HOSTELS ARE WHERE the real craic is, and many people are finally realising this important travelling fact now.
If you’re heading away on a trip somewhere, often hostels will allow you to meet new people and explore the area – all at a good price. And Ireland has plenty of great ones:
1. Trá na Rosann Hostel, Downings, Donegal
This hostel in north west Donegal offers up stunning views of the Atlantic coast and Tory Island to the west. It’s a listed building and the area is well known for its scenery and its wonderful beach. The hostel is in a Donegal Gaeltacht region, so that only adds to its old world charm off the beaten track.
2. Avalon House, Dublin
This hostel is one of the oldest in the capital, and its location on Aungier Street means that it’s perfect for those wanting to experience everything the city centre has to offer. The hostel is open 24 hours and the buildings history and character is obvious on arrival.
3. The Gyreum, Castlebaldwin, Sligo
A truly unique hostel, the Gyreum Ecolodge is built into land and is aligned to the dawn and dusk solstices as well. Its main selling points are the spectacular views across five different counties and the fact that its isolation in the Sligo countryside lends it a peace and quiet that not many hostels can boast.
4. The Connemara Hostel, Galway
This isolated hostel on the Kilary Fjord gives you epic mountain and sea views – as well as providing you with a base to explore the surrounding area.
5. The Generator Hostel, Dublin
Perhaps one of the coolest hostels on offer in the capital, The Generator is well known for its interiors and being a laid back space. Its location in Simthfield is fairly handy for town, and its burger deal for €8.95 would make you go there even if you’re not staying.
6. The Valley House, Achill Island
The Valley House is situated on Achill Island, and it’s the perfect Victorian house basecamp to explore the island itself. As well as being a top notch hostel, The Valley House’s grounds has a lake and woods to go walking in.
7. Neptunes Town Hostel, Killarney
Neptunesis located right in the centre of Killarney town – and just two minutes from its famous National Park. It’s been open for nearly 20 years at this stage, and through that time has won the reputation of being the go-to hostel stay if you’re down in that area of the world.
8. Kinlay Hostel, Galway
Bang in the centre of Galway city, the Kinlay has the deserved reputation of being one of the finest hostels the city has to offer. Its facilities and interiors are of the highest standard and the staff are great craic too.
9. Mountain Ventures, Donard, Wicklow
Lying at the foot of Leinster’s highest mountain, Lugnaquilla, this old farmhouse hostel is the place to stay if you’re into activities – specifically hill walking, mountaineering and anything else you can get up to in the great outdoors.
10. Kilronan Hostel, Inis Mor
This hostel is known for its lovely harbour views of the Atlantic and it’s an easy place to spot right when you get off the ferry. It’s a nice central location which you can use as a starting point for a full exploration of all three of the Aran Islands.
11. Barnacles, Temple Bar, Dublin
The Barnacles Hostel in Temple Bar is the ultimate central location for those wanting to sample the, eh, delights of Temple Bar. There might be better craic in other areas of the capital, but sometimes a hostel stay needs you to be right in the centre of the action. Everyone there is great fun, along with getting a nice mix of people that comes with any good quality city centre hostel.
12. Russagh Mills, Skibbereen, West Cork
Just outside Skibbereen in West Cork sits this old grain mill that has been converted into an adventure centre and great hostel. With so many activities to do in the surrounding area – all organised by the hostel – Russagh Mills has earned a reputation as a fine place to stay on the South coast, and the staff is great craic as well.
