Dunquin Hostel is located in Dunquin, a small town on the western tip of the Dingle Peninsula in Ireland's County Kerry. The hostel itself is on the main road through Dunquin, a short drive from Dingle. For backpackers, it is right on the Dingle Way, and if you prefer to walk the roads, it is about a three-hour walk from Dingle through the hills or a five-hour walk via the coast road.
The building is modern, clean, spacious, and in good repair. It's easily identifiable from the road thanks to the An Oige (Irish Youth Hostel Association) sign hanging at the end of the driveway. Dorms vary from four to ten beds. There is also one two-bed room. Beds are metal bunks, and you must either rent or provide your own sheets. The views from the bedrooms over Dunquin and the Blasket Islands are a treat to wake up to. On a temperate April night, the bedrooms were, if anything, too warm -- a rare complaint in an Irish hostel. While some bedrooms are en-suite, and others have a sink in the room, there are also bathrooms down the hall -- one for ladies and one for gents. These bathrooms, like the rest of the building, are clean and modern.
The common areas are downstairs. The kitchen is large enough and impressively well-stocked with pots and pans, as well as dishes and utensils. The dining area is a highlight of the hostel, with large windows providing views even more impressive than those from the bedrooms. Wooden picnic tables provide plenty of seating. The lounge is cozy and convivial, and there are also a few seats and a small table on the front porch.
Dunquin itself is not so much a village as an area, so travelers may want to grocery shop in advance. The hostel does sell a limited stock of canned and dry goods, though, as well as provide meals for an extra fee. Although there is no village center, there is a lovely pub/restaurant a few minutes walk down the road. The Blasket Center and ferries to the Blasket Islands are also nearby.
In short, this is a convivial hostel in a stunning area. Its construction is such that it takes full convenience of the setting. Perhaps its only major drawback is that the hostel is closed from 10 to 5, so guests should keep that in mind when arriving.
Review by Kristen Eaton-- Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
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