Ireland Vacation Hostels

Ireland is known for its vivid green countryside, rich Celtic heritage and the warmth and generosity of its people. It's a popular location for hiking, backpacking and sightseeing on the cheap as well. History is alive and well in Ireland, with architecture dating back centuries, castles still standing and folk tales around every corner. It's also a place where you can get a right good pint of stout. After all of the sightseeing, you are going to need a place to rest your head. Hostels provide affordable accommodations and the chance to meet other travelers too.

Cork

Cork is known for Blarney Castle and its famed Blarney Stone. It is said that if you kiss the Blarney Stone, you will have good luck. Millions have kissed this stone over the years. Thousands have chosen to stay in hostels in Cork instead of a traditional motel.

Kinlay House Cork is a hostel located in the city center that offers a free bus to Blarney Castle every day, which will save you close to $9.00. They have both dorm beds and private rooms, so couples can stay here too. If you want to stay in Cork for a full week, they offer weekly rates.

Sheila's is a cozy, family-run hostel that is a three minute walk from public transportation and shopping. They offer free wireless Internet in their lounge and an all you can eat continental breakfast for around $4.39.

Kinlay House Cork
Bob and Joan's Walk
Shandon
Cork, Ireland
011 (+353) 021 450 8966
kinlayhousecork.ie

Sheila's Hostel
4 Belgrave Place
Wellington Road
Cork, Ireland
011 (+353) 021 450 5562
sheilashostel.ie

Dublin

If you love whiskey and beer, Dublin should be on your list of places to visit in Ireland. Home to the Guinness Storehouse, the brewery that makes the famous chocolate malt beer Guinness, and Jameson Distillery, the home of Jameson Whiskey, Dublin is the place to party. The vibrant Temple Bar District is where you will find Dublin's best bars, cafes and restaurants.

Barnacles Temple Bar House Hostel is right in the middle of the Temple Bar District. In fact, they are two doors away from the famous Temple Bar pub. Because of its bustling location, rooms are quieter toward the back of the hostel. No curfew, free wireless Internet access and its ultra convenient location make Barnacles Temple Bar House Hostel a popular place to stay.

Kinlay House Dublin is minutes from everything Dublin has to offer and is walking distance from Jameson Distillery, Dublin Castle and Trinity College. Some of their amenities include free wireless Internet access, free juice and toast for breakfast and free phone calls to up to 40 countries. They also provide free walking tours of Dublin to their guests.

Marlborough Hostel is located in two restored Georgian buildings that are situated directly beside Christ Church Cathedral, one of Dublin's most beautiful churches. This is a dorm room hostel with eight bed and four bed dorms. Free wireless Internet access, free continental breakfast and no curfew are among the amenities here.

Barnacles Temple Bar House Hostel
19 Temple Lane, Temple Bar
Dublin 2, Ireland
01 679 6644
011 (+353) 1 671 6277
barnacles.ie

Kinlay House Dublin
12 Lord Edward Street
Dublin 2, Ireland
01 679 6644
011 (+353) 1 679 6644
kinlaydublin.ie

Marlborough Hostel
81/82 Marlborough
Dublin 1, Ireland
01 679 6644
011 (+353) 1 874 7629
marlboroughhostel.com

Donnegal Area

Ghost hunters, aspiring bards, spiritualists or vacationers just looking to relax somewhere astoundingly beautiful will adore Donnegal in Ireland. Donnegal rests on the Atlantic Ocean and has many pebbly beaches at its shoreline. Glenveagh National Park is another relaxing delight. Of course, those who follow the supernatural know Donnegal best as the spiritual energy center of northwest Ireland and the location of Poisoned Glen and the fabled Irish ghost 'The Green Lady.'

Two miles west of the nearby tourist village of Dunfanaghy is the Mill House, a restored stone building alongside New Lake Nature Reserve that has spectacular views of Tory Island and the Atlantic Ocean. This is Corcreggan Mill, a unique tourist hostel. One thing to note about this hostel is that there are no televisions or radios. But, not to fear, there is free wireless Internet access.

Errigal Hostel is a prime location to stay if you want to explore the northwest Donegal area. Errigal Mountain is a popular tourist destination for novice as well as experienced climbers. The mountain offers panoramic views of northwest Donegal and is a photographers dream. Stroll along a why sandy beach or grab a barstool at the pub in the nearest town of Bunbeg. Errigal Hostel has private rooms with key card access and free Internet access in the lobby.

Corcreggan Mill
Dunfanaghy
Co.Donegal. Ireland
011 (+353) 074 913 6409
corcreggan.com

Errigal Hostel
Dunlewey
Gweedore
Co. Donegal. Ireland.
011 (+353) 074 953 1180
errigalhostel.com

Resources

Article Written By Diane Hansen

Diane Hansen has a thirst for adventure and loves to share the world through the written word. Currently, she is the feature editor for "TRAVELHOST" magazine and is working on her first novel. She graduated from Cal State San Bernardino in 2002 with a B.A. in business administration with a concentration in marketing. She has been writing freelance since 1996.

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