Ireland's Top 5 Bed and Breakfasts

Travel Channel's picks for the best bed and breakfasts in Ireland.

By: Patty Hodapp

Related To:

You’ll find B&Bs across Ireland’s countryside -- and contrary to popular belief -- they’re often quite affordable. For as low as $50 to $120 a night, you not only get a comfy bed, hot shower and Irish fry-up breakfast (typically, sausages, eggs, tomatoes, mushrooms, potatoes, toast, bacon and breakfast tea), but -- most importantly -- insider information on the local area. Many B&Bs are run out of older houses passed down through the generations, and at the best Irish B&Bs, customers feel like guests. Check out our 5 picks for Ireland bed and breakfasts that offer a truly Irish stay.

Cregg Castle B&B, County Galway

Cregg Castle bed and breakfast, in western Ireland’s County Galway, was built in 1648 and covers the site of an 11th-century castle. The castle’s grounds span 165 acres, much of it home to farm animals such as chickens, turkeys and sheep. For breakfast, innkeepers feature eggs from Cregg Castle’s own free-range hens. If it’s a little urban excitement you seek, you can drive just 9 miles south to Galway, leaving behind the woodland oasis for the city bustle.

The Lighthouse B&B, Dingle Peninsula

The Dingle Peninsula’s winding roads, on thin sandstone mass, make for Ireland’s best (albeit nail-biting) coastal driving. When you arrive in Dingle, in southwest Ireland’s County Kerry, stay at The Lighthouse Bed and Breakfast. Massive windows bring natural light into each room for clear views of Dingle Harbor and the sea. Also relax with a sea view from the guest lounge, dining room and garden patio.

Lough Dan House, Wicklow Mountains, County Wicklow

Nestled on 80 acres of farmland, more than 1,000 feet up in southern Ireland’s Wicklow Mountains, Lough Dan House overlooks Lough Dan, the largest natural lake on Ireland’s east coast. The B&B sits in in Wicklow Mountain National Park, which runs from the outskirts of Dublin 80 miles southwest. The mountains are the highest in Ireland, so Lough Dan House is ideal for hikers and mountain climbers. The Byrne family has run the house for 5 generations, and they know the mountains well, so be sure to ask for hiking advice. Afterward, cozy up to the log fire -- a welcome treat after a full day in the crisp mountain air.

Blackstone House, Dublin

Of course, if you go to Ireland, you can’t miss its capital. Dublin is a busy city, with designer shopping on Grafton Street, live music in Temple Bar and the massive Guinness factory. But you can sleep soundly at Blackstone House Bed and Breakfast less than 2 miles from Dublin city center, in a quiet neighborhood. A restored Victorian residence, Blackstone House has many original decorations from the era. Owners Katie and William, who originally came from the counties of Wexford and Kerry, provide personalized service -- and tips for exploring nearby attractions, such as Dublin Castle and Trinity College.

Ardlenagh View, County Donegal

Ardlenagh View bed and breakfast looks out to the Bluestack Mountains and Donegal Bay, near Donegal town in northwest Ireland. County Donegal boasts 230 miles of Ireland’s most famous, postcard-like coastline, from sandy beaches to dangerous ocean cliffs. Check out the view from Ardlenagh View’s garden. Owners Eileen and Tony offer 6 rooms (including single-, double- and family-rooms) with en suite bathrooms and a television. The B&B is family-friendly, too; children sharing a room with 2 adults receive a 33% discount on the total cost of their stay.

Trending

Trending

Trending

Trending

Ireland

Ireland's Top 5 Bed and Breakfasts

Related To:

Cregg Castle B&B, County Galway

The Lighthouse B&B, Dingle Peninsula

Lough Dan House, Wicklow Mountains, County Wicklow

Blackstone House, Dublin

Ardlenagh View, County Donegal