Creedon’s Bed and Breakfast, Cork, Ireland

1 Comment / June 8, 2012

The Place to Stay in Cork

Creedon’s Bed and Breakfast is the perfect place to stay during your visit to Cork, Ireland. As you saw in our previous article, Cork is a city you will not want to miss on your trip through the Emerald Isle. Not only is it a beautiful city in its own right, but it’s also the gateway to Blarney Castle where you can experience some of the history of Ireland and, of course, kiss the Blarney Stone, thereby acquiring the gift of Irish gab! I spotted Creedon’s Bed and Breakfast soon after arriving at the bus station and was delighted to learn that they had a room available for me.

Creedon's Bed and Breakfast, Cork, Ireland — Creedon’s Bed and Breakfast, Cork, Ireland

A Great Location

Located in the heart of town above one of Cork’s oldest pubs (The Welcome Inn), Creedon’s Bed and Breakfast is just a short walk from restaurants, shopping, and most of the major tourist attractions, not to mention its convenient proximity to all manner of transportation. The bus station is literally across the street and the train station is but a ten minute walk from Creedon’s Bed and Breakfast. There is also easy access to shuttle service to the Cork airport, which is just a ten minute drive away. Within minutes of checking in I was on a local bus headed for an afternoon of exploring Blarney Castle and in the evening I had only to step outside the door to begin my walking tour of Cork.

Room at Creedon's Bed and Breakfast, Cork, Ireland — Room at Creedon’s Bed and Breakfast, Cork, Ireland

Friendly Atmosphere

Owners Danny and Annette Creedon will greet you like family and help you get oriented to the city of Cork and the surrounding area. They have five rooms available and all have en suite bathrooms, television and WiFi connectivity. I paid $57 for a wonderful, quiet room that had a nice view of the city and for a small amount more I could have added a full Irish breakfast. Unfortunately, I had to catch an early bus the next morning for Dublin…the last stop on my trek through Ireland. Creedon’s Bed and Breakfast met all of my criteria for an awesome accommodation. It was clean, safe, comfortable, well located, operated by a friendly, helpful staff and a good value. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting Danny and Annette and experiencing the Irish hospitality that comes so naturally to them. Take it from me…Creedon’s Bed and Breakfast is where you will want to stay on your next visit to Cork, Ireland.

View from Creedon's Bed and Breakfast with Bus Station at Far Left — View from Creedon’s Bed and Breakfast with Bus Station at Far Left

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Leen’s Bed and Breakfast, Killarney, Ireland

May 8, 2012

A Warm Welcome

Leen’s Bed and Breakfast in Killarney, Ireland was one of the nicest places I stayed during my trip through the British Isles. I arrived there at 9:30 AM by bus from Tralee in order to catch the 10 AM Ring of Kerry tour bus and the proprietors could not have been more accommodating. They gave me a warm welcome and allowed me to check in early so that I could freshen up and leave my main pack before setting out on the tour. I had arranged both the room and the tour bus the day before at the Tralee Tourist Office for a $7 booking fee. My accommodations at Leen’s Bed and Breakfast included a nice room with private bath and a wonderful full Irish Breakfast, all for $54, an excellent value for the price.

Leen's Bed and Breakfast, Killarney, Ireland — Leen’s Bed and Breakfast, Killarney, Ireland

A Great Location

Leen’s Bed and Breakfast is located in a nice, quiet residential area within easy walking distance of most of the major attractions in Killarney. There are four bedrooms available, including single, twin, double and triple accommodations and each room has an en suite bathroom. Each room also has television, wireless internet connectivity and tea and coffee tray. Leen’s can also accommodate groups at a reduced rate and as an added benefit for those traveling by rental car, private parking is available.

Bedroom at Leen's Bed and Breakfast, Killarney, Ireland — Bedroom at Leen’s Bed and Breakfast, Killarney, Ireland

All the Comforts of Home

My bedroom at Leen’s Bed and Breakfast was bright, clean, comfortable and modern and had all the comforts of home. It also had a nice window that looked out on the pleasant, peaceful surrounding neighborhood. The proprietor, Siobhan Leen, prepared a wonderful full Irish breakfast which I thoroughly enjoyed in the cheery breakfast room before heading off to catch the bus to Cork the next morning. Leen’s Bed and Breakfast had all the qualities I look for and more when considering a place to stay. It was clean, comfortable, safe, well located and operated by a friendly, helpful staff in addition to being a good value. I’m quite sure you will enjoy Leen’s Bed and Breakfast as much as I did on your next visit to Killarney, Ireland.

Breakfast Room at Leen's Bed and Breakfast — Breakfast Room at Leen’s Bed and Breakfast

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McGettigan’s An Cruiscin Lan Bed and Breakfast

1 Comment / March 15, 2012

A Great Bed and Breakfast in Sligo, Ireland

The picturesque, quaint little town of Sligo, Ireland should definitely be a stop on your itinerary when you visit the Emerald Isle. I arrived there by bus from Londonderry around noon on a weekday last June and took the short walk from the bus and train station into the town center. In keeping with my usual modus operandi, I did not have a hotel reservation, so I asked a couple of locals who I passed on the street if they knew of a good bed and breakfast nearby. Without hesitation they enthusiastically pointed out McGettigan’s An Cruiscin Lan just a few blocks away. That turned out to be a great recommendation and within a very short time the friendly proprietor, Liam McGettigan, had me checked into a nice room with shared bath that cost $58, including a wonderful full Irish breakfast.

