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    Let's Go Ireland: The Student Travel Guide
    Let's Go Ireland: The Student Travel Guide
    Let's Go Ireland: The Student Travel Guide
    Ebook611 pages6 hours

    Let's Go Ireland: The Student Travel Guide

    By Harvard Student Agencies, Inc.

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    About this ebook

    Welcome to Ireland, the land of congeniality, camaraderie, and craic. Visitors may come to Ireland for its rustic charm, emerald hills, heathered crags, and misty seacliffsor for the festivals, exhibits, musical performances, and rollicking nightlife of its up-and-coming citiesbut they stay for the hospitality and friendliness that virtually radiates from the Irish people. Bone up on Irish folklore in Yeats Country, find some peace and quiet along the Kerry Way, or sip on a pint of Guinness and sway to traditional music in a Dublin pubno matter what kind of trip you choose, you can’t go wrong with Let’s Go Ireland.

    Let's Go publishes the world's favorite student travel guides, written entirely by Harvard undergraduates. Armed with pens, notebooks, and a few changes of underwear stuffed in their backpacks, our student researchers go across continents, through time zones, and above expectations to seek out invaluable travel experiences for our readers. Let's Go has been on the road for 50 years and counting: We're on a mission to provide our readers with sharp, fresh coverage packed with socially responsible opportunities to go beyond tourism.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherLet's Go
    Release dateApr 2, 2013
    ISBN9781612370347
    Let's Go Ireland: The Student Travel Guide

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      Book preview

      Let's Go Ireland - Harvard Student Agencies, Inc.

      cover-image

      LET’S GO

      www.letsgo.com

      IRELAND

      researcher-writers

      Adeline Byrne

      William Locke

      staff writers

      Holly Cao

      Ronit Malka

      research manager

      Clémence Faust

      editor

      Mallory Weiss

      managing editor

      Mark Warren

      RESEARCHER-WRITERS

      ADELINE BYRNE. Addie, driven by wanderlust and an unmatched enthusiasm for Irish spirits, traversed the Emerald Isle and made it her own. Always living on the edge, she progressed from dodging junkies in Northside to teetering on cliffs at the end of the earth, and is probably still where we left her: bellowing drinking songs with old Irish men in a forgotten pub.

      WILLIAM LOCKE. Will handled the island’s northernmost cities, adeptly researching the best student and budget haunts on both sides of the border. From Belfast to Westport, this always good-natured researcher left a trail of lasting peace behind him, which we expect will be sung of for centuries.

      CONTENTS

      DISCOVER

      DUBLIN

      ULSTER AND CONNACHT

      MUNSTER

      LEINSTER

      NORTHERN IRELAND

      ESSENTIALS

      IRELAND 101

      BEYOND TOURISM

      INDEX

      MAP INDEX

      QUICK REFERENCE

      DISCOVER IRELAND

      When To Go
      What To Do

      MAGICALLY DELICIOUS

      OH, DANNY BOY

      CASTLE ON A CLOUD (ER, ISLAND)

      BEYOND TOURISM

      Suggested Itineraries

      BEST OF IRELAND (2 WEEKS)

      HERE COMES (THE) TROUBLE(S) (3 DAYS)

      TO BEERS! CHEERS. (PACE YOURSELF)

      How To Use This Book

      CHAPTERS

      LISTINGS

      ICONS

      OTHER USEFUL STUFF

      PRICE DIVERSITY

      MAP LEGEND

      Did you find a four-leaf clover? You must’ve, since you’re lucky enough to be in Ireland, the land of leprechauns and pots o’ gold. Okay, maybe that’s just the Ireland in our heads and on cereal boxes. But, believe it or not, the real Ireland is better. What is better than tiny green men and rainbows, you ask? Well, full-grown Irishmen (with brogues) and fish ‘n’ chips. (Do rainbows leave you with the ever-satisfying food coma? I don’t think so. But, then again, we’ve never eaten a rainbow before.) Ireland is chock full of castles and pubs, parks and Riverdance. There is a reason why a country that sees so much rain is full of so many happy people. So go see what those Irish eyes are smiling about.

      when to go

      Do you have an umbrella? Great! Then the seatbelt sign of your trip is turned off, and you can feel free to move about Ireland. If you’re in Ireland, it will rain. The Irish didn’t get so pale for nothing. But don’t be discouraged; the weather is temperate year-round, making even winter a pleasant time to visit. But it isn’t cloudy every day, so take the rain with a Guinness and enjoy the sunshine when it pokes its way through the mist.

