Western Ireland is a land of jaw-dropping landscapes and magical charm with a great choice of self-catering holiday cottages to choose from. Ravaged over time by the wild Atlantic Ocean, the coastline is lined with dramatic rocky outcrops, tiny islands and the iconic Cliffs of Moher in County Clare.

Holidays to Ireland are very much about enjoying the great outdoors no matter what the weather then warming up with a pint of Guinness by the fire in the evening. The choice of location is yours; you could be waking up near the lakes of County Donegal or the beaches of County Sligo. The choice of locally produced food is vast, enjoy tasty lunches of freshly-caught seafood and evening meals of soda bread and proper Irish stew or evenings with friends and family at a ceilidh in a traditional country pub.

One of Ireland’s most famous sights is the Connemara - an ethereal landscape of lakes and mountains which stretches across County Mayo and County Galway. Galway is a charming medieval city and hosts one of Europe’s most important cultural events every July. An eclectic mix of musicians, artists, writers and performers descend from all over the world, it’s an unforgettable two weeks and not to be missed.

Further inland, in County Limerick, County Leitrim and County Roscommon, look out for the ‘fairy rings’ and castle ruins which are strewn across the countryside. Folklore and history are one and the same in this part of the country, and the friendly locals will be more than happy to fill you in on the myths and legends which are still commemorated in stories, poems and music around the area.

The more you know about this beautiful country, the more you will be able to appreciate the spectacular Irish landscape and before you know it you will have fallen under its spell.