Memorable Irish Bed & Breakfasts (B&B's)
 

It seems a lot of people are planning trips to Ireland this Spring & Summer and are looking for B&B recommendations. We have experienced some B&B that were exceptional, while others were just "OK." I found this website that might be helpful to some as I have noticed firsthand that some on this list were in the "exceptional" category.

http://www.clarkekilrush.com/recommended.html

This trip we are concentrating on the Southwest Peninsulas (Loophead, Dingle, Kerry, Beara, Sheepheads, and Mizen Head). I am presently in the early planning stages and looking for recommendations of exceptional B&B's in these areas. I am going to try to revolve my itinerary around a variation of places to stay, sights to see, etc.

In particular, I am looking for a nice place to stay in the Portmagee area as we want to take the early boat trip out to Skellig Michael. ((b))

Budman,

Heaton's Guest House in Dingle is grand. It is an easy ten minute walk in to town. It is a bit upscale in price but the site, the hospitality and breakfast are simply outstanding. The Heatons, Cameron and Nuala, are lovely people who run a first rate place.

Nearby Slea Head is not to be missed.

Failte!

Anthony

Hi Budman:

I have been reading the boards too, in prep for a May trip to Ireland (tix already in the bag) and I think we might be there about the same time as you. I also think MileKing, LadyJane and Kevin69 will be there the same time as us,and maybe there are more! Wonder who else is going?? Perhaps we should tie ribbons (Fodor's Brown?) to our car antenna so we can recognise each other if we cross paths, LOL.

Thank you the website link.

Words like "memorable" and "exceptional" mean different things to different people but I will tell you about two of my most "memorable" B&Bs in the area you are visiting. Neither were the slightest bit luxurious, they didn't even have ensuite facilities. In fact, they were the two least expensive stays of our whole trip (about 40 something euro for a double). The first is "Gurtnagrough House" in Ballydehob just south of the Beara Peninsula (about 20 minutes from the southern end of the ring road that goes around Beara). This is a 200 year old stone farmhouse that is still a working farm run by the sweetest lady, Leita Camier. Her children are now grown and one of them has built his own house on the property and is taking over the farm. Her "guest rooms" were once her kids rooms. She and her husband have "traveled all over Ireland" and collected things, tons of things, which they have on display in their "museum" - an old barn. But it was great fun to poke around in. Her breakfast was great, she made us tea and cake when we first arrived and sat and talked with us while we ate. Told us all about how things have and have not changed in Ireland in her life time. It was a memorable experience, I felt like I was visitng an old aunt I didn't know very well. You can book through FamilyHomes.ie. The house isn't all that far from the main road but you feel like you are in the middle of nowhere. And there's a view of the water far off in the distance.

The other was the Ocean View in Dingle (oceanviewdingle.com) whose front door is on the main road and back of the house is on the harbour. Not luxurious either, but extremely convienient and the owner makes a fantastic breakfast. You can get traditional Irish but by then we were kind of tired of it so she made us a fantastic breakfast which included home made granola, fresh fruit, smoked salmon, scrambled eggs, and delicious baked goods. She makes pies for one of the restaurants in town and the smell in that house was fantastic.

If you want some "exceptional" experiences I would suggest these two. You can always stay in more upscale places the other nights.

Hi Budman:

I stayed at the Galleycove B&B outside of Crookhaven and it was nice. The woman that ran it was very nice and the location was great. I've also stayed at the Heron's Cove in Golleen but I found the owner a bit pushy. Hard to describe although she shamed me into trying her white pudding. My wife didn't think much of her. The view at the Heron's Cove is great when the tide is in and a muddy field when the tide is out.

The most comfortable B&B that I have stayed in is The Shores on the north coast of Dingle. If you are looking to stagger home from a Dingle pub at night, this isn't the choice, but the views and the comfort are unbeatable. The breakfast is fantastic and the oner is wonderful. She also has a self catering across the road. There are a couple of nice places to eat in Castlegregory too, but it ain't Dingle.

I have not been to the Beach Cove B&B which is somewhere near Portmagee, but I read a travelogue that called it the nicest he had stayed in. Here is the site for that day in the travelogue (which is good reading).
http://www.sit.wisc.edu/~egzuelow/Stories/1_03_02.html

There is a link to the Beach Cove there.

Bill

Bill,

Thanks. Beach Cove it is. I emailed them and they responded.

Thanks for the tip. ((b))

HappyCheeseHead, we will be arriving in Dublin May 15 and departing from same May 30, assuming US Air is still flying at that time. Our trip will take us (in order) thru Avoca, Waterford, Kilkenny, Kinsale, Killarney, Dingle, Bunratty, Connemara, and Dublin.

Flying in/out of Shannon on 21-31 May. We are stopping at Kilrush, Dingle, Portmagee (on the Ring of Kerry), Killarney, Crookhaven, Kinsale, Cobh, and Bunratty. This is pretty tentative. Maybe we can all meet for a lunch. Ribbon, Fodor's Brown? Whatever color, I'm game. Looking forward to a great trip -- just hope we get more sun than rain. ((b))

I stayed at the Desmond House in Kinsale and loved it! Gorgeous decor, exceptionally pleasant host and good breakfast.

