Weekend in Ireland...

[DSM]

I am looking to go away for the weekend to Ireland with a friend (no children!)

We are looking for a hotel, country pub style, nice warm friendly (preferably independently owned..HATE chains) in a nice little village where hopefully there might be a nice roaring fire, and some live irish music on in the evening..

We've stayed places like this before but for some reason are struggling to find somewhere this time!

Does anyone have any suggestions? We were thinking Clare, maybe Galway, Tipperary, Limerick.. but we are not that fussy. Preferably not more than 4 hours drive from Dublin.

Any advice at all would be VERY greatly appreciated.

Anyone? I am really struggling and we are going on Saturday!

Head West ... Westport in Mayo is lovely - lot's of good pubs and plenty of family run hotels.
Alternatively Clifden in Galway is small and chi - chi - nice pubs and hotels too !

Whatever and wherever - Enjoy

all about Westport

and all about Clifden

the quay house in clifden is nice IMO

It is lovely isn't it ... but I do have a soft spot for Westport and Clew Bay !

as a galway girl i cannot speak of the Mayo people county rivalry etc

Well, personally I think they are equally nice!

The actual location isn't important to be honest, its more about finding a nice hotel with a nice traditional pub and decent food, good atmosphere in the evening, busy but small and friendly.. I hope I am explaining this well?!

Then go to Westport would be my advice ! .. Galway's nice an all .....

Would rather go south than to Mayo.. we were in Mayo last year and would like to see some other parts.

Would Co.Cork be too far for you?

Schull is lovely.

Birr in Co.Offaly is a lovely Georgian town.

No, Cork would be fine.

I will check those out, thank you!

Any more suggestions?

Tipperary is a great county too, you'd get a taste of the real Ireland there.

Beautiful landscape but no sea of course.

We travelled from Cork to Dublin in 2.5 hours recently. Roads are much improved. Kinsale is lovely. quite close to Cork City but still remote enough to feel away from it all

Thanks, will look for hotels in Kinsale.

I'm really looking for specific hotel suggestions rather than places, the place doesn't matter but like I said in the OP, Cork, Tipperary, Limerick.. Galway, possibly Kerry. Not Mayo preferably as we've been and would like to go south.

So, does anyone have hotel recommendations around these counties?

Kinsale is quite foodie as well

Have checked out kinsale, bit pricey there for most of the hotels.

Really we are looking for a non-touristy place really, a traditional place, old fashioned, friendly town with a nice pub and nice people who'll sit round and play Irish trad music and all sing along and get drunk.

We've managed to find this in a few places, but for some reason are struggling with the south!

We've done it in Mayo, and Roscommon, Longford, Dublin, Wicklow, Meath.. there must be places like this is the South West!

Parknasilla? or somewhere near Shannon - one of those castle jobs, they all have special offers on. Or head to Belfast, the Hastings hotels are good (great beds), Slieve Donard is on the beach and easy drive from Dublin if you have flights booked.

Is that your usual room in Sneem then?