Breakers Beach House: A Beachfront Stay in Ballybunion

Fancy starting the morning with a swim in the Atlantic and finishing it under a hot outdoor shower before heading back inside?

That’s very much on the cards at Breakers Beach House in Ballybunion. This architect-designed house sits right by the coast at Ladies Beach, with Atlantic views, beach access and some of Ballybunion’s best walks right on the doorstep.

It sleeps 6 across 3 bedrooms and has earned a perfect 5/5 from 136 reviews, putting it among Airbnb’s top 1% of eligible homes.

A beachfront base in Ballybunion

Breakers Beach House is designed to make the most of its position overlooking the Atlantic.

You’re within easy reach of Ballybunion’s three beaches and the Cliff Walk, while Ballybunion Golf Course is nearby if you’d rather spend the day swinging a club than hopping into the Atlantic.

The house works year-round, too. Summer gives you the beaches and long evenings outside, while I’d imagine watching a winter storm come in across the Atlantic wouldn’t be a bad way to spend an afternoon.

Take a look inside

The house sleeps 6 across 3 bedrooms, with two king bedrooms and a third room containing two single beds. There are also 2.5 bathrooms.

There’s a fully equipped kitchen along with an indoor fireplace, Wi-Fi, Netflix and Starlink internet, so you’re not exactly roughing it despite being right on the edge of the Atlantic.

The views

The Atlantic is very much the star of the show here.

Large windows throughout the house make the most of the coastal setting, and the views are one of the things that guests mention most frequently in reviews.

There’s also a private patio or balcony, giving you somewhere to sit outside when Kerry delivers one of those rare evenings when the wind isn’t trying to take your chair with it.

And there’s an outdoor hot shower…

This is a very nice touch if you’re planning on making proper use of the location.

Head out for a swim or surf and there’s a hot outdoor shower waiting when you get back to the house.

You can then retreat inside, get the fire going and admire the Atlantic from somewhere considerably warmer.

For swimmers in particular, Breakers Beach House is a very hard location to fault. See more and check prices here.

Discover more unique places to stay in Ireland

The stays above are just a handful of the wonderfully weird places you can spend a night around Ireland.

You’ll find plenty more in my guide to the most unique stays in Ireland, along with everything from treehouses and cabins to bell tents in my guide to the best places to go glamping in Ireland.

1. The Tranquil Tigín

You have to walk 300 metres across a meadow to reach this tiny off-grid cabin in the Wicklow Mountains.

It sleeps 2 and comes with a mezzanine king bed, enormous countryside-facing window, copper outdoor bath and fire pit, with a wood-fired sauna a short stroll away.

2. Grove Treehouse with hot tub

This adults-only West Cork treehouse sleeps 2 and comes with a roll-top bath opposite the bed and a private two-person hot tub amongst the trees.

You reach it via tree-trunk steps before stepping inside to an open-plan bedroom, kitchen and living area, with French doors opening onto a large private deck.

3. The Hidden Haven

The Hidden Haven is a luxury lodge for 2 in the hills of West Cork with its own lake, a wood-fired hot tub and a deck stretching over the water.

There’s a super king bed and bath with a view inside, while stone steps outside lead straight into the lake when you fancy undoing all the good work of the hot tub.

4. Balance Treehouse

The Balance Treehouse in County Armagh is reached via a private rope bridge and sits high amongst the trees overlooking the Ring of Gullion.

It sleeps 2 and comes with a glass roof above the bed, private hot tub, outdoor shower and a large outdoor net where you can kick back and admire the surrounding hills.

5. The Dunmanus Bay Barn

This restored stone farmhouse and barn sits on West Cork’s Sheep’s Head Peninsula, looking across Dunmanus Bay towards the Mizen Peninsula.

Along with its old stone walls, timber beams and slate floors, you’ve got more than an acre of grounds, a spring-fed pond and a solar-heated outdoor pool.

6. Dolphin Beach Lodge

Dolphin Beach Lodge sits just metres from the Atlantic on Connemara’s Sky Road, with Clifden Bay outside the windows and a secluded beach directly in front.

The lodge sleeps 6 across 3 bedrooms and, despite the wonderfully remote-feeling setting, you’re only around a 10-minute drive from Clifden.

7. The Hide at Neadú

With its grass-covered roof and views towards Glenveagh, The Hide at Neadú is one of Donegal’s more unusual little cabins.

Inside you’ll find reclaimed and upcycled pieces, an alcove double bed and wood-burning stove, while double doors open onto a private deck overlooking the surrounding mountains and valley.