There are so many hostels in Ireland that choosing one can seem daunting. Do research in books and online because the hostel you select will be your home base for your time in Ireland (or a particular Irish city), and it is important that you feel comfortable there. Make sure that the hostel has what you need, be it WiFi, a private room and/or bathroom or breakfast included. Some hostels provide linens for the beds but not towels. Some hostels provide sheets and towels. These are questions you should ask before selecting your hostel.
Once you have chosen a hostel you feel comfortable with, call them to make a reservation. Ask any other questions you may not have found the answers to in your guide books or online. If you still feel happy with your choice, ask to book a room. There are hostels that will have private rooms available, and hostels that will have shared rooms. Make sure you are clear about what kind of room you want. Shared rooms will be less expensive and can be a fun way to meet new people, but not everybody feels comfortable with that.
Ireland is a gorgeous country with a long, impressive history, so once you have settled in a room, get out and enjoy all it has to offer. A good hostel will be able to set you up on tours of the city or town, make recommendations about where to eat, what places of interest to visit and how to keep yourself busy. Some hostels provide free transportation to and from airports and train stations. The best thing about staying in hostels is meeting other travelers and sharing stories and adventures with them.
When you book your room, most hostels will ask for a credit card number just to reserve the room. All hostels will take the major credit cards for payment, but many also will accept cash and travelers checks. Some hostels require you to pay for your room every day that you stay, others will let you pay for the total when you check out at the end of your stay. Make sure to ask which payment method is preferred at the hostel you choose.
