Hello,

we finally have just about everything booked for our 2 week trip in May. I can't decide on a place to stay our last night though. We will be going to the banquet at Bunratty and want someplace close, because I do love the mead!
We are staying at Jury's Inn in Galway City, The Quay House in Clifden, Seaview in Doolin, Heaton House in Dingle, and a working farm in Killarny(forgot name,have it written down at home). The last night is all that I have left to book.
I'm really beginning to get excited, only 2 1/2 months to go!
Theresa

I can recommend a pleasant little place just down a winding road, Rocklands Bunratty B&B operated by Mary Slattery. Either she or daughter Mary will gladly pick you up at the Castle or nearby Fitzpatricks Hotel or Durty Nellies. Can book a cab for airport. Contact:[email protected].
Or Mary at [email protected]. Phone is 363169. Cost several years ago was 20 pounds.
Bill in Missouri

In June 2004, my husband & I stayed at The Courtyard in Buntratty which is a wonderful B&B and within walking distance of the village. Mary and her husband were very accommodating. The breakfasts were wonderful. Here is their website:
http://www.bunrattycourtyard.com/courtyard/index.htm

Sorry, I meant Bunratty.

The Courtyard is very close and a good place to stay. I would stay there again.

Inishfree is a lovely B&B one mile down from the Bunratty parking lot. I have stayed there my last night the last two years and have reservations again for July. 20 minutes to Shannon and one minute to Macs Pub which stays open after the park closes or better yet 5 minutes to the Creamery across from the park for dinner. They have a web site.

I've stayed at Bunratty Lodge which always gets great reviews and Mary Browne has won the Galtee Breakfast award. I've also stayed at the Park House which is one of the closest B&Bs to the village. It is within walking distance, Bunratty Lodge is not.

Headly Ct gets good reviews and the Ashgrove House both get great reviews. All can be found at:
http://www.townandcountry.ie/find.jsp

Bill

This post is meant to be a cautionary note to anyone planning to stay at the Bunratty Castle Hotel. My wife and I visited Ireland last year and earlier this year. We had a great time and made reservations for two additional weeks this October at the Bunratty Castle Hotel. Due to an unexpected major surgery (which precludes air travel for my wife), we had to reschedule our trip to next May.

Today, I was informed by Expedia.com and confirmed by the Bunratty Castle Hotel, that the price for the same room had increased by over 100 percent from the time that I made the original reservations this past June. The fact that I had purchased trip insurance from Expedia.com made no difference.
I think this is an excessive rate increase, and thought that I should pass on this info to anyone thinking of using Expedia.com or anyone thinking of staying at Bunratty Castle Hotel.
Dave Lyon

We normally stay at a B&B in Bunratty. During my last trip we enjoyed the pub, Kathleens, in the Bunratty Castle Hotel. Just our of curiosity, I inquired into the rates for the Hotel while there. Can't remember the exact rate, but do remember it was way more than twice what I was paying for our B&B.

Why are you staying there for 2 weeks? What's their cancellation policy? You shouldn't have had to pay anything.

BTW, I would never use Expedia or any other like site to make my hotel reservations.

I loved Heaton's in Dingle! It's a 10-minute walk into lively Dingle town, and their breakfast is really fantastic! We had a deluxe room with a nice view. Enjoy!

In Bunratty we spent our first night at Bunratty Lodge. Mary Browne runs a very tidy place, with a bit of Irish charm in every room, for a good price, and with a delicious breakfast. Driving distance to Bunratty castle and airport. I definitely recommend it. www.bunrattylodge.com

Enjoy your trip, it sounds exciting!

Melissa, I don't think Raven22 is looking for B&B recommendations. The original post is 1 1/2 years old. Raven topped it to discuss a problem he is having.

Budman, you could be right...or maybe the original poster is just feeling really really indecisive about where to stay for her...er...May 2005 trip!

OOpsie...

Budman,

To answer your questions:

> Why are you staying there for 2 weeks?
On our last (two week) trip to Ireland, we stayed at four places, including Heaton's in Dingle (great!) and DunRaven Arms in Adare (very nice). This time, we decided that we would stay at one place and take day trips. The packing and unpacking became a nuisance last time.

> What's their cancellation policy? You shouldn't have had to pay anything.

I agree. They (Bunratty Castle Hotel) said that all reservations and prices had to go thru Expedia. This sounded weird, since I usually make hotel reservations directly with the hotel.

> BTW, I would never use Expedia or any other like site to make my hotel reservations.

I won't in the future, either. I travel all over (mostly US and Canada, once to Spain) giving seminars. I usually deal directly with the airlines, hotels and car rental agencies. I really screwed up this time.

Dave

Melissa,

I agree with your comment about Heaton's. My only complaint about Dingle was the number of tourists (like me. Ww rode the horses at Long's and drove over Conor Pass. Great place!

I'll look into Bunratty Lodge. It sounds nice.

Dave

Raven22, we were in Dingle in July and I planned the trip so that we stayed in busy towns during weekdays instead of on weekends. It worked...we didn't find Dingle so crowded. It was pleasant. I also made sure there weren't any festivals in town for our days.

I booked directly with Bunratty Lodge and their price was very fair. You need a credit card to book but you pay the bill in cash. Enjoy your trip next May and hope everyone is healthy and happy!

Melissa - Thanks for the information. I'll let you know how things work out.