Located in northwest Ireland, Buncrana is a fantastic destination for Self Catering Holidays. The quaint town of Buncrana is located in County Donegal, only 10 kilometres from Derry, at the tip of the Inishowen Peninsula on Lough Swilly.

Buncrana is the largest town on the Inishowen Peninsula and a hub for business and commerce in County Donegal. The world famous Fruit of the loom plant was located here for many years but, to the detriment of the town’s economy, has recently closed.

Self-catering travellers who love nature will fall in love with Buncrana. Your holiday house will put you right in the middle of a natural wonderland. Scenic views and natural wonders abound in and around the town.

Beaches and paths along Lough Swilly offer self catering travellers an excellent view of the Inishowen Peninsula. Fishing and boating are popular on the lake with locals and tourists. Boats and fishing equipment can be rented at any of the local marinas. A fishing, or rod, license is required and can also be purchased at the marinas for a small fee.

Beach goers will want to spend a day at Portsalon Beach on the Inishowen Peninsula. All types of water sports are available to families on holiday at the beach. Wind surfing, jet skiing, snorkelling, and swimming can all be easily enjoyed. And, of course, there is plenty of sand for you to bring a lawn chair and enjoy the sun and scenery.

Lough Swilly is surrounded by ancient ringforts. These mysterious structures can be seen all over Ireland, but Lough Swilly is home to some of the better-preserved ringforts. Grianan of Aileach is one of the better-preserved forts in the area. Duntree Fort is also located in the area and is another must see attraction for self-catering tourists. Duntree Fort is a military fort with a museum that delves into the areas military past.

Swan Park is another great place to spend a relaxing day along the water. The famous Castle Bridge is located on the Crane River, which flows through the park. The Castle Bridge is very popular as an inspiration to artists and photographers.

For outdoor enthusiasts the Buncrana Leisure Club is open to the self catering family. For a small fee you can enjoy the many outdoor sporting activities the leisure centre has to offer. Golf and angling are among the most popular choices for families on holiday.

Children will want to visit one, or both, of the town’s unique children’s parks. Festival Play Park is a mini amusement park for kids with rides, carnival games, and things to climb and swing on. Wayne’s World is similar to Festival Play Park but also offers treats and souvenirs.

After a long day of touring and activities self catering travellers can relax at any of the town’s many pubs and restaurants. Too tired to go out? Not to worry, your holiday home comes complete with a kitchen!

A small town, nestled between the regal Blue Stack Mountains, Ardara is one of the most beautiful villages in Donegal. Along with the superb scenery, you will find a friendly

atmosphere and flourishing music scene. Set in a valley where the Owentocher River flows into Loughros More Bay, Ardara offers stunning scenery, and it is the perfect base for exploring Donegal’s western seaboard. With an excellent selection of Self Catering holiday homes and cottages, as well as a variety of restaurants and friendly pubs, this heritage town draws tourists back year after year.

Ardara is a leading manufacturer for Donegal hand woven tweed and hand knit products. In fact, it is so renowned for its homespun tweeds, hand knits and hand loomed knitwear, stores worldwide stock its tweed and knitwear. The town’s heritage centre shares the story of the famous Donegal Tweed, and its historical importance has been recognized in the granting of a Heritage status for the town of Ardara.

Surrounded by splendid coastal and mountain scenery, Ardara provides visitors a chance to enjoy everything from the windswept Loughros Point to the awe-inspiring sea cliffs at Slieve League. From the imposing Blue Stack Mountains to the stunning beaches found at Narin and Fintra, Ardara is ideally located to provide vacationers with a vast array of sightseeing options.

Some scenic points of note near the town include the Glengesh Pass, which is one of Irelands widest and grandest, boasting its famous “S” bend. There is also the Maghere Falls and Caves. Here you will see numerous streams tumble to the base of the cliffs, but the most spectacular is Assaranca Falls. In fact, it is one of the most famous in the west of Ireland. Three kilometres southeast you will find the resort of Doon Lough, and an impressive ring fort. This 4.8 meter high wall enclosure completely covers the tiny island, and was built in 1000BC.

