Castles and Cottages: 5 Best AirBnBs in Ireland
Feel like a local while staying at these AirBnBs in Ireland! (I know we did!)
Neither of us had been to the Emerald Isle before this visit, and in an effort to do something different than what we'd done on our other trips to the British Isles, we decided to plunge in the waters of AirBnB and VRBO while in Ireland.
The result was an overview of the best Ireland AirBnBs, and we came away with a new appreciation of the culture and people of the Emerald Isle. We've personally vetted all of these locations, and I can verify that the owners are fantastic.
While there, we only stayed in one B&B (on the Aran Islands, where neither AirBnb nor VRBO had any offerings). The rest of the time on our 2 week road trip in Ireland, we stayed in cabins, cottages, and apartments run by locals.
I was not compensated in any way by these properties. All bookings were researched, selected, and paid for on my own. I have included affiliates on this page: if you choose to purchase through the links, I will receive a small commission at no charge to you.
Updated 4/2022 | Written 2/2016
Why Should I Choose to Stay in an AirBnB or VRBO in Ireland?
Besides this being our first visit to Ireland, this was also our first experience with staying in these types of properties.
We'd always heard that Ireland was famed for its hospitality, and we were putting that to the test in the most literal way possible.
Ultimately, we loved Ireland and our experiences at each of our hosts' homes.
Everyone we met was welcoming and wonderful--we felt as if we were constantly meeting long lost family who'd invited us into their houses!
Approaching a culture as vibrant and hospitality oriented as Ireland almost demands a more personal experience than staying at a Travelodge or Jury's Inn.
By choosing to stay at an Ireland VRBO or AirBnB, you have a situation where you can create organic interactions with locals that truly can make an entire trip. Staying in local homestays, going to non-chain restaurants, and being willing to chat makes you less of an outsider while visiting, and it is an AMAZING feeling!
Here are the 5 best AirBnBs and VRBO properties in Ireland that we called our temporary homes while on our Irish road trip and the fantastic hosts who made our visits so memorable:
The Cabin, County Cork
Host: Ann
AirBnB listing: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/3173280
Sleeps: 2
Selling points: incredible view, right on the ocean, open floor plan
Great base for: Kinsale, Cork, Ring of Kerry
Overview: This cottage's location nominates it for my list of best AirBnBs in Ireland right off, but Ann's thoughtful approach to hosting would make me return in a heartbeat.
The AirBnB is right next to Ann's home, so she's only a few steps away if her guests need anything.
She told me that her dad had purchased the property after he came home from serving in World War II because he'd always wanted to live on the coast.
And live on the coast he did! The cottage is on a private inlet with nothing but sea views.
Ann grew up on the property, and she and her husband modified it to include the small cottage that she now has available on AirBnB. Once her art cottage, the adorable house has a fully furnished kitchen, a shower, a sitting area (with toasty buck stove!), and a queen bed.
When we arrived, Landon and I had been up for nearly 48 hours straight, as we hadn't been able to sleep on the plane before launching ourselves into a full day of sightseeing.
Ann had the cabin warm for us when we arrived, and had milk, eggs, butter, tea, and bread waiting for our breakfast the next day. Even though a horrendous storm came through the night we stayed there, the cabin stayed warm and dry.
We were so excited to wake up to such a gorgeous view!
Ann also rents out an annex on the main house, which comes with equally spectacular views.
Charming Rural Cottage, County Clare
Host: Kieran
AirBnB listing: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/6720893
Sleeps: 4 (2 in master, 2 in loft)
Selling points: in floor heating, washer/dryer, gorgeous fireplace
Great base for: Cliffs of Moher, Limerick, the Burren, Bunratty
Overview: After our excellent experience with our first ever AirBnB the night before, my husband and I were excited to see how the rest of our stays would compare.
We wound our way up from County Cork to County Clare, arriving at Kieran's cottage just after dark. He welcomed us with a big smile and a quick tour of our temporary accommodations, which are attached to his house.
He'd included the cottage section when he built the house in the hopes of renting it out; since he added it on AirBnB, Kieran told us that he's hosted people from all over the world. We enjoyed talking with him as we settled in and hearing some of his travel stories including a recent trip to Southeast Asia.
One of my favorite stories that he shared with us was about the beautiful fireplace in the living room: he found it while visiting France and hauled it home to Ireland in the back of a rented truck. Now, that's dedication to your souvenirs!
The cottage was quite comfortable, and my feet appreciated the in-floor heating in the midst of the Irish winter. Kieran left us with a stack of cut wood for the fireplace, which also helped keep us cozy.
