jhg

Hi-
I was hoping to stay in either the Clontarf Castle Hotel in Dublin or the Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel in Killiney and I was hoping to get your opinion on the two. I had wanted to stay outside of Dublin because I will be driving and wanted to avoid the city traffic, but the Clontarf seems to be on the outskirts of the city. Does anyone know if this is true? And I would appreciate any opinions on the two options.
Thanks,
Joanna

SiobhanP

This is near my neck of the wooods in Dublin. Clontarf Castle would be closer to the city than Killiney Castle which is much further out and there is a bus stop outside the Clontarf hotel to the city. This place would be a winter hang out for us if we wanted to have a local drink after seeing family and at Christmas time. I like it and the staff are really nice. Killiney Castle is lovely and possible larger with a leisure centre but I feel it is further out and more hassle on public transport to the city. It is lovely looking but a few years since i have been here.

Clontarf Castle has food in the Bar and Templars bistro whixh is nice if not a bit pricey. I can reccommend a few good restaurants in the local clontarf area if you decide to go there.

pastyp

Stay at Clontarf. My experience of Killiney is that it isn't really a castle, its more of a castleated (spelling) building. You may be disappointed if you are expecting the traditional castle when you pull up at Killiney.

Stay at Clontarf!

jhg

and should i be concerned at all about the traffic? im a little nervous to begin with to be driving on the opposite side of the road and the opposite side of the car, i really didnt want to be in city traffic. is it outside of the city enough that i dont have to worry about it?

SiobhanP

Clontarf castle is near the seafront and near the main road to take you to the airport so it will not be "City" traffic. It gets busy everywhere rush hour. Clontarf will be easier to find than Killiney. Neither are actually still casteles intact. The front and the Lobby are at Clontarf and the bar is older style with high ceilings etc. The rooms from what i hear (I live near but never stay here) are modern. Its a nice area for walks in the evening as well.

hopingtotravel

I highly recommend Clontarf. We were stranded for a week in Dublin during the 9/11/01 no-fly period. They took very good care of us. We had already turned our rental car in before hearing the news. It's a lovely neighborhood for taking walks. If you walk far enough there are local restaurants on the water. Also, it was an easy bus ride into the center of town. Locals can correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the castle was built on the site where Brian Boru was killed. The modern rooms were quite nice.

jhg

thanks for all of your advice. we booked the clontarf castle. its a bit expensive, but we figured we wanted to stay in a castle at least once on our trip!!!!
i wonder if anyone has any opinions on the other hotels we booked? they would be appreciated :0) joanna
ennis-rose cottage
galway-adare house
dublin-clontarf castle
kilkenny-butler court
cork-garnish house
kinsale-old presbytery
kenmare-hawthorn house
dingle-greenmount
bunratty villa

GreenDragon

When are you going, jhg? I'll be there in June, and will be staying in Ennis (Stone Haven B&B). I'll try to look in on Rose Cottage if you like

jhg

thats so nice, thanks
we will be going in july.

jhg

actually, i just switched my reservation in ennis to the grey gables. but thank you for that kind offer!

GreenDragon

You are welcome We will be back from our trip in July, so we may cross paths en route