The Irish B&B membership network listed 495 accommodations in 2010, ranging from from B&Bs, family B&Bs and guesthouses. Generally, the accommodations designated as guesthouses are small, boutique-style motels with a handful of rooms. Some have bathrooms en suite, but others do not. The B&B designation is given to inn-styled homes with mostly sizable rooms. Family B&Bs tend to be smaller homes with just a few guest rooms, most without en suite bathrooms. Rates varied from $38 to $152 mid-summer 2010---but the rooms with common bath facilities average about $38. B&Bs tend to be a good value because a full breakfast is included in the price. To find B&Bs across Ireland, see References section.
Camping in Ireland, called touring or caravanning, is a viable option for travelers who enjoy outdoor ambiance. The Irish Caravan and Camping Council 2010 list holiday and caravan parks in 23 out of Ireland's 26 counties; most of these 92 parks allow RVs, travel trailers and tent camping, and some have cabins or travel trailer accommodations as fixed units on-site. Rates start as low as $11 for tent camping, and some parks charge extra for car parking and showers. Travel trailer and RV accommodations average $25 to $38. Motor homes are available for rent from a number of RV sales companies throughout the country at varying rates. See References section for further information.
There are more than 6,000 independently owned hostels throughout Ireland. Traditionally, hostels differ from B&Bs in that they seldom provide food and often have dorm room accommodations; however, modern hostels are no longer just for young travelers and often feature everything from rooms with en suite bathroom facilities to camping areas for tenters. Prices vary depending on level of luxury in accommodations. With a little preplanning, you can stay in clean, comfortable, family-operated hostels throughout Ireland for as little as $12 per night, per room. See References section to find the best hostel budgets.
