• Bed and breakfasts in Ireland can be quaint and welcoming.maison traditionnelle image by STEPHANE BLACHE from Fotolia.com
  
  Bed and breakfasts offer a double advantage for visitors to Ireland. Not only do they give guests a comfortable place to stay and a sumptuous Irish breakfast in the morning, but visitors also get a sense of the culture and hospitality of Ireland by staying in a home setting. It is easy to get comfortable and have engaging conversations with your hosts. Bed and breakfasts are also a more economical way to travel, with locations near popular tourist sites throughout the country.
  
  

Belfast and Northern Ireland

• The Giant's Causeway is made up of unusual stonesGiant's Causeway / La Chauss??e des G??ants image by Christophe Bandini from Fotolia.com
  
  Belfast can trace its origins to an ancient fort built in 3,000 B.C.E. One of its famous sites, called the "eighth wonder of the world," is McComb's Giant's Causeway, which appears as several footprints of a giant, walking across the land. And Belfast Castle, situated on top of Cave Hill, 400 feet above sea level, is a "must" for every visitor to Ireland. Carrickfergus Castle is another site to explore. Emerald House is a family-owned and operated bed and breakfast that arranges historical and political sight-seeing tours. Chatham Mill B&B is a short drive from the Giant's Causeway in a secluded location in the Irish countryside. Heath House on the Irish Sea offers rooms with panoramic views of nearby mountains and is close to the Silent Valley.
  
  Emerald House
  2 Chichester Ave.
  Belfast, Co Antrim, BT15 5EH
  +44-0-28-9059-4315
  www.emeraldhousebedandbreakfast.com
  
  Chatham Mill B&B
  4 Chatham Mill,
  Ballymoney, Co. Antrim, BT53 8TH
  +44-0-28-2075-1189
  www.chathammill.co.uk
  
  Heath Hall
  160 Moyadd Road
  Kilkeel, Down, BT34 4HJ
  +44-0-28-4176-2612
  www.heathguesthouse.com
  
  

Dublin and East Ireland

• Dublin Castle in the heart of the cityview of dublin image by apeschi from Fotolia.com
  
  Dublin, the capital of the Republic of Ireland, is over a thousand years old. It is the home of the Book of Kells, located in the Trinity College Library, as well as Aras an Uachtarain, the splendid residence of the president of Ireland. Dublin Castle stands in the heart of the city and is used today for presidential inaugurations and state functions. There are many select bed and breakfasts near the city. Annalee House, located on the banks of the Annalee River, is a two-story stone house with a private garden. The Four Seasons is near the River Shannon and Lough Ree, a perfect location for fishing. The Failte is in the historic village of Slane. Buses run daily to Dublin.
  
  Annalee House
  Butlersbridge
  Cavan, Republic of Ireland
  +353-0-49-433-1282
  www.butlersbridge.com
  
  Four Seasons
  Annagh, Ballykeeran, Athlone,
  Westmeath, Republic of Ireland
  +353-0-90-647-4470
  www.fourseasons.ie
  
  The Failte B&B
  Main Street, Slane, Meath,
  Republic of Ireland
  +353-0-41-982-4760
  thefailtebandb.ie
  
  

Galway and the West

• Sea cliffs of Western Irelandcliff on the coast image by Peter Helin from Fotolia.com
  
  The West of Ireland is filled with wonderful towns and villages, including the counties of Donegal, Galway, Limerick, and Tiperary. There are long stretches of coastline, sea cliffs, and green countryside. Ross, Bunratty, and Aughnanure Castles are in this area and offer tours and authentic medieval banquet events. Places to stay include St. Annes, an old-style farmhouse near Galway, Kilmurry House, a large country residence home, St. Judes, a period family residence, and Hillside B&B in Shannon.
  
  St. Annes
  Milltown, Tuam,
  Galway, Republic of Ireland
  +353-0-93-51-337
  www.stannesaccommodation.com
  
  Kilmurray House
  Castlehill, Crossmolina (near Ballina)
  Mayo, Republic of Ireland
  +353-0-96-31-227
  www.kilmurrayhouse.com
  
  St. Judes
  110 Lower Salthill
  Galway, Republic of Ireland
  +353-0-91-52-1619
  www.st-judes.com
  
  Hillside B&B
  16 Tullyglass Crescent
  Shannon, Clare, Republic of Ireland
  +353-0-61-36-2103
  hillsidebb@eircom.net
  
  

Waterford and the South

• Tour the Waterford factory.crystal glass image by Paul Moore from Fotolia.com
  
  Waterford City, home to unsurpassed Waterford Crystal, lies beside the River Suir in southern Ireland. The famous Lismore Castle, built by Prince John in 1185, is in the city of Waterford, and the gardens only are open to the public. In County Clare, the Cliffs of Moher are nearly 700 feet high and stretch for almost five miles. From O'Brien's Tower on Moher's highest cliff, you can view the Clare coastline, the Aran Islands, and mountains as far away as Kerry and Connemara. For accommodations in this area, contact Barrow Lodge, Salmon Leap Farm, or Mountain View for superb Irish hospitality.
  
  Barrow Lodge
  The Quay, Carlow Town
  Carlow, Republic of Ireland
  +353-0-59-914-1173
  www.barrowlodge.com
  
  Salmon Leap Farm
  Glenflesk, Killarney
  Kerry, Republic of Ireland
  +353-0-64-775-3005
  www.salmonleapfarm.com
  
  Mountain View
  Glenahulla, Mitchelstown
  Cork, Republic of Ireland
  +353-0-22-25-313
  sheehan_family@hotmail.com