Ennis hotels/lodging
 

My sister is getting married in Ireland next year, the wedding is at Newman castle in the Burren and the reception will be at the Best Western in Ennis. She has gotten a block of rooms saved, but said that we could stay elsewhere if so desired.

The price she got was 75E per person. While that is better than the rack rate for the room, with the way the dollar is sinking that price is above what I can comfortably afford (about $200 per nite).

At this time I am planning on being there for about 10 days and I would like Ennis or nearby to be my home base for that time, so I can be near the wedding stuff, yet be able to take day trips the rest of the time.

Can anyone recommend less expensive hotels/BB/etc that they know of. The wedding is Oct 7, 2005.

I have been to the Ennis website, and any other sites you can recommend would be appreciated too.

Thanks in advance for the advice.

Josie:

You might want to consider self catering. If you have anywhere from 2-8 people and are staying in one place for a week or more, it is almost always less expensive and provides good flexibility. Cottage rentals usually run Saturday to Saturday but October is the start of the shoulder season so it is possible that you would be able to extend that. I went into Google and typed in "self catering county clare" and got quite a few choices.

For the largest one stop B&B guide in ireland go to www.townandcountry.ie. You can also order the book from the Irish Tourist Board in NY. The number is 1 800 223-6470. There are certainly other books and this one does very little to rate them other than those that have an AA rating, usually include it. Ireland is loaded with B&Bs and you should only pay half the amount the hotel quoted or less per person for a B&B.

You've got plenty of time to plan, which is a good thing. Have fun!

Bill

It's a bit early to bet on the dollar-euro exchange rate for Oct '05 ...
Ennis shouldn't be too crowded then - the Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking festival should end that weekend and the next happening in Ennis will be the fall Trad Music festival in November.

I think 75-euro PPS is high but that's probably what the Old Ground or Temple Gate or even the Queen's Hotel will quote you that far in advance. I have stayed at the Temple Gate (3-times) and the Queen's Hotel (once). At the former, check with Manager Paul Madden - maybe he will 'cut you a deal.' It don't hurt to ask!

I have also stayed at Abbey Tourist Hostal (during the Spring 'Trad Irish' Music festival in May '03) and more recently at Rose Cottage B&B on Turnpike Rd. At the latter, we asked for a room 'away from the Pub' and they accomodated us. Check with Carmel there and see what kind of deal she will offer you. My wife liked it there: she had our room ready when we got there from Shannon so we took a nap to get over our 'jet lag.'

Parking was 'tight' at the Old Ground (I don't know how it is with the new wing added), almost non-existent at the Queen's, but very ample at the Temple Gate. At Rose Cottage there is guest parking available.

I just got back and stayed at The Old Ground for three nights. As a result of signing up for their newsletter on their website, I was advised of various specials. Though the specials did not meet my exact criteria, I exchanged emails with them asking about being able to take advantage of these offers, and ended up with a great deal--three nights, breakfast and three four-course very elegant dinners for 188 euros. Of course, you may not a plan that includes dinner, but if you do, you can't go wrong. That's about 63 euros a night for everything--and let me tell you, the dinners alone were nearly worth that. Anyway, depends on what you want, but I sure would go back. Nice little town to base from too. Not too big, but lots to offer. Good luck and have a wonderful time!

I stayed at the Queen's Hotel in Ennis a few year's ago and was very disappointed. The room wasn't clean, and for hours after the pubs let out hordes of teenagers were hanging out in the street outside the hotel where a chipper van was stationed. I don't know whether Queen's Hotel is on your list of possibilities, but just wanted to share our experience.