      Ireland is at its sunniest in May and June, though that isn’t saying much. The island sees the most tourists in July and August, so expect accommodations and sights to be more crowded and the prices to increase slightly. Mid-November to February is a good time to visit if you’re a duck or get a family-discount at LL Bean.

      what to do

      MAGICALLY DELICIOUS

      Hearts, stars, and horseshoes. Clovers and blue moons. Pots of gold and rainbows. And Let’s Go’s red (hot air) balloon!

      •  HEARTS: Head to Dublin’s La Vita (click here) for their Salad of Hearts and other vegetarian delights.

      •  STARS: Offering an unbeatable buffet during the day and a raucous pub at night, the Morning Star (click here) is one of Belfast’s gems.

      •  HORSESHOES: If you’re looking for a traditional Irish experience, hit up the Bleeding Horse Tavern (click here) and sidle up to the bar.

      •   CLOVERS: Get a taste of Ireland as you sip down the frothy shamrock the Reel Inn (click here) draws in the foam of your Guinness.

      •  BLUE MOONS: Half Moon Crepes (click here) in Dublin will leave you feeling anything but blue.

      •  POTS OF GOLD: Right off of what was known as Belfast’s Golden Mile, Bookfinder’s Cafe (click here) is rich with classic literature and a comfortable atmosphere.

      •  RAINBOWS: A different kind of tasty, GLBT-friendly Pantibar (click here) gets pumpin’ on the weekends.

      green with envy

      •  ST. STEPHEN’S GREEN: Embrace nature right in the heart of Dublin at this palm-tree adorned park (click here).

      •  FITZGERALD PARK: A great way to spend your time in Cork, this park has walking paths along the river and a sequined tree (click here).

      •  KILLARNEY NATIONAL PARK: A must-see, this park offers lakeside paths, green mountains, and the famous Meeting of the Waters (click here).

      •  THE PEOPLE’S PARK: Spend some time among the well-tended gardens in this Limerick park (click here).

      •  BURREN NATIONAL PARK: Check out the rocky Ennis countryside and the variety of flowers that dot the landscape (click here).

      OH, DANNY BOY

      What do Pierce Brosnan, Liam Neeson, and Bono all have in common? That’s right, they’re all hunky Irishmen. What do the following establishments have in common? That’s right, they’re all places named after what we can only assume are hunky Irishmen.

      •  IT MAY NOT BE GOSLING: But this Ryan is a close second; head to Ryan’s Bar (click here) in Kilkenny for a drink among some slightly racy decor.

      •  A STATUE OF AN AUTHOR AS AN OLD MAN: No one has pulled off round frame eyeglasses like this guy since Harry Potter; gawk at the James Joyce Statue (click here) in Dublin for a little eye-candy.

      •  COOLER THAN THE KRAKEN: McCracken’s (click here) isn’t a legendary sea monster, but this Belfast pub is legendary in its own right, creating a twist on the traditional Irish style.

      •  OH, HAPPY DAY: St. Patrick’s Day, that is. Honor Ireland’s patron saint (and one handsome devil) at St. Patrick’s Cathedral (click here) in Dublin.

      student superlatives

      •  BEST PLACE TO FEEL WARM AND FUZZY: Aran Sweater Market Outlet (click here).

      •  BEST PLACE TO BUY SOME BLING: Thomas Dillon’s Claddagh Gold (click here).

      •  BEST PLACE TO SEE PEOPLE DANCE WITHOUT MOVING THEIR ARMS: The Gaiety Theatre (click here).

