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WE MAY BE nearing the end of the summer, but there’s still time to squeeze in a mini-holiday.
‘Staycations’ as they’ve become known, are holidays you take in your own country or even your city. It could be a night away, a weekend or even two glorious weeks somewhere new and yet comfortingly familiar. No worries about working out exchange rates or language barriers here.
Whether it’s one last hurrah before the kids go back to school, a sneaky city-break or a romantic getaway, we’ve rounded up six of the best places to take holidays right here at home.
Our capital city is filled with things to do, so regardless of what type of holiday you’re looking for (cultural, romantic, kid-friendly, not kid-friendly) there’s something for everyone here.
If you’re new to the city or not too sure of your bearings, you can take a Viking Splash Tour to get you acquainted with the layout as well as a little of the history.
Alternatively there are guided literary pub crawls or you could do a self-guided Rock and Stroll tour and see the places made famous by Irish musicians.
And then the sky’s the limit with what you can fill your days with – there’s the Book of Kells in Trinity College, excellent restaurants, shopping, the Leprechaun Museum, multiple beautiful parks to saunter through, buskers on Grafton street to listen to and historical sites such as the GPO or Christchurch to visit.
You’ll run out of time before you run out of things to do – so you’ll just have to come back for more.
If you fancy something a little quieter, but still like to holiday in style, it may be time to check out one of the many castles that Ireland has to offer. Because who doesn’t want to sleep in a four-poster canopy bed, right?
We pick the five-star Ashford Castle, in Cong, Co Mayo. Famous for being where John Wayne filmed ‘The Quiet Man’, there’s all the grounds of the castle to walk, the village to visit and have a pint in, and if you somehow manage to run out of things to do, the castle has a spa, fishing, tennis, golf, clay pigeon shooting and lots of other activities to offer.
Whether you’ve got a stag or hens’ weekend to organise, or just fancy getting away with a group, Carrick-on-Shannon is a great spot in the Midlands for a guys’ or gals’ getaway weekend.
There’s culture, great pubs, music, golf, adventure sports, water sports, food markets, great restaurants… They’ve got all your options covered.
Built in 1878 and the seat of the O’Connor family (descendents of the High Kings of Ireland), this 45 room Clonalis House, Co Roscommon is built in a Victorian Italianate style (we’re not sure what that is either, but it looks gorgeous) is just what you need if you’re planning a romantic getaway.
There’s a library with books from the 16th century, a drawing room and a chapel to avail of, as well as the beautiful grounds to walk around in.
Very rosemantic altogether.
If you grew up in the eighties in Ireland, chances are you spent a little time at Trabolgan, Co. Cork and what’s nicer than sharing that experience with your own kids?
With self-catering cottages that keep the cost of family meals down, and activities and entertainment for kids of all ages from toddler to teen, as well as that epic swimming pool with the wavemaker and the super waterslide, the only issue you’ll have is getting everyone to leave at the end of your trip.
If you’ve ever wanted to try clay pigeon shooting, paddle surfing, abseiling, scuba-diving or sea-kayaking, ExtremeSports.ie have all your bases covered. With adventure centres in 14 counties you’re bound to find something not too far from you, or if you fancy a bit of a jaunt you can do overnights, family holidays or stag/hen dos. The choice is yours.
May the odds be ever in your favour.
Carrick-on-Shannon….have you lost your f*****g marbles?
Bet that pic isn’t from Laytrim either.
Well the women are definitely not from Leitrim
why. . you’ve seen all women in Letrim have you and think they cant possibly be good looking women there?? in a way Im glad you think that!!!!
Staying at home is great and all that, we just spent a great week on Aran and Doolin and what we spent would have got us a week in Spain with flights. Rip off Ireland is back, alive and kicking.
Spent a week on the adriatic coast (Italy near venice) for less than 1k including flights, car hire and accommodation for 6 people. Spent 3 weeks on the south coast of france – did the entire south coast for 2400, 3 weeks accommodation in two different holiday villages, 3 weeks car hire (7 seater), flight from Dunlin to Carcassonne and from Nice to Dublin.
You did well Lily I was quoted €700 for a 7 seater car hire for a week in Perpignan!
I booked it 6 months in advance with Ryanair/hertz. a friend of mine was charged 250 for one day in Ireland for the hire of a 7 seater. Madness.
still cheaper to go abroad, better weather too.
Could’ve picked 6 better places off the top of my head… Also aren’t sponsored articles in yellow?
Staying in Ireland for a holiday is not called a “staycation”, it’s called a holiday.
A staycation is staying in your own house while you’re off work.
Is a pity this country is such a rip-off. Was on Germany recently and much cheaper to live. Köln city was spotless. No horrid junkies monged out of their heads about.
Felt completely safe. Something I can’t say about alot of places in this lovely wee country of ours.
Fermanagh, Dingle, Sligo would all be in front of carrickon Shannon! It’s become a nightmare at the weekend with hens and stags
leprechaun museum is absolute Crud and pure rip off
charging for babies in buggies
The charge for a baby under 3 is 3 euro, over 11s are charged at the adult rate.
under 3′s don’t normally pay in anywhere. As they won’t get a whole lot out of the experience no matter 2hat it is. Classic example of RIP off Ireland that leprechaun museum is. Joke and Snotty staff to booth
What a load of bull Ireland is too expensive
You need a licence to hunt stag. I think the season starts in September. Hens can be hunted at any time.
That’s Sinn Feins fault..
I was talking about people hunting animals not animals hunting people.
Now that summer is almost over? When did it start?
I hate those pretentious combo words like Staycation, Glamping, Chillax, Frenemies, Innovention, Bromance, Badults, etc.
Usually used by w*nkers.
I’d say you’re great craic Stephen…
Trabolgan… 4 lads were caught by police getting over the boundary wall and made go back on and finish their holiday
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