Black Valley Hostel (An Oige)

The An Óige Approved Black Valley Hostel is a tidy little accommodation located (literally) just off the main road running through the rural and scattered village of Black Valley, in County Kerry, Ireland. As the only hostel in the area (within a 12 mile radius as the bird flies), Black Valley serves as a natural stopping-off point for anyone hiking the scenic 'Kerry Way' or biking the 'Ring of Kerry Cycle Route'. The hostel is located just outside the western border of Killarney National Park, in the shadow of MacGillycuddy's Reeks--the highest mountains in all of Ireland--and at the southern mouth of the breathtaking Gap of Dunloe. It is a big yellow building, right next to a church (Roman Catholic), and pay-phone facilities (eircom--don't expect to get cell phone signal out here in the hinterland) The hostel is open seasonally and is run by an older couple who live in the adjacent building and run a small store where one can pick up a few provisions (though I think the biscuits I bought were a few years old). The family is generally pretty accommodating, but don't forget any of their numerous rules or you might find yourself at the recieving end of a good-Irish-snapping-at. The hostel, as mentioned, is An Óige approved (the Republic of Ireland Hostelling Association), and you can get a voucher from them via mail or you can pay cash (approx. €14) there. The proprietors (and An Óige) require you have a sleeping bag or rent sheets from them (€2 fee) and check-in doesn't commence until after 5:00pm (if you're early, they get a bit upset, but they let me check in anyway). Inside the actual hostel, there is a nice dining/sitting lounge with a small TV and a few pieced-together board games. In the kitchen, adjacent, there are a few gas ranges, a refridgerator, sink (unpotable), and all the requisite untensils. Next to the kitchen, there are communal bathroom facilities with adequate toilets, one shower (at least in the gents) and plenty of sinks. (I didn't check the ladies). Through the dining area again, one can access the dormatory rooms via the stairs on the first floor (second, if you're from the states). The rooms are simple, but nice and the beds were relatively comfortable (though they do creak alot, but it's a hostel). Most rooms do face east, so if the weather is good, you are peacefully woken up by the absolutely incredible sunrise over the mountains. The owners have a few dogs which were quite friendly, despite their initial barking one crosses into their property (but they are quite nice after that intial meeting), and of course, one can always expect to see a sheep or forty as one passes through this part of Ireland. All in all, it is a nice hostel and is in an absolutely beautiful area.