Cottages by the Sea in Ireland

Ireland is home to some of the world’s most varied and dramatic coastline and our unique selection of cottages by the sea offer the ideal base for exploring everything that this charming holiday destination has to offer.  

With so many contrasting locations to choose from, you might find yourself a little spoiled for choice when deciding on your next self-catering holiday. Fortunately, Shamrock Cottages is on hand with be your guide to visiting the Irish coast.  

Northwest Coast 

Situated in the northwest of Ireland, County Donegal boasts the longest stretch of mainland coastline out of the 32 counties. Donegal is on Ireland’s famous ‘Wild Atlantic Way’ and is home to some of the country’s most exposed headlands, ferocious seas and amazing views. If you are feeling particularly adventurous, there are also several island of the coast of Donegal that can be visited throughout the year.  

There are countless welcoming towns and villages across Donegal and with cottages available in Moville, Dunaff, Portsalon, Ramelton, Kincasslagh, Dungloe and Killybeg you’ll never be far from the action. 

West Coast

Further down on the west coast of Ireland you’ll discover the counties of Clare, Galway, Limerick and Mayo. The west coast is often regarded as Ireland’s most famous stretch of coastline, runs from the Inishowen Peninsula in Donegal, through Sligo, Mayo, Galway, Clare and on to Cork. 

Galway is right on the coast and is one of the region’s most charming cities. It has a vibrant arts-scene with lots of colourful buildings, pubs playing traditional Irish music and a wealth of live events. Indeed, Galway is famed as a festival city with around 122 events throughout the year. Our cottages in Oughterard are just a 30-minute drive to Galway, while our cottages in Carna are a little over an hour’s drive away. 

Southwest Coast  

The southwest of Ireland is home to several picturesque villages that provide the perfect base for exploring the region’s various attractions. Kinsale in Cork for example, is located on the banks of the River Bandon. There is lots to see and do here, including visiting Kinsale Beach, James Fort and Desmond Castle. The village was voted one of Ireland’s most beautiful villages by Conde Nast travel magazine and is certainly well worth a visit.  

Kerry is the most southwesterly point of Ireland (and Europe) and is famed for its fantastic beaches. Some of our favourites include Banna Strand, Coumeenoole Beach, Rossbeigh Strand and Inch Beach – so be sure to book your holiday cottage to secure your spot in the sun. 

Southeast Coast  

If you are looking for a more active coastal break, why not consider a property on the southeast coast of Ireland. Waterford is highly-regarded for its sandy beaches where visitors can enjoy a host of watersports including scuba diving, surfing and kite surfing. Several of the beaches across the southeast coast were given awards during 2021, with Ardmore, Tramore, Clonea, Dunmore Strand and Dunmore Counsellor's Strand receiving Blue Flag awards and Annestown, Guillamene, Newtown Cove, Ballyquin, Curragh and Goat Island gaining Green Coast recognition.  

If you are interested in visiting Waterford, why not check-out our properties in Dungarvan for a comfortable holiday home close to unforgettable trios to the beach.  

There are so many options for a beachside holiday in Ireland that you’ll want to take a moment to explore all of our exclusive properties to find the perfect cottage for seaside getaway. Many of our accommodations are also dog-friendly, accepting one or more pets, so that everyone can get in on the fun.