      •  BEST PLACE TO GET WET IF IT’S RAINING: Sligo Abbey (click here).

      •  BEST PLACE TO STRUT YOUR STUFF: The Salthill Promenade (click here).

      •  BEST PLACE TO NOT BE A KLUTZ: Waterford Crystal Factory Tour (click here)

      CASTLE ON A CLOUD (ER, ISLAND)

      Some aspects of Ireland are exactly the way you always imagined...except for the leprechauns, of course (they’re actually the same size as you and me and look a lot like Colin Farrell). The castles, however, are real and scattered about the island for you to go explore.

      •  A MAN’S HOME IS HIS: The Bunratty Castle and Folk Park (click here) in Shannon take you back in time, putting you in the shoes of the royalty that once inhabited the castle on the village grounds.

      •  AN ENGLISHMAN’S HOME IS HIS: Admire the small but mighty Donegal Castle (click here) because small for a castle isn’t really very small at all. Storm it: The Athlone Castle (click here) dominates this picturesque riverfront town.

      •  BUILD THEM IN THE AIR: Kiss the famous Blarney Stone at the top of the Blarney Castle (click here), and roam around the massive structure tour-guide free.

      •  BE KING OF IT: Kilkenny Castle (click here) is a must-see, with a lovely, manicured landscape surrounding the massive structure.

      •  CASTLES ON CASTLES ON CASTLES: While it’s no longer completely in its original 18th-century state, the Dublin Castle (click here) is still a sight to behold.

      BEYOND TOURISM

      Those craving an international adventure that involves more than just sightseeing ought to explore the study, work, and volunteer opportunities available in Ireland. If you have the luck of the Irish, you may come out of the experience with a sexy brogue.

      •  STUDY ABROAD: While you may not be able to study the history of the leprechauns, there are plenty of enticing programs for you to explore at University College Dublin (click here) or Queen’s University Belfast (click here). If you, like the Irish, have music in your blood, be sure to check out the Royal Irish Academy of Music, Dublin City University (click here).

      •  VOLUNTEER ABROAD: So you want to help, but you don’t know what you want to help? Don’t fret, Volunteers for International Partnership (click here) covers everything from the environment to the arts.

      •  WORK ABROAD: Couldn’t find that pot of gold? Consider working as an au pair (click here) instead of chasing down the end of that rainbow.

      suggested itineraries

      BEST OF IRELAND (2 WEEKS)

      DUBLIN (3 DAYS). Spend your days in Dublin experiencing the many sights, including tours of Trinity College, Dublin Castle, Jameson Distillery, and the Guinness Storehouse. If you’re looking to spend some time outside, hit St. Stephen’s Green. Refuel in a classic Irish atmosphere, like the one found at Mercantile.

      WATERFORD (2 DAYS). Admire all things shiny on the Waterford Crystal Factory Tour and then take your curiosity to Reginald’s Tower. If you’re looking for a way to relax after a day of sightseeing, head to Mint Café for a specialty latte.

      CORK (2 DAYS). Spend some time at Blarney Castle, and be sure to kiss the legendary stone. Bring your appetite to The Fish Hatch for some traditional Irish fish and chips.

      GALWAY (2 DAYS). Walk along the Salthill Promenade for the best introduction to this city, then stop by Ard Bia for a meal (or just some cake).

      DERRY (2 DAYS). Learn about local history at the Museum of Free Derry before getting the true local experience at the popular pub, Peader O’Donnell’s.

      BELFAST (3 DAYS). Get a taste for local culture at the Golden Thread Gallery, Titanic Belfast, and the Ulster Museum. Grab a bite to eat at Made in Belfast and prepare for a a night of raging at Lavery’s.

      HERE COMES (THE) TROUBLE(S) (3 DAYS)

      Oh yes, there was trouble, my friends...right here in Ireland. With a capital T, that rhymes with P, that stands for...politics.

      BELFAST (1 DAY). Get an overview of the Troubles and the history of the conflict on a Black Cab Tour through the Falls and Shankhill neighborhoods. Then spend an evening chatting with locals about Belfast’s history in a pub, like Whites Tavern.

