Bed & Breakfast in Ireland - need reservations?
 

It's been since 1999 that we were in Ireland, and at that time, it was simple to spontaneously get accommodation at a B&B depending on when we wanted to stop driving. We are going to return in mid September this year and I'm wondering if this is still the case? I remember driving into a town or village and seeing signposts for the different B&Bs around, finding a likely one and knocking on the door to see if they had a room available.

We are spending a week on horseback in Sligo area, then a few nights at a friend's home. The nights up for grabs would be somewhere mid-country, between Roscommon and Dublin.

Thanks in advance!

I'm by no means an expert in this, having only visited Ireland once for two weeks a few years ago, but I'll give you my experience.

The only disappointing b and b's we had were the ones we didn't book ahead, and one was downright awful. We should have moved on, but it was after 6:00 pm and we were getting anxious.

I have friends who never book ahead and always manage fine, but they stay in hotels.

We did it the way you did in England and Scotland in the late 70's, but I wouldn't now, My standards are s little higher now!

Unless there is a big event on, getting a bed at short notice should be no problem.

Usually there is an informal network in a town or area; if the one you want has no appropriate room(s) he or she will call around for you.

First two trips we winged it and had a mixture of results. Now in the internet era we book ahead.

September being shoulder season it should be easier to book on the fly.

In Sept - and assuming there are only two of you you'll be fine. The tourist offices in the towns can find you places - plus the 'informal network' jaja describes is always in operation.

I probably would pre-book Fri and Sat nights though.