Irish Vacation: Stay in a Castle, Lighthouse or Manor

Nov. 27, 2009, 2009 — -- Question: I am planning my family's first trip to Ireland next summer. We will have only one week. I hate the idea of having to unpack and repack every day, and would like to find a well-located vacation rental and make day-trips from there.

I have three kids (ages 15, 14 and 10), and my oldest is a huge history fanatic. She is reading books about Irish history and looking forward to visiting castles and other historic sites.

If possible, I would like to find a place to stay that is itself historic and within a few hours' drive of other historic sites. Can you make any recommendations?-- Christine of Lexington, Mass.

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Answer: This question is right up my alley. I'm married to an Irishman and lived in Ireland for more than five years, during which time I wrote the "Frommer's Complete Guide to Ireland." I've traveled extensively around the island and stayed in all categories of lodgings. One of my all-time favorite travel resources specializes in just the kind of unique and historic vacation rental (known as "self-catering") properties that you're looking for.

The Irish Landmark Trust is a nonprofit organization that buys neglected, often dilapidated historic properties in Ireland and Northern Ireland, then restores them and rents them out to lucky vacationers.

Each property stays faithful to its original period through architectural details, period decor and antique furnishings, with a few key exceptions: Now the buildings have electricity, fully equipped kitchens with modern appliances, remodeled bathrooms and other modern creature comforts.

My family has stayed in more than a half a dozen of the Trust's 21 properties, including the Wicklow Lighthouse, Clomantagh Castle in Kilkenny, Termon House in Donegal, Galley Head Lightkeeper's House in West Cork and Ballealy Cottage in Northern Ireland's County Antrim. Each offers a different experience and historic backdrop, and all of them are truly special.