      DERRY (2 DAYS). Walk through the Museum of Free Derry to get a glimpse of the struggles this city has faced in its history and learn about the tragic Bloody Sunday. Then spend some time at the Tower Museum, which covers an ambitious amount of Derry’s history, including background on the Northern Irish conflict. Finally, hit the People’s Gallery and admire the commemorative murals.

      TO BEERS! CHEERS. (PACE YOURSELF)

      DUBLIN. Temple Bar alone is enough to keep even the heaviest of heavyweights busy for a good long time. But, Dublin as a whole offers a plethora (yes, we use fancy words when we’re tipsy) of boozin’ options (yes, we use the word boozin’ when we’re tipsy). For two Temple Bar options that are sure not to disappoint, try Mercantile or The Temple Bar. For a more intimate scene, hit the smallest pub on earth, The Dawson Lounge. Farrington’s offers a tourist-friendly atmosphere without the tourists. And for an international craft beer, hit the Porterhouse Brewing Company and their four floors. If, by the end of your crawl, you’re looking to learn a bit about your booze, hit the Jameson Distillery or the Guinness Storehouse for some learning with a side of alcohol (or vice versa).

      CORK. Nightlife in Cork may not offer as many options as Dublin, but has plenty of classic bars that attract tourists and locals alike. Sin É is a well-loved bar that offers Irish live music and a tourist-free atmosphere. For a popular bar that welcomes pub-crawlers at both the start and end of their route, hit John Rearden’s.

      KILLARNEY. This city has a number of different nightlife venues. Looking for a nightclub-Irish pub combo? Head to The Killarney Grand. For something more on the traditional side, try O’Connor’s Traditional Pub for live Irish music and hordes of locals.

      how to use this book

      CHAPTERS

      Let’s Go Ireland is divided into the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. The Republic of Ireland is further divided into Dublin (a stand-alone chapter) and Ireland’s historical provinces as an easy way to tackle the diverse country: these chapters include Ulster and Connacht (the Republic of Ireland’s north and west), Munster (the southwest and south-central part of the island), and Leinster (the east). Northern Ireland, containing coverage of Belfast and Derry, rounds out our coverage of the Emerald Isle.

      But that’s not all, folks. We also have a few extra chapters for you to peruse:

      LISTINGS

      Listings—a.k.a. reviews of individual establishments—constitute a majority of Let’s Go coverage. Our Researcher-Writers list establishments in order from best to worst value—not necessarily quality. (Obviously a five-star hotel is nicer than a hostel, but it would probably be ranked lower because it’s not as good a value.) Listings pack in a lot of information, but it’s easy to digest if you know how they’re constructed:

      ESTABLISHMENT NAME

      TYPE OF ESTABLISHMENT $$$$

      Address

      phone number website

      Editorial review goes here.

      Directions to the establishment.

      Other practical information about the establishment, like age restrictions at a club or whether breakfast is included at a hostel.

      Prices for goods or services.

      Hours or schedules.

      ICONS

      First things first: places and things that we absolutely love, sappily cherish, generally obsess over, and wholeheartedly endorse are denoted by the all-empowering Let’s Go thumbs-up. In addition, the icons scattered at the end of a listing (as you saw in the sample above) can serve as visual cues to help you navigate each listing:

      OTHER USEFUL STUFF

      Area codes for each destination appear opposite the name of the city and are denoted by the icon.

      PRICE DIVERSITY

      A final set of icons corresponds to what we call our price diversity scale, which approximates how much money you can expect to spend at a given establishment. For accommodations, we base our range on the cheapest price for which a single traveler can stay for one night. For food, we estimate the average amount one traveler will spend in one sitting. The table below tells you what you’ll typically find in Europe at the corresponding price range, but keep in mind that no scale can allow for the quirks of all individual establishments.

      MAP LEGEND

      You’ll notice that our maps have lots of crazy symbols. Here’s how to decode them.

