3 stunning – and child-friendly – homes you can rent in Ireland this summer

Perks for the Parents

This architect-designed, child-friendly home on the beautiful west coast of the Emerald Isle has countryside views and immaculate interior spaces. It sleeps up to 9 + 2. The open plan living and dining area is ideal for family life, while there’s plenty of space outside to play and hang out. There is a lower level bedroom/bathroom/outdoor space, which may be ideal for a nanny / additional family. It’s a six-minute drive or 30-minute walk to the plush 5-star 16th-century Dromoland Castle Hotel where you’ll find restaurants, an 18-hole championship golf course and spa, plus archery, clay shooting, falconry and trout fishing.

Why Kids Love it

This is usually home to three children under six, so it’s child-proofed and child-ready with games, toys and a large, grassy garden with a trampoline, swing set and outdoor toys. The nearby hotel has an indoor and outdoor play area for children and there is horse riding nearby. A crib, high chair and baby toys can be provided on request, as well as additional requests for child-friendly items, within reason. Ten minutes drive away is Bunratty Castle & Folk Park – an ancient castle to explore and a 19th century Ireland recreated with over 30 buildings in a living village. Beaches are close by too.

Things to Know

Minimum stay: Five nights. Safety notes: children should be supervised on the balcony and around the wood-burning stove. The garden has an electric gate to the road. There is a stair gate on the stairs. A local organic vegetable delivery is available plus regular cleaning with a trusted housekeeper. Qualified, adored childminders are available on request. The hosts will provide information on the local area and amenities.

About the Location

This residence is located in Dromoland in County Clare on Ireland’s stunning west coast. Dromoland is overshadowed by the 16th-century castle – now a hotel – a 15-minute walk, it makes a great jumping-off point to tour the vistas, seascapes, white-sand beaches and distinctive culture of this remarkable area. The medieval town of Ennis is 15 minutes drive and it’s 50 minutes to must-see The Burren and the Cliffs of Moher. Limerick is the closest city.

Accommodation Details

This residence has four bedrooms and four bathrooms on two levels. Downstairs has a spacious kitchen/living area with a dining table seating up to 10. A separate lounge has a TV and wood-burning stove with logs provided. On the main level, there are three bedrooms: a master bedroom with a super king bed and an ensuite bathroom with a walk-in shower and bath and two bedrooms that share a bathroom (with a walk-in shower). One of these rooms contains a bunk bed sleeping 2 and toddler bed, the other room contains a small double bed and a crib. There is a half bathroom on this level also. On the lower level is one more bedrooms with a king-sized bed and a full bathroom adjacent. An additional room on this level can be available as an extra bedroom and is now used as a sitting area. There is also a laundry room on this level. A double air bed can accommodate an additional 2 guests if required and a travel crib is available on request. Outside is a large manicured garden with an outdoor fireplace and BBQ area, plus play equipment.

Perks for the Parents

This six-bedroom house on the shores of Caragh Lake, around 30km west of Killarney, is a great spot for a family reunion and includes elegant living rooms, superb views of Caragh Lake, Seefin Mountain and the Dingle Peninsula, and plenty of space to play. With its own private lakefront, a beautiful spacious interior and breathtaking 180º views, this secluded house, just off the Ring of Kerry, is the perfect place to rest, recharge and reconnect. A path leads down to the shore where you can sit on the rocks, go for a swim, or take out a fishing boat or go on a canoeing expedition. The house sleeps up to 12 plus a baby and has plenty of space for a multi-family group to spread out, with two separate wings and plenty of personal space. There is a beautiful family bedroom with an ensuite walk-in shower plus a bathroom next door. The hosts can help arrange a large selection of activities starting from the house and can book in-house chefs, professional family portraits, babysitters and more. There's also good quality WiFi plus Apple TV with Netflix.

Why Kids Love it

This house is great for a large family gathering and particularly suits children aged 8 and up, who can take advantage of the outdoor activities and lake. Right from the house, you can go boating, swimming and fishing; you can go horseback riding on the beach, and learn to canoe, surf or rock climb. There is an endless supply of fun activities nearby for all the family including geocaching, candle making, local pancake restaurants and more. Note that little children will need supervision around the lake and in the garden - the lake isn’t fenced and there is a drop-down from the stone patio at the front to the lawn. There is a beautiful Blue Flag beach at Rossbeigh, a short drive away. A little further afield you have the awe-inspiring Skelligs - a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recently featured in the final scenes of Star Wars - The Force Awakens; there are also the Cill Rialaig Arts Centre; Loher Fort; Gallarus Oratory; Ross Castle; Muckross House and Farm; and many more places to chose from.

