Hotels, hostels, and B&Bs in Ireland

hi everyone,

i was thinking about to check out ireland this year. can you guys give me a clue about the gas prices, the prices for bed and breakfast stay overs (do you have to book those in advance or can you just show up?) would it be cheaper to take one of the ferries (it would take 3,5 hours for me to get to the one which leaves from holland) or is it easier to go by plane and rent a car? and most importantly what should i defentily check out while being over there ?

We took the car ferry from England to Ireland and drove around for several weeks, but that was 10 years ago. We did a loop west, north, and then back down to Dublin. Didn't make it to the Dingle or the far south. Since we had a toddler and a baby we didn't want to just show up so we booked ahead. It was the beginning of June so things were still reasonably uncrowded. I remember thinking the gas prices were quite high--higher than in England. As to what to see--we all thought Galway was wonderful--lots of music at night and a pretty town. Kinvara, which is just south, had a great medieval feast--small with decent food. They don't (or didn't) get the big bus groups there so the atmosphere was intimate, and the performers were fantastic. We went to the Aran Islands, too--no tourists during that time of year, and very interesting. I wouldn't go there during the high season, though. Donegal was very lovely, too.The one thing you should not miss is Newgrange. That's the great neolithic tomb about 30 miles north of Dublin--the one where the light hits the burial chamber only during the Solstice. That was the only place that was a bit crowded, and judging by the waiting area and control area outside the tomb itself (you take a little bus to actually visit the tomb so the atmosphere remains unspoiled) the high season there must be zoo-ey. It's the greatest neolithic monument in Europe, so it naturally draws the crowds.

I loved Ireland and hope to go back there again. I know the economy is booming and I wonder how things have changed...

Well I am from Ireland and have been in 30 of the 32 counties!

Places not to miss:

Rock of Cashel
Dublin Castle
Blarney Stone
The Burren
Dingle
Newgrange and Knowth (Bend of the Boyne World Heritage Site)
Hill of Tara
Killkenny
Giants Causeway (If going to NI)
Aran Islands

Thats in my opinion there is plenty more!

As for gas prices its about 1,19€ a litre when I left. Definately book ahead as Ireland is a popular tourist destination. Easiest to go by plane, but it is more relaxing to go by ferry as you do not have to worry about the cost of car rental etc.

Any questions ask away and enjoy your trip!

Hi there,

I'm Irish but haven't really done much touring around my own country . So I can' really advice on places to go or on the whole should I take the car on the ferry question.

Petrol prices and road traffic reports can be found here. Traffic Report Ireland It's a useful site to check up on as well traffic congestion is one of our specialities. I would say avoid the M50 if at all possible especially around the Red Cow Roundabout. (just a tip if you're planning a route.)- it's one of the craziest places in the country especially during peak hour traffic. We don't call it the M50 car park for nothing...it supposed to be a motorway. So if possible, avoid.
AAireland also offers a route planner which is quite useful to help you get around.

http://www.discoverireland.com/ca-en/ Tourism site. .

Discover Ireland is the tourism site...a lot of hotels offer special prices during the week or maybe even at weekends. But I really can't comment on how much. We tend to get off the island to get a bit of sunshine. On that point, do bring an umbrella and raingear. If you're driving a car over on the ferry, then you may as well. You'll only end up buying them there otherwise.

This is one site for car rentals...if you do a search you'll find others. Europcar
Have a look at the prices and maybe you'll be able to make a decision about the ferry.

Personally Dublin city can be seen in a couple of days and it's a busy busy place...lots of people, lots of traffic! If you're looking for a relaxing holiday then I think the west of Ireland would be best. Lots of pretty scenery, you'll find the Irish scene more frequently there than in Dublin and it may even be a bit cheaper. Check the weather though...the west gets the worst of it!! I'm afraid the other tourists or perhaps some of the other Irish who come from the pretty areas of Ireland will be better at advising you than me.
If you do hang around Dublin, make sure you visit Glendalough, Co Wicklow. Glendalough. Don't miss that! Howth is a pretty town for a walk/hike over looking the sea. But so is Killiney on the other side of Dublin. Newgrange isn't far from Dublin either with a car, as the other poster mentioned. Well worth a visit. I've never found the crowds there to be a problem. Newgrange

Good luck with it. I hope someone else can help out with places to see.

I rented a car and drove around a few years ago, had a book on hotels/bb`s in Ireland, and would book the place about an hour before I got into town. I would just pullover on one of my photo stops and call on my cell. Worked, never had a problem finding a place. Paid usually between 35-60 a night for a room in BBs and hotels.
I loved it. I drove all over, just loved the coast (all three- east, west and south). I had no real plans, just to drive til I was tired and wanted to stop somewhere to eat and sleep.

The Ring of Kerry/Iveragh peninsula/McGillyCuddy's Reeks is cool, especially for driving. (Recommend clockwise as coaches go anticlockwise).

Also Galway coast/ Achill island and around are great!

Thank you everybody. We booked our flight last week. We will drive an about 1627km tour which is set for 10 days. We will actually have 20 days to spend so I am glad for the sight seeing suggetions you guys made. I am pretty sure we will be able to check them aaaaaaaaaaaaaaall out

We drove from Dublin through West Port (cute town) and onto the coast to climb up Croagh Patrick (dodgy hike but pretty fun and good views from the top) Then we drove down to Galway, stayed their overnight to check it out, then went on to Cliffs of Moher (beautiful, but touristy) and drove back to Dublin through Limerick. We only had a couple of days so I'd think from Limerick you could get to the south bits pretty easily. It was a great time driving through all the little towns on the countryside.. you actually have no option other than to do this since the highways just turn into two-laned roads through the villages. It's very charming and there are bed & breakfasts all over the place.

ok... I figured there will be tons of people on here who have recommendations about where to stay at

so here is the trip we plan

• Dublin (we will stay at a hostel for the first night but have no idea where we gonna sleep at when we arrive in Dublin at the end of our trip)
• Tramore
• Cork
• Killarney
• Galway
• Westport
• Donegal
• Londonderry
• Belfas
• Newry
• Dublin

also, would it make sence to get a Hostelling International membership ?

anyone?