Where to stay in Ireland

Booking

• Dublin prices swing violently by date. A midweek night in November and a Saturday during a Six Nations weekend can differ by a factor of three in the same hotel.
• Check the Aviva Stadium and 3Arena calendars before you book Dublin. A rugby international or a stadium concert empties the city's rooms and doubles what is left.
• Book Kerry, Galway and Donegal early for July and August. The good guesthouses in Dingle and Doolin sell out months ahead.
• Short term lets have been squeezed hard. Since 2024 Dublin and other rent pressure zones require registration for lettings under 14 days, so the Airbnb stock is a fraction of what it was and the legal listings are pricier.

Where to stay in Dublin

• South of the river, Dublin 2 and Dublin 4 put you in walking distance of Grafton Street, Trinity, Merrion Square and the good restaurants.
• Temple Bar is loud until three in the morning every night of the week. Stay one street back from it, not in it.
• Around Heuston or Smithfield is cheaper, on the red Luas line and perfectly fine.
• Avoid a room on the far side of the north inner city around Sheriff Street and upper Gardiner Street unless you know the area.

The B&B, which is the real thing

• Outside Dublin the family-run B&B is the best value in Ireland, usually EUR 90 to EUR 130 for a double with a full Irish breakfast that removes the need for lunch.
• They are still often cash-preferred and some want you to phone rather than book online.
• Failte Ireland approval on the door means the place is inspected and registered.
• Hostels are good and well run, particularly in Dublin, Galway, Killarney and Westport.

On arrival

• Check-in is usually 15:00, check-out 11:00. Bags can nearly always be left before and after.
• Bring photo ID. Even at a B&B you will be asked to sign the register.
• Ask about parking before you drive to a Dublin hotel. Most city-centre hotels have none, and the multi-storey car parks run EUR 25 to EUR 35 for 24 hours.