Short Breaks In Ireland

Pretty much everyone agrees that the annual two week holiday is great but they only tend to come around once a year and if everyday life is hectic and stressed you often find yourself desperate for some time to yourself.  It's worth considering the wise words – a change is as good as a rest – or just look at the growing trend for people taking more frequent shorter holidays and staycations to know that short break holidays are here to stay.

History of the Short Break Holiday

The concept of ‘taking a holiday’ didn’t really exist before the sixteenth century. There were religious festivals when work was set aside but people travelled to earn a living, make pilgrimage or because they were on official state business. By the seventeenth century sons of rich families would undertake a ‘Grand Tour’ of Europe but it was the healing powers of water that sparked the cult of holidays. By the late sixteenth century spas were beginning to develop into pleasure resorts. In the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries tourism in Britain was given a general boost by the cessation of hostilities with France which opened up Europe again and from the mid nineteenth century the Victorians started to visit the seaside resorts of the UK – the first staycations? With the development of the railways, motor car and finally the aeroplane travel during the 20th century meant that holidaying away was enjoyed by the masses. Right up until the 60’s most people had fairly fixed holiday weeks and very few would travel abroad but during the 60s and 70’s with the explosion of development in countries such as Spain and the arrival of regular, cheaper air travel people rushed to ‘go abroad’.  But just recently, in the last few years the must have two week holiday in the sun has been replaced with the ‘short break’ and the staycation or the adventure / activity holiday. People have seen the benefits of regular shorter holidays to recharge their batteries and are looking for that something extra from their precious time away from work.  And with the growing popularity of the short break holiday people are looking for new and interesting destinations that are close enough to home to make travel easy but different enough to make the time away feel like a real holiday.  A very popular holiday decision is to take a short break in Ireland. Take a look at our Beautiful Ireland video.

Where to stay on your Irish Short Break

Whilst the capitol cities of Dublin and Belfast are only a couple of hours from London by plane or a good days drive by car the island of Ireland is a wonderfully different and diverse country. Your weekend break to Ireland will take you to another world.  Travel just a few miles out of the cities and you will be met by a wonderfully relaxed and warm welcome. Tradition, music, dance and the craic are part and parcel of the Irish culture and the pace of life really does slow down.  One of things that will amaze the new visitor to Ireland is the beautiful landscape and dramatic scenery that covers this island.  From the awe inspiring northern coastline of Antrim and Donegal to the soft green rolling countryside of the Beara Peninsula and the Ring of Kerry.

Plan and 3 or 4 day short break holiday to Donegal and you’ll find plenty to see and do; or you can choose to just relax in the breathtaking scenery. Get into the fresh air with a lovely walk in Glenveagh National Park or explore the flora and fauna at Ardnamona Gardens near Lough Eske.  Combine wonderful dining with spectacular views with a meal at St’ Johns Country House which is set in the pretty, remote location on the shores of Lough Swilly, Inishowen Peninsula.

A weekend break in County Clare will take you to rural Ireland. See the sheer Cliffs of Moher that drop dramatically into the Atlantic Ocean or the unusual landscape of the Burren. Visit the Irish towns of Tipperary or Limerick or get to know this regions past with a visit to Bunratty Castle and Folk Park.

Take a break in the South of Ireland and tour the counties of Kerry and Cork. A wonderful place for a short holiday. Make it an activity break with a long walk on the Breara Way or Ring of Kerry or hire some bikes and take to the road on the many cycle routes and winding country lanes.  Take a city break in Cork or find fine food in Ireland’s gourmet county. Take a boat trip from Glengarriff harbour to Garnish Island and stroll around the island’s beautiful gardens or take tea at Bantry House the stunning ancestral home of the Earls of Bantry.

When you plan your short break to Ireland you’ll need to find the perfect short break place to stay.  You can book into one of the many hotels and guest houses across the island but we’d recommend trying self catering. Many holiday cottages in Ireland can now be booked for short breaks and you’ll find a holiday home from home that is set in a beautiful remote location or in the heart of Irish village communities; staying in an Irish self catering cottage will take you to the heart of Ireland. 

View our Holiday Cottages in Donegal

View our Holiday Cottages in County Clare

View our Holiday Cottages in Kerry

View our Holiday Cottages in Cork