For kin
One day they’ll say, “When we were kids, we found a place to call home, a family cottage that became a midwinter fortress. The floor was lava, and there were owls each night, and always crumpets at breakfast.”
Or, something like that, anyway.
In places where lochside retreats are eclipsed by peasouper fogs, and sea-crafted gales are carried in on the wings of sooty shearwaters, your motley crew (and the dogs, too) will always be found together. Here’s to time away with your homefolk, to tallying up the seconds between lightning flashes and thunder claps, and the careful cherry-picking of Monopoly tokens.
These weathered seasons are for luxury hideaways. For teaching the children the cosy curriculum: discovering herbs in the garden at dawn, squeezing lemon wedges over cast-iron puffed pancakes at lunch, and melting boiled sweets into stained glass sugar cookies for last lesson. What you feel most has no name but cinnamon, blankets, puzzles, chuckles, and rivers of honey flowing from the drizzler.
Walden Lakehouse
Glasson, County Westmeath, Republic of Ireland
Backed by woods on the shores of Lough Ree, Walden Lakehouse is a luxury cabin in County Westmeath, with mid-century décor that saw it crowned "Ireland’s Home of The Year".
Sleeps: Up to 4 guests
Alternative Group Option: Up to 2 guests
From: £1,495 per week, £1,250 per short break
Pets: Sorry, no pets
Sienna
Kenmare, County Kerry, Republic of Ireland
This luxury self-catering cottage is a romantic and remote retreat in County Kerry's "little nest", Kenmare. Think desert island beaches, crashing seas and spellbinding starry skies.
Sleeps: Up to 4 guests
Alternative Group Option: Up to 2 guests
From: £1,895 per week, £1,350 per short break
Pets: Sorry, no pets
Features: Hot tub and fire pit
Skyros
Schull, County Cork, Republic of Ireland
Lose yourself amidst the magic of West Cork by escaping to this unique coastal self-catering home at the foothills of Mount Gabriel in Schull.
Sleeps: Up to 6 guests
Alternative Group Option: Up to 4 & Up to 2 guests
From: £2,295 per week, £1,850 per short break
Pets: Sorry, no pets