For over a century, Ardara has hosted an award winning Agricultural Show in August, which features sheep dog trials, as well as horse and livestock judging. In addition, traditional dance and music performances are held, and there are numerous displays of local crafts, weaving, knitwear and art.

Actually, Ardara hosts a wide variety of festivals every year. Some of these include the Bluegrass Festival, the Cup O’Tae Festival, and the Donegal Harvest Rally. Perhaps the most famous festival, however, is the International Walking Festival, held in March, and incorporating a Saint Patrick’s Day celebration. Ardara has hosted this extremely successful event for over ten years, and it now draws walkers from all over the world. With a mixture of short, medium and strenuous walks, it offers something for everyone.

The unique landscape of this area, which incorporates hill, dale, lake, bog, sea, rock, pasture and tillage, is tightly woven, so that every turn of the road opens up fresh vistas to delight the eye.

Truly, Ardara offers something for everyone. Look into one of the many self catering holiday homes and cottages available in the area, then relax, enjoy your vacation, and explore this gem of Donegal.

Picturesquely situated at the head of Trawbreaga Bay, Malin offers tourists a rich delight in sights and experiences. The village green is triangular, and bordered with limes, sycamore, cherry and oak trees, as well as colourful flowerbeds. Approaching from the south, there is an amazing ten-arched stone bridge, which many believe to be the only like it in the country.

Malin offers visitors some tremendous sightseeing opportunities, and a variety of Self Catering Homes and cottages, as well as the very popular Malin Hotel. In fact, sightseeing is one of the major industries in this uniquely beautiful area. With its amazing stretches of unspoiled blue flag beaches, and ruggedly natural beauty, Malin is a mystical place, and very popular with visitors.

Because of its sheltered bays and inlets, Malin is home to many different species of birds, making bird watching quite popular. There is even a bird watching observatory. If walking is your thing, you may want to take advantage of the Malin Walk. With different levels for different abilities, this walk affords participants some truly amazing views, and with every kilometre you walk, the scenery changes.

Five Finger Strand is the closet sandy beach. It is believed to have taken its name from the five rocks protruding from the water like fingers. Surrounded by hills and cliffs, and sitting at the mouth of Trawbreaga Bay, this beach faces west. Glashedy Isle is visible to the west, and just behind the beach is one of the largest sand dunes in Europe.

Surprisingly enough, nestled in the dunes is the oldest Roman Catholic Church, still in use, to be found in Inishowen. Across the water, you will see the Isle of Doagh, and off to the right, the ruins of Carrickabraghy Norman Castle. Just one kilometre north, hikers will find White Strand Bay and the picturesque Culoort Village, and farther still, there is the most northerly headland, Malin Head.

A few miles from Malin is the town of Culdaff. It is situated on Inishowen Peninsula, which is the most northerly region of Ireland. This is an area of breath-taking beauty, and rich in history. This quaint village is set around a village green and pump house, and dates back to the 8th century, not to mention, the beaches of Culdaff are some of the best in Ireland.

Take another short drive from Malin and you will find Ballyliffin. This town originated in 1613, and it is here tourists find handcrafted pottery. There’s Celtic Weave and Donegal Parian China, and just across the border in Northern Ireland, Belleek Pottery, as well. If you visit this town in August, you will have the chance to experience The Ballyshannon International Folk and Traditional Music Festival.

With car ferries running between Greencastle and Magilligan, and also between Buncrana and Rathmullan, Malin is ideally located for people wishing to explore the northern part of Ireland. Taking advantage of the plethora of self catering facilities allows one to relax in comfort, and explore all the riches this part of Ireland has to offer.

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Ennis Clare Ireland

For the family booking their self catering holidays, they will find the perfect destination in Ennis, a large town in Ireland’s County Clare. The name Ennis means island and the town can be found on the banks of the Fergus River. Although the largest town in Munster, Ennis is still considered by most to have retained its small town village charm.

