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Tourism Ireland

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Where to Stay
The B&B network of town
and country homes in Ireland is one of the most extensive and well organized in the world. Each town has a number of registered B&Bs and the local tourist office can book your accommodation for you. Most run in the $25-30 per person/night range. There are also numerous farmstays around the country. Country homes and hotels are more expensive.

If you want to plan in advance, you can request a copy of the B&B guide from Tourism Ireland, and email or call to make reservations yourself. It is advisable to make reservations before leaving home for Dublin in the summer, as it gets very crowded.

Here are a few of the places we stayed:

Carriggeen Castle, Cahir
website
If you want to stay in an affordable castle, this is it! Not really a castle (though it looks like one), this B&B was actually a bridewell or jail. Peig Butler is an efficient hostess and the rooms are spacious and comfortable.

Rascals The Old
School House, Ballinskelligs, Kerry
website
In the Gaeltacht (Gaelic Area) of West Kerry, The Old School House is a real find. Irish hospitality is at its finest here. Dominck Byrne and Lillian Morgan will make you feel right at home with guitar songs at night, a trip to the local chocolate factory (worth the drive for the Bailey's truffles) and, horseback riding on the beach. Evening meals are available, too!

Maria's Schoolhouse, Union Hall, West Cork
website
A colorful and inviting renovated schoolhouse run by Mick and Paula, who have just come from England with their kids. Rooms are spacious and bright, the food is delicious and there are bikes for borrowing and riding into town or out along the country roads.

Activities and Tours
Atlantic Seakayaking
Hit the water for a few hours or a few days with Jim Kennedy and his expert guides. If you can get on one of the moonlight trips, do it! Jim is also very experienced with kids: he takes schoolgroups regularly, so he can customize any trip to meet your experience level or that of your children!

Skelligs Cruises
seandive@yahoo.coms
Sean Feehan operates daily boat trips to the Skelligs from Ballinskelligs, weather cooperating. The Flying Horse, as she is called, is covered and heated, so you don’t have to worry about being cold or wet. Boats depart at about 10:15 and return by 3:30. Cost is $35/person.