David, thanks for the tip on Skelligs. I will bring water and maybe some snack food, and I'll pass on the WC info to my wife -- shouldn't be a problem for me. I'll also check in to Iskeroon. Thanks again for your great info.

Hi Budman...Just a suggestion for Harbour View in/near Kenmare--We were there in May of 2003, and had reserved a double ensuite with a view. When we arrived, she showed us a delightful front double, but the "ensuite" was across the hall. This was the only room she held for us. I was a little disappointed, because we usually like the ensuite "in" the room. We did take it, and managed..so, just to be forewarned, check with them. The view was wonderful..Enjoy Ireland!! We sure do(six times)...Helen

Laoghaire, Helen, thanks for the heads up. I term ensuite as ensuite -- across the hall is not ensuite. I'll make sure if I book with them.

I'm also looking at Rockcrest House in Kenmare. Anybody have a take on it?

Budman:

Have the banoffee at Mary Ann's. You'll need plenty of room in your stomach.

Bill

If the town of Kenmare suits you I would reccomend Victoria's Guesthouse.
Great room with lots of little extras like warm towel rack. Wonderful hosts, Noreen and her husband will make a great breakfast. Be sure to try the pears with Cashel blue. Best of all it sits on top of the best restaurant in the area. Mulcahey's. Mussels in cream starter is as good as we had in Brussels and the Lamb loin with Mushroom tart is really as good as it gets. Have the Brampton old vine red with it. A really nice south african bargain. Was just there in January.

My boyfriend and I spent a week in Ireland last summer and stayed at several wonderful B & B's and several average ones. I realize these are not where you are looking exactly, but never the less I hope this will help someone!

KILMANEEN FARMHOUSE in Clonmel. http://www.kilmaneen.com/farm.htm - This is a true Irish farm. It is a bit off the beaten path but well worth the trip. Kevin and Bernadette O'Donnell and their family are absolutely wonderful! We spent a lovely evening chatting with them and wondered the farm the next day. Our only regret was not staying longer.

GLENELG in Adare. Wonderful hospitality, very quite and charming yet close to the town.

The Lodge in Kenmare: while not a B & B, in was in a good location and a nice change of pace halfway through our trip.

Hope this helps! If you want ones not not to stay in, I can provide those too!

Bill, I heard about the banoffee. Maybe we'll split one.

Stephen, I can't seem to find Victoria's website. Got an address?

Punky - Post those too. Thanks.

I'm still looking for a place in Dingle -- Heaton's is too much -- not in our budget -- they want 60 Euro per person.

These are the B & B's we don't recommend:

Waterlands Bed and Breakfast in Kinsale: far from the town where all the shops/ restaurants are- you can't walk and it is difficult to park in Kinsale. The B & B itself was ok but not great- def not worth it for the location.

4 Seasons Galway B&B: the hospitality was not great, nor was the room. There are about 15 other B&B's on the same road so I would check those out. It's a bit of a walk though from the street down a hill into the city.

We stayed at the Conrad Hotel in Dublin. Whiel the hotel itself was great, it was far from everything we wanted to do.

Hope this helps!

budman,
sorry senior moment, Virginia's
[email protected]
e-mail or put virginia's guesthousekenmare into search engine.
We stayed at Greenmount House in dingle and it was luxurious and the breakfast was amazing, 5 min walk from town center. we took a premium room with view 95 euros for 2 but other rooms were 75 euros with the same breakfast and the view dining room.

Stephen, Thanks for your reply. Greenmount House in Dingle was 140 Euro, so that is out of the question.

There are literally thousands of B&B's throughout Ireland. I'm looking for the exceptional ones -- 30-35 Euro per person. Guesthouses and hotels are nice, but they are double/triple the price.

Thanks everyone for all your input. Once I've narrowed down where I will be staying, I will post before and after to give my own assessment.

Keep those exceptional B&B recommendations coming for those going to Ireland before and after me.

ttt

If you don't mind driving back to the B&B from the pub, you might think about Duinin House in Dingle. It is on Conor Pass Rd. and though we passed people walking, I wouldn't recommend it, especially at night. The road is very dark and has big ditches on both sides. You would only be a minute or two away from town.

The house has a nice conservatory overlooking town and the bay. The owner is a wonderful, friendly outgoing person with tons of energy. She cooks a mean breakfast, too. You can sit in the conservatory for breakfast. The beds had fluffy down comforters and were very comfortable. However I didn't go to Ireland to hang out in my room. Our room looked out on a pretty hillside so the view in the morning was nice.

Diane

Budman, the OceanView in Dingle just might fit your budget. The house is clean and comfortable and the location is perfect. Ask for a back room facing the harbour. I paid 24 single last September. You would have to hurry though, as I do believe they have a strong following. Although I didn't stay at the Beachcove B&B, I was planning to as it sits in a cove not far from Portmagee and you may be able to see the Skellig from the cove. As for Beara, I stayed in Eyeries which is a lovely little village. I stayed at the Shamrock, Mrs Sullivan, I think, right in town, but there are others close to the town. It truly is a wonderful escape. There isn't much there other than a grocery store and of course pubs. One of the pubs has a patio facing the bay and ROK for which I was graced with a wonderful sunset while sipping a few pints. I really enjoyed this peninsula as it is still removed from the tourist crowd with much unspoilt landscapes. If you get close to Baltimore around sunset, drive to the harbour, order a pint at Bushes and sit down outside for the show. Very nice place and you may find a nice b&b in your budget. Enjoy

Keenan, thanks for your post. You've given me some food for thought.

Another nonrecommendation in Galway. College Crest Guesthouse was very inhospitable and the room was mediocre at best. The location was ok, but as with the other poster, there were lots more B&B's on the same street

budman going to ireland for 3 weeks 9/21-10/14 I stayed with aMrs. Hand last time I was in Dingle . She is retired but her nephew runs a b&b there - dunroman.com - 28/30 euro if you find a good place in Kenmare let me know please --- have fun

Slaney Manor in Ferrigcarrig is gorgeous. We stayed there when we went to a wedding last summer. We stayed in the main house (there are also cheaper rooms in the courtyard). The room we had was gorgeous - 4 poster bed and fantastic views. I'd highly recommend it.

I forgot to mention that Ferrigcarrig is in County Wexford!

Budman/wojazz3
OK you got me what is banoffee

Here's one's recipe:

http://www.pierecipe.com/az/Banofee.asp