Ireland Bed And Breakfast

A marvellous surprise in Ireland

Many senior travellers view independent travel with trepidation and so they are more likely to choose whistle-stop guided tours or cruises.

But my husband and I relish the marvellous surprises that materialise when travelling independently.

On a recent visit to Ireland, we stumbled across a wonderful treasure tucked away in the picturesque seaside town of Clonakilty in West Cork.

Our planned destination was Killarney and the Ring of Kerry but my navigation skills failed when weariness set in, so we decided to look for accommodation and continue our journey after a good night's sleep. And that's when we found O'Donovan's Hotel.

A traveller's haven steeped in history, this fifth-generation family hotel dates back to the 1800s and is now run by Dena, Therese and Tom, the great, great, great-grandchildren of the original owner, Denis O'Donovan, who died in 1866.

Famous people who have stayed at the O'Donovan include Michael Collins and Guglielmo Marconi.

Like an episode from Antiques Roadshow, the hotel abounds in historical treasures. A walk through the corridors is like visiting a museum and yet the family has managed to combine old-world charm and intimacy with modern amenities, including a liquor store, three bars, two restaurants, a beer garden and conference facilities.

The rooms are a delight - spotlessly clean, large, airy and quiet, with none of the austerity we experienced in London hotels. There was a choice of biscuits with your tea and coffee, as well as small bottles of toiletries. Delicious food is served in mountainous proportions.

The hospitality does not stop at the door. We were told: "You'll be comin' to the bar tonight, won't you? We'll be havin' the music!"

As lovers of Irish music we enthusiastically agreed, expecting to be entertained by two or three musicians. How wrong we were. This was to be a traditional session with fiddles, banjos, accordions, mandolins, guitars and the bodhran (Irish drum).

The bar filled with talent, until 16 gifted musicians had the pub alive and the patrons joining in with vibrant, toe-tapping folk songs.

Throughout the evening, the session leader seemed to rotate. Someone would start a tune and then others would join in if they knew it.

At intervals, solo performers with the voices of angels punctuated the session. There seemed to be no rehearsed sequence - the music just "happened" naturally.

We were later informed that The Teach Beag, a cottage-like building in the grounds of the hotel, is actually a small traditional Irish music pub that holds nightly sessions in the summer and has won many awards for the promotion of traditional Irish music. A CD of one of these sessions was available at the hotel for 10 euro ($13.50).

Pebble Beach Bed And Breakfast Tralee Kerry Ireland

Is a newly built family run bed and breakfast, set on the hillside overlooking Tralee Bay. The house is decorated and furnished to the highest standards ensuring comfort and relaxation. The house is also designed to cater for the disabled persons.

The hospitality and comforts of the house ensure that you may enjoy a relaxing and enjoyable holiday with the added bonus of being surrounded by fantastic scenery.

bed and breakfast is convienient to Tralee town where a wide range of activities to suit all the family are available, for example, indoor swimming pool, windmill, Aquadome, dancing, omniplex cinema, greyhound racing and many more. The bed and breakfast is situated along the Dingle Peninsula which stretches for some 48km westward from Tralee town. The Dingle Peninsula has more interesting antiquities, historic sites and varied mountain scenery than any other part of Ireland.

is located 5 miles from Tralee town on the Tralee-Dingle road. Travel on the N86 for approximately 5 miles. The bed and breakfast is located 0.5 miles after Keanes Restaurant on the left hand side of the road and is well sign posted.

Guest Facilities include All bedrooms are central heated, Spacious and en-suite rooms, Double and family rooms are available, Bedrooms have tea/coffee making facilities and colour televisions, A guest pay phone is also available, Tea/Coffee and home baking upon arrival.

Local Attractions include Gallarus Castle in Ballydavid, Gallarus Oratory in Ballydavid, Dingle Oceanworld Aquarium in Dingle, The Blasket Centre in Dunquin, Toby World in Tralee.

Local Festivals include Anascaul Dan Foley Magic Weekend – March, Ballyferriter Feile na Casa Easter Festival – April, Dingle Festival of May Feile Na Bealtaine – May, Cloghane / Brandon Festival of Lughnasa – July, Dingle Regatta – August, Ballyferriter Eigse Chorca Dhuibhne – September, Anascaul Tom Crean Walking Festival – October.

Bed and Breakfast Ireland, A Trusted Guide to Over 400 of Ireland's Best Bed and Breakfasts

Ireland Bed and Breakfast

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Ireland Bed and Breakfast, 1998

Bed and Breakfast Ireland