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Barnacles Temple Bar House Hostel

Dublin (Temple Bar), County Dublin, Ireland

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Address
19 Temple Lane, Dublin (Temple Bar)   Map
Price
From €15 to €28 for a dorm room and from €36 to €42 for a Double/twin room en suite All rooms en suite. Check Current Prices by Date Here
Location/Contact
Details
Their Description

Features

  • Free Breakfast
  • Kitchen
  • Lockers
  • Lounge / Common space
  • TV
  • Movie Library/Rental
  • Washing Machine (laundry)
  • Clothes Dryer
  • Travel information provided
  • Phones (public or in room)
  • Currency Exchange
  • 24 Hour Free Hot Showers
 
The Hostelz.com Review
Smack in the middle of Temple Bar and two doors from The Temple Bar, one of the finest drinking establishments in the world, one would have to consider the location a plus. The place is very well organized at the front, and a very comfortable stay on the whole.

Beds come in a variety of prices and room sizes, and it's a little more expensive than other places in Dublin. The beds are very comfortable and come with a personal light and a lockable storage cage underneath the lower bunk. Rooms are also well-heated, as the balcony-door was open during the daytime and the room stayed comfortable... in December. The larger rooms have bathrooms en-suite with an extra shower room. Everything is very clean, keeping this somewhat older building entirely pleasant. The only problem we experienced was a broken shower door which took a day to be fixed.

The hostel has a beautiful spacious kitchen with cooking facilities and plateware. There is plenty of fridge and cabinet room to accommodate anyone's cooking desires, as there is plenty of space to sit down and enjoy your meal. Breakfast is included, but it's just toast and tea and is served very early. There is also a common lounge with lots of couches, cable tv, and no smoking restriction. This of course may not be good for the more sensitive, but it contributes to the relaxation factor. Alcoholic beverages are, however, not allowed in the lounge or anywhere else in the hostel. And drinks are expensive in Dublin, so this may constitute a major drawback for some, although it seems to keep the place from being a super party hostel which may be a positive in itself.

Overall, the experience was fantastic and can easily contribute to a great stay in a great town.

-- Exclusive Hostelz.com Review


Your Comments
This is an open forum, and unlike other hostel guide websites, we don't censor out the negative comments.
We do not validate the legitimacy of comments posted on this site—so take what you read here with a grain of salt.
Comment by Katherine
January 2007
I spent the last two weeks of december in this hostel. While I've stayed in nearly a dozen hostels, I can say this is a great hostel in a great location. Common room and large kitchen facilitate meeting people, bathrooms and bedrooms are clean. The room was a bit tight on space, and the staff were not as helpful as some i've encountered, but overall, a good experience.
Comment by Anonymous
June 2005
Difficult to fault the place really...the only negative is that the hostel is too big and therefore there is very little interaction/mixing of guests. Also it is so big that you feel like a number and it sometimes comes across as being a bit clinical in atmosphere. The kitchen appliances need an upgrade. Aside from that the place is extremely clean and extremely central.
Comment by Marisol
March 2005
I stayed here the first week in March. I had an absolutely wonderful time. The evening staff is by far the most helpful, although I am not knocking the morning staff; they were great, too. I stayed in a 12-bed dorm and met quite a few people. The room was clean, the bathroom clean. You cannot beat the location right in the center of Temple Bar. Cross the Liffey and you can get any tour bus you little heart desires!! It was my first time in Ireland, actually the first time outside of the U.S., and I absolutely loved it!! I would definitely go there again.
Comment by Connor
November 2004
I had a great time, even if there was a Leprechaun named Joan McCabe living in the hostel, who the management called "harmless." By the way, she woke me up two days in a row to ask what time it was (5 a.m.) after I'd had long hard nights of mass Guinness consumption. Stay here because the staff are generally friendly and the other travelers are as well, plus the Irish are some of the most welcoming people on the planet. You will have the time of your life.
Comment by Anonymous
August 2004
Was there in July 2004 and it was a great time. The only problem was night noise, but that was because we were right in the middle of what was happening. All the ammenities were great. The the staff were very helpful, and the security was good. I would go back and stay there, no problem.
Comment by Anonymous
May 2004
I stayed two nights in this hostel, which is located at the heart of Dublin. There were a lot of pubs, a cafe nearby and it was very happenning at night. The staff were great and kind. The breakfast was nice, and the kitchen is fully equipped. If I go back to Dublin, this is the hostel where I'll stay.
Comment by Peps
November 2003
I can't praise this place enough, even though I missed the breakfast, but in all fairness that was my own fault getting up at mid-day. Very clean and very central. Loved it.
Comment by Anonymous
November 2003
I stayed in this hostel about 3 weeks ago with 2 friends and we had a brilliant time. The rooms are very basic but clean, a good breakfast and very friendly staff. The best thing about Barnacles is the location. It is literally right next to all the best pubs. We are going back in a few weeks time. I highly recommend it.
Comment by Anonymous
April 2003
I stayed at this hostel last year with a friend. It was so nice, right in the centre of the city close to all the bars and shops. The staff were really helpful and told us about all the best pubs and clubs to go to. The rooms are all en-suite and you get a free breakfast. I'd definitely recommend going here!!
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