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The Old Presbytery

Rathdrum

Address
The Fairgreen, Rathdrum County Wicklow, Ireland
Price
From US$27.16/€18.00/£16.84 per person. Price may vary by season - Check Current Prices by Date Here
Location/Contact
Details
The Old Presbytery Online Booking
Arrival Date:   Nights:  People: 
Their Description
 
The Hostelz.com Review
This labyrinthine building is like a hamster cage with its many tunnels (halls) going up/down/this way and that. It's located one block from the library, two from the Centra, and three from the Woolpacker Pub. The owners live across the street, so if the place is deserted when you get there, you have to brave John and Eileen's dog Lindsay, who guards their lawn (best to try to get their attention from behind the gate).

The bedrooms are huge - they could easily fit in twice as many beds, but it's nice they don't (sometimes it's a treat to be able to open your suitcase up all the way). Some of the upper floors have skylights and/or balconies with great views of the Wicklow Mountains. Linen is included. There are no lockers, but the owners can store valuables for you.

Laundry is available at 6 euro/load (3 each for wash/dry). It's on the honor system, but the washer has some sort of alphabetical code for different cycles (ie - what does "Q" cycle do?) so you probably need to ask for help anyway. There is a cozy TV room with a small TV. The main bathrooms are shared (locked doors for toilets and sinks), but lots of hidden smaller ones are around (at least one on each floor). Individual rooms have locks if you want them (you might have to ask; no key deposit), and there's a code for the front door. The bathrooms are very clean (no 'press button' showers - go as long as you want!) - but they don't provide soap or either an air dryer or towel to wash your hands. There is a clean kitchen and a dining area with nearly floor to ceiling windows - which allow you to look out on the small courtyard where lethargic koi spend their days in a small pool.

— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
November 2004

How is The Old Presbytery rated on other websites? (NEW)
Hostelworld
 Overall: 71% 
 Cleanliness: 77% 
 Staff: 77% 
 Location: 69% 
 Fun: 61% 
 Atmosphere: 66% 
 Security: 79% 
Hostels.com
No reviews yet.
HostelBookers
Not listed on HostelBookers.
Hostelsclub
Not listed on Hostelsclub.

Ratings & Comments

3.3 Average from 4 Ratings

This is an open forum, and unlike other hostel guide websites we don't censor out the negative comments.
We can't validate the legitimacy of comments posted on this site — so take what you read here with a grain of salt.
Comment by Mona-Lisa
August 2006
4 I loved spending time at the Old Presbytery -- except for the colour of the building, the whole atmosphere was excactly like I imagine any kind of small town hotel in an classic British novel. The village itself is very picturesque and the room I was staying in had a nice view. It was clean, warm (not always the case in Dublin as I learned) and the owner was friendly.It is indeeed in the middle of nowhere but perfect for cycling I'd wager(it was raining too hard to do that though). If you want to spend a few days in the beautiful countryside, walking, cycling, and stuff -- I couldn't imagine a better place to come "home" to in the evenings. Be sure to bring a nice book (or take mine, I left it in room seven). All in all -- nice and cheap!
Comment by Egbert Teeselink
May 2006
4 Really quite a decent hostel. Friendly management, good prices, and excellent location. All facilities and rooms are very clean and decent. A very good alternative to the more expensive and uptight hostels closer by popular Glendalough. For example, local chainsaw and lawnmower store (not kidding) rents out bikes which can take you there. The town is just wonderful and has just everything you need (and nothing more), including a supermarket, a bank with ATM, a few pubs, and even a tourist office.
Comment by Anonymous
July 2004
4 It is true that this place is in the middle of nowhere...but, saying that, the pubs in the village are friendly and it has all your local amenities! There is a good bus service to near-by Wicklow Town and some nice beaches. It's right on the edge of the Wicklow Mountains, if you're into walking, and an adventure centre is not too far away. Also, the meeting of the waters is only about a 3-mile walk from the hostel and Avondale House and forest park is near-by, which is good for picnics and kids. The hostel itself is great with extremely clean kitchen facilities, nice rooms, good showers and friendly staff. Overall, though, if you're not into seeing any of the above, then the area itself lets it down. Saying that, we just made the most of it!!! ;-)
Comment by Anonymous
February 2004
1 This place is in the middle of no where with very little transportion from Dublin down!
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The Hostelz.com
Total Combined Rating
for The Old Presbytery
71%
This score is a weighted average calculated from reviews on Hostelz.com combined with ratings on the other major hostel websites (see rating details below).
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