Hello Pat and All,

To begin with, this was our 7th trip to Ireland, and it was awesome, as always.  Our accommodations are always very important to us, as we do spend a lot of down time in them.  Usually we are quite busy during the day, and love to have a nice BandB/Guesthouse to "come home to". So a comfortable sitting area is important and so are congenial hosts.  Out of 13 booked, I was only disappointed in three. Joy's Rockside, Cashel; Hillcrest BandB, Kilrush; and deFlorres Band B, Athlone.  Here goes:

South Lodge BandB, Portmarnock (Dublin area), 4 nights, 38.50 Eurospp/per night: We have stayed here before and always enjoy it.  Right on the bus line to Dublin Centre. Colin and Pat Burton are great hosts. Comfortable beds, good-sized rooms.  This was the carriage house for the Jameson family, now Portmarnock Links Hotel. Quaint cottage and rooms. Kleenex, alarm clock, face cloths upon request, simple Irish breakfast with fruit and juice (served in Waterford glasses!) and the usual breads.  Rated: 8, will stay here again.

Tudor Lodge BandB, Laragh, Wicklow; 2 nights, 42.50 pp/per night:  We enjoyed this BandB very much. Chris is a congenial host, with Jane and Deidre in the background. Delightful setting on the Avondale River, where you can sit on the deck and enjoy the sounds of the river. Clean, spacious room with a double and a single on the main floor and a semi-private entrance. Breakfast quite extensive, fruits, cheeses, cold cuts, yogurt, many cereals. Usual tea/coffee, breads.  The sitting room was available for the guests, but the main living room was not (Family uses this, is a smoking room). Kleenex, no clock or facecloths available. Has had some bad reviews due to former Lithuanian owners who were unfriendly and apparently did not keep up the house. Chris is adding a new patio and upgrading the back area. Rated 9, would stay here again. 

Joy's Rockside House, Cashel, Tipperary, i night, 40Eurospp/per night:  We found this to be disappointing. We enjoyed being so close to the Rock, but the room needed heavier drapes to shut out the streetlights. So, do ask for the room at the back/side of rhe house, which also has a wonderful view of
The Rock at night.  Joy was quite a brusque person, although very helpful.  When we arrived she introduced herself, showed us the direction of the dining room and the sitting room (which was very uncomfortable), and the asked for her payment! There was a sign on the table, Payment Upon Arrival.  (Michele, has she probably been "stiffed", before for want of a better word?). It did raise our eyebrows a little, needless to say.  The next morning, we sat down at a table for two, of course, but were asked to move to a table for 4, I still can't figure out why.  Then, at about 9:20 am we were going to go up to The Rock, walk around--no tour, as we have been here many times before.  She insisted we bring our suitcases downstairs then, because she had someone coming in to clean our room at !0:00.  We did, but left a little upset at her abruptness.  Breakfast was routine with only juice and Irish breakfast and the usual.  Rated 5, would not stay here again.

Earls Court House, Killarney, 50Eurospp/per night, 4 nights.  Awesome!  We were upgraded form a Deluxe Balcony to a large King Room with a HUGE bathroom and a tub. Tea and home-baked goodies upon arrival, in the big and comfortable sitting room. Had Internet access for all guests, which was just great, got caught up on Home and Friends at our leisure. Breakfast was expansive, with 3 juices; 4 different kinds of fruit; porridge, dry cereals, hot breakfast menu of Irish, all kinds of eggs, French Toast, Omelettes, Pancakes. Looked forward to every morning!  Laundry available for 12.50 Euros (sent out), per laundry bag, washed, dried and folded . Hair Salon right next door, check with Emer. 15Euros for a shampoo and set. Emer and Stephanie were friendly and helpful.  Toiletries, faceclothes, clock, fluffy bathtowels. complimentary bottles of water, tea/coffee service in room. Would definitely stay here again!  Rated:  10!

The Shores Country House, Castlegregory, Dingle, 40Eurospp/per night, 2 nights. Unbelievable!! Annette is such a gracious and delightful hostess, will sit down and talk, talk, and talk some more. This has to be the most delightful home in Ireland. All this, and she is a also a GOURMET cook!  We had a front downstairs double with a BATHTUB.  As you can tell, I love my baths. I could have spent the rest of the month right here.  Comfortable sitting room, enchanting dining room, I am only sorry she was not serving dinners--her daughter was still in school and her assistant had an ill mother.  Room was compact with a nice sofa at the foot of the double, comfortable bed. Clock, Kleenex, facecloths, tea/coffee service.  Breakfast was to die for.  We both had the dried fruit compote, porridge, Ed had Pancakes, I had the Ham, Cheese Croissant twice. Served gourmet style on square double plates. My Goodness, did we feel special.  Would I stay here again? In a heartbeat, but next time, maybe a week!  Rated 10++.

I shall stop now, and continue, hopefully, tomorrow.

Helen