Ireland

We've chosen over 260 special places to stay throughout Ireland, north, south, east and west: B&Bs in fascinating family homes, hotels of all sorts; fishing lodges, keeps and castles; self-catering cottages, farms and bothies. When that incomparable Irish mist lifts from the countryside, the varieties and eccentricities of the people and places of this small island emerge. We open doors onto these riches. Ireland's bounding tiger has not left behind the age-old sense of spontaneous hospitality; these open-hearted people simply love sharing their space and their rich conversation with all who come to make genuine contact. The entries in this guide are special in many different ways: we choose places for the warmth of their welcome, their style whether simple or sumptuous and look for good value for money and for environmental awareness. Every property in the book has been inspected. Symbols, maps, colour photos, clear directions and quick reference indices help guide our readers to the best choice for them, and our well-researched, fresh and lively write-ups paint an accurate picture.