Decide where you want to go in Ireland. Whether it is a pub tour you are after or simply a driving tour of the Irish countryside, there are bed-and-breakfasts that will suit your needs. Browse a map or guide book and determine which areas of the country you plan to visit on your trip. While there are more bed-and-breakfasts in the major cities such as Dublin and Galway, countryside bed-and-breakfasts are more likely to emphasize outdoor activities such as angling or horseback riding.
Choose your experience. Bed-and-breakfasts in Ireland come in many different varieties. Depending on the type of experience you want, you can stay at a townhouse, country home or farmhouse. City townhouses offer easy access to pubs and restaurants, while country homes and farmhouses give you exposure to a more rural and leisurely approach to Irish life. Some bed-and-breakfasts in Ireland emphasize Irish food or heritage and culture.
Research the bed-and-breakfasts in the area of your choice. Once you decide on the area you want to visit and the experience you are after, you can narrow down the possible bed-and-breakfasts that will suit your needs. Contact any Ireland tourism and travel offices for brochures or booklets listing the bed-and-breakfasts by location and type.
Visit websites for particulars. Most bed-and-breakfasts in Ireland have their own websites that offer a description of the establishment and list the amenities offered. The B & B Ireland website lists Irish townhouse bed-and-breakfasts by county and town and provides a brief description of each. The Irish Farmhouse Holidays website similarly provides a list of all farmhouse and country home bed-and-breakfasts in Ireland. All bed-and-breakfasts listed on these websites are approved by the official Irish Tourist Boards.
Contact possible bed-and-breakfasts directly, by email, fax or by telephone. It is advisable to book your bed-and-breakfast in Ireland many weeks in advance to ensure you get the lodging you want and to achieve the best rate. June to September is peak season in Ireland, so if you are traveling during that time, reserve your bed-and-breakfast even earlier. Bed-and-breakfast rooms in Ireland range from around $40 to $90 per person per night.
