The Best Hostels in Ireland for Every Traveller

Whether your plan is to explore the wilds of Killarney, or enjoy the delights of the town, both are a minute away from the Black Sheep Hostel. Located in a 19th-century townhouse, the timber-built, pod-style beds are comfortable and private. The hostel is well equipped, with a communal guitar for the impromptu sing-song and a fully equipped kitchen with free pasta for travellers famished after their outdoor pursuits.

Lively and full of good vibes, Galway is a great city to explore, and there is music everywhere you turn. Voted the best hostel in Ireland by Hostelworld is a great place to be based on your trip to the city, and it is situated right in the heart of the vibrant Eyre Square. Facilities include mixed dorms, a fully equipped self-catering kitchen and a chill-out area.

Once a 19th-century wine store, Isaacs Hostel is full of character and has a really great atmosphere. With a mix of private rooms and multi-bed dormitories, this hostel caters for solo travellers as well as larger groups. It’s close to Dublin’s main bus and train stations, which makes getting around really simple. The common area has a pool table, the internet and Netflix, and is certainly one of the best places to meet new people in Dublin.

Situated in a restored 17th-century building in the heart of Ennis, the Rowan Tree has family-friendly rooms, dorms for groups and private rooms for couples. Ennis is a lively town, known for its Irish music scene. The town is close to some of Ireland’s most compelling landscapes: the Burren and the Cliffs of Moher. Fans of 1990s sitcom Father Ted will recognise the town, with the iconic Parochial House from the series not far away in Lackareagh, County Clare.

Just a five-minute walk from O’Connell Street, this centrally located Dublin city hostel makes the most of its connections. As well as being close to the main transport hub, the hostel also offers early-morning shuttle buses to the airport. The hostel has private rooms as well as mixed and female-only dorms, and guests can avail themselves of free tours of the city.

Sitting pretty in the seaside village of Salthill, the Nest is beside the promenade that stretches for 2km (1.2mi) along Galway Bay. If the many attractions of Salthill tire you out, the warm and inviting open area of the Nest are ideal for meeting other guests, or finding your own space to relax. The rooms offer home comforts with decent beds and soft linen. This is no ordinary hostel in no ordinary seaside village.

Having undergone a complete refurbishment in 2020, Kinlay Hostel is ideally located on Galway’s Eyre Square in the middle of the city. Rooms range from private single rooms to groups of eight, while dorm rooms are also available. Staff know the best places in town and also organise tours for guests.

The hostel is on the Dingle Way walking trail and the Wild Atlantic Way driving and cycling route, making it one of the most scenic areas of Ireland. The beaches of Tralee Bay are close by, offering surfing and angling for outdoor enthusiasts. Mount Brandon is in the village of Cloghane, where the two local pubs host regular music sessions. The hostel offers a range of options, from single to family en-suite rooms.

With the River Liffey and some of Dublin’s cultural hotspots on its doorstep, the Abbey Court Hostel is perfectly located for a city stay. The photogenic, colourful hostel looks like a dream on Instagram, while the entertainment on offer includes a games and music room as well as a relaxing lounge.