Cosy up with a romantic holiday cottage getaway in Ireland

Accommodation, Romantic breaks

Posted by Clare Willcocks on 13th January 2025

A couple sit outside a gorgeous cabin in the woods.

Ireland is the most romantic place in the entire world. It’s a bold claim, but hear us out. If romance had a checklist, Ireland would deliver on each and every point. Jaw-dropping backdrops for walks a deux – tick (have you seen the Cliffs of Moher?). Culture-filled cities with intimate eateries and cosy bars aplenty – tick (enter Dublin, stage left). Fairytale castles to inspire old-fashioned romance – tick (hello, Kylemore Abbey). And gorgeous retreats for two – tick (that’s where we come in).

Cosy little coastal boltholes with roaring wood burners where romance will blossom; stunning contemporary cottages, perfect for a special treat; and secluded hideaways ripe for peaceful sojourns. That’s what awaits you and your partner in our romantic Ireland collection.

To help you feel the love, we’ve picked out our favourite romantic cottages in Ireland. Let the romance begin, but be warned, after you visit, Ireland will always have a little piece of your heart.

Romantic getaways in Ireland


Montage of Portballintrae Studio: A sunny patio with planted pots, the lounge window overlooking the countryside, and a sleek black kitchen.

Portballintrae Studio, County Antrim

  • Gaze at the rolling countryside from the sunny patio
  • Just a short hop, skip and a jump from rugged Runkerry Beach
  • Compact hideaway, perfect for loved-up couples

Drink in the fabulous views over rural County Antrim as you get drunk on love at this intimate five-star studio abode. And if you have a thirst for adventure, head 0.5 miles to Runkerry Beach for surfing and sunbathing. The breathtaking landmark of Giant’s Causeway is just 3.5 miles away, the perfect prelude to a romantic evening spent at the theatre or cinema in nearby Coleraine (8.5 miles).

Back at base, the bright living space with its sleek design opens out onto a generous courtyard garden, which promises lazy evenings clinking glasses and stargazing in a post-BBQ stupor. When it’s time to retire for the night, the sofa converts to a comfortable king-size bed inviting sweet dreams of the following day’s escapades.

Cottage profile

Sleeps: 2 guests

Bedrooms: 1 double

What’s nearby: Runkerry Beach, Giant’s Causeway, Coleraine

Why we love it: It’s perfectly located for discovering Northern Ireland’s highlights

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Montage of Glenbay Cottage: The cottage overlooks the water, a wicker chair sits in a sunroom, and a lounge with vaulted ceiling overlooks the scenery.

Glenbay Cottage, County Donegal

  • Utter seclusion in the most enchanting of coastal locations
  • Wood burners add to the cosy and romantic atmosphere
  • Beach, hill and coastal walks straight from the front door

Sand, sea, and with any luck, sun are offered up on a platter at gorgeous Glenbay Cottage, which perches amidst the most spectacular scenery on the brink of the County Donegal coast. Perfect seclusion to revel in your own love bubble is guaranteed. Coastal and hill hikes straight from the doorstep are the ideal antidote to sedentary soirees curled up in front of the wood burner with a glass of wine.

This exquisite bungalow makes the most of its fabulous views on all sides. Patio doors in the lounge frame a sensational seascape; the golden sand of the beach 80 metres away invites lazy afternoons and evening strolls. A second wood burner in the kitchen keeps things toasty while you cook, and the comfortable bedroom in coastal hues promises a revitalising sea air-induced slumber. Nudge yourselves towards the land of nod with a pre-bedtime dip in the spa bath.

Cottage profile

Sleeps: 2 guests

Bedrooms: 1 king-size

What’s nearby: Wild Atlantic Way, Glencolumbkille, Glen Head, Assaranca Waterfall, Fintra Beach

Why guests love it: “The best cottage we have ever stayed in, anywhere. Peace, beauty, comfort, sea, rocks. Your search is over ... just book it!” – Lisa

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Montage of Crow's Hermitage: A woodburner against an exposed stone wall with alcoves, a wooden farmhouse kitchen, and the exterior of the pretty stone cottage.

Crows Hermitage, County Meath

  • Picture-postcard converted barn with a pleasant garden
  • Characterful interior, complete with a wood burner
  • Paddle stairs lead to a unique loft-style bedroom

Oh, so pretty, this cutesy cottage will melt your heart with its charms when you glimpse it for the first time. Outside, blousy blooms bob in hanging baskets suspended from the old stone walls of the former barn, whose interior is equally welcoming, with wooden floors, exposed stone and a crackling wood burner. The quirky loft-style bedroom, accessed via paddle stairs, adds an element of adventure at bedtime, perhaps following dining alfresco in the quaint garden.

Romantic riverside walks are on the cards along the River Boyne (8 miles), while a Guinness and culture-filled day trip to Dublin (28 miles) is also not to be missed. With a 200-metre stroll to the pub, though, you really don’t have to go far for a pint and some craic.