Things to Know

Minimum stay: Seven nights in summer. Note that there are some areas where young children need extra supervision; there are original artworks on the wall that little fingers should be kept away from. No smoking, no pets, no parties or events. Check-in time is flexible. Caragh Lake is a quiet and tranquil spot and part of a Special Area of Conservation. The house is therefore not suitable for loud groups or big parties, and speedboats or jet-skis are not permitted on the lake. It is secluded with plenty of open space. Prior booking is required for fishing boat and canoe excursions - please enquire regarding rates and availability for any excursions and activities.

About the Location

The house is beautifully situated right on the shores of Caragh Lake, a large scenic lake set within a Special Area of Conservation that includes Killarney National Park, Macgillycuddy's Reeks and the Caragh River Catchment. It is around 40 minutes west of Killarney and seven minutes from Killorglin - a bustling market town with supermarkets, local butchers, fishmongers, organic food shop and artisan bakery. If you feel like dining out, there's a fantastic choice of restaurants there, along with two high-end restaurants right on Caragh Lake itself.

Accommodation Details

This six-bedroom, six-bathroom lakeside retreat consists of two separate wings, each with its own living area. The main central living room boasts floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors overlooking a large patio, expansive lawn and 70 meters of private lakefront. It has a big open fireplace, tasteful furniture and original paintings. The large kitchen is fully equipped, perfect for preparing delicious meals, and has a long oak bench to lounge on, sip your tea and look out onto the lake. There is also a dining room, an additional open-plan kitchen, living and dining room. Outside there’s a raised stone patio overlooking the lush green lawn and private lakefront, along with ample seating and a Weber barbeque.

Perks for the Parents

Live like lords of the manor in the grounds of historic Burtown House in County Kildare, with all-day access to 12 acres of gardens and a contemporary restaurant on site. It sleeps six with the option to accommodate two additional guests. This beautiful estate is perfect for exploring, with walking trails, streams, tennis courts and a sculpture garden. Guests have full access to the estate during their stay, and can choose from dining in The Green Barn restaurant or cooking with organic kitchen garden produce in the traditional farmhouse kitchen, complete with Aga. History lovers will love the property’s period features and beautiful architecture, and there’s also a separate studio apartment - perfect for older kids, teens, grandparents or nannies - so everyone has their own space.

Why Kids Love it

Children will love exploring this historic house and gardens, where they can walk in the woods, visit the kitchen garden and spot the donkeys and cows grazing on the land. Hosts have board games to borrow and there are tennis courts on-site, not to mention a sculpture park on the estate which is family-friendly. Take the whole family for a swim at the outdoor heated pool in Ballinakill (45 minutes’ drive), ride the antique steam train at Stradbally Hall (30 minutes’ drive) or visit the National Reptile Zoo (30 minutes’ drive).

Things to Know

Minimum stay: One night. The house has three bedrooms and an additional bedroom in a separate studio apartment that can be booked alongside the house or hired separately (€180 per night in addition). There is an on-site restaurant (guests are welcome) which also has a shop and a walled organic kitchen garden. Safety notes: there are stair gates on the stairs in the main house but the studio apartment has an open staircase so young children should be supervised. The hosts have three dogs on site that are looked after by family or staff. There are on-site cleaners available for any requirements. There is plenty of space for parking. The property comes with children’s utensils, fireplace guard, high chair, outlet plug, dishwasher, washer/dryer, TV and WiFi.

About the Location

This home is located in the centre of the historic Burtown House and Gardens, in County Kildare. This country estate is surrounded on all sides by lush flowers, woodland and kitchen gardens - a tourist attraction in itself. This area is very safe and quiet in a rural location. It’s a 10-minute drive to the local town of Athy (for shops, pubs, buses and trains) and less than an hour to the historic town of Kilkenny. Visit the Wicklow mountains (1.5 hours away) for mountain walks, hiking and cycling or visit beautiful Glendalough, home of Saint Patrick (1 hour away).

Accommodation Details

The master bedroom has 1 king size bed and a large ensuite bathroom; the second bedroom (accessed via the living room) also has 1 king-size bed, and the third bedroom has two single beds. The family bathroom has a rain shower, double-ended bathtub and heated floor. The dining room seats six, and leads to the country-style kitchen with a large Aga. The cosy living room has an open fireplace and has a secret bookcase door leading to the second bedroom. In the studio apartment, there is 1 kingsize 4-poster bed in a large double-height bedroom, a mezzanine with fireplace and a contemporary bathroom with a bathtub.