Pricewatch

Help Wanted

July 6, 2009 @ 2:28 pm | by Conor Pope

The gloomy economic forecast - and the not quite so gloomy weather one - appears to have convinced most of us to stay put this year and the number of people planning to holiday at home has doubled to 55 per cent in a single year, according to a survey published last week.

But is there good value to be found in Ireland or can we expect the same old rip offs in hotels, restaurants, bars and tourist attractions this year as every other year over the last decade?

Answers on a postcard please.

Ah no, seriously, there’s no need for postcards but I am looking for examples of good and bad value people have come across in Ireland for a series of summery articles we’ll be doing in the paper under the Pricewatch banner over the coming weeks so if you have come across anything of note, let me know.

10 Comments »

July 6, 2009
6:37 pm

@anitamurphy
My friends and I are all living in different parts of country and are planning to do houseswaps over the summer months. All broke yet in need of a break. Heading to Carrick on Shannon on Wed for a week. Will let you know value.

Comment by Anita M

July 6, 2009
11:36 pm

Just back from a week away in Ireland. Most of it in Achill in a house belonging to my girlfriend’s family so obviously the value there can’t be beaten. Spent two nights in the Westport Plaza- stay there once or twice a year on our way to Achill and would always recommend it. They’re usually doing a midweek deal that’s good value and it’s definitely not a plastic have-a-nice-day outfit, the welcome always feels genuine

Comment by Tom Ennis

July 7, 2009
12:44 pm

The Connemara Lake Hotel in Oughterard, Co. Galway is superb. It is owned by Olivier Jasko, fornerly of Jasko’s Bistro on Dame Street so the food is superb but the amazingly designed rooms are only €65!

The Park Inn Mulranny is also offering great mid-week deals for families and weekend packages www.parkinnmulranny.ie - for special offers.

Comment by Maeve

July 7, 2009
1:37 pm

As an example of good value that turns into bad value is renting a car from pretty much any car hire company. It’s obvious from the line of tourists in car hire shops who are confused at all the extra costs and insurances that it is a real slap in the face when you first arrive here. This is something that should be highlighted more in the media. It’s much worse than any practice of ryanairs.

To the person going to Carrick on Shannon, as it is my home town I would like to say that there are plenty of places to see around that part of Ireland. For value and quality food go to both Cryans, Victoria hall and especially The Oarsman which has some of the best food in the country. The price of a pint is good too around the whole town and there are plenty of small villages around that area that are worth a look… and don’t miss Costello’s memorial Church beside the clock in the town.. the smallest church in Europe (supposedly!)

Comment by Ste - Statusireland.com

July 7, 2009
2:38 pm

I’d second Maeve on the Park Inn Mulranny. Haven’t stayed there myself but anyone I know who has loved it. I remember theTimes gave it a great review last year some, er, time.

Comment by Tom Ennis

July 7, 2009
9:42 pm

If you apply the same logic to looking for a holiday in ireland as you do when looking for a holiday abroad then the deals are bound to be there. Just like when travelling abroad, package holidays often offer the best value find a company that sells package holidays into Ireland to foreign tourists.
I’ve done some searching and found one that doesn’t price in the flights so would suit stay-in-Ireland holidaymakers http://www.myguideireland.com/4-star-ireland-holiday but I’m sure other companies would sell their packages excluding flights too.
This example is for a week staying in 4 Star hotels for €299. Just a short 2 years ago you’d barely get a B&B for that.

You could also go the room-only option directly with some of the cheaper hotels around the country.There’s plenty of value out there if you have the patience to put the time into looking

Comment by John Creedin

July 8, 2009
9:05 am

I got a great deal for the june bank holiday weekend in the falls hotel in ennistymon. Three breakfast and two dinners included in the deal.

It was a delight to stay in a family run hotel, staff were very friendly, the town has a great atmosphere (Eugenes pub is not one to be missed with its vast collection of whiskeys) and is well situated to get to all the towns and sights around Clare.

I sound like a brochure for the place, but i’m normally quite critical so its only fair to give credit where credit is due. When its done right its a delight to holiday in Ireland.

Comment by paul m

July 8, 2009
10:57 am

Anyone who is spending some time up in Dublin, I strongly recommend a day trip to Wicklow with a company called wild wicklow tours. They take you to glendalough, lough tay and up the wicklow mountains to some of the most beautiful scenery I have ever seen. The website is www.wildwicklow.ie

Comment by Tim Daly

July 8, 2009
2:49 pm

The idea that holidaying at home will save you money may not actually hold true when you consider some of the unbelievable flight and ferry deals that were available this year. If you booked early, planned ahead, I can’t help thinking it might have been less expensive to take a car and a tent to the continent rather than stay in hotels at home. That said, I spent a blissful week camping in Cork and Kerry a few years back, the standard of campsites was great, only downside is that the weather is a major gamble. A camping holiday if you have the gear already is a great recession friendly holiday, be it in Ireland or on continental europe. If you don’t have the gear, borrow it from someone. Every child should have a camping holiday. It’s a simple pleasure. It also teaches useful skills to children, i.e. pitching in with putting up a tent, being assigned washing up duty after dinner etc.

Comment by Laura

10.

July 9, 2009
3:08 am

Stayed in the Armada Hotel in Spanish Point last week for a three day stay that cost us €109 per person for a three day stay with bed and breakfast and one dinner. Bar and restaurant food was exceptional and staff were friendly and helpful. Outside seating areas were wonderful with the weather being what it was that week. Will definitely repeat the experience as value and ambiance like this is hard to find. Highly recommended.

Comment by Valerie Morrissey