      DUBLIN

      Orientation

      TEMPLE BAR AND THE QUAYS

      GRAFTON STREET

      O’CONNELL STREET

      GEORGIAN DUBLIN

      NORTH OF O’CONNELL STREET

      Accommodations

      TEMPLE BAR AND THE QUAYS

      GRAFTON STREET

      O’CONNELL STREET

      GEORGIAN DUBLIN

      NORTH OF O’CONNELL STREET

      Sights

      TEMPLE BAR AND THE QUAYS

      GRAFTON STREET

      O’CONNELL STREET

      GEORGIAN DUBLIN

      WEST OF TEMPLE BAR

      NORTH OF O’CONNELL STREET

      Food

      TEMPLE BAR AND THE QUAYS

      GRAFTON STREET

      O’CONNELL STREET

      NORTH OF O’CONNELL STREET

      GEORGIAN DUBLIN

      Nightlife

      TEMPLE BAR AND THE QUAYS

      GRAFTON STREET

      O’CONNELL STREET

      GEORGIAN DUBLIN

      Arts And Culture

      THEATER

      JAZZ

      ROCK AND ROLL

      DANCE

      Shopping

      CLOTHING

      BOOKS

      OUTDOOR MARKETS

      LIQUOR STORES

      ELECTRONICS

      FURNITURE

      ANTIQUES

      DEPARTMENT STORES

      Excursions

      MALAHIDE

      BRAY

      SKERRIES

      HOWTH BINN ÉADAIR

      KILLINEY

      Essentials

      PRACTICALITIES

      EMERGENCY

      GETTING THERE

      GETTING AROUND

      Grab a pint of Guinness, sit down, and listen up. If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve recently arrived in Dublin, capital of the Republic of Ireland. Now that you’re here, however, what’s to be done? You can’t very well sit around drinking Guinness the whole time you’re here. Oh wait—of course you can! Fortunately, Dublin has something for every type of traveler. You can get wasted in Temple Bar with a motley crew of tourists, visit museums of everything from natural history to modern art, tour both the Guinness Storehouse and the Jameson Distillery, while away the day poking your head into luxury clothing stores on Grafton St., see live music, and hit the impressive club scene around Camden, Wexford, and Harcourt Streets—we could go on and on. See as much of it as you can, and don’t constrain yourself to specific areas because you’re sure that things just couldn’t get any better. They can and will.

      greatest hits

      •  BOTTOMS UP: Dublin is home to both the Jameson Distillery (click here) and the Guinness Storehouse (click here); finally, two places where alcohol is permitted on tours.

      •  GREEN WITH ENVY: The beautiful St. Stephen’s Green (click here) is enough to make all other Irish parks jealous.

      •  OKEY DOKEY, POKEY: Spend some time in the slammer, Kilmainham Gaol (click here) that is, and get the nitty gritty details on Ireland’s history.

      student life

      If you’re already over all the castles and all that drinking—yeah, we see you hitting up those brewery and distillery tours—head over to Trinity College and mingle with some students. Okay, let’s be real: don’t try to hang out with Irish students if you’re tired of drinking. Even if you’re in peak can-crushing form, you will have a hard time matching their pounding pace. If you can keep the drinks down and your head up, though, you will surely be led to the hidden hotspots in Temple Bar and around Grafton St. This is where the Trinity kids (and just about everyone else in Dublin) go to rage. Remember, though, Trinity College is one of Dublin’s major attractions, so if you are trying to get in with the local student crowd, avoid being that fanny-pack toting, picture-snapping tourist that the students have to stumble over to get to class. It won’t win you any friends.

      orientation

      Dublin is more of a sprawling metropolis than a concentrated urban center. The Liffey River cuts the city in two, making navigation easy even for the direction illiterate. The south side is tightly condensed, home to Dublin’s most famous neighborhoods, including Temple Bar and Grafton Street. Just west of these areas lies the historic and scenic neighborhood known as Georgian Dublin. Expect a different scene on the north side of the river, where prices are cheaper and the neighborhoods less touristy, for good reason: they certainly lack the charm that is so abundant on the south side. The O’Connell Street neighborhood is the economic center on this side of the river, and serves as a great place for cheap shopping and local pubs. The farther north you go, the less we advise going out at night. The area north of O’Connell Street has some great finds during the day, but is of little interest after dark for those without a taste for heroin.