I could see this being a fantastic retreat for a family on vacation, as there's plenty of room for 4 to sleep.
Caher Castle, County Galway
Host: Peter
AirBnB listing: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/658697
Sleeps: 5 (1 on couch in living room, 2 in loft, 2 in main sleeping area)
Selling points: historic accommodations, huge fireplaces
Great base for: Aran Islands, Connemara, Galway
Overview: I've visited many, many castles in my jaunts around Europe, but this was the first time that I'd had the chance to stay in one!
The Caher Castle AirBnB in Ireland was the most expensive of our stays on the trip, but still not that tough on the pocketbook at $150 a night. (I love traveling in the off-season!) It was also the most unique of the properties and worth a bit of a splurge.
Because we had very little cell reception while on the trip, we kind of just showed up at the castle, much to Peter's surprise. He and his family were just about to head out to the store, but he took time out to show us around anyway.
When he purchased the castle (also called a tower house) 20 years ago, the place was in ruins, but he's devoted his life to restoring it, and his passion for the project shows.
The AirBnB listing—also known as Caherkimonwee Castle— is for the top two floors of the castle: the upper most floor is where the bedroom and loft are, while the penultimate floor houses the bathroom (including an incredible recessed bathtub!), living area, and fully furnished kitchen. The atmosphere and amenities might make this the best AirBnB in Ireland for couples, too!
We loved climbing the spiral staircase to our accommodations and marveling at the way that Peter has carefully restored the fortified tower house.
You’ll know that this property is great as it is one of the most popular castles in Ireland for rent on AirBnB!
Three Bears Cottage, County Meath
Host: Michelle
AirBnB listing: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/5667505
Sleeps: 4 (2 in master bedroom, 2 in upstairs loft)
Selling points: clean and comfortable cottage, gorgeous restoration
Great base for: Slane, Newgrange site, Battle of the Boyne, Boyne Valley
Overview: Michelle's smiling face and upbeat personality was just the lift we needed after a long day of driving and sightseeing. She was very prompt when meeting us at the cottage and gave us some great recommendations for dining in the area.
The cottage itself was precious! Michelle and her family purchased the cottage (which dates from the late 1800s) in the hopes of restoring is as a rental property.
Their attention to detail in the process has created a property that makes amazing use of the available space while including plenty of 21st century comforts.
The bed in the main bedroom had super cozy linens and mattress, and it was fantastic to curl up next to the little fireplace at night.
We didn't stay in the loft bedroom, but we did climb up the ladder to see it: our kids would've been SO excited to stay there if it had been a family vacation.
Located just 45 minutes outside of Dublin, the Three Bears Cottage AirBnB was a great place for us to stay while we explored the Boyne Valley, including Newgrange Historic Site.
>> READ ABOUT OUR EXPERIENCE AT NEWGRANGE. <<
It's also a convenient AirBnB to the Dublin airport if you'll need to catch an early flight from the property.
Bachelors Walk, Dublin
Host: William
VRBO listing: https://www.vrbo.com/750289?noDates=true&unitId=1298227
Sleeps: 2 (2 in each bedroom)
Selling points: incredible location, quiet retreat
Great base for: Temple Bar, Dublin city centre
Overview: When I was researching places to stay in the capital city, I couldn't find a Dublin AirBnB that spoke to me and was in my budget. I went over to VRBO and found this cute and incredibly convenient apartment right on the River Liffey!
If you look at the top photo (the one with the bridge in it), our Ireland VRBO apartment was hidden away in the complex in that tiny grey strip of building between the two brick buildings. You'd never know it from the street, but there's a large, quiet complex behind that exterior.
While the apartment was simple but clean, the location of the property was what sold me on it. We were just across Halfpenny Bridge from Temple Bar, and about a 10 minute walk to Grafton Street, Trinity College, and the National Museum.
>> See our full itinerary in Dublin here. <<
I loved the fully furnished kitchen; on our first day in Dublin, we went around the corner to the huge Tesco to buy groceries.
Eating in for a few of our meals was so cost effective, and, since the apartment was so close to everything, it wasn't a big deal to walk home for lunch.
When it came time for us to head to the airport to go home (SOB), the airport bus stop is literally just around the corner. We felt safe there standing on the sidewalk with our luggage even at 5 AM.
>> GET MORE INSPIRATION WITH THIS LIST OF MOST UNIQUE AIRBNBS IN THE WORLD <<
Have you stayed in an AirBnB or VRBO property before? Do you agree that these are the best AirBnBs in Ireland?
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