Travel challenge: A cottage holiday in Ireland at half term

Every week we invite competing companies to give us their best deal for a specified holiday. Today: a cottage holiday in Ireland for May half term. Prices are for seven nights' rental of a house, starting 29 May...

Irish Landmark Trust

€847: Galley Head Lightkeeper's House, Clonakilty, Co Cork (sleeps four)

Does not include travel to Ireland. "Saved by The Irish Landmark Trust, this is now one of our most popular self-catering holiday homes. It sleeps four people in one double and one twin room. Situated near the picturesque and award- winning village of Clonakilty, Galley Head is on a dramatic coastline with views for as far as the eye can see," says Julie Lynch of the Irish Landmark Trust (00 353 1 670 4733; irishlandmark.com ).

Imagine Ireland

£665: Aughrim, Vale of Avoca, Co Wicklow (sleeps four)

Includes return Holyhead-Dublin ferry crossings for four people, plus up to three pets."This is an attractive, high-quality cottage in an area perfect for walkers and nature-lovers, with woodland footpaths just across the stream at the bottom of the garden, national parkland on the doorstep and the fabulous beach at Brittas Bay within a half an hour's drive. The Vale of Avoca is the very pretty area where Ballykissangel was filmed. All this just an hour's drive from Dublin," says Astrid Nitzsche of Imagine Ireland (01756 703 192; imagineireland.com ).

Irish Ferries Holidays

£431: Glenbeg Point Holiday Homes, Co Wexford (sleeps five)

Includes return ferry crossings between Holyhead and Dublin (or Pembroke and Rosslare) for the family car, two adults and up to three children aged 15 or younger; must book by 22 May. "As well as the £77 saving on this holiday, you don't have to worry about bedlinen or towels – all of which are included. There's a kids' play area on-site as well as tennis courts. If you could spare a second week, that would be free, saving another £342. The joy of taking your own car is that you can take as much luggage as you like. The recent no-fly disruption has put the spotlight back on ferry travel. You're a lot more in control when you've got your own car," says Ann Pye of Irish Ferries Holidays (0871 730 0400; irishferries.com ).