommended from previous guests – so you should receive a warm welcome and great service. Some of these top holiday homes in Ireland are already fully booked during July and August, but you should find availability at other times. If you are looking for holiday homes in Ireland during July and August, these posts have been updated (12th April ) to show live availability:
Read: Holiday homes and Airbnbs on the Wild Atlantic Way availabile in July and August
Read: 20 self catering breaks in July and August – 3 Night stays from €410
I also designed cool maps that will allow you search hotels and holiday homes in your desired location, see more below. Note, the links to these holiday homes in Ireland are affiliate links, where I will receive a small commission if a booking is made, but at no additional cost to you.
20 Gorgeous Holiday Homes in Ireland:
1. Three-bedroom Home in Killorglin on the Ring of Kerry
This charming hilltop home is located on the Ring of Kerry and offers stunning views of the highest mountain in Ireland, Carrauntouhill. Dingle bay can also be seen, as well as the town of Killorglin, which is just a five minute drive / 15 minute walk away.
Killorglin has a wide selection of shops, bars and restaurants and is located just 13 miles from Killarney and 32 miles from Dingle. The gorgeous Blue Flag beach at Rossbeigh is just a short drive away.
2. Seal Rock, Two-Bedroom Designer Stone Cottage, Kerry
Seal Rock Cottage is a stunning holiday home beside the sea in Rossmore Island, Kerry. It is situated on an acre and is connected to the Ring of Kerry by an ancient stone bridge.
It is clear from the stylish decor and furnishings that the home was designed by a professional interior designer, but the exterior is impressive too. The landscaped gardens retain many of the natural features including a stream and mini-waterfalls, and there is an ocean-side terrace and private beach to enjoy. Note: children under 12 are not accepted.
Search more hotels and holiday homes in Kerry here:
3. Lakeside Retreat in Tourmakeady, Mayo
I loved visiting Mayo last year and think this gorgeous house offers the best of both worlds – a peaceful lakeside location, with the benefit of being just over 20km from the Wild Atlantic Way and the vibrant town of Westport.
Enjoy magnificent views of the lake from inside the house or from the large furnished terrace. This one-bedroom home is a great find, and can sleep up to four people.
Read: Top 10 things to do in Mayo
See more here
Search more hotels and holiday homes in Mayo here:
4. Four-bedroom luxury home in the heart of Galway City – Sleeps 11
Located on the most photographed street in Ireland, this stylish home is on situated on a row of historic town houses which attracts visitors from around the world, including Ed Sheeran, who featured it in the video for “Galway Girl”.
This large home is beautifully furnished and offers gorgeous sea views, as well as being just minutes from the heart of Galway city. The Latin Quarter is just 100 metres from the house, where you will find an abundance of pubs and restaurants. This is one of the best holiday homes in Ireland for extended families or groups.
Read: 25 Airbnbs in Ireland for groups or large family holidays
5. Shorehaven, 3-bedroom home, Quilty, Clare
Located just 500 meters from the village of Quilty, and a stone’s throw from the Atlantic Ocean, this is a superb holiday home to explore the beaches and villages of Clare and the Wild Atlantic Way. However, with views like this, will you want to leave? This must be one of the best holiday homes in Ireland beside the sea.
6. Browns Cottage, Annestown Beach, Waterford
View this post on Instagram
Browns cottage is located on the gorgeous Copper Coast in Waterford, a place I had the pleasure of visiting a few years ago. With Annestown Beach just 200 metres away, and the Comeragh mountains and the Waterford Greenway close by, you will be spoilt for choice with the many great attractions in Waterford.
Read: Top 10 things to do in the Munster Vales
See more here
Search more hotels and holiday homes in Waterford here:
7. Ballinglanna, Four-Bedroom Home, West Cork
This large holiday home beside the sea in Ireland is situated at the end of a cul-de-sac of holiday homes, with no passing traffic to block those stunning Atlantic views. The charming seaside town of Clonakilty is just 11km away, and with West Cork and the Wild Atlantic Way on your doorstep, the possibilities for day trips are endless.
8. Oyster Bay 4-bedroom holiday home in Connemara, Galway
This large family home is beautifully situated beside the sea, and offers panoramic views over Ballinakill Bay and Leitir Hill. It is located close to the village of Letterfrack and the entrance to the Connemara National Park, and Kylemore Abbey is just 4km away. Minimum stay seven nights.
9. The Stone House, Fanore, Clare
How stunning is this house? It was purposely built to resemble a stone barn and it is fair to say the owners succeeded! This two-bedroom cottage has a Great Room on the second floor with breathtaking sea views from its floor to ceiling windows, and the interiors and design are modern throughout.
The beach, O’Donohue’s Pub, a small grocery shop and a fabulous restaurant are within walking distance, and the Cliffs of Moher is just 10 miles away. This will surely be one of the most popular coastal holiday homes in Ireland.
