I came across some cottage rentals that had very good rates. Is there anything I should be wary of? I was wanting to use hostels because we're on a tight budget, but the cottages may actually be a better route for us. I know you have to pay the electric and heat for the time of stay, does anyone have any guess-timates on how much that may be? In particular I'm looking at Ashfield Cottage. There's a minimum of a 3 night stay, 100 euro refundable deposit, at 52 USD per night. Now, I can't find if that price is per night or per person per night. In which case it would not be a better value for the 3 of us than staying at a hostel. 
 As you have probably guessed, I found that flying out from an airport just a little further from the one we were originally going to fly out of made it possible for us to fly into Shannon and out of Dublin for around the same price as looping from Dublin to Dublin. 
 So that would give us the ease of 3 nights at a cottage in a location that would give us many options, as well as 3 nights in Dublin or around the Dublin area. Based on Michele and Tony's knowledge and advice, we've slowed our itinerary wayyyy down so it would actually feel like a vacation!

Thanks!
Michelle
 

Some rentals will charge electric and heat rates by meter reading at the start and finish of your stay, others will charge a flat fee.

I would email the owner to find out how they charge. When we stayed at a metered house the owner forgot to read the meter when we arrived, so we settled on 20 euro for a one week stay. Another place charged 10 euro per person for sheets, towels, oil and electricity.

Galway is always bustling. It is a good base for Connemara and not that far from the Cliffs of Moher and Burren. Have you decided to rent a car then? Usually, when renting a cottage you will do it for more than just a couple of days. I vote for B&Bs too.

There are plenty of B&Bs within walking distance of Galway. However, in Dublin hotels seem to dominate the city center landscape (think high property prices). By booking Dublin in advance for multiple days you will get some specials. Always click on the "special offers" links on any hotel website. If you don't mind being a little out of the center of Dublin (long walk or quick bus ride) look at Ballsbridge. Bewley's and the Schoolhouse hotels usually have deals. Also, look at Jurys Christchurch closer in.

Thank you for you answer.

Janet,

We would love to hear all about it!

Michele

Hello,

I just rented a cottage for a week in North Clare. I was charge 30 euro for electricity for it at the end.
With the imagineireland site and similar i looked at they insist on booking for 1 week from a Saturday to Saturday. I wanted a Friday to Friday and had some difficulty with getting around this.

In Ireland at the moment there is a website called donedeal.ie its like a buy and sell place but very people with local irish. They have a sections for holiday homes rental there and I found a place for 300 euro in County Clare in July (during our heatwave). The website I looked at were 500 euro+ per week and August were even higher.