Affordable accommodation in Dublin can be found, as there is a lot of choice so deals may be available. For the cheapest rooms, look to the suburbs not the city centre

The huge boom in tourism in recent years has seen Dublin accommodation options improve in quality and in quantity. There are new 5-star deluxe spa resorts and hotels, as well as better quality in the budget hostels, bed and breakfasts, inns, guesthouses and other cheaper hotels.

If you need to save money on your Dublin accommodation, you should either look for a good deal in a city centre hotel or guesthouse, using an online booking service or by ringing the accommodation directly, or you should look for hotels and bed and breakfast guesthouses that are further out in the suburbs. Dublin has a good and inexpensive public transport system, so check that any accommodation is within walking distance of a bus stop or one of the DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transport) stops.

But you can also find some small hotels and guesthouses that are in the city centre, and are inexpensive but good quality. Three examples are listed here. They should be especially interesting to sports fans as they are all on the north side of the River Liffey, and not far from Croke Park.

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HOTELS, GUESTHOUSES & BED AND BREAKFASTS

Avondale Bed and Breakfast

41-42 Lower Gardiner Street, Dublin

tel: (01) 855-5442

The Avondale has 30 rooms ranging from single to triple, but not all are ensuite so ask. All have cable TV. The Avondale is handily placed, near the main bus station and just a few minutes from O'Connell Street, the city centre and DART stations.

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Marian Guesthouse

21 Upper Gardiner Street, Dublin

tel: (01) 874-4129

One of the cheapest options close to the city centre, being just off Mountjoy Square, near the Dublin Writers' Museum and only a short stroll to O'Connell Street. The bus for the airport also stops close by, and it's only a short walk to Croke Park, for rugby and other sports fans. Clean and cosy rooms though not all are ensuite. Very popular so book well ahead.

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Othello Guesthouse

74 Lower Gardiner Street, Dublin

tel: (01) 855-5442

An award-winning and very pleasant guesthouse, refurbished in 2006, conveniently situated on the edge of the city centre and not too far from Croke Park, for visiting sports fans. All rooms are ensuite and have tea- and coffee-making facilities.

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HOSTELS

Hostels still have an image problem with many travelers, although the truth is that these days they often offer private rooms with ensuite facilities for singles and couples, as well as family rooms and dormitories, and these can be as comfortable as anything in a cheaper guesthouse or bed and breakfast. Some reasonably central Dublin options include:

Ashfield House

19-20 D'Olier Street, Dublin

tel: (01) 679-7734

Ideal location, hardly a minute's walk from Trinity College and close to the Tara Street DART station. Has over 100 beds in rooms ranging from single to sleeping eight people, all being ensuite. Also offers free wifi access, and no curfew.

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Barnacles Temple Bar House

19 Temple Lane, Dublin

tel: (01) 671-6277

Right in the middle of Temple Bar, which is a good thing if you want nightlife, not so good if you want peace and quiet. But the rooms are pleasant, and very cheap accommodation for central Dublin.

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Kinlay House

2-12 Lord Edward Street, Dublin

tel: (01) 679-6644

Free internet and wifi access in this 1870 building in the Temple Bar district and overlooking Chrictchurh Cathedral, for a very good central location. Rooms range from single to dorms for up to 24 people. Not all are ensuite so check when booking, if that matters to you.

More details on hostels are available from the Independent Holiday Hostels of Ireland

and the Independent Hostel Owners.

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SPORTS VENUE CHANGE

If you're booking accommodation for a soccer or rugby match in Dublin, remember that what was the main venue in the south of the city, Lansdowne Road, is currently closed and matches are being held at Croke Park, on the northern edge of the city centre.

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