The town of Ennis is a result of a Franciscan Abbey built during the 13th century. The abbey was a hub of learning and religion in the area for centuries and continues to be a wonderful relic for self-catering visitors to tour.

Along with its famous abbey, Ennis is also known as an ancient marketing town. As with most towns centred on an abbey, the town of Ennis became an economic centre for people of the surrounding area who would come to town to sell their wares and produce. Market days continue to be held every Saturday in Ennis’s Market Square.

As the town dates back to medieval times, the self catering visitor will find winding alleys and quaint side streets that are wonderful to explore. Shops and boutiques can be found offering many locally made items for souvenirs. Several of Ennis’s streets have been closed off to traffic and are for pedestrians only. These streets are lined with pubs and restaurants. The local pubs are the perfect spot for the self catering holiday home visitor to relax after a long day spent enjoying all the town has to offer.

Each May the town of Ennis comes alive with the sound of music. Fleadh Nua is an annual festival recognizing traditional Irish folk music. It has become very popular and is the second most attended folk music fest in Ireland.

During the Gaelic sporting season, self catering visitors to Ennis will find themselves in the middle of the town’s most loved sporting events. The ancient traditions of hurling and Gaelic football can be seen throughout the season in the city’s athletic park. Visitors will enjoy watching and may find they want to participate in some of the amateur events.

The Fergus River is located in the town of Ennis and is a great location for the self-catering visitor to enjoy some fishing. Salmon is considered the best catch and the added bonus of your self catering holiday home is that you will be able to cook your catch after a day on the river.

Because of its history, the town of Ennis is a popular site for visitors interested in the history of Ireland and its culture. Along with being famous for Irish music the town is also home to many Irish artists who display their work in the town.

The self catering visitor and their family will certainly enjoy the lovely town of Ennis no matter what time of year they visit. Ennis is a beautiful Irish village that has grown into a modern Irish town that still pays tribute to its rich past history.

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Kinsale

The lovely Irish village of Kinsale is located in historic county Cork. It is the perfect location for a stay in a self catering holiday home. The town is full of history, wonderful restaurants, and many attractions for the whole family to enjoy.

Kinsale is an ancient medieval town with historical architecture dating back over four hundred years. Known as Irelands food capital the quaint town is chock full of delicious eateries. Due to its coastal location, the town’s specialty is seafood and fish caught on the local lakes. The surrounding farms provide the freshest of produce and high quality meats to Kinsale’s restaurants. The many award-winning chefs work daily to prepare lovely meals for the town’s guests.

The town is host of the Kinsale Gourmet Festival every year. The festival is a huge celebration of the city’s local food and famous chefs. Self catering visitors will enjoy the Mad Hatters Taste of Kinsale, a Lobster Bake, and a unique Chef Swap where the chefs of Kinsale work with American chefs.

The Seanchai Bar is a wonderful pub where visitors can meet and greet the locals. Seanchai has an old-world feel and is very welcoming. Both hearty food and great ale are on the pub’s extensive menu. For more of a restaurant atmosphere visitors will enjoy the White House. Also offering a large array of menu items, diners will enjoy the chef’s daily specials.

The coastal location of the town of Kinsale offers self catering visitors a plethora of water activities to enjoy. Sailing, whale watching, boating, and fishing are all popular with visitors. Golf is another attraction many self-catering holiday travellers enjoy and the area is home to three excellent golf courses. The most famous golf course in the area, Old Head, is known worldwide for being a challenging course. Other things you might want to add to your to-do list include archery, horse riding, skeet shooting, and a relaxing sauna at the town’s wellness centre.

A must see on any trip to Kinsale is the Desmond Castle. Built in the early 16th century, the castle has had many historic uses. It has been used as an arsenal during some of Ireland’s most famous battles in the 1600’s and has been used as a customs house for the town’s port. In the later part of the 1600’s the castle was used to house French prisoners of war. The location was perfect as most of the prisoners were brought on land after Ireland won many battles at sea. Desmond Castle also has ties to the American Revolution as many American soldiers were held in prison at the castle. Visitors to the castle today will find it has been restored and now houses the Museum of Wine.

