Ireland For Your 2011 Holiday

As the New Year starts you might be feeling that we’re in for a gloomy 2011. If we’re not fighting our way through snow and ice, we’re bracing ourselves for the new VAT rate. But there is one sure way to beat the New Year blues and that is to book a holiday.  Whilst some of us still yearn for the sun, sea and sand of Spain and Portugal an increasing number of us are looking closer to home for their annual holiday.  A holiday in Ireland is the ideal way to experience a different country with the advantage of easy travel and high quality accommodation.  Ireland offers visitors a unique culture, wonderful scenery and a very friendly welcome. Also on offer are some fantastic places to stay, whilst hotels and guest houses might be the obvious choice we recommend that to really experience Ireland you take an Irish Holiday Cottage.  In Ireland self catering cottages are very often in beautiful locations, away from large towns and cities, and many have that distinctive character that is ‘Ireland’.

Where to Stay

The most popular areas to stay in Ireland are the southern and western counties of Kerry, Cork and Galway. Many visitors go there for the stunning countryside, beautiful walks and dramatic coastline. But there is so much more to Ireland and its well worth exploring the Northern and Eastern counties of Donegal, Antrim, Wexford and Waterford. And don’t forget the cities and towns – Belfast, Dublin, Cork and Killarney.

You can choose your destination based on the type of holiday that you want.  For example, if you’re interested in walking and the great outdoors a stay in Kerry will give you access to the amazing Kerry Way, at over 200km this is Ireland’s longest signposted walking trail. The trail starts and finishes in  Killarney and takes in the Iveragh Peninsula or the Ring of Kerry. This unspoilt area of Ireland is the gateway to spectacular scenery and is a great centre for outdoor activities such as golf, watersports, cycling, walking, riding and the very best fishing in freshwater rivers. 

If castles and country houses are more your idea of a perfect holiday Donegal might be the perfect destination. Donegal castle, in Donegal town, is the a fine example of a 15th century stronghold whilst Doe Castle near Creeslough road is protected on three sides by the sea and it’s moat is hewn from the rock. The 19th century Glenveagh Castle is a castellated mansion built between 1867 and 1873. It has over 16,000 hectares of mountain, glen, lakes and woods or for a more formal landscape take a walk around the famous Glenveagh Gardens. To experience how others lived in Ireland take a trip to The Flough, an authentic Irish cottage outside Muff where you can see this preserved croft dwelling and watch demonstrations of spinning and rope twisting.

Irish Holiday Cottages

Whether you choose a Donegal cottage or a farmhouse in Kerry, your holiday cottage in Ireland will become your home from home and also your holiday base.  You’ll have all the modern conveniences and home comforts that a hotel room can’t give you, and you’ll have the freedom to do what you want, when you want. Self catering cottages are a great way to holiday in Ireland.  Go as a family or group and you can get some great deals, with accommodation costing as little as £5 per person per night.  Ireland offers a fantastic range of properties from secluded romantic getaways for couples to large well appointed houses for family holidays or group get togethers.  You’ll have everything you need for your holiday and many companies, such as Imagine Ireland, provide family properties that have additional equipment and furniture to help you when you stay with babies and toddlers, or demanding teenagers.

Getting to Ireland is easy, there are international airports at Belfast and Dublin and flight times from the UK and Europe are short. Many people choose to travel with the convenience of their own car and take the ferry from one of many ports. With daily sailings most self catering holiday cottage companies will be able to arrange your ferry travel along with your accommodation booking and work with established companies such as Stena Line, P&O and DFDS Norfolk Line. 

There’s so much to write about holidaying in Ireland, we could go on forever, but the best way is to find out more is to take a look for yourself.  Why not take a few minutes to look at what Ireland has to offer and more about the lovely holiday cottages that will be your home from home.  Visit www.imagineireland.com where you’ll learn about the different regions of Ireland and can browse from 100s of self catering holiday cottages.