All the Comforts of Home

An Cruiscin Lan is an Irish (Gaelic) term meaning ‘The Full Jug’. The Bed and Breakfast has a total of 10 rooms, including 4 ensuite and 6 standard rooms, with a mix of single, double, twin and triple accommodations. Each comfortably appointed room has a television and a tea and coffee tray. In addition, with special arrangements An Cruiscin Lan can accommodate groups of up to 20 guests. The facility has Wi-Fi internet signal and guests are able to log on to the internet from the computer in the common lounge area. For those traveling with a rental car or camper, the ample, free parking on site will be a special attraction.

My Room at McGettigan's An Cruiscin Lan Bed and Breakfast — My Room at McGettigan’s An Cruiscin Lan Bed and Breakfast

A Ride to Drumcliffe

Liam gave me some suggestions on what to see in town and also told me how to catch the bus going out to Strandhill Beach on the nearby Atlantic coast. When I asked him the best way to get to the poet William Butler Yeats’ gravesite outside of town, he offered to give me a ride! As it turned out, he was going to be driving right past it on his way to pick up a trailer and said he could drop me off on the way and then pick me up on the way back. This gave me just the right amount of time to explore the gravesite, St. Columba’s Church, the Celtic High Cross and the Round Tower of an ancient monastery at Drumcliffe. I thoroughly enjoyed the ride, especially chatting with Liam, who, as a lifelong resident of the area, was able to point out interesting things along the way and tell me a lot about the history of County Sligo.

Liam and Geraldine McGettigan of McGettigan's B and B — Liam and Geraldine McGettigan of McGettigan’s B and B

Meets All of My High Standards

McGettigan’s An Cruiscin Lan Bed and Breakfast met all of my criteria for a great place to stay…and more! It was clean, comfortable, safe, well-located and a good value for the money. And if that wasn’t enough, the friendly atmosphere and wonderful host and hostess made it a real pleasure to stay there. At breakfast the next morning I got to meet Liam’s wife, Geraldine, and by the time I was heading out the door to catch the bus to Galway I felt like I had made some new friends. For anyone planning a visit to Ireland, I can’t think of a better way to be introduced to the friendly Irish people than to stay at McGettigan’s An Cruiscin Lan Bed and Breakfast in Sligo.

The Full Irish Breakfast at McGettigan's An Cruiscin Lan — The Full Irish Breakfast at McGettigan’s An Cruiscin Lan B and B

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The Iona Bed and Breakfast, Londonderry, Northern Ireland

March 1, 2012

The Iona Bed and Breakfast, Londonderry, Northern Ireland

For backpackers and independent travelers, the Iona Bed and Breakfast in Londonderry, Northern Ireland makes an excellent home base for exploring this wonderful city. It’s just a short walk up from the train station and close to the pedestrian friendly Craigavon Bridge leading to the old walled city of Derry. Sitting above the River Foyle on the Waterside, the inn is the perfect starting point for the easy walk across the bridge to the major sights on the Cityside.

A Great Location in a Great City

I arrived in town around 1 PM on a Tuesday in late May and was fortunate to get a spacious, comfortable room there right off the bat for $57, which included a wonderful full Irish breakfast. The inn has 10 guest rooms, each with en suite facilities, television, coffee and tea tray and all the comforts of home. Their double, triple and family rooms can accommodate up to a total of 28 people, making this a great place for large groups.

My Room at the Iona Bed and Breakfast, Londonderry

A Friendly Place to Stay

Situated on a nice, shop-lined street, the Iona Bed and Breakfast is operated by the Moran family and is adjacent to the pub that has been in their family since 1859. With a motto like ‘Guinness is Good for You!’ you’re bound to have a great time at the J. Moran Pub. And you needn’t worry about getting home at the end of the evening since your bed is right next door. I wouldn’t be surprised if they even helped you back up the stairs and tucked you in. That’s how friendly this place is!

View from My Room at the Iona Bed and Breakfast, Londonderry

Mid-Trip Washday!

The only part of my annual three week treks that I do not look forward to is the mid-trip washday. That is why I take enough clothes and underwear to last ten days before having to wash…so I only have to do it once! Not only is it a pain having to find a decent Laundromat and lug all your dirty clothes through town to get there, but then having to sit there waiting for the machines to do their job takes valuable time away from sightseeing.

Washday in Londonderry, Northern Ireland

An Accommodating Host

After checking in at the Iona Bed and Breakfast I went next door to the pub to ask the proprietor where I could find a Laundromat. He said there wasn’t one nearby, but that I could use the washing machine at the inn if I didn’t mind taking the sheets and towels out of the dryer. Wow! Now that’s what I call accommodating! I was happy to fold all the towels and sheets for the inn in return for using their washer and dryer. I was done in no time and off to explore the interesting and historic city of Derry.

The Iona B and B Meets All My Criteria for an Awesome Accommodation

The Iona Bed and Breakfast in Londonderry, Northern Ireland lived up to all the standards I look for when selecting a place to stay. It was clean, safe, comfortable and ideally located. The staff could not have been more friendly and helpful and the price was an excellent value for what they provide. Rested and ready to go, I thoroughly enjoyed the full Irish breakfast the next morning before taking the short walk across the bridge to the bus station to begin the next leg of my journey.

Dining Room at the Iona Bed and Breakfast, Londonderry

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