How to Find a Good Hostel in Ireland
Story Highlights
Introduction Its lush scenery and legendary hospitality make the Emerald Isle a magnet for tourists
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Introduction
Its lush scenery and legendary hospitality make the Emerald Isle a magnet for tourists. But you don't need to spend a fortune to see the best of Ireland. There's lots of high-quality hostel accommodation available for travellers on a budget.
Instructions
Difficulty: Moderate
Steps
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Step One
Be aware of what distinguishes hostels from other forms of accommodation. Hostels evolved to serve travellers on a tight budget, such as students and other young people. As a result, their facilities tended to be far more basic, with communal sleeping rooms and minimal customer service. Nowadays, however, that has changed, and in most respects the best hostels are barely distinguishable from hotels. Common rooms and communal dining mean you can expect to encounter fellow guests much more than you would elsewhere. Some hostels also organise holiday activities, such as hiking or canoeing trips, for their guests.
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Step Two
Think about whether you want to look for an independent hostel or one which is a member of an association. With an association there are generally some quality standards in place. They often have internal grading systems, rating each member hostel by quality, so you'll have a better idea of what you're getting in advance. At a minimum, you should look for hostels which are approved by the Irish Tourist Board.
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Step Three
Find the best Irish hostel for you. Call Discover Ireland on 0800 039 7000 or browse online (see Resources) to locate the right place.
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Step Four
Bring towel or bedding facilities with you if needed. Many hostels don't provide these as standard, but will rent them out to you for a price. Save yourself the money and bring your own.
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Step Five
Take some food with you or buy it in the shops nearby. Although nearly all hostels offer breakfast along with a bed, many will also offer the use of a communal kitchen which you can use to prepare meals at other times. Self-catering allows you to save a bit of money on your holiday.
Tips & Warnings
- The Irish Youth Hostel Association operates dozens of hostels throughout Ireland. It is a member of Hostelling International so, if you're a member, you can enjoy the usual discounts. Visit their website to see the full list of hostels they run (see Resources).
- When you're thinking of making a booking, check for any unusual restrictions the hostel may have in place such as age limits or evening curfews. In the old days, these used to be standard in hostel accommodation but nowadays are rare.
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