      TEMPLE BAR AND THE QUAYS

      Navigating Temple Bar pretty much consists of stumbling from one pub to the next while singing, or—more likely—shouting Irish drinking songs. On a weekend, chances are you’ll be so drunk that just making it to the end of the block will seem like a challenge. However, in the clear light of day, when you feel like walking around in a soberer state of mind, take the main east-west drag, Temple Bar, and diverge onto any of the multiple lanes that run north-south from there. Heading north will take you up toward the River Liffey and the Quays, while heading south will take you toward Dame St., Trinity College, and neighboring Grafton Street.

      The Quays (pronounced keys) are even easier to maneuver. You’ll walk either on the north side (Ormond Quay and Bachelors Walk) or the south side (Aston and Wellington Quay) of the Liffey. Keep an eye out for the little restaurants lining the Quays; some of the best are easy to miss.

      GRAFTON STREET

      Ah, Grafton Street, pedestrian highway of purchasing pleasure. Taking off from the intersection of Suffolk and Nassau Streets, Grafton Street climbs on a slight incline up from Trinity College to St. Stephen’s Green. Small pedestrian walkways branch off from either side of the street, leading to more shops and—more importantly—several excellent pubs.

      Shopping on Grafton Street is not for the faint of heart...or those strapped for cash. Several top-tier brands have outlets here, but the south side is hardly a penny-pincher’s paradise. Cheaper shopping can be found elsewhere if you’re looking to salvage your Guinness fund. Even if you’re not buying, though Grafton Street is a place you don’t want to miss. Window shopping here is made more enjoyable by the presence of a hodgepodge collection of street performers who busk from dawn until dusk; the best acts come out on weekends.

      O’CONNELL STREET

      O’Connell Street, the main drag of its namesake neighborhood, runs north-south away from the Liffey. Most hostels are concentrated on Gardiner Street, which runs parallel to O’Connell St. and can be found a few blocks to the east. Henry Street intersects O’Connell St. about halfway up; follow it west, away from O’Connell, for great shopping. Most of the neighborhood’s sights and restaurants (sometimes one and the same; see The Church, click here) are in the area west of O’Connell St; others can be found around Parnell Square, north of Parnell Street.

      GEORGIAN DUBLIN

      When you’ve had enough of Temple Bar’s late-night shenanigans and Grafton Street has lost its charm (read: when your credit card maxes out), head west. Much like Temple Bar, Georgian Dublin is compact and raring to go; every corner offers a variety of things to see. This neighborhood is home to some of the city’s most famous attractions: Dublin Castle and St. Patrick’s Cathedral are located just south of Lord Edward St. Stretched out to the west, Georgian Dublin also includes some of Dublin’s best (in our humble, alcohol-loving opinion) attractions: The Guinness Factory and Jameson Distillery.

      NORTH OF O’CONNELL STREET

      Something you should know about the area north of O’Connell Street: it’s dodgy. As in, not a place you want to take Fluffy for a walk after dark. Located far past the Parnell Monument, this neighborhood has a few hostels and restaurants, but not enough to keep someone happy for more than a day or two. What you will find is an area with smaller and more local shops, and a much lower percentage of tourists on the sidewalk. There are things to see up here—the Gardens of Remembrance are worth a look, and the Hugh Lane Gallery might just beat out the Irish Museum of Modern Art in terms of scale and presentation. And of course, for all the Joyceans in the audience, the James Joyce Centre is just up the road on North Great George’s Street.

      accommodations

      Expect to pay at least €15 per night for a hostel dorm room, sometimes more. Banking on the heavy party traffic, many establishments in Dublin have adopted weekend rates about 25% higher than weekday prices, so bear that in mind when planning your trip. Hostels on the north side will cost less, but you’ll have to sacrifice proximity to Temple Bar and Grafton Street.

