A couple years ago, we stayed in at least three B&B's in Ireland. All were good - no problems.

I've stayed in 50-60 B&Bs around Ireland and can only think of 1 where I felt the experience was not very good. That experience was just very poor service. Otherwise, though there have been vastly different degrees of quality and there have been a few that I wouldn't reccommend, is was only one that I found completely unsatisfactory. By the way, it was run by an American.

Bill

Watch it, Bill! You know some people here are very sensitive to anti-Americanism.

anchoress, I think you might have chosen a wrong word when you wrote of being "safe", because of the possible inference that some B&Bs might be unsafe. I am sure that you didn't mean to imply that. One or two hostels are not entirely safe places, but I think it is pretty well the case that B&Bs are, and always were, safe.

Still nit-picking and misinterpreting I see Padraig; sigh. Safe has many meanings as everyone else has understood....enough said...

anchoress, I am truly sorry that you see what I said as anything other than well-intentioned.

OK, in the interest of fairness, I have stayed at another B&B that was run by an "American". She was an Irish citizen though who had spent most of her adult life in the States. I guess I really didn't diffuse my anti-American rant there, did I? darn it! Oh well.

Bill

I have stayed at hundreds of different B&Bs and guest houses all over Ireland. I have stayed at good ones, fantastic ones, bad ones and ones where I wished I had slept in the car. There can be a vast difference in B&Bs even if they charge the same amount to stay. That is why forums, review sites and personal input is so important.

As for B&Bs knowing where empty rooms are, I do not agree. Some will phone around to see if they have vacancies but one host refused outright to call another B&B at my request. She basically told me that if I did not take the one vacant room she had left (not en suite and not the bed configuration I needed) that I could go on my way cause she was not going to help. Scratched that one off my list forever even though it was very nice and one of her other rooms would have been right for me if not already taken.

There are many B&Bs that care about their accommodations and their guests and repeat customers. There are others that are on auto pilot. I find B&B owners are "fresher" early in the year and a bit jaded at the end of the season. By then they are fed up with tourists. As a keen observer, I can detect it even with the most professional and kindest of hosts.

My conclusion is there are good B&Bs and there are bad B&Bs with lots of mediocre ones. Do research if at all interested in choosing the best.

As for American B&B owners in Ireland I find they have an "attitude" generally not found in Irish B&B owners. Perhaps a defensive mode because they are blow-ins and not local?

I don't have anything on my screen before anchoress first post so I don't know what you asked.

I find Padraig, Wojazz , IrishEyes and other fellow posters to be very helpful. After my first trip to Ireland, before my next, I researched. I used this forum, I used IrelandYes she stays in everyplace she recommends. Also IrelandExpert has a good list

Happy researching and I hope you have a wonderful trip.

Joan

In September I make my 12th trip to Ireland...bringing 27 folks with me!! ha ha....my dh and I are leading a custom (I designed it) CIE Tour!
I've been staying in B&B's since my first trip in 1970....back then, they were just someone's house with maybe an extra bedroom or two....not "purpose built" as many are now. There was no "help" in the kitchen or making beds.
They cost 3-5 Pounds a night.
We would just stay in whatever one was available.

Now, I research for the "cutest" or best breakfast!
I cannot say we've ever stayed in a bad one. None have ever been dirty...always very clean. Everyone has always been nice and friendly. I have always LOVED B&B's....I've stayed in them from Cork to No. Ireland...Dublin to Westport. I've stayed with my sister, my dad (RIP), dh, girlfriends, a group of 10 of us, and all by myself.
Yes, on the tour we won't be doing B&B's...but we're staying on after the tour and will stay in one...
Ah, waking up to Irish tea and brown bread with Irish butter......
Shadow

Shadow writes: "Now, I research for the "cutest" or best breakfast!"
That's easy; but I don't know if Marjorie is still in business. She has written/published 3-or-4 cookbooks and boasts a large number of entrees on her breakfast menu. She operated BrigOwn B&B in Ballina, Co. Mayo.
BTW
I ordered Boxty (potato fritters) that was on her menu but she said: "no!"

Otherwise, the B&B operated by Marjorie and her daughter, Rachel, was excellent.

On our one trip to Ireland, we encountered vast differences in our B&B experiences.

In one, our friend's toddler was clearly not welcome. The lady of the house made that clear through her actions and words. However, it was a bank holiday weekend and we knew we would not find alternate lodging. Our friends were very clear about having a toddler along and inquiring about a crib, high chair, etc. when we were corresponding by email. It seems that the man of the house does the emailing and never shared the information about the toddler with the lady of the house.

In another instance, the property was filthy. We only stayed due to the extremely good proximity to the airport.

Unfortunately, we've been a bit disillusioned by these experiences and now prefer smaller guest houses and/or hotels. Staying at a B&B feels a bit like staying over night at Grandma's--you always have to be on your best behavior.

xxxx writes: "Unfortunately, we've been a bit disillusioned by these experiences and now prefer smaller guest houses and/or hotels. Staying at a B&B feels a bit like staying over night at Grandma's--you always have to be on your best behavior."

Yes, if you want privacy, forget about B&B's. But I usually bring a 4-pack of Beer or some other malt beverage for when I am watching the news on TV at the B&B. I've stayed at B&B's where the 'hosts' weren't very keen on that idea but I was paying for the use of their establishment and was never asked to refrain from my actions. If they object they can either post a no-alcohol permitted (like many hostals) or they can inform guests verbally at check-in. Keep in mind that they are running a business for profit.

As to nearby accomodations, I had good experience with Evelyn Cosgrove at her Hilltop B&B in Bangor Erris, Co. Mayo: Once, she sent me to another B&B that was much nicer than hers.

NEDSIRELAND, Okay, I'll bite. What B&B did Evelyn Cosgrove at Hilltop B&B in Bangor Erris, Co. Mayo recommend to you that was even nicer? I am headed in that direction next time.

xxxx, Do not be disillusioned by B&Bs. There are some in Ireland that are better than hotels. One that comes to mind is The Shores Country House near Castlegregory on the Dingle Peninsula. All you need is a good guidebook specializing in accommodations.

IrishEyes writes: "What B&B did Evelyn Cosgrove at Hilltop B&B in Bangor Erris, Co. Mayo recommend to you that was even nicer? I am headed in that direction next time."

It's not listed as a B&B but they do advertise 'Fishing Guide.' So I can't give you a name & address. There were three Gardai (2-male, 1-female) staying there when I stayed. It's on Church Road up behind the West End Pub. The Lady's name is Faye. That should be enough for Evelyn to pinpoint it. The following year I stopped in Bangor on my way to Carne Golf Links (Belmullet). Evelyn told me Faye was fully booked with visiting relatives.
BTW
Ms Riordan, proprietor of a convenience store across the N-59 from the Pub, took me to meet a 105-year-old cousin (my late Mother's First Cousin). The following year, my Cousin was still going strong at 106.

I'm sure we'll go back to using B&Bs at some time in the future. I think I was even more disillusioned than normal because I'd spent alot of time researching recommended places to stay and reading reviews. Ironically, the place where we had the toddler problem is highly recommended on this and other sites. It is a fine place to stay--just make sure you don't have a youngster along with you. The very dirty place is also recommended on another travel board. Oh well, live and learn!!