I am looking to take the kids (10, 8) on a break before they go back to school, any cheap and cheerful suggestions? PG, Dublin
The one thing that has happened this year is that prices have gone up across the country and especially for coastal areas. Starting with the most basic cheap and cheerful, then a stay in a mobile home or fixed tent might be fun for the kids. You can see availability at pitchup website.
For example, a two-night stay in a fixed tent in the Eco Camping at Milltown Malbay in Co. Clare will cost from €60 per night, minimum of two nights. This is a great location for visiting the Wild Atlantic Way and the sights of coastal Co. Clare.
Lidl do holiday breaks and Murphy’s Hotel in Sligo has overnights from €74 per night, or the Holiday Inn Express in Belfast is from £74 (approx. €89) per night, lidl-breaks.ie. Midweek breaks will be less expensive than the weekends, lidl-breaks.ie.
Holiday Homes and Apartments
When it comes to holiday homes, you may be lucky to get something around the last week in August. There tends to be more availability. I have seen houses and apartments to rent on Daft.ie from €350 – €650 per week and on Donedeal.ie for similar prices. They will more likely to be inland places.
DreamIreland.com have a special offers page and there are some discounts for August. You can call Dream Ireland on (064) 6641170 to check availability.
Hostels can also be a good place to find accommodation for families, especially this year with less travel to Ireland from abroad. You can look on hostelworld.com. For example, Kinlay House in Galway city centre has family room from €129 per night.
