Hi Mom's,
We're thinking of going to Ireland next summer and want to rent a house with a picturesque setting and where we can take day trips from. Has anyone done something like this, and if so, what town did you stay in? We will have a car so transportation is not an issue. Thanks for your input.
I recommend Donegal! It is beautiful, and a bit off the beaten path. Also County Antrim, in Northern Ireland - a bit less wild but probably more to do in the way of day trips, depending on what you like to do.
I'm going to point you in the direction of VRBO.com -vacation rentals by owner. They are worldwide, and we've had amazing success with them! You usually save a good deal of money without having to go through a rental agency. If I were you, I would see what suggestions I got here and then go to the library or bookstore and get some current travel books on Ireland so you can decide exactly where you think your best home base would be and go from there.
I LOVE Ireland! My husband and I went for 2 weeks, and it was my favorite vacation ever. We stayed in B&Bs and one castle, as we drove around the east, south and west coasts. Our favorite B&B, (which of course was not a rented house, but thought I would share anyways just in case) was Newport House in Ennis on the west coast. The people there were very pleasant, and the rooms and grounds were lovely. The bed we slept in was the most comfortable one we have ever slept in :)
We took day trips to surrounding counties and to the Aran Islands. If you have a chance to go in your itinerary, please do, absolutely amazing, beautiful and peaceful. Of course, I think all of Ireland is amazing, but the west coast was my favorite with drives around the peninsulas. I think I was born to live there :)
Here is the website to the place I talked about:
I recommend County Kerry, the city of Dingle. A home on the Dingle Penninsula will be breathtaking. Like others said, start with VRBO.com. Note that summers are not very warm, like they are here in the Chicago area. The best weather is in late summer or early fall. But if June/July are your only options, pack rain coats and fleeces. Another note about Co. Kerry: if you want ot hear Irish spoken in the pubs, this is your best bet, this area has the highest number of native speakers in the country. You're going to love it!
We stayed here two summers ago for a week, and it was absolutely fabulous:
http://www.cottageguide.co.uk/burrenquay/
In New Quay, County Clare. The proprietor, Madeleine Lyons, can be reached at ____@____.com you want to see more pictures, you can PM me.
Have fun planning!
I like www.vrbo and www.cyberrentals.com. Good luck--sounds like fun!
I am not sure about renting a home but we recently returned from staying for 5 days in a B&B in County Clare, Ireland and we had a MARVELOUS time!!! There were so many things to see and do...it is right on the coast so there is beautiful ,beautiful scenery.
I googled Vacation Rentals in Ireland and this website looks like it has a lot of information and possibilities...
http://www.cyberrentals.com/Ireland/r37.htm
Hi
My father is from Ireland. My cousin owns a business assisting people in home rentals. I'd be happy to give your her info.
It is a beautiful country-you will love it there!
C.
I have never rented a house in Ireland, but it is a dream of mine. I have, however, traveled a lot in Ireland, including a long stay in Galway and Connemarra, which is a wondreful place. Galway is a vibrant city with a great arts community and a university, yet it is a short trip out to the kind of countryside that everyone thinks of when the imagine Ireland....YOu will have an amazing time. Wonderful country. I went there for a visit at 19 and ended up with a graduate degree in Irish literature and a career that I love.
There is at least one organization that does home trades. You live in their home in Ireland and they live in yours in IL. You can find various sites related to renting houses in foreign countries on the Internet.
