15 Best Airbnbs in Ireland: Unique Cottages, Castles + Treehouses
Ireland does “stay” like a fairytale—stone cottages staring at wild seas, medieval halls with crackling fires, treetop hideouts where breakfast arrives by pulley. From Cork’s city-canopy views to lakeside boathouses and Wild Atlantic getaways, these handpicked rentals turn a trip into a story you’ll tell forever.
1) The 18th-Century Coach House — Kilkenny (Inistioge)
A former stable block reimagined with hand-hewn oak, a quiet courtyard, and a balcony that looks over the River Nore valley. Inside: a wood-burning stove, long-table evenings, and early walks to Woodstock Estate’s gardens. Villages, craft studios, and easy pub strolls nearby. Historic bones, hush-quiet energy.
2) Premium Private Eco-Cabin — Kinvara, Galway
Forty acres of rewilded sanctuary wrapped around a minimalist cabin. Private hot tub, a fireplace for misty nights, and mornings that start with birdsong. Spend the day between Dunguaire Castle, the Burren, and tidal shores—return for star-watching from the deck. Small footprint, big exhale.
3) Wild Atlantic Bus at Aishling Cottage — Oughterard, Galway
A double-decker bus turned cozy retreat near Lough Corrib. There’s a proper kitchen, a wood stove, and a fire pit for late chats. Hike Connemara, fish, kayak—or do nothing but watch the sky change. Playful and surprisingly spacious, with countryside calm built in.
4) Rossnaree House — Boyne Valley, Meath
An Italianate manor from 1850 with hand-painted interiors and river-valley light pouring through tall windows. Five unique bedrooms, gallery-worthy living spaces, and room to host retreats or slow family time. Daytrip to Newgrange, Slane, and Trim; wind down in the sauna and plan another castle tomorrow.
5) Waterfront Coastal Chic Studio — Kinsale, Cork
Harbor-front perch where boats glide past your windows. A bright studio with a pellet stove for cozy nights and a terrace made for golden-hour views. Wander to seafood spots, Charles Fort, and Kinsale’s colorful lanes. The definition of easy seaside living.
6) Beautifully Restored Coach House — Woodstown, Waterford
Stone walls, underfloor warmth, and a private patio above the Suir Estuary. Walk to quiet beaches, detour to the fishing village of Dunmore East, then come back to a kitchen built for simple, slow dinners. Forest hush meets coastal day trips.
7) Urban Tranquility Treehouse — Cork City
A fully insulated treetop hideout perched over a leafy garden, five minutes from Cork’s center. Breakfast arrives by pulley; views stretch across the city’s rooftops. Spend mornings with birdsong and evenings at trad sessions. Nature energy without leaving the nightlife behind.
8) Albertine Lodge — Carrick-On-Shannon, Leitrim
A roomy farmhouse for groups who travel like a team. Big bedrooms (with ensuites), a sociable kitchen-lounge, and an herb garden for your dinners. Cycle quiet roads, browse local markets, and end the day around the barbecue telling the same story three different ways.
9) 13th-Century Lakeside Castle — Headford, Galway
Medieval “hall house” grandeur on lawns rolling to Lough Corrib. Oak-beamed great hall, tapestries, parapet views, and a fire that turns everyone into a poet by dessert. Boating mornings, Connemara afternoons, star-soaked nights. History, but make it livable.
10) Killaloe Pods with Private Hot Tub — County Clare
Handcrafted pod above the River Shannon with a deck made for lingering. Think long brunches, evening soaks, and quiet reads between paddles on Lough Derg. Twin villages, woodland paths, and the kind of night sky that slows your breathing.
11) Wild Atlantic Way Beach House — County Clare
Two connected buildings with a sun-splashed lounge framing the ocean like a postcard. Balcony coffees, beach days, and a fireplace when the weather turns dramatic (it will). Close to Doonbeg fairways and the Cliffs of Moher—ideal for families, golfers, and sea-watchers.
12) Jack Duggan’s Pub — Castlemaine, Kerry
Your own traditional Irish pub—open fire downstairs, modern bedrooms up. Between the Dingle and Iveragh Peninsulas, with Killarney and Inch Beach in easy reach. Pull a pint, plan tomorrow’s Ring of Kerry loop, and enjoy the novelty that never gets old.
13) Guilcagh Church — Portlaw, Waterford
A 19th-century Gothic church restored for quiet escapes: stained glass, vaulted ceilings, and morning light you’ll remember later. Close to Mount Congreve Gardens and the Waterford Greenway. Sacred atmosphere, fully modern comforts.
14) Pier Cottage (East End) — Castlecove, Kerry
An 18th-century coastguard cottage with its own shingle beach on the Kenmare Estuary. Turf fire, sea views, and shrimping nets for the kids. Hike the Kerry Way, wander Derrynane Beach, and watch the weather roll in like theatre.
15) Pop’s Dream — Whitegate, Clare
A lakeside boathouse on Lough Derg where time loosens its grip. Mezzanine sleep nook, wood-burner glow, and a veranda that steals hours. Swim, read, repeat—or paddle to the activity center when restlessness wins.
Quick Planner: Find Your Best-Fit Stay
- For drama: West coast (Connemara, Clare, Kerry) = cliffs, surf, wild skies.
- No car: Base in Cork City, Galway, or Kilkenny for walkable days + easy tours.
- Deep quiet: Lakes and valleys—Lough Derg, Boyne Valley—beat the coast for stillness.
- Romance: Treetops, hot-tub pods, boathouses.
- Group trips: Farmhouses, coach houses, and castles with big kitchens and bigger tables.
FAQs
Do you need a car? Not strictly, but it unlocks small harbors, trailheads, and the best viewpoints.
Best time to go? May–June and September–October for fewer crowds, long light, and vivid greens.
What about rain? Fires, board games, pub music, and a second pot of tea—consider it part of the charm.