Cottage profile

Sleeps: 2 guests

Bedrooms: 1 double

What’s nearby: River Boyne, Newgrange World Heritage Site, Dublin

Why we love it: It’s impossible not to feel cuddly and romantic in this snug little dwelling

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Montage of Rose Gallery Cottage: A pretty white cottage, the neutral kitchen with wooden dining table, and the welcoming lounge with wood burner and wooden beams.

Rose Gallery Cottage, County Galway

  • Pretty country cottage in peaceful surroundings
  • Let the creative juices flow with the supplied art materials
  • Walk hand-in-hand to the nearby lake and 15th-century castle

Paint new memories on the canvas of your life together as you hole up in this gorgeous former art gallery. Set within the charming village of Oughterard at the heart of the Connemara Mountain Range, the surrounding scenery is an artist’s dream, with glistening Loch Corrib on the doorstep and the spectacular mountains to explore. A bureau with art supplies is set up if you wish to nurture your creative side, as well as your love.

Find inspiration in the original art that adorns the walls of this quaint romantic Irish cottage – a space made even cosier by the roaring wood burner and unique decor. Curl up to sleep beneath the characterful sloping ceiling of one of the two bijou double bedrooms, and awake to views of the countryside.

Cottage profile

Sleeps: 3 guests

Bedrooms: 2 doubles

What’s nearby: Connemara Mountain Range, Oughterard Championship Golf Course, Lough Corrib, Derroura Mountain Bike Trail

Why guests love it: “Great cottage, great equipment and beautiful surroundings; excellent location for touring Connemara.” – David

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Montage of The Old School House: The unique grey building nestled amongst the trees, a cosy double bedroom, and a wood-floored lounge in warm shades.

The Old School House, County Galway

  • Superb roof terrace with amazing views
  • On the banks of glistening Lough Corrib
  • Welcoming traditional features and decor

Re-enact the rowing boat scene from The Notebook on the lake alongside which this quirky property sits. At the north end of Lough Corrib, the former schoolhouse offers good access to the foreshore, which promises romantic picnics and lazy strolls. Surrounded by woodland, there’s a delightful feeling of privacy, however the pub in nearby Cornamona village is sure to tempt you out of your romantic reverie once in a while.

Enter this home-away-from-home and you’ll find warm wood floors, terracotta tiles, an open fire and sumptuous beds beneath vaulted ceilings. The roof terrace is the icing on the cake – linger until dark to share a nightcap beneath star-studded velvet skies. Head back up in the morning with your coffee to soak up the views before starting your day.

Cottage profile

Sleeps: 4 guests + 1 dog

Bedrooms: 1 double, 1 twin

What’s nearby: Lough Corrib, Cournamona, Lough Na Fooey

Why guests love it: “Absolutely gorgeous location and accommodation. The host was lovely and really helpful. We wished we could have stayed longer.”  – Marcus

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Montage of Cur: Stone cottage nestled within the secluded greenery, a cosy farmhouse kitchen with wooden beams, and an equally cosy lounge with dark furniture and tiles.

Cur, County Galway

  • Pretty, secluded stone cottage
  • Gorgeous private garden and grounds to explore
  • Oozing with character; the perfect backdrop for a romantic getaway

If you dream of romantic getaways in Ireland where you can step back in time and embrace a slower pace of life with your loved one, Cur is for you. The single-storey stone cottage is indulgently secluded, 2.5 miles from the nearest village of Maam. Just 6.5 miles away is the beautiful lake of Lough Na Fooey, with its sandy beach and waterfall, making for magical memories.

An enchanting blend of traditional features come together to create a cheery backdrop against which to stage your own romance story. The generous kitchen with its range-style cooker is the perfect spot to demonstrate your culinary prowess to create a top-notch dining experience for your significant other. Outside, beyond the private garden are 18 acres of grounds to stroll hand in hand, with ponds and captivating views to discover.

Cottage profile

Sleeps: 4 guests + 2 dogs

Bedrooms: 2 doubles

What’s nearby: Lough Na Fooey, Maam, Leeaun, Cornamona, Delphi Adventure Centre, Connemara National Park

Why guests love it: “A wonderful little cottage with all the comfort of a modern home. Underfloor heating and a lovely constant temperature throughout the house. Ideal base to explore the Maam Turk countryside and all its beauty.”  – Walter

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Montage of Tirnaog: Cute stone cottage surrounded by shrubs, a warm bedroom beneath vaulted wooden ceilings, a cosy lounge with stone floor, wood burner and wooden beams.

Tirnaog, County Clare

  • Gorgeous detached cottage in a picturesque County Clare setting
  • Cosy double bedroom under wood-clad sloping ceiling
  • Just 200 metres from shops, pubs and a restaurant; no need to wash up!

