Bed & Breakfast Ireland [Paperback]

Dillard (Author), Causin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 1999

A best-seller in Ireland and a real insiders' guide, Bed and Breakfast Ireland has been continuously in print since 1991. Completely revised and updated, this handy resource covers more than 400 of Ireland's best bed-and-breakfast accommodations, including guest houses, small hotels, country mansions, private homes, and farmhouses. Every accommodation has been visited by the authors, who provide informative, personal descriptions, as well as logistical information such as rates, addresses, and phone and fax numbers--all accompanied by a selection of helpful maps. Compact and comprehensive, this charming guide will help make any Irish holiday a trip to remember.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Maybe you'll stay in the place described as a pre-Famine wisteria-covered farmhouse-one of several overnight options in Westport, County Mayo. Or maybe you'll opt for the large Georgian mansion just beyond an iron gateway in Ballymote, County Sligo. Maybe you'll stay in one of the other 400 or so accommodations in this revised and expanded version of the book that first hit the United States in 1996. Only an occasional line drawing interrupts the text; and in the back of the 319 page book, regional maps-which include ferry routes-cover the whole of the Irish Isle, from Londonberry and Belfast in the north to the Dingle Peninsula and Cork in the south. Each lodging entry ends with the names of the owners, season of operation and number of rooms. Prices are given in pounds-British or Irish. -- Chicago Tribune

About the Author

Elsie Dillard is a former travel agent with several years experience. She lives in Seattle, Washington.

Susan Causin is a former travel agent with several years experience. She lives in Seattle, Washington. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books; Rev Exp edition (February 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811822753
• ISBN-13: 978-0811822756
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 4.7 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,276,915 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #88 in Books > Travel > Europe > Great Britain > Northern Ireland

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

106 of 106 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Bed and Breakfast Ireland: A Trusted Guide to over 400, November 23, 1999

By 

G. P. Smith (Coos Bay, OR) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Bed & Breakfast Ireland (Paperback)

I had the opportunity to use this book while on an extended vacation in Ireland. I had the use of several guidebooks, but this publication became the book of choice. I found the information to be timely and descriptions of the various B&B's to be accurate, including the personalities of the various owners. Only one time was I unable to contact a B&B using the information in the book and subsequent attempts revealed the telephone number to be disconnected. The guide offers a good selection of types, locations, and prices and is, in my mind, a "must have" guide when traveling in Ireland.

45 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars All of the Recommendations I took from this book were GREAT!, July 10, 2002

By 

Jack Darcy - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Bed and Breakfast Ireland: A Trusted Guide to Over 400 of Ireland's Best Bed and Breakfasts (Bed & Breakfast Ireland) (Paperback)

And contrary to another review, the auther DOES list more than one B&B per town. We used this book almost exclusively in booking a 14 day vacation, and we were never disappointed. The authors notes and reviews are spot on and reliable. There were no "surprises"; if she said a host took Visa, they did, if she said they didn't, they didn't. The very first recommendation we followed (Cloch na Scith in Spiddal, Co. Galway) was so well described that I felt instant recognition with the house and the owner who did - just as the author said - offer the warmest welcome in Ireland. Each recommendation was just as terrific and when we could not book in a desired house, as in Adare, the hosts of those houses made excellent, comparably-priced recommendations for us - and by the way, the author lists B&B's of varying rates, to suit every budget. Without exception, the hosts presented in this book were warm, friendly, professional and "vacation makers". I feel completely comfortable recommending ANY of the author's recommendations to anyone else preparing to visit Ireland...THIS BOOK is the one you want to work from. Highly Recommend.

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Glad I brought this book on my Vacation, May 27, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Bed and Breakfast Ireland: A Trusted Guide to Over 400 of Ireland's Best Bed and Breakfasts (Bed & Breakfast Ireland) (Paperback)

We bought this book for our vacation to Ireland, and we ended up using it every day we were there. Only one day did we use the Tourist offices to book our accomodations instead. While the place we got from them was fine, they charged a 4 euro booking fee and it wasn't as nice as the B&B's listed in this book. My only advice to others travelling and using this book--look for the farmhouse accomodations--these were the nicest places we stayed at (and the least likely to change ownership). Only one phone number that we tried was incorrect (as of 2004).

I rate the book 4 stars because one place we tried from the book was a pretty bad experience--the owner had bought out another B&B and turned it into a business with a 25 year old british guy running it. The place listed in the book was her private residence. We never even met the woman talked about in the book, and the accomodation was unclean, smoke-filled, run-down, and overpriced (oh, and they charge for breakfast!). When we tried to back out because the accomodation was not suitable for us, she decided she would charge 1/2 the price of the room on our credit card. Obviously the authors made a mistake in judging the proprieter's character. And just so no one else wastes their time or money, do not bother booking with Seaview house in Galway.

Besides that one small hitch, the rest of the accomodations were absolutely lovely, and I highly reccommend all the farmhouse ones! We prefered the older residences and places outside the city centers for that old-fashioned B&B feel.