Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. There is a handy filter system lower down on our homepage, with more filters down the left. Here you will be able to click on your favourite pastime or requirement.

The map is an approximate location guide, but is not intended for use in navigating to a particular house, for security reasons.
You will of course receive complete navigation instructions when your booking has been confirmed.

Yes. Just navigate to the foot of the page, or click on Gallery in the menu listing on the right.

The vast majority of owners use their homes frequently throughout the year. Very occasionally they may forget to inform us of their plans.
Because your travel arrangements are important, all provisional bookings are double checked with the owners to ensure that there is no conflict. This can take up to 24 hours, but don’t worry, we haven’t forgotten about you!
Provisional bookings will be followed up by email, at which point we can answer specific queries you may have, forward your contract, and will request a deposit to confirm.
Please note that all unconfirmed provisional bookings will expire after 3 days, and the property becomes available on line again.

Most owners prefer Saturday as a changeover day when booking for a full week, with Monday as a midweek changeover day. This helps greatly with cleaning rotas being regularised.
All homes clearly state this information on their booking page.

Some properties do allow for shorter breaks on Public holidays for example, and this may change from time to time. Details will be clear on their booking page – Rates and Dates.
On the Properties page, you may choose Short Stay Homes for a listing of houses that cater for Weekend and Midweek breaks.

All bed linen and towels will be supplied.
Most owners will also ensure that there is a fresh load of logs or peat briquettes in the house.
On arrival, there will also be a Welcome pack containing basic supplies, such as Tea, Coffee, Milk, Bread, Butter, Jams and Marmalade, eggs and Cheese, as well as cleaning products etc. – so you won’t get caught out.
If you have got special requirements, please give us good notice.

As with most holiday arrangements, guests rightly expect that their accommodation will have been thoroughly cleaned and aired prior to arrival, and this takes time.
Details are contained in the Booking Contract – generally, in after 4pm, out before 10am.
Of course, should you be running late on arrival day, you will have a local contact to facilitate you.

Prior to confirming your provisional booking, you will be asked to sign a booking contract which may vary slightly from one property to another.
The terms and conditions, and policy covering cancellations, as well as other requirements are contained therein, but nothing scary.

The beautiful properties that are offered on the Unique Irish Homes website are private holiday homes that have had a great deal of time, energy and memories invested in them over the years.
They will also often contain paraphernalia and collections of a personal nature that they have chosen to share with our guests.
The breakages deposit goes some way toward encouraging guests to respect the property and its contents.
This security deposit, payable with the rental amount will be refunded within seven days of departure, unless the owners report significant damages.

Unique Irish Homes have a preference for using PayPal to process payments and refunds.
By so doing, we avoid gathering any personal bank details or other secure data, plus it is almost instant.
PayPal make a 4.4% charge for using this facility, plus 85 cents, which in common with most other businesses, is passed on to the guest at the time of booking.
There is no charge for refunds.

The most common reason that owners are hesitant to accommodate young children is concern over hazards – typically ponds, rivers or the ocean; cliffs or other steep falls; or occasionally, stairs or balconies may not be child proof in design.
Bearing in mind that these are private homes, often there will be heirlooms, memoirs and antiques, invaluable to the owners, throughout the property, and this also causes some understandable anxiety.

Whether or not to allow pets is completely at the discretion of the owners, and it varies.
Most owners prefer not to cater for dogs as subsequent guests may have pet allergies, or indeed they may suffer themselves.
If you intend bringing a dog, please tell us about him/her when booking.
In some cases, dogs may attract a cleaning surcharge – please check at time of booking.

Health and Safety, and insurance considerations make it a requirement that we obtain a demographic breakdown.
Owners also find it useful in preparing for a visit, to know whether they should cater for children.

No, we don’t have special rates for advanced booking or last minute booking.
We would however recommend that you book as far in advance as possible, because your preferred house or dates could get booked suddenly.

Visitors are of course welcome, but overnight stays for additional parties is strictly forbidden and will jeopardise the entire rental agreement.

Nearly all the homes have got broadband connection, but not all – rural Ireland can be pretty remote, so speeds will vary and connection may be unreliable.
Mostly they will be WiFi connections, but the status will be mentioned on each homes’ page in any event.
Where broadband is not supplied, an alternative is to bring an internet USB dongle or use your mobile phone as a hot-spot connection.

Televisions generally have a satellite connection and are usually fine, but not all your usual channels may be available.