The self catering visitor will love having their spacious and comfortable accommodations to return to after busy days in Kinsale and the surrounding area. Do not ruin your lovely holiday with family members jammed in one small room. Arrange a self catering holiday home and enjoy your holiday in luxury. Enjoy the food and attractions of Kinsale.

Blarney

For the best Blarney holiday you will want to book a self catering holiday home. With all the comforts of home, spacious rooms, and the modern amenities today’s traveller expects, a self catering holiday home in Blarney will allow you and your family to enjoy all the area has to offer.

Blarney is an Irish village located in County Cork, about ten miles from the city of Cork. The major attraction in the area is the Blarney Castle. Blarney Castle is thought to date to medieval times, before the second century. Destroyed in the 15th century, the castle was later rebuilt by a local king, Cormac MacCarthy. The castle today is mostly in ruins but some areas can be visited by tourists. Some of the castles inside areas and the strongholds surrounding the castle are very interesting for everyone to see.

Blarney Castle is surrounded by gardens that will offer the self-catering visitor the chance to relax and enjoy the beautiful and verdant flowers and trees. When walking the garden’s paths one will see other attractions such as natural rocks that have humorous names. Among others, visitors to the Blarney Gardens will see the Wishing Steps and the Druid. There is also an estate home on the Blarney Castle grounds that was built in the 19th century and is open for tours.

Many visitors come to Blarney to kiss the Blarney Stone. At the tip of Blarney Castle, the Blarney Stone is one of county Cork’s most visited attractions. Local lore says that whoever kisses the Blarney Stone will be given the gift of eloquence, better known as the gift of gab. To kiss this historic and legendary stone one must hang over a ledge upside down. Don’t forget your camera, as this is a famous photo opportunity. No one is sure how the legend got started but the lore of Blarney says that past kings were inducted on the stone.

Another attraction self catering visitors will enjoy touring is the Blarney Woolen Mills. Dating from the early 19th century, the Blarney Woolen Mills employed many local people and played a large part in Blarney and County Cork’s economy. The mills were run on waterpower and the workers produced beautiful textiles. The mill itself is no longer producing textiles but is open for tours and has a fabulous gift shop offering wonderful Blarney souvenirs.

After a long day of touring the area, the self catering visitor will want to drop by a local pub. There are many pubs in and around Blarney where one will find great food, great ale, and the chance to meet many of the locals. The people of Blarney are very friendly and love to have visitors to their town.

Self-catering visitors to Blarney will find themselves in the middle of everything. The Blarney selfcatering holiday homes are centrally located and make the perfect “home base” from which to explore Blarney and County Cork. By staying in self catering holiday home, visitors will have the luxury of freedom to come and go and space for everyone in their family.

Listowel

The lovely countryside of County Kerry can best be seen on a self catering holiday. A selfcatering holiday home will offer you and your family spacious accommodations and comfort as you enjoy the local area. Listowel will provide your family with the perfect home away from home for your self catering holiday.

Centrally located in County Kerry, Listowel is a short drive from the tourist centre of Killarney. The charm and beauty of the town of Listowel will make you thankful you have chosen this gem of County Kerry for your self catering holiday home, avoiding the busier touristy areas.

Listowel has the unique distinction of being the literary capital of Ireland. It has been the home and inspiration of many famous writers. Many may be familiar with Dr. John B. Keane who immortalized the beauty of the area in poem.

Long known as a farming area, Listowel is now coming to be known as one of County Kerry’s foremost cultural areas. One of the town’s best cultural attractions can be found at the Seanchai Kerry Literary and Cultural Centre. The centre was dedicated in 2001 and serves as the cultural centre for all of county Kerry. Focusing on the great writers, poets, and visual artists of County Kerry, the centre is situated in an ancient home from the 1800’s that has been redesigned and redecorated in a timely manner. Self catering visitors will enjoy a visit to the centre where they will come to appreciate the importance of the County Kerry literary artists. Storytellers will educate and entertain with re-tellings of popular folklore. Before stories were written in Ireland they were passed by word of mouth and the ancient art of storytelling revives that local tradition.

