Stylish West Coast Stays to Book Now for the May Bank Holiday

Whether travelling with friends, partners, or little ones, we’ve rounded up some of the best places to spend the May bank holiday weekend along Ireland’s beautiful West Coast.

For the trip that finally makes it out of the group chat: Bog Cotton Cottage, Co. Galway 

Where better to escape to for a soul-nourishing trip with friends than Bog Cotton Cottage in Roundstone. A beautifully restored property designed to accommodate up to five guests, it’s warm and welcoming in equal measure with stylish interiors and a wood burning stove. 

Fully accessible for guests with mobility needs, the interior features a spacious open-plan living and kitchen area while outside, there’s a private space for entertaining. Stock up on your favourite foods, pack some boardgames, and finally commit to making that long-discussed group trip happen! A three-night stay for five people costs €1,078.25. withinthevillage.ie 

To reconnect with nature: Ice House Hotel, Co. Mayo 

Regularly ranked among the country’s best hotels, the Ice House in Co. May offers an opportunity to rest and renew. Immersed in nature, the River Moy flows past your bedroom, alongside the spa and beneath the skies of the Wild Atlantic Way.

A great base for exploring the nearby area,  it may be tempting to just relax inside the hotel, but there’s an abundance of outdoor activities to do in the vicinity, from surfing in Ballina to fishing on the River Moy, and gorgeous walks along the seaside. A one-night stay with breakfast starts from €350.

For a romantic weekend: Armada House, Co. Clare

Reopening earlier this year after a three-year transformation helmed by interior designer Suzie McAdam, the beautiful Armada House is the perfect choice for a romantic weekend. A 13-bedroom property adjacent to the Armada Hotel in Co. Clare, the rooms and suites are intimate by design, balancing heritage architecture with bespoke furnishings and luxurious bed linen by Inish Living.

Rich in character and atmosphere, highlights include a Champagne Room, an elegant parlour and piano lounge, and of course, the Mabels dining room, which serves up a delicious breakfast featuring the best of Clare producers and Armada Farm’s home-grown produce. A one-night bed and breakfast stay starts from €365 for two people sharing. armadaspanishpoint.ie 

If food is the main event: The Mustard Seed, Co. Limerick 

A four-star country retreat with its own orchard, the Mustard Seed is an oasis of countryside bliss where food takes centre stage. At the onsite restaurant—a destination in itself—head chef Angel Pirev curates seasonally crafted menus using ingredients often sourced from the working kitchen garden behind the house. 

The busy dining room welcomes residents and non-residents and has long been highly acclaimed for attracting lovers of good food and fine wines from all over the world. A three-night break with breakfast and two dinners starts at €960 based on two people sharing a superior room. mustardseed.ie

A family affair: Fota Island Resort, Co. Cork 

Fun for all the family, a trip to the Fota Island Resort is one you won’t forget in a hurry. One of the very few resort hotels in Ireland, it’s situated on its own private island amidst the tranquillity of Cork Harbour—but is still only a 15-minute drive from the city centre. 

Fota Wildlife Park, one of Ireland’s top 10 visitor attractions, is only 5km away and the resort provides a daily shuttle to both the park and Fota House & Gardens. Wherever possible the park has chosen animals that thrive in a free-range environment, allowing them to roam free with other species (and their human visitors).

A one-night B&B stay for two adults and two children starts at €475 for a family room. fotaisland.ie 

*all prices accurate at time of writing and reflective of stays during the May 2026 bank holiday weekend.