Ireland has some unique accommodation options available that flaunt its diverse lands and intrinsic cultural values. Everything from refurbished castles and quaint stone houses to brand new cliff-side cabins, with options bearing the hallmarks of both fancy and not-so-fancy, can be found here. Many are located in quaint areas like Clare, Kerry, Mayo, and Kildare, giving visitors a chance to enjoy nature, history, and some local culture as well. This guide highlights some of the most unique places in the country, offering valuable ideas for sourcing unforgettable and authentic places to spend the night.
- Ashford Castle
Ashford Castle stands as one of Ireland’s most famous and high-end places to stay, steeped in history, grace, and love. You will find it on Lough Corrib’s banks, with 350 acres of thick woods all around. This castle, now 800 years old, oozes grandness. The Guinness family once called it home, but currently it is a five-star hotel that blends its old-world charm with fancy new comforts. The castle has 83 custom-made rooms and suites, each with royal-like furniture, old-time decor, and views of the garden or lake. Guests have the chance to try top-notch activities like working with hawks, riding horses, going out on boats, and getting pampered at the spa instead of ordinary, mundane activities.
- Dromoland Castle
Dromoland Castle is one of the highlights in Ireland’s list of castle getaways. Dating back to the 1500s, it was once the residence of the O’Brien family but now serves as a luxury hotel. Guests here get to feel like royalty while surrounded by Ireland’s countryside. The castle sits on 450 acres of vibrant green land creating a peaceful escape filled with history and charm. Its grounds offer everything from a championship golf course and a lavish spa to fine dining at the Earl of Thomond restaurant. Visitors can also enjoy traditional country pastimes like archery or clay pigeon shooting.
- Kilkea Castle
A 12th-century fortress that embodies the melding of medieval mystique with contemporary luxury, Kilkea Castle is hidden away under what remains of wooded areas in County Kildare and holds a storied history as the seat of the Fitzgerald dynasty, and now serves as a boutique resort fusing heritage with elegance. Prominently touted in luxury, the castle enjoys parkland acreage amounting to 180 acres, with an adjacent championship golf course. Interiors consist of exposed stone walls, homely fireplaces, and an almost calming set of colors that juxtapose between the historical side and the more modern elegance of comfort. If you plan on visiting the country, we suggest you add this accommodation to your Ireland travel packages for a royal experience.
- Limehouse Cottage
Perched atop a dreamy bluff in the heart of County Clare, Limehouse Cottage was made for guests looking for solitude, nature, and rustic charm. Interiors are minimal in an artistic way, with white walls with soft tones, a wood stove, and panoramic windows merging the indoors with nature. Meant as an environmentally conscious getaway, Limehouse Cottage embraces simplicity from open-plan living to the use of vintage furniture and fine linens.
- Lost Cottage
This cottage, being one of the most poetic hideaways in Ireland, nestles in the rough hills of County Kerry with panoramic views of Caragh Lake and the mountains of MacGillycuddy’s Reeks. Being remote, romantic, and completely off-grid, this whitewashed stone cottage was left in ruins for years before it was brought to life through the hard work of restoration into a design-forward sanctuary. Wide picture windows, minimalist interiors, exposed beams, and polished concrete floors are the details of this cottage, which is essentially an artwork that sadly drowns in nature. There is no wi-fi or television here, just the lake, the wind humming gently through the heather, and sheep bleating far away.
- Walden Lakehouse
The Walden Lake House is, truly, a retreat, founded on the idea of simple living and doing meaningful things in nature. It sits on the shore of a quiet, tucked-away lake in County Mayo-native bedrock of a sight retreat from urban noise. It is an architectural beauty married to Scandinavian minimalism and native Irish wilderness. This glass-front cabin opens on the private lake, providing sweeping views of forest, water, and sky. The interior space was carefully designed with natural materials- wool, wood, stone, and a contemporary kitchen with a king-sized bed and open living space. The highlight has to be the outer frames, with the fire pit and canoe ready for use on the glassy, still waters.
- Cliff Cottage in Kilkee
Set between the cliffs, just beyond the homes, Cliff Cottage in Kilkee is a charming seaside retreat with huge views of the Atlantic Ocean. This quaint cottage with the whitewashed exterior sings of the untamed, windswept beauty of West Clare with a note of warmth and comfort, reminiscent of a kind home. The ambiance is historically Irish, with the beauty of wood beams in the ceiling above, antique-made furnishings, and a wood-stove fireplace. With a tiny kitchen for whipping up meals, a comfortable living room with books and blankets, and a terrace where one can have coffee on the edge of the cliffs and hear the waves crashing below, it’s a good recipe for a perfect vacation.
- Blue Haven Lodge
As a gateway to the Cliffs of Moher, the village of Doolin provides a fine mixture of cozy comfort and dramatic sea views at Blue Haven Lodge. Situated on the cliffs close to the Atlantic Way, the lodge stretches toward the ocean, with walls made of huge, broad windows that give one uninterrupted vista of the huge ocean. Boasting boutique charm, it comes equipped with a few very carefully decorated rooms with soft linens, handcrafted furniture, and contemporary facilities. Nothing beats breakfast with panoramic views of the sea or an evening sitting with the sounds of Irish traditional music wafting out from the nearby pubs.
Every one of these unusual accommodations is more than just a lodging- it is a way to experience Ireland’s natural beauty and culture. These accommodations mirror Ireland’s gamut in travel, with everything ranging from first-class five-star castle hotels to quiet seclusion in an eco-cottage to sheer and dramatic cliffside lodge views. Charming and convenient, these accommodation options are a good choice for all those who consider international holiday packages or perhaps plan on their own.