Accommodation in Ireland
A popular and affordable alternative to hotels, and ideal for weekend trips to rural areas, are bed and breakfasts, as almost every small village offers one. In English-speaking countries, a bed and breakfast (also called bed 'n' breakfast or simply B&B ) refers to accommodation in a private home, where the price always includes a usually hot breakfast. The B&B is the closest equivalent to the accommodation category offered in German-speaking countries as a "(private) room".
In English-speaking countries, a pension or private pension is usually called a guest house , and breakfast is often not included in the room price in such "guest houses".
In Ireland, many B&B owners are members of tourist associations, which inspect the properties annually to ensure they meet certain standards and only include them in their catalogs if they do. These catalogs can be obtained before or during your trip, providing useful information in advance, such as whether en suite rooms (rooms with a bathroom, shower, and/or toilet) are available.
Recommended Bed & Breakfast Houses
We have listed here a few B&B houses that we have personally tested and declared to be particularly recommendable.
Denton (Tralee, Co. Kerry)
Beautiful and clean rooms, very friendly and helpful hosts, a family atmosphere, a generous and delicious breakfast, parking for motorcycles behind the house, and on top of all that, reasonable prices… in short: everything was just right. If we had to give it grades, this B&B would get an A+. This family-run B&B has since closed permanently.
Tip for the evening: the Meadowlands Pub with beer garden and integrated library is less than 100 meters away – it's worth a visit.
Buckfield Inn (Kilmeena, Co. Mayo)
This B&B boasts charmingly rustic and clean rooms, a peaceful location, and friendly hosts. Bikes can be stored behind the house, ready for the next ride. The welcoming atmosphere is further enhanced by the small pub on the ground floor. The added bonus of having a pub on-site hardly needs further explanation… ;).
Farm Lodge B&B (Dungarvan, Co. Waterford)
Located directly on the Atlantic coast, this B&B offers clean and well-maintained rooms and (as expected) friendly hosts. Breakfast was also a memorable experience.