Self catering visitors to Listowel will also enjoy a ride on the Lartique Monorailway. An engine and three carriages travel along an elevated single rail. The monorailway was the standard method of travel for locals and visitors during the 19th century in County Kerry. It has recently re-opened for visitors to enjoy in Listowel. A ride on the monorailway will be a wonderful way to see the local area and visitors should be aware this is a once in a lifetime experience. This type of monorail exists nowhere else in the world.

Listowel is home to many festivals. In the summer months self catering visitors will find a festival to attend almost any weekend. The most famous is the Festival Writer’s Weekend during which writers from all over the world gather in Listowel for lectures and readings. Many writers hold book signings, which makes it fun to stop by for locals and tourists.

For evening entertainment visitors should stop by John B. Keane’s Bar. This lovely pub is home to great comedic performances, great food, and great ale. The local theatre company also presents performances here based on the writings of local authors.

The self catering visitor will find that their family will have a Listowel and County Kerry experience like no other. Look forward to active days and comfortable nights at your self catering holiday homes.

Lisdoonvarna

A self catering holiday home in the lovely town of Lisdoonvarna will provide you the most memorable of family vacations. The quaint town is proud of its heritage and visitors will enjoy stepping back in time while still having all the modern amenities they enjoy.

The town’s most famous nod to its past will be appreciated by the single self catering visitor. For many years Lisdoonvarna has been host to the annual Matchmaker’s Festival. Held each September, the Matchmaker’s Festival has become a fun and exciting adventure for singles from all over the world.

Unfortunately, because the festival has become such a major tourist attraction, many Irish lads and lassies run for cover and leave town during the festival. This will not cause a problem for the adventurous single. He or she will enjoy the festival and meet other singles in town for the festival.

The town’s many pubs offer the best places to mix and mingle during the Matchmaker’s Festival. Many of the pubs in Lisdoonvarna serve traditional Irish pub fare along with traditional Irish music. Of course, all self-catering visitors will want to order up a Guinness!

Self catering visitors will fall in love with Lisdoonvarna no matter what time of year they visit. Golf and fishing are very popular with both the locals and many visitors to the area. Lisdoonvarna and the surrounding areas are home to some of the best golfing in Ireland. The self-catering visitor will find many challenges on the local courses. Fishing on the many lakes in and around Lisdoonvarna is perfect for the entire family. Visitors will enjoy fishing from the shore or they may choose to charter a boat for the day. Outfitters in the town have everything you need for the perfect fishing holiday, from fishing tackle to bait visitors will find they can meet all their fishing needs in Lisdoonvarna.

Self catering visitors to Lisdoonvarna will enjoy the annual Horseracing Festival. Held for three consecutive days the festival hosts over fifteen races. Jockeys from all over the world can be seen riding beautiful horses in hopes of winning a ribbon in the festival.

A tour of the town will bring you to the Spa Wells Health Centre, one of Ireland’s most famous spas. The spa is what originally drew tourists to the town in the 19th century. Looking to partake of the curative waters, many people flocked to the spa for the sulphur springs. The spa continues to please and pamper guests with its original Victorian Pump Room, massages, mineral baths, and other relaxing therapies.

Spectacle Bride, situated outside the town’s limits, and the Burren smokehouse will also delight self catering visitors to Lisdoonvarna. The historical bridge flows over the peaceful River Allie and is perfect for a short hike. The Smokehouse allows guests to see the ancient traditions of smoking salmon still being used today. The salmon is smoked over oak wood and is delicious.

Many pubs and delicious restaurants line the streets of Lisdoonvarna and will be enjoyed year round, not just during the Matchmaker’s Festival. The pubs of the town offer the perfect spot for the self catering traveller to relax and mingle with the locals after a long day of adventures.