Destination Staycation Beautiful Irish Destinations for a Fun-Filled Family Holiday

Summertime arrives in Ireland and there’s one collective sentiment lingering in the air – you just can’t beat our little Emerald Isle in the sunshine. No country’s greater when the weather’s good, and there are endless reasons why a staycation is the way to go when the kids are off school. So put the passports away, and say bye-bye to lengthy, stressful airport queues. Read on for the staycation locations truly worth their (Atlantic Sea) salt.

West Cork; the place dreams are made of. Dotted with rugged peninsulas, pretty beaches and idyllic villages, this beautiful wonderland has been attracting international interest for decades. Cosmopolitan without having lost any of its natural charm, activities to avail of include sailing, diving, whale-watching and kayaking. Explore historic wonders like Cape Clear (‘the storytellers’ island’) and Fastnet Lighthouse, known as Ireland’s teardrop (it was the last sight for Ireland’s 19^th century emigrants sailing to America). After days filled with sea air and gorgeous sights, enjoy fresh, seasonal food from any of the area’s award-winning artisan chefs.

One of the (many) jewels of Co. Kerry’s crown, Dingle is made up of a peninsula and a charming town. Steeped in Irish culture, this artistic little nook is situated in a Gaeltacht region, so expect to be reminded of your joyous Leaving Cert days, with sounds of our native tongue to be heard all across the area. Another outdoor haven for adventurous explorers, activities include horse-riding, treks around the Blasket Islands and scuba-diving. And remember, don’t leave without meeting local treasure, Fungi the dolphin! Or, if you’re so inclined, take a trip to the Dingle Distillery for a taste of local spirit.

Perched at the top of Liscannor Bay, charming Lahinch is a laidback, seaside town that attracts adventure-seeking surfers and holiday-makers alike. As well as the seemingly endless selection of outdoor thrills to take advantage of (surfing, rock-climbing, hill-walking), there are also a number of pretty sights well worth a visit. Be sure to check out the stunning Cliffs of Moher, from the top of which you’ll spy the famous Aran Islands in Galway Bay. Finish off the day with a satisfying feed from a local pub, while enjoying some of the best live trad the west has to offer.

Consider an AIB Travel Loan. AIB offer loans from €1,000 with a loan decision in just three hours*. You can apply online through AIB Internet Banking and the AIB Mobile App. You can also book a branch appointment if you’d like to speak to someone in person or phone 0818 724 725 if you’d like to speak to someone in person.

* 3 hour loan decision applies to fully completed new personal loan applications processed within 3 hours 9am-5pm, Mon-Fri excl. bank holidays. Loans from €1,000-€30,000. Excludes applications: to restructure or clear existing AIB credit facilities; received through Branch and referred to a lender for review, from customers in financial difficulty; for Student and First loans; applications through Business Centres; or where total borrowings exceed €100,000 (excluding Home Loan debt up to €600,000).

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