Ireland has a reputation as a relaxed and friendly holiday cottage destination, somewhere to go to unwind, visit an Irish pub in the evening, listen to some jolly music and enjoy the simple things in life. A chilled out holiday in an Irish holiday home is suitable for couples and families. It is lovely to be able to have a secure house all to oneself without intrusion from strangers. Holiday homes are fully equipped with the essentials for holiday living. The more expensive the holiday home is, the better the furniture, fitting and appliances. As an island, Ireland’s coastline offers lovely beaches for seaside holidays. County Donegal in the north west is famous for its Atlantic beaches and coastal scenery. Rent a cottage near a beach and revel in the seclusion and tranquillity found there. This is the place to go to fulfil dreams of horse riding on the beach, or surfing the waves. There are numerous cottages of all types, traditional and modern to rent near the coast, in the countryside and holiday apartments in the big towns and cities. A self-catering cottage break gives holidaymakers comfort combined with freedom and low cost. The provision of a kitchen for making meals and snacks both reduces costs and makes a holiday in Ireland more pleasurable. It is good to be able to fill holiday homes with food and drink that holidaymakers personally enjoy and indulge when it suits them. People often choose their holiday destination because they want to visit a particular tourist attraction in the area such as the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland, or the ring of Kerry in the south. Dublin is a big weekend break destination although it is feasible to book a holiday home in Meath, Kildare or Wicklow and drive into Dublin for days out. Although Ireland is famous for its fishing and horse riding, many people have yet to hear about the dolphins and whales off the south coast. Rent a holiday home in Co Kerry or Co Cork to go out for boat trips to spot large sea mammals and sea birds. Spring is an excellent time to visit Ireland for a country break when wildflowers fill the meadows and woodlands with colour. May onwards is also a great time to go walking in Ireland’s national parks, when the landscape is freshly green and at its best. Book a self-catering cottage in Co Mayo to go walking in the Ballycroy National Park or the Connemara Park for beautiful heaths brimming with wildlife.