13 Lovely Thatch Cottages That You Can Hibernate In This Winter

Thatched cottages are always a quirky base for a night or two away in Ireland. 

These postcard-perfect homes are steeped in history and tradition and can be found dotted around the countryside all over the island.

Many of them date back to around the 18th century, with some of them being restored into quaint holiday getaways that are perfect to rent with friends.

Thatch cottages on Airbnb

Whether you’re after a rural retreat or seaside vacation, here are 13 stunning thatch cottages that you can rent for a cosy weekend away.

Quick note: If you book an Airbnb via the links below, we’ll make a small commission (you won’t pay extra) that goes towards the running of this site (it’s very much appreciated!).

1. A thatched cottage in Spiddal

This 200-year-old traditional thatched cottage is the perfect tranquil escape outside of Galway city. It’s located in a picturesque area five miles inland from the coastal village of Spiddal.

You can completely switch off from your busy life here and enjoy your friends’ company with no Wi-Fi and just some local country roads to explore.

Still, the little two-bedroom cottage has plenty of modern conveniences with a self-catering kitchen, cosy living room with a wood fire and comfortable bedrooms. See more here.

2. Nanny Murphy’s Cottage

This beautiful little thatched cottage will take you back to old Ireland. The unique place in County Longford has been renovated using centuries-old techniques with local building materials and completely furnished in an authentic old style.

The cosy cottage sleeps up to six guests in comfortable rooms. You’ve also got a self-catering kitchen and a spacious lounge area with an open fireplace.

It’s in a beautiful location with access to some countryside trails to nearby lakes but still not too far from the nearest town, Arvagh which is just a five-minute drive away. See more here.

3. Mamore Cottage (Mickey’s)

Mickey’s Cottage offers complete rustic charm on the Wild Atlantic Way. The old whitewashed cottage has been carefully restored to reflect the tradition of thatched houses with an open turf fire, stone floors and antique furniture.

It’s the perfect cosy little getaway for three friends with a very rustic interior that includes a kitchen full of cooking essentials and a comfortable lounge area.

The picturesque location in Donegal surrounded by the Urris Hills strikes a nice balance between country and seaside. There are plenty of beaches within a short distance from the cottage. See more here.

4. A Thatch Cottage in West Cork

This newly built cottage has been constructed in a traditional way to give you a very unique stay in Skibbereen.

The two-storey, thatched cottage sleeps up to six guests with three bedrooms and one bathroom to share. It’s perfect for a family or group of friends who want to explore West Cork.

The traditional house sits inside its own little garden area which you have access to during your stay. The interior is more modern with a full kitchen, cosy lounge area and spotless bedrooms.

From the property, you can easily reach popular towns like Skibbereen, Ballydehob, Schull and Baltimore. See more here.

5. A 17th Century Thatched Cottage in Thurles

This is an old gem in the heart of the countryside in County Tipperary. The thatched cottage dates back to the 17th century and has been authentically restored with its original features.

The exposed roof beams, whitewashed walls and open fire will transport you back to old Ireland. The cottage sleeps two guests, making it perfect for a romantic getaway. But you’ll be pleasantly surprised by how spacious it is with plenty of room in the open lounge area.

It’s ideally located just five minutes outside of Thurles, with Kilkenny city just 40 minutes away. You can book a night or see more here.

6. Enchanted Mill Cottage Kells County Kilkenny

You can escape your busy life with some friends to this charming thatch cottage in the village of Kells.

It’s perfectly located just 15 minutes from Kilkenny city and within walking distance to the ruins of the Augustinian Priory and The Kings River.

The two-bedroom cottage was originally built in the 17th century but the interior has been completely restored in a more modern style.

You have access to a fully fitted kitchen, a cosy lounge with a fireplace and a lovely garden and picnic area outside. See more here.

7. Karrie’s Cottage in Galway

This cottage blends both tradition and more modern design. The thatched cottage sits amongst a beautiful garden in the seaside village of Maree, just 10 minutes outside of Oranmore.

The inside of the three-bedroom cottage has a more modern style with an open plan kitchenette, dining and lounge area and a turf burning stove to keep you warm at night.

The whole interior is simple yet elegant with comfortable furnishings. You can also use the front and back gardens to enjoy the sun, read a book or admire the view of the sea which you can see just a stone’s throw away. See more here.

8. Storytellers Cottage, Cliffs of Moher

This beautiful cottage in Doolin is an irresistible stay for your weekend. The thatched cottage has an old-world charm from the outside and yet the interior is so tastefully decorated with sophisticated and polished furnishings and décor.

It’s certainly a perfect balance between tradition and luxury. It can sleep up to four guests with two bedrooms and one bathroom to share.

From the property, you have countless choices of things to do and explore in the area. You can enjoy the beautiful views of the wild Atlantic and Aran Islands off the coast or wander along the cliff walk between the Cliffs of Moher and Doolin.

9. Whispering Willows

For a real country getaway in luxury, this semi-detached thatched cottage is on a quiet country lane just one mile from Carndonagh.

Both traditional and yet fitted with contemporary furnishings and décor, you can enjoy this old thatched cottage in style.

It’s a single level place with just one bedroom for two people to share. There’s plenty of amenities to make your stay comfortable though, with Wi-Fi, a smart TV, fully equipped kitchen, huge walk-in shower and multi-fuel stove.

You’ll also find Blue Flag beaches within a short drive and plenty of incredible coastal views around the peninsula for you to explore. See more here.

10. Moments at St Awaries Thatch

This is a really memorable boutique cottage that is perfect for a special weekend away with friends near Rosslare Harbour.

The thatched cottage was originally built in the 16th century but has since been beautifully restored with a luxurious touch.

The pretty cottage can sleep up to five guests with two bedrooms. The fully equipped kitchen is great for hosting your own dinner parties with a brightly lit dining area to enjoy your friends’ company.

You can reach beautiful beached within a short stroll from the cottage and you can also explore Lady’s Island Lake with its Norman Castle within a short distance. See more here.

11. A private thatched cottage in Limerick

You can step back in time at this charming thatched cottage in a stunning rural setting. It’s perfect for a cosy getaway for up to two people or even an isolated workspace if you need to stoke some inspiration.

The cottage is completely traditional with whitewashed walls, a wood-burning stove and old-world style furnishings.

The property is on a working farm in the heart of Munster and just 30 minutes from Limerick.

So, you can enjoy the real country charm while using it as a base to explore the surrounds. Book a night or see more here.

12. A Thatched Cottage with hot tub

This pretty thatched cottage is located in Cordal, County Kerry. It’s all about the traditional rural charm with slate flooring, a wood fire stove and pretty garden and leafy surrounds.

Perhaps less traditional and a unique selling point is the outdoor hot tub on the wooden deck area. This is exactly what you want to compliment your weekend away with friends.

The cottage sleeps up to six guests with three bedrooms and two bathrooms. You also have a large kitchen and cosy lounge area that is enticing to curl up with a book.

You have a pub and shops within walking distance and the Ring of Kerry is just 12 miles away. Book a night or see more here.

13. Rose Cottage on the Wild Atlantic Way

For a perfect little rural escape that is still close to some nearby sights, this thatched cottage is a real treat.

The old three-bedroom lodge has been recently restored with more modern comforts. But you can still get a more traditional feeling, with the exposed roof beams, wood fire stove and bare stone walls.

The rooms are spacious and offer simple yet comfortable furnishings. It’s in an ideal location for hiking, biking or just relaxing, depending on what you prefer.

It’s surrounded by acres of parkland, close to Doolin and Lisdoonvarna. You could also use it as a base for exploring the Cliffs of Moher and the Aran Islands. See more here.

Fancy discovering more unique Irish accommodation?

If you drop into the where to stay in Ireland section of our site, you’ll discover a tonne of different unique places to stay.

From lakeside shipping containers to hobbit pods, swanky homes by the sea and more, there’s something to tickle every fancy.