Where to Stay

So you've completely lost touch with that long lost Irish cousin.  And the guy from the pub who drunkenly offered you a place to stay isn't answering his phone.  Well, after a hectic day of sipping the black stuff and snapping pictures of sheep with paint on them (more on than some other time) it seems like you may be looking for a place to lay your head.

Ireland is full of great accommodation offerings, probably the most notable being the local B&B (Bed and Breakfast) that you’ll find in every town and village around the country.  These B&Bs are a great place to stay for their cleanliness, the food, the hospitality and the craic!  Generally speaking you will be staying in somebody’s home.  Due to this, the place will be clean, they will serve you food that they would eat (traditional and yummy), and in the evenings there may even be some singing to accompany the pint you’ll have in your hand.  Of course not every B&B is the same, but if you read the reviews, and find one that suits you, then these are a great option, and a favorite of mine.  One website that offers great information on location, pricing, reviews and other details for B&Bs all around Ireland can be found here.  They have an interactive map so you can find B&Bs by county, and they even have mobile apps for the tourist on the go.

Ireland like most other well developed countries has a decent hotel network, with many major hotel chains having locations there.  Most travel sites will provide you with options for finding these, but it is also quite easy to do a web search for the county you are staying in to find what hotels are available.  Many hotels offer specials, such as leisure center access, free breakfast, evening entertainment etc.  This is one of those areas where you need to do the research to find what best suits your needs.  Like anywhere else in the world, you will find hotels that span a very wide cost scale, so it’s best to do your research well ahead of time.

If you’re on a tight budget, then a hostel may be the way for you to go.  Hostels are generally more widely available in the larger cities of Dublin, Cork and Galway than they may be in more rural areas.  They can be quite affordable but have their drawbacks such as having to share a room with a complete stranger (protect your valuables!).  You can find a hostel finding service at the following link. 

Wherever you choose to stay, stay safe and have fun!

Next blog: Driving in Ireland