About

WINNER: Best Hostel in Ireland 2025

Modern, Spacious and Comfortable, Kinlay is located on the corner of Eyre Square in Galway City and is only a 2 minute walk from both the Coach and Train Station as well as the main thoroughfare of Shop Street, Quay Street and the Spanish Arch.

This top rated, award-winning Hostel is described as a 'Top Choice' in the current edition of the Lonely Planet guide book. Kinlay Hostel offers a mix of private rooms and dormitories. Guest facilities include a very comfortable common room with a pool table, 70' TV screen, a spacious and fully equipped self-catering kitchen and a large dining area. A free substantial breakfast, high-speed Wi-Fi & free luggage storage are just some of the benefits of staying here.

There is a 24-hour reception desk and staff are available to meet your every need and to offer recommendations including arranging tours to the Cliffs of Moher, Connemara and the Aran Islands. All tours leave from outside the front door every morning and can be booked with reception staff upon check-in, all at the best rates available.

Kinlay is now a fully POD hostel. This means that when you book a bed in one of our 4,6 or 8 bed dorm rooms, you will sleep in one of our new POD beds with all-round privacy to give you the most comfortable dorm experience possible for a seriously budget friendly price.

Please note that large groups may be required to pay a security deposit upon