As cute as a bug’s ear, this small yet perfectly formed stone cottage occupies an idyllic spot in County Clare, within 4 acres of land. Close to the three pubs in the village of Cooraclare, so our crystal ball predicts evenings of supping Guinness in front of roaring pub fires, and days of coastal exploration at Doughmore (6 miles), Parkduff Bay Beach (6.5 miles) or White Strand Beach (9 miles).

Oozing character, the interior of this titchy abode is packed with traditional features, including wooden beams, a stone floor and fireplace, and a charming stable door. Treat your other half to a meal cooked with love in the compact kitchen, to be enjoyed by the warmth of the wood burner before heading up to bed beneath the eaves.

Cottage profile

Sleeps: 2 guests

Bedrooms: 1 double

What’s nearby: Doughmore, Whitestrand Beach, Parkduff Bay Beach, Trump International Golf Links, mountain walks

Why we love it: Secluded, pretty and with a cosy cabin feel, it’s the epitome of romantic

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Montage of The Chalet: Pristine exterior of the cottage, a warm cosy bedroom, and a welcoming lounge with vaulted wooden roof.

The Chalet, County Waterford

  • Boutique chalet, tucked away at the end of a quiet lane
  • Contemporary design, with great use of space
  • Curl up with a book in front of the corner wood burner

This pristine little cottage is the ideal choice for a couple (and up to two pups!) who appreciate cute and contemporary accommodation. Picturesque walks stretch out in every direction, into the Monavullagh Mountains and the Comeragh Range. Join Waterford Greenway, a 29-mile cycling and walking path to reach the city, home of Waterford Crystal where you could pick up a memento of your stay.

Back at The Chalet, relish the feeling of space and light created by the high vaulted ceiling, while the wood burner does the job of keeping things cosy. A mini kitchen takes care of cooking on those nights when you’re not out and about wining and dining in the local restaurants.

Cottage profile

Sleeps: 2 guests + 2 dogs

Bedrooms: 1 double

What’s nearby: Monavullagh Mountains, Waterford Greenway walking and cycling path, Clonlea Beach, Dungarvan

Why we love it: It’s just begging for you to steal away from the world to enjoy some ‘us’ time

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Montage of Drombeg: White cottage overlooking the water with mountains in the background, a cosy dining area with whitewashed stone walls, and an intimate lounge with a wood burner.

Drombeg, County Cork

  • Soak up the sunshine and enjoy the coastal views from the immaculate garden
  • Create a cosy atmosphere with the crackling wood burner
  • Share the love: invite another couple to hijack your romantic escape

Unbelievable coastal views await at Drombeg, where you can hole up with your other half and keep it a secret of your own or invite a couple of friends to share in the serenity. Set on a 17-acre beef farm, with the beach just a 0.5-mile stroll away, the cottage is a top pick for couples looking for outdoor adventure on their romantic holiday to Ireland.

Whitewashed stone walls, a wood burner, and furnishings picked for comfort set the scene for a restful break. When the sun is shining, the beautifully planted garden with patio furniture is a boon, complete with BBQ for sizzling sausages into the night as the stars come out. Short of date ideas? Try your hand at shrimp fishing with the shrimp pot provided.

Cottage profile

Sleeps: 4 guests

Bedrooms: 1 double, 1 twin

What’s nearby: Wild Atlantic Way, Ardgroom, Glenbeg Lough, Star Marina, Kenmare

Why guests love it: “The location was priceless.” – Netty

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Montage of Reenavaude: Terrace overlooking the water, with colourful planting, a lounge decorated in warm shades, and an aerial perspective of the cottage beside the water.

Reenavaude, County Cork

  • Attractive waterside property with far-reaching views
  • Pretty sun terrace for sipping sundowner cocktails
  • Traditional interior with wood burners creating a cosy atmosphere for cuddles

Charming on the inside and stunning to look at on the outside (just like the ideal partner!), this dreamy farmhouse sits at the edge of Kenmare Bay, County Cork. Allow yourself to be captivated by the beaches and natural attractions of the Beara Peninsula, while falling in love all over again with your other half.

Decorated in a comfortable farmhouse style, this functional and homely cottage makes the perfect base for a couple or four guests. Outside, the paved sun terrace, lovingly tended gardens and surrounding 9 acres of tranquil woodlands offer plenty of options for sunset walks while romance blossoms.

Cottage profile

Sleeps: 4 guests

Bedrooms: 1 double, 1 twin

What’s nearby: Wild Atlantic Way, Beara Peninsula, Ardgroom, Glenbeg Lough

Why we love it: The views of Kenmare Bay are spectacular

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Romantic getaways in Ireland

Lose your hearts to the Emerald Isle as you find each other again on a couple's break to one of our romantic cottages in Ireland in some of the country's top destinations.

Pick from our pretty properties nestled amongst idyllic scenery; the landscape is ripe for making memories, so don’t wait to whisk away your other half – it’ll be grand.

Romantic getaways in Ireland

Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing, please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.