The Rathgormack Hiking Centre/Hostel is a purpose-built hostel and hall built by and for the locals of the area. The community raised some money and built the building to measure, with a large hall that is also the local gym, with a stage at the back and a climbing wall. At the front of the hall is a great kitchen, and also a small lounge. Above the kitchen and lounge, are two large rooms filled with a total of twenty bunk beds.
The hostel is staffed by volunteers from the village, and is "spick and span." Brigid Ann takes care of bookings and will make you feel welcome. The hostel fees help pay back the loan that the village took out to build it, so it's even more important than usual to respect the place and to clean up after yourself. The bathrooms and showers are well fitted out, and the beds new and comfortable.
Rathgormack is not a grand tourist destination, and just has a church, a couple of pubs and a shop, but if you would actually like to meet some lovely locals and be out of the normal tourist route, you can't do better. The region is delightful for hiking, and what is more, you might even get to hear some Gaeltacht -- Irish is spoken a lot in this area. Although it is possible you might be the only person staying the night, you are sure to meet people as there is some activity or another going on in the hall almost every night.
There is a bus to Rathgormack from Carrick on Suir which is around seven kilometers from the village, or bus from Clonmel which is fourteen kilometers away. Taxis are available locally in Carrick on Suir if necessary.
— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
May 2006
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