10. Inch Beach, Kerry – Choice of holiday homes in Ireland
Inch beach is arguably one of the best locations if you are looking for holiday homes beside the sea in Ireland. There are a selection of homes available, but I found two that are offer stunning views over this amazing beach, and are just a short drive from Dingle town.
See more here
Beach View cottage has been newly refurbished and offers luxurious furnishings and a gorgeous outdoor dining area. This will surely be one of the most popular holiday homes in Ireland for beach lovers.
11. Stone Cottage in Mizen Head, Cork
An 18th century farm house overlooking Barleycove beach in West Cork – it doesn’t get much better than this! I love this part of Ireland, and this restored stone cottage offers the perfect setting to appreciate it. The cottage can sleep up to three but I think this holiday home in Ireland is perfect for a romantic getaway.
See more here
Search more hotels and holiday homes in Cork here:
12. Large Brittas Bay holiday home, Wicklow
View this post on Instagram
Brittas Bay is just 50 minutes from my house so it is my go-to beach in Ireland. For anyone who doesn’t know it, it is one Ireland’s best beaches with wide open sand and great swimming opportunities. This four-bedroom holiday home is located in a gated development with 50 other luxury homes, so it is a great choice for families looking for holiday homes in Ireland with family facilities onsite.
There is a private enclosed garden with a sun deck, and you are free to use the communal tennis courts, games room and children’s football pitch.
Search more hotels and holiday homes in Wicklow here:
13. Spacious one-bedroom cottage in Aughris, Sligo
This newly renovated cottage is located on the Wild Atlantic Way, close to the Discovery point of Aughris. It was originally a shop and has been transformed into a spacious one-bedroom cottage that can sleep up to four people. The Aughris Cliff Walk is just one mile from the house, and the famous Strandhill beach is just over six miles away.
See more here
Search more hotels and holiday homes in Sligo here:
14. Four-bedroom beachfront home with hot tub, Larne, Antrim Coast
The large holiday home offers stunning views of the Irish Sea from the lounge, as well as the outdoor terrace and hot tub that seats 8 people. There is also an Arctic hut, furnished with throws and reindeer hides, which has a central BBQ. The house is set within two acres and has gated access to a pebble beach from the garden – so it is ideal for families. This home is also pet friendly.
The villages of Glenarm and Ballygally are close by, and the location is ideal for those looking to explore the Causeway Coast which is home to some of Northern Ireland’s top attractions.
Read: A magical few days on the Causeway Coast
15. The Oyster House, three-bedroom cottage, Donegal
This beautifully restored holiday home by the sea in Ireland is the picture perfect Irish cottage. There is a pathway from the garden to the sea and there is an outside covered terrace which is the ideal place to admire the spectacular views of the Wild Atlantic Way.
It is situated halfway (10km) between two of the finest beaches in West Donegal – Dooey Strand and Maghery Beach, and just 20km from Glenveagh National Park.
16. Restored Cottage with views of Skelligs, Kerry
This three-bedroom cottage is located in Ballinskelligs and offers stunning views of the Skellig Islands. With the Ring of Kerry and a choice of beaches close by, this is a super choice to explore the south west coast of Ireland.
17. Blue Stonecutters, One-Bedroom Cottage, Lahinch, Clare
This delightful 100-year-old cottage has been beautifully restored, with many original features including beams, recessed windows and period furnishings. It boasts stunning views of the Wild Atlantic Way, and the villages of Doolin, Lahinch, and Liscannor villages are all close by.
See more here
Search more hotels and holiday homes in Clare here:
18. Three-bedroom Thatched Cottage, Donegal
This delightful three-bedroom thatched cottage is located just under 5km from the village of Lettermacaward and 6km from Dooey Beach. I challenge you not to fall in love with it, it must be one of the most quintessential holiday homes in Ireland.
See more here
Search more hotels and holiday homes in Donegal here:
19. The Bridge House, Fanore, Clare
This four-bedroom home is a super choice to explore Clare and the Wild Atlantic Way. With stunning sea views, as well as the beach and the village of Fanore close by, this holiday home in Ireland ticks all boxes.
20. 4-Star Seaside Cottage Near Causeway Coast, Northern Ireland
This stylish cottage is located directly across the road from Downhill Beach and offers sea views from both floors. It is just 1km from Mussenden Temple, 2km from the famous Whiterocks Beach and the Causeway Coast’s top attractions are all close by.
Read: A magical few days on the Causeway Coast
See more here
Search more hotels and holiday homes in Antrim here:
I hope this post on luxury holiday homes in Ireland will help you plan a group getaway soon. It is important to note that some of the facilities / activities listed may not be operating to full capacity – please check with individual accommodation owners for clarification.
These homes were researched on various websites and when you make a booking, you do so via VRBO, Expedia or Booking.com. Note some of the links above are affiliate links where I will receive a small commission if a booking is made, but at no additional cost to you. Read more in my privacy policy.
Sarah
