Will you stay in a Bed & Breakfast on your trip to Ireland?
Are you worried that staying in an Irish Bed & Breakfast is like sleeping in a stranger’s home? Are you asking yourself, “Why would I want to stay in someone else’s house? And in a bedroom next to the owners? Do I want to eat with the family? Do I want to be that cozy with strangers?”
I had some of the same concerns until my first stay in Ireland. My friend, Mary, and I stayed in Bed and Breakfasts (B&Bs) for the whole fifteen-day trip. Rather than being an uncomfortable situation with strangers, it was a wonderful experience to enjoy the hospitality of many fine Irish families and visit with other travelers. Each of the owners was so friendly and very knowledgeable about the locale. They gave us suggestions for restaurants, pubs, music venues and fun spots to visit. Since we didn’t have advance reservations on this trip, the B&B owners even called ahead and booked a room for us with one of their colleagues at our next stop. We stayed at the best homes all around Ireland!
The “breakfast” part of Ireland’s Bed and Breakfast is always a treat. When the Irish talk about a full Irish breakfast, they aren’t kidding. Fruit, cereal, toast, muffins, bread, soda bread, as well as hot foods including eggs, sausage, black “pudding” (this pudding is not for vegetarians), and potatoes are regular offerings to go with your juice, tea, coffee and hot chocolate. Homemade items are the norm; you won’t go hungry!
My Irish B&B stays have made my trips much richer with the personal touch of local Irish people. On one of our adventures, we went hiking along the Wicklow Way trail south of Dublin. I took a swing on a rope over the creek and grabbed a branch. I had to drop into the cold creek and later dry my clothes and boots at the B&B. Our host, Bridget, thought it was great that an American was hearty enough to swim in the cold water! She made some tea and started the fireplace in the library for us. I could’ve stayed for days.
There are B&Bs in all parts of Ireland. I have stayed at various times in Bed and Breakfasts in the major cities of Dublin, Galway, Belfast, as well as in the small villages of Doolin, Thomastown, Dingle, Letterkenny, Athlone, and Westport. At each location, the hosts were so helpful and friendly and the other guests made the visit even more fun. My host at Athlone gave me directions to a castle ruin nearby that I hadn’t heard about. Our hosts in Letterkenny told us about a fabulous pizza place in town. We learned about the ancient beehive huts on the Dingle Peninsula from our knowledgeable B&B hosts. When we checked in at Doolin on our first night in Ireland, our hostess advised that we might take a nap before dinner. It was just the solution to jet lag and we were able to go out for a delicious meal of smoked salmon, bread and chowder while we listened to authentic Irish music at Gus O’Connor’s Pub.
An Ireland Bed and Breakfast stay is an experience you won’t want to miss. Bed and Breakfast lodging is plentiful and inexpensive all around Ireland and well worth considering for all or part of your trip to the Emerald Isle. Enjoy your stay!
Author’s Note: Article published here.
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Written by: Patricia G. McKinney-Lins. Take the worry out of booking your own special trip to the Emerald Isle. Take the worry out of booking your own special trip to the Emerald Isle. Get free travel advice and tips for your next escape to Ireland and claim your free newsletter at Patricia’s
castles in ireland website at http://www.majestic-castles-in-ireland.com/.
Read more articles written by Patricia G. McKinney-Lins
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