City Breaks in Ireland –
Stay Somewhere Extraordinary

Historic hideaways in the heart of Dublin, Cork and some of Ireland’s most charming towns and villages.

Self-Catering City Breaks in Dublin, Cork and Beyond

It’s true, Irish landmark Trust properties are usually synonymous with remote locations. Most are true hidden gems, offering a complete break from the world. However, we do have several properties that manage to bring the connection to heritage that we’re known for, in the comfort you’ve come to expect, but in an urban setting.

From Dublin city to the ‘real’ capital in Cork city, from the charming town of Celbridge to the iconic Bushmills, these stays offer convenience without compromising on character.

Walk Everywhere

Leave the car and explore on foot.

  • Museums, galleries and historic sites nearby
  • Restaurants, cafés and traditional pubs within walking distance
  • Shops, markets and live music on your doorstep

A Home, Not a Hotel Room

Your own front door in the middle of it all.

  • Entire historic homes to yourselves
  • Your own kitchen for relaxed breakfasts and late suppers
  • Peaceful courtyards and quiet lanes away from the crowds

Live Inside the Story

These buildings have shaped the places around them for centuries.

  • A Georgian mews in Dublin’s finest square
  • Homes within a historic star fort above Cork City
  • A 19th-century corn mill and a miniature castle in Antrim villages

The Best of Both Worlds

City energy by day, quiet evenings by night.

  • Easy day trips to the coast and countryside
  • Wood-burning stoves for cosy nights in
  • Perfect for couples, friends and short breaks

Our Favourite Dublin City Break: Merrion Mews

Tucked down a quiet lane behind Merrion Square, Merrion Mews is a rare chance to stay in a piece of Georgian Dublin. Step out to the National Gallery, St Stephen’s Green and Grafton Street in minutes, then retreat to a beautifully conserved home of your own in one of the city’s most elegant quarters.

  • In the heart of Georgian Dublin, Dublin 2
  • Minutes’ walk from Merrion Square, St Stephen’s Green and Grafton Street
  • Close to the National Gallery and national museums
  • A quiet lane setting away from the city bustle
  • Ideal for couples, friends or a family city break

City and Town Break Accommodation in Ireland

Discover our historic homes in Ireland’s cities, towns and villages. From the capital to Cork and the Causeway Coast, each one puts you at the centre of the action. Want to add a few nights in the countryside or by the sea? Explore our stays in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Merrion Mews seen through a stone archway: red-brick building with green coach-house doors
Pink-panelled double bedroom at Merrion Mews with a sash window, cast-iron radiator and red rug
Grey-panelled landing at Merrion Mews with a radiator and an open door to a washbasin
City centre

Merrion Mews

from €934 / 2 nts
Dublin · Georgian

A conserved mews behind Merrion Square, with Dublin’s galleries, parks and restaurants all within walking distance.

Book Merrion Mews →
Elizabeth Fort Parade House lit up at dusk, with guests at the door and cathedral spires against a stormy sky
Main bedroom at Elizabeth Fort Parade House with mustard walls, a wooden bed with patchwork quilt and a small settee
Bathroom at Elizabeth Fort Parade House with a bath, pedestal basin, toilet and a sash window with lace curtain
City centre

Elizabeth Fort Parade House

from €454 / 2 nts
Co. Cork · Wood-burning stove

Stay within the historic walls of Elizabeth Fort, with a peaceful courtyard and Cork City’s culture, food and sights moments away.

Book Elizabeth Fort Parade House →
Elizabeth Fort Garrison House and its neighbouring house seen from the fort walls, with the spires of St Fin Barre's Cathedral behind
Main bedroom at Elizabeth Fort Garrison House with deep red walls, a white iron and brass bed and a large sash window
Bathroom at Elizabeth Fort Garrison House with a corner shower, toilet, radiator and towels on a wooden rail
City centre

Elizabeth Fort Garrison House

from €454 / 2 nts
Co. Cork · Courtyard

A cosy home inside the fort walls, close to the English Market, St Fin Barre’s Cathedral and the best of Cork’s food scene.

Book Elizabeth Fort Garrison House →
Kiln Wing, Old Corn Mill: stone building with a red front door, slate roof and an old millstone in the gravel yard
Bedroom at Kiln Wing, Old Corn Mill with pine-panelled ceiling, red reading lamps and a blue toile bedspread
Blue and white jug and bowl on a carved mahogany cabinet at Kiln Wing, Old Corn Mill
Village centre

Kiln Wing, Old Corn Mill

from £363 / 2 nts
Co. Antrim · Causeway Coast

A conserved 19th-century corn mill on Main Street, Bushmills, beside the River Bush. Pubs and cafés on the doorstep, the Giant’s Causeway minutes away.

Book Kiln Wing →
Barbican Gatelodge, a crenellated stone tower with a green arched door, approached by a walled bridge among bare trees
Bedroom at Barbican Gatelodge with a wrought-iron bed under a pointed vaulted ceiling between two narrow windows
A heavy iron door handle at Barbican Gatelodge, with a dressing table and fireplace beyond
Village setting

Barbican Gatelodge

from £331 / 2 nts
Co. Antrim · Rooftop terrace

A miniature medieval castle in the heart of Glenarm, one of the oldest villages in Ireland, with a rooftop terrace above the River Glen.

Book Barbican Gatelodge →
Castletown Gate House, a two-storey whitewashed house with red brick window surrounds, a green door and climbing roses
Bedroom at Castletown Gate House with a timber double bed, blue cushions, mauve walls and a window with floral curtains
Green Irish Landmark Trust sign reading Self-Catering Holiday Accommodation on a whitewashed wall beside a climbing rose
2 dogs allowed

Castletown Gate House

from €400 / 2 nts
Co. Kildare · Edge of town

At the entrance to Castletown House on the edge of Celbridge, with the town’s cafés and pubs a short walk away and Dublin under an hour’s drive.

Book Castletown Gate House →

City Breaks: Frequently Asked Questions

Merrion Mews, Kiln Wing and Barbican Gatelodge each have parking for one car. The Elizabeth Fort houses have no parking, but there is a paid car park nearby on Grand Parade. Our city properties are best enjoyed on foot.
Merrion Mews sits on a quiet lane and the Elizabeth Fort houses are inside the fort walls, so evenings are peaceful despite the central locations.
Most Irish Landmark properties have no television or internet access. Check the individual listing for details.
Castletown Gate House welcomes up to two dogs. Check each listing for other properties, and see our Dog-Friendly Stays page.
One-night stays are not available, so allow at least two nights to make the most of your city or town break.
Pink-panelled double bedroom at Merrion Mews with a sash window, cast-iron radiator and red rug
est. 1992
€250
Redeemable against any of our 31 properties · Valid for 5 years

Give a City Break with a Difference

A weekend in a Georgian mews or a historic fort makes a memorable gift. Our gift vouchers can be used at any Irish Landmark property, and every one supports our conservation work.

Buy a Gift Voucher →