Country or coast? Finding your family’s place in Ireland
Updated 8 September 2026
A country house surrounded by gardens. A coastal home with the sea beyond the windows. Both can offer room for a family to settle in, but the days they invite are different. When you are choosing a base for several weeks in Ireland, it helps to think beyond the first impression.
At Rochtaine, residencies begin at 21 nights. The right setting is the one that suits your household on an ordinary afternoon as well as a special occasion: somewhere to gather, spend time apart and return to familiar routines.
Begin with the days you want to repeat
Picture a morning halfway through your stay. Does someone head into the garden while others linger over breakfast? Is the view of the sea part of the pleasure of staying at home? Will grandparents, children and visiting relatives want different things from the same day?
You do not need a full itinerary to answer these questions. A few preferences can tell us more than a long list of activities. Think about shared meals, quieter corners, time outdoors and how often you would like to leave the residence. The aim is a home that makes the everyday parts of family life feel easy.
Kilkenny: a country home to settle into
Rochtaine Kilkenny sits within Mount Juliet Estate, with gardens and shared living spaces that lend themselves to an unhurried stay. It is a setting for families who enjoy country surroundings and the possibility of spending much of the day close to home.
A book in the library, conversation after lunch or time together in the garden can be as much a part of the residency as a planned outing. Different generations need not follow the same timetable. The house can be the place everyone comes back to, with household and dining arrangements shaped around the family.
For families travelling with their own staff or welcoming additional relatives, optional accommodation can be discussed alongside the main house. At Kilkenny, this includes a separate staff house and an apartment for staff or additional guests. Hotel accommodation may also be considered, subject to availability. These are options to plan for, rather than accommodation every family needs to take.
Camelot: family life by the coast
Camelot Waterford in Ardmore offers a contemporary coastal setting, with sea views that remain part of the day even when everyone stays indoors. It may appeal to a family whose idea of settling in begins with the coast: open views, time by the shore and evenings spent together at home.
Choosing the coast does not mean filling every day with excursions. It can simply mean enjoying a different outlook over breakfast or returning to the same view after time away. As with Kilkenny, the practical arrangements matter as much as the setting.
Optional staff houses are available on the same private estate as Camelot. Their use is discussed according to the household’s needs and confirmed as part of the proposal; they are not a requirement of the stay.
A few questions to help you choose
- What makes a good day at home? Consider the spaces, views and routines your family naturally enjoys.
- Who will be there, and when? Include relatives joining for part of the stay and any staff travelling with you.
- What needs to work from the outset? Share rooming, accessibility, dietary and working requirements early, so they can be considered before a residence is agreed.
You can begin the conversation with a preference, or with the choice still open. We discuss the residence and proposed services together, with arrangements and costs set out for review before agreement. Our guide to how we work explains the process.
Country or coast, we begin with your family.
Tell us how you would like to spend your time, and we can help you find the right setting for an extended stay in Ireland.
