Avalon House, Dublin
Avalon House in Dublin boasts the title of one of the oldest hostels in the city. If the beautiful architecture and open fire don't lure you in, the low cost and free Wi-Fi and breakfast will. Avalon House was winner of IHH Best City Hostel in 2009 and is the most eco-friendly hostel in Dublin.
Avalon House
55 Aungier St.
Dublin, 2 Dublin
Ireland
011 (353) 01 475 0001
www.avalon-house.ie
Gyreum, County Sligo
Gryeum in County Sligo is the first hostel to have an EU Eco-label for tourist accommodations. Located in Sligo's mountains, the circular structure of Gyreum offers panoramic vistas of the mountains and landscape. Options for recreation include hiking, surfing and relaxing by the open fire or the sauna. Gyreum also offers optional tents for camping out under the stars.
Gyreum Ecolodge
Corlisheen, Castlebaldwin
Co. Sligo, Ireland
011 (353) 076 6026470
www.gyreum.com
Tullyarvan Mill Hostel, County Donegal
Tullyvaran Mill Hostel is a reconverted corn mill from the 19th century. The hostel is located near the Irish seaside town of Buncrana. The nearby beaches of Ballyliffin, Polan Bay and Culdaff boast some of the best surfing in Ireland. Tullvarvan lies on the Inishowen 100, one of the most beautiful and picturesque roads in Ireland, perfect for hiking and cycling.
Tullyarvan Mill Community Cultural & Hostel Centre
Buncrana, Inishowen
Co. Donegal, Ireland
011 (353) 074 936 1613
www.tullyarvanmill.com
Barnacles Hostel, Dublin and Galway
Barnacles Hostel, located both in Dublin and Galway, may not be able to boast the heritage or natural beauty of the above-listed hostels, but what it can boast are great locations, just a stone's throw away from some of the best pubs in all of Ireland. No trip to Ireland is complete without some time spent in the pub drinking a Guiness and listening to Irish folk music. Both Barnacle Hostels guarantee a friendly reception and a wealth of drinking buddies. Both Dublin and Galway are stopping-off points for hiking, canoeing and rock-climbing adventures.
Barnacles Galway Quay Street House
10 Quay St.
Galway, Ireland
011 (353) 91 568644
Barnacles Dublin Temple Bar House
19 Temple Lane
Temple Bar
Dublin, Dublin 2
Ireland
011 (353) 16 716277
www.barnacles.ie/
Article Written By Nicole Carlin
Nicole Carlin is a yoga and dance teacher and founder of POP Fizz Academy in Philadelphia. She obtained a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Temple University and a Master of Arts in gender and sexuality, politics from Birkbeck University, London. Carlin has written about dance, crafts, travel and alternative health for eHow, Trails.com and Demand Studios.