Whenever someone on this board talks about lodging in Dingle, the Heaton's Guest House comes up as "the place to stay."

Several years ago in Dingle we stayed at a great B&B (don't remember the name), had a huge bath tub, and a great breakfast menu, for half the price. It was a very short walk into downtown.

What makes one want to stay at Heaton's for twice the price? ((b))

Looking for recommendations in the Beara Peninsula. Where would be a good place to stop, Castletownbere, Ballydonegan, ???

Has anybody driven the Healy Pass? Would it be worth the time to drive it North? Is it similar to the Conor Pass in Dingle? ((b))

Healy Pass is an impressive drive, I especially like the north side. As you stand at the top and look down the winding road, you should get a good laugh. While there, on the north side east of the Healy Pass Rd, find the road to Inchiquin Falls (tiny sign) and take it to the end. You have to pay the land owner a few euro each to walk around, but it is truly worth it. Another great and way too small road.

Bill

Bill, Leaving Kenmare on N71 South -- is that where I should get on the Healy Pass, heading into the Peninsula? I'm not sure about the topography of the peninsula.

On the map (not a great one) that I am looking at, it begins at N71, heads into the center of the peninsula, crosses R574, then heads North and ends on the Beara Ring between the towns of Collorus and Ardgroom.

Should I get on the Pass at N71 or from the Ring between Collorus and Ardgroom? ((b))

Ballina, County Mayo: BrigOwen B&B is on the banks of the Moy River and just a few yards from Crocket's on the Quay (Guesthouse, Restaurant, Sports Bar, Nightclub & Pub). Marjorie, owner/operator has authored several cookbooks and has a cooking show on local radio. She boasts 17-different entrees on her breakfast menu. Excellent location w/ample parking. Clean & comfortable; I recommend it!

Pull up the Irelands Blue Book of Manor Houses..go to the map (without registering) and it will list all the places..click on any of them...These are probably the very best ones in Ireland. I have stayed in some...very, very nice in every way....

The link is www.irelands-blue-book.ie. I haven't had the good fortune to stay at any as we usually opt for less luxury to save money. Someday....

Those Manor houses are nice, but I don't want to buy the place, just want to spend the night. Most of them run 70 to 100 Euro per person, per night.

I'm looking for B&B places, like the Bunratty Lodge, 30-35 Euro per person, per night. Nice, clean, friendly, and great breakfast menu. I would rather use the extra money that I would spend staying at a Manor House towards a nice evening dinner, and polish that off with a couple of Guinnesses. ((b)) ((b))

Any B&B recommendations for the Beara Peninsula?

Someone at my wife's work mentioned Cobh as a nice place to stay -- I'm inclined to go for Kinsale, and maybe stop in Cobh for lunch on the way North. Any thoughts? ((b))

Budman:

The only B&B that I've stayed at on the Beara Peninsula is really just outside of Kenmare ... the Harbour View. It's in the T&C book. Nice place with fantastic views. Very short drive into Kenmare which is a fantastic little town.

You can get to the Healy Pass Rd either from Glengarriff or just outside Kenmare depending on which way you travel it. R571 leaves N71 outside of Kenmare and R572 leaves at Glengarriff. The numbers usually don't seem to appear on Irish road signs, so you need to look for destinations. N71 runs south towards the Mizen Peninsula and north into Killarney from there.

Re: Cobh. I've never stayed there, but I think I would prefer Kinsale. I stayed at the Cephas House in Kinsale. It seemed like it was out of town, but when we walked in, it wasn't bad and the walk back after and evening of Guinness was a nice refresher. The view from the balconey rooms was great. Wonderful owner that offers tons of advice on the area.

Bill

Bill, Thanks for all your help. I think I'll stop in Kenmare (Harbour View looks nice) and then head south on N71 and get on Healy Pass there.

Down the road, I'm also looking forward to stopping Castletownshend for lunch at Mary Ann's. ((b))

Bud,

Kudos to you for your planned trip to the Skelligs. If the weather gods are on your side, you'll have a day that you'll long remember. Bring plenty o' film, munchies and bottled water, as there are no concession stands on S. Michael. Also, there's no WC either, so "go" before you leave the mainland.

As regards lodging, there's a very distinctive place called Iskeroon, nicely situated on the coast between Caherdaniel and Waterville - perfect for trips out to the Skelligs. Iskeroon offers friendly, personalized service (only three rooms), memorable views looking out to Derrynane Harbour, and it's moderately priced. Do look into Iskeroon.

You're also wise to check out Mary Ann's in Castletownshend. What a place to have a few pints and some of the best and freshest seafood in all Ireland. After that, take a stroll through the village and down to the waterfront. This is good travel.

Best of luck.