      TEMPLE BAR AND THE QUAYS

      Temple Bar accommodations are usually filled with young travelers—particularly backpackers—who are interested in going out and having a good time. Note that any hostel in the Temple Bar area is bound to be noisy at night, and you might have to deal with people coming into the dorm room at odd hours. Don’t expect to sleep well, but do expect to have a roaring good time.

      BARNACLES TEMPLE BAR HOUSE

      HOSTEL $

      19 Temple Ln. S.

      1 671 6277 www.barnacles.ie

      The lime-green exterior of Barnacles makes it hard to miss, and you’ll be glad for that. This gem of a hostel probably has the best location in Dublin, right in the heart of Temple Bar. Barnacles attracts quite the crowd of partiers: grab a drink and head to the common room, where you’ll have five new friends before you know it. For those bored of Dublin, try their Coast to Coast Special: a night in Dublin, a bus to Galway (click here) and a day there, a night at the Barnacles Hostel in Galway, and a return bus to Dublin (€50).

      Take Dame St. from Trinity College. Turn right onto Temple Ln. S.

      Breakfast included. Free Wi-Fi. Laundry €8 per bag. Towel and lock rental €1.50, plus €5 returnable deposit.

      Dorms €10-33; private rooms €30-44.

      Reception 24hr.

      ABBEY COURT

      HOSTEL $

      29 Bachelors Walk

      1 878 0700 www.abbey-court.com

      Even though it’s a hostel, the rooms at Abbey Court are not its biggest draw. Don’t get us wrong, the rooms get the job done, but colorful, hand-painted signs will point you to the cinema, music room, game room, and smoking room. This hostel has so much to offer you might not even make it outside. Grab a giant beanbag from the hammock room and settle in; this home away from home might be one of the best parts of your trip.

      From the O’Connell St. Bridge, turn onto Bachelors Walk, bordering the River Liffey.

      Breakfast included. Free Wi-Fi.

      20-bed dorms M-Th €12, F-Sa €15, Su €12; 12-bed €15/18/15; 6-bed €18/22/18; 4-bed €23/26/23.

      LITTON LANE HOSTEL (SKY BACKPACKERS)

      HOSTEL $$

      Litton Ln.

      1 872 8389 www.skybackpackers.com

      Stay right in the grit and grime of rock ‘n’ roll with none of the actual grit or grime. Housed in what used to be a recording studio for the likes of U2, Van Morrison, and the Cranberries, this hostel has since been completely remodeled. The rock vibe remains, however, as painted murals of artists and lyrics follow you down the hallways of each floor.

      From O’Connell St. Bridge, take Bachelors Walk; turn right onto Litton Ln.

      Shared bathrooms. Group discounts available.

      10-bed dorms €12-€14; 8-bed €13-€15; 6-bed €14-€16. Private twins €60; doubles €80; 3-bed apartment €75 per night.

      Reception 24hr.

      THE APACHE HOSTEL

      HOSTEL $

      29 Eustace St.

      1 677 1958 www.theapachehostel.com

      For those who came to Dublin looking for that Native American touch, Apache is the place to go. Not the most engaging hostel in the Temple Bar area, Apache does boast a rooftop balcony and an attached restaurant with prices reduced 45% for hostel guests.

      Take Dame St. from Trinity College and turn right onto Eustace St.

      Dorms 8-bed M-Th €12, F-Su €17; 6-bed €14/€19. Singles €18/€26. Doubles €22/€30.

      GRAFTON STREET

      AVALON HOUSE

      HOSTEL $$

      55 Aungier St.

      1 475 0001 www.avalon-house.ie

      You probably won’t want a legendary royal burial here, but the rooms are clean and well lit, if not exactly spacious. And those are just the perks. Check out the 12-bed room: that winding staircase in the middle is pretty cool. With bike rentals available and a sign at reception that tells you if it’s raining, this hostel will have you ready to take Dublin by storm.

      Follow S. Great Georges St. until it turns into Aungier St; the hostel is on the left.

