I’m an American who lived in Dublin for nearly ten years (2005-2014) and I’ve travelled nearly every inch of Ireland. I’ve stayed at probably 50+ BnBs over the years, from Schull to Glenties to Clifden to New Ross to the Cushendall — if you want a proper Irish BnB a couple minutes from a beautiful fishing village that hasn’t yet been built up but is a short hop into Dublin.. stay here!!
Let me start by saying that Ireland is positively overwhelmed with AirBnBs right now, and it’s pricing out people who actually live here. Many are owned by people hundreds if not thousands of miles away, and they are crushing residents and small landlords. The traditional BnB is also suffering in Ireland right now, and for anyone who has spent time on this island, that’s a tragedy.
Mary’s AirBnB is an ACTUAL BNB owned and run by an actual woman who greets you when you arrive, makes and serves your breakfast, and ensures you’re comfortable and happy. If you’re coming to Ireland and want to visit Dublin but be a bit from the city (Skerries is on the rail line or about a 30 minute drive to city centre, traffic depending), Skerries is a fantastic town to base yourself in and I can’t recommend Mary’s Woodview BnB enough. It’s about 5 minutes from Skerries Harbour, which has a fabulous path to walk along and beautiful views of the Bay, along with wonderful restaurants (including my personal favorite, Stoop Your Head — best seafood chowder on earth). The BnB is on a quiet road near Ardgillan Castle, and has clean, comfy, private rooms with the little touches you want in a BnB - the guestbook, the local news clippings, the tea and biscuits in the room, the family photos in the hall. TV, shower, WiFi, and outlets all easy to use and working great. Check-in a breeze, and parking is just there in a large driveway.
Breakfast is the traditional BnB style; delicious scones and brown bread, and a full Irish (eggs, sausages, rashers, toast) and tea or coffee.
We arrived back to the BnB late one night after a long day trip to West Cork and poor Mary had to come unlock the door for us; she told us she normally locks the door at midnight and we arrived back at almost 1 (we didn’t have phone service to call, just wifi if we could find it). She wasn’t upset at all; we felt terrible!
If Mary is still running Woodview BnB when I return next, I will definitely choose to stay again.
When traveling in Ireland (or anywhere) and using AirBnB, be conscious of its impact on the economy and its people. Ireland has had enough absentee landlords in it’s past. Stay in properties where you actually meet a person, not those owned by someone trying to make money from afar by scooping up properties for quick cash.