An coastal Irish cottage near Dublin has been named the Best Beach Holiday Home in Europe.

Thatcher's Rest, one of a suite of six seaside cottages in Bettystown, Co. Meath, was named the winner at the 2016 European Home Holiday Awards, held in Brussels.

The Irish Independent reports that over 23 countries submitted entries for the awards, which are run by the European Holiday Homes Association (EHHA).

"We're over the moon," said Liz Pickett, who runs Cottages Ireland with her husband Roger.

"We had zero expectation of winning. We felt like we'd won being shortlisted, to be honest. We were up against gorgeous places ranging from Cornwall to an island in Croatia, with all the bells and whistles. It is a major wow to have won."

“They're basically these beautiful, 300-year-old cottages that we've renovated to 5-star standards," she said. "It's a lovely, old-world feel but with cutting edge Wi-Fi, flatscreen TVs, luxury beds and linen... all the stuff you'd want to find."

Rental rates range from €420 ($460) for three nights at the Honeymoon Cottage, which sleeps two, to €1,260 ($1,380) for three nights at Thatcher's Rest, which sleeps six across three bedrooms.

"We are very proud of the Picketts for their great achievement," said Dorren Quinn of the Irish Self Catering Federation (ISCF), of which Cottages Ireland is a member.

"Irish self-caterers have reached the finals before, but this is the first Irish win."

Liz and Roger Pickett will be presented with an award certificate during the ISCF AGM and Conference in Dublin on Thursday, November 17.

Go to iscf.ie and cottages-ireland.com for more information.

For the full list of European Holiday Home award winners, visit holidayhomeaward.eu.