      Free Wi-Fi. Computers for guest use. Movie projector and DVD rental. Ping-pong. Pool table. Book exchange. ISA 10% student discount for the first night. Towels and lockers available for rent.

      12-bed dorms from €10; singles from €34; doubles from €54; quads from €64; triples from €66. Rates change daily, so check website for more information.

      Reception 24hr.

      THE TIMES HOSTEL

      HOSTEL $

      8-9 Camden Pl.

      1 475 8588 www.timeshostels.com

      Camouflaged nicely and nestled into the surrounding buildings, the Times Hostel won’t grab your attention as you pass. Luckily, we found it for you. With rates starting at €11, this place is definitely a sweet deal. Curl up in the blue beds at night where, unlike at noisy and excessively social Temple Bar hostels, you can expect a good night’s sleep. Free breakfast, with traditional Irish pancakes on the weekends, will drag you out of bed by your nose, hangover and all.

      Follow S. Great Georges St. until it turns into Aungier St., then Wexford St., then finally Lower Camden St. Take a left onto Camden Pl.

      Breakfast and linens included. Free Wi-Fi. Cable TV. Free luggage storage.

      6- to 12-bed mixed dorms €11-20; private doubles and quads €20-35.

      Reception 24hr.

      KELLYS HOTEL

      HOTEL $$$

      36 S. Great Georges St.

      1 648 0010 www.kellysdublin.com

      Ultra-modern with a sort of farmhouse-chic style, Kelly’s Hotel has personality. Antique doors and wine-barrel tables provide the rustic vibe, while the clean, minimalist rooms add some modern flair. The rooms are comfortable, with big beds and modern bathrooms, although doubles are on the smaller side. Free breakfast is provided for guests at Le Gueulenton next door. Both Kelly’s Hotel and Grafton Guesthouse get noisy at night from the bars below, so make sure to request a quiet room if you want to sleep through the revelry.

      From Grafton St., turn right onto Wicklow St., which quickly turns into Exchequer St. Turn left onto S. Great Georges St. and walk 1 block. Kelly’s is on the left side of the street.

      Breakfast included. No children.

      Doubles from €75.

      Reception 24hr.

      ALBANY HOUSE

      B&B $$$$

      84 Harcourt St.

      1 475 1092 www.albanyhousedublin.com

      This one’s a bit on the steep side in terms of price, but it’s worth it. The Albany House is located in a wonderful Georgian home, with molding more elaborate than month-old bread. You’re not likely to find another place this beautiful or full of old-world charm in Dublin (or all of Europe) for anything close to this price, so take advantage of it. This place fills up fast, so book ahead.

      From the top of Grafton St., head toward and continue past St. Stephen’s Green. Continue straight onto Harcourt St. Albany House is on the left.

      Continental breakfast included. Free Wi-Fi in common areas.

      Singles from €50; doubles from €65. Check website for specific rates; expect an increase on the weekends and during the summer months.

      Reception 24hr.

      THE GRAFTON GUESTHOUSE

      HOTEL $$$

      26-27 S. Great Georges St.

      1 648 0010 www.graftonguesthouse.com

      A less funky cousin of Kellys Hotel, The Grafton Guesthouse offers comfortable, if not very exciting, ensuite rooms. The creaking wooden stairs and high ceilings will only serve to remind you that you’re residing in one of the oldest parts of Dublin, and the ruckus from the bars below will remind you that it’s also one of the more lively. Try not to get overwhelmed by the massive amount of red accents (the rug, the chairs, the curtains, the brogue) that Grafton throws your way; it’s the most stimulating part of the hotel.

      From Grafton St., turn right onto Wicklow St., which quickly turns into Exchequer St. Turn left onto S. Great Georges St. and walk 1 block. Grafton Guesthouse is on the right.

      Continental breakfast included.

      Singles from €59; doubles from €75.

      Reception 24hr., located in Kelly’s Hotel across the street.

      O’CONNELL STREET

      Gardiner Street might as well be called Hostel Row. There are tons of hostels, hotels, guesthouses, lodges, and B&Bs along the entire length of the street. If

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