Head for South-East Ireland where it is warmer and drier than the rest of the country with gorgeous beaches at Wexford and Waterford, picturesque seaside towns and fishing villages plus a rich history to be discovered. The whole of the area is considered to be one of Ireland’s hidden gems and has a great selection of self-catering holiday cottages to choose from.

The region is made up from five counties all very special and unique in their own way. County Carlow has mountains, glorious countryside and river valleys all providing a beautiful backdrop for visitors. You can enjoy exhilarating outdoor adventures or sample traditional rural life plus enjoy some great shopping and a rich and diverse cultural heritage. County Kilkenny is often envied by the other counties and that’s not just because it’s good at curling but more because it is full to the brim with enchantment and enjoyment. Enjoy the fabulous scenery of the Nore and Barrow river valleys and the culture and history of Kilkenny City. One of its many claims to fame is the Mount Juliet golf course designed by the world famous golfer Jack Nicklaus, thought to one of the finest courses in the country.

If you want to visit the stunning Wicklow Mountains, the largest continuous upland area in Ireland, sandy beaches and miles and miles of unspoilt countryside go to County South Tipperary and in County Wexford you may even have a beach to yourself during the bracing winter months.

The Copper Coast in County Waterford is a sanctuary of natural and manmade beauty, named after the area’s metal mining past. When the sun shines the flecks and veins of metal on the clifftops sparkle and glint giving the landscape a wonderfully warm glow. The famed glass manufacturer, Waterford Crystal, started here in 1783 and in Reginald’s Tower archaeological treasures are displayed in the Waterford Museum of Treasures. South East Ireland deserves to be explored at length, so you can appreciate every quirky village, historic site, and tranquil landscape, a holiday here will be a real treat.