ron

Anybody out there have personal experience/recommendations, that they are willing to share, about B&Bs/guesthouses in Drumcondra (Dublin 9) or (London)Derry. Thanks.

marylouise

Hi Ron,<BR>My family of four had a very satisfactory 2 nights stay at the family run Griffith House in Drumcondra two years ago. We had the family "mews" which was ideal for us. It was a spotless, large one room cottage with large bath. (Decorated in hot pink/mauve,Asian motif!! My kids thought it was very cool!)Plenty of room, a good shower and comfortable beds. Our breakfast,taken in the main house where they also had other guest rooms, was fine with the usual choices. Eugene and Ou were very helpful arranging for airport transport and had car park space until we turned in our rental. They welcomed us to hang around vs. hanging at the airport while we awaited our 2pm flight home. They are right near public bus transport to the city. <BR>The only two negatives have nothing to do with them or the B&B,specifically.<BR>1) We had our worst (and that's relative to the wonderful meals we'd had otherwise over the course of our trip!) meal of the trip at a hotel restaurant within walking distance of the B&B. I can't remember the name of it. The service was great but the food was so-so.<BR>2)I'd done the trip planning on my own and didn't find anything right in the city for the four of us that would be within our budget. In Feb or March, the lower priced hotels and B&B's were full for June!(ie. Jury's Christchurch) In retrospect, I wish I'd sprung for a stay within in the city as we'd have made much more of our short time there. We arrived night #1 tired and hungry early evening and stayed put in the Dublin 9 neighborhood. ( Nice enough area but nothing within walking distance to see there). Bus travel into the city the next day was fine, but the second morning, we had to check out,contend with our luggage and make our 2PM flight. We were uneasy about managing an early trip into the city only to have to return to Drumcondra to get our luggage and then get to the airport. As a family, we're not experienced travellers and were cautious. The first evening and last 1/2 day were more or less wasted. I wish we'd been somewhere that we could have walked to sites or the Hop-on/Hop-off stops. It would have been worth it to have seen much more than we did. We liked Dublin. It was a nice addition to round out our mostly rural vacation and I wish we could have experienced it a little more fully.<BR>Don't know if all this applies to you but hope it helps. Have a wonderful trip!<BR> marylouise

ron

Thanks, marylouise, it is helpful. Griffith House is on the list of B&Bs that I have collected. I'm not expecting anything fantastic from lodging in that area, just trying to avoid anything truly disgusting. Nearness to the airport for a mid-morning departure is clearly an advantage and since I have only 3 "must does" (other than spending time with my daughter who is living in Dublin temporarily)in 2.5 days, the distance from central Dublin is not a significant disadvantage.<BR><BR>Thanks again<BR><BR>Ron

marylouise

Ron,<BR><BR>In that case,you should do well at Griffith House. I assume you know the website but just in case....<BR>http://.ie/~griffhse/enquiries.htm<BR><BR>marylouise

Linda

Ron, My husband and I spent our 30th anniversary in Ireland. We flew into Dublin airport and out of Shannon becuase we toured the west coast. We stayed at St.Andrew's Guesthouse in Drumcondra. It was fine...the nicest places we found were out in the country. St. Andrew's was affordable and convenient. Took a cab from the airport to the hotel but you can also take a bus,didn't know this til after the fact. We got a 3 day bus pass for about $8 each and used this many times during our stay. The bus into Dublin eas about 3 blocks from the b&b and with the ride being about 10 min. we even went into Dublin for the morning and came back to the b&b for a rest and out again for the evening. We also did a trip down to Dun Laoghaire to see that area and it was on the bus pass. To get into Dublin I think it was Bus Rt. 11 or 11A. Got the pass at the local shop near the b&b.

Siobhan

Ron,<BR><BR>How about clontarf which is on the sea and 2 dart dtops from town. The area is much nicer than Drumcondra and I would say the rates are similar. I know the hotel that marylouise mentioned and it is not the greatest place for food. In Clontarf there are several restaurants and nice pubs. Also Clontarf castle has a pun and food and is a hotel built into the old castle. We often go there on a weekend for a pint and walk around. There is not much for eating in Drumcondra and the neighborhood gets a bit shabbier as you head into town. <BR><BR>Also I would recommend Sandymount on the opposide side of the bay from Clontarf and 2-3 stops as well into town on the Dart about 15 mins ride. It is a lovely picturesque neighborhood.<BR><BR>Both of these area would also be suitable if you are renting a car as they would have parking.<BR><BR>Enjoy.

Laoghaire

Ron...I agree with Siobhan re Clontarf BnBs...We have also stayed twice in Drumcondra, and prefer Clontarf...most bnbs are on the bus line, or Dart, and make for easy access into City Centre. Ferryview Guesthouse is right on Clontarf Road, and the bus stops within a block...hope this helps...Helen

ron

Thanks, folks, for the additional suggestions. I was hoping my question would help me narrow down my choices -instead I have whole new areas to investigate. I must say that, after a bit of web surfing, Clontarf does look more attractive than Drumcondra.