I'm excited because my husband and I are headed to Ireland for our 2nd trip in September! We have never visited Ennis. We love Irish Trad music. We will be in Ennis on a Thursday night in September, and possibly also on a Tuesday night as well.

I am making a list of pub sessions to check out in Ennis...Brogan's and Moroney's, so far.

BUT...I'm having trouble choosing a Quiet room to sleep in a hotel or b&b in Ennis. For everybody who loves Ennis, where do you sleep? Which room do you request?

I'm a light sleeper so I need all the help I can get so I won't be cranky in the morning. While we love Irish Trad music and lively pub sessions, after a couple of Irish beers, we are ready for bed by midnight!

Any advice? On our first trip to Ireland we slept in Bunratty the first night. Bunratty Lodge was very clean, friendly, and Quiet, with a nice breakfast. But the Bunratty area just isn't my favorite Irish spot...

I should mention our flight arrives after 4:00 pm into Shannon! Then we have to get our rental car. So we definitely will be sleeping 1 night not too far from Shannon at beginning of trip. And again in the middle of the trip, we will spend another night in Ennis enroute from Kenmare to Clifden.

Thanks for any advice!

On two trips we have stayed at Eden Hill House on a working farm just outside of Ennis on the way to/from Bunratty/Shannon.
http://bed-breakfast-ennis.com

She has ground floor rooms, something my elderly knees appreciate.

jaja: Thanks for your reply. I will check into Eden Hill House. Did you get a comfortable quiet night's rest? Can we walk into Ennis town from there, or would we need to drive into town and park?

Yes to the quiet and comfort; no to the walking as it is in the country but not far by car.

We stayed at this B&B
http://bed-n-breakfast-ireland.com/

It was nice to park the car and walk everywhere. We absolutely loved dinner at "The Poets Corner" in the Old Ground Hotel. Just a few minutes walk from the B&B. They did have music, but we didn't stay as we were exhausted from our flight.

To comment on Grey Gables B&B---it was older, but well run, very clean, with a good breakfast. The parking and location right in town was key. Would we stay there again? Yes. The owner was delightful, helpful, and we enjoyed our stay. Oh, I almost forgot. Was our bed comfortable and was our room quiet room quiet?-extremely!

Hope I've helped.

<b>TPAYT:</b> Yes you have helped, thanks. I value the opinion of folks who take the time to post on the forums. (There are hotel reviews on tripadvisor, but many of the reviews are from people who have posted nothing but 1 or 2 hotel reviews and nothing on the forum. I ignore those reviews...not enough info about the poster.) I'm glad to hear you felt the owner of <b>Grey Gables b&b</b> was delightful and helpful, and the bed was comfortable with a quiet room. That's everything I'm looking for, plus a tasty breakfast. And walking distance to Ennis would be best in this case.

I'm also considering the Old Ground hotel in Ennis...good location...but I'm concerned that hotels are often noisier than b&bs...though that's not always the case.

I'm also checking out <b>Eden Hill house</b>, recommended by jaja, although its NOT walking distance to town.

I do think tripadvisor hotel reviews by guests who have a large number of posts are useful, because you can check out their other posts and see if they are a "real" traveler and if their travel style matches with yours.

Melissa5; You should stay at Newpark House, we stayed there in September 09' and again in October 2010. It is a wonderful old mansion set in a lovely "country home" setting. You are only a 4-5 minute drive to downtown Ennis but in a tranquil setting. All of the rooms are lovely, a nice size, and quite. We stayed in room 5 the first time and #3 last year, which has a small balcony. The breakfast is delicious and the host is very nice and helpful. DO check out my review and pictures on Tripadvisor. I KNOW that you will love staying at Newpark House. Also, be sure to eat at the Poet's Corner as has already been suggested. We made sure we went back there last year just so I could get their Irish Beef Burger again, it was THE best burger I have ever eaten (no lie!) Enjoy your trip, I can't wait to return again!!
p.s. let me know if you would like some of my pictures of Newpark House and our room from last year. becky

Temple Gate Hotel or the Old Ground Hotel will both be quiet. Both are located in the city center so walking to most pubs, restaurants, shops will be convenient.

<b>tuam:</b> Thanks for your reply. I feel like I'm getting to know Ennis better, as I read about so many people's experiences and preferences there. I also heard that the Old Ground hotel has some "superior" renovated rooms which have A/C. I might look into that...maybe I can email them.

floridapugmom: I love hearing about places like Newpark House...which are homey and tranquil. I try to keep them in mind as I'm sure I will return to Ireland for a 3rd trip as well, so I tend to keep things in the back of my mind. I will look at your reviews on tripadvisor. ARe your photos on tripadvisor as well? You can attach them to your reviews, as you probably know. I appreciate your reply.

Melissa; Yes I have posted pictures of Newpark House, the front view and our room on tripadvisor. I should clarify that it IS located in a residental/local area not out of town from Ennis There is a small shopping center just down the street which has a grocery store, pub, and about 7 other businesses. Newpark House is set back off the road with a woodsy area surrounding it which helps with any noise giving it a tranquil feeling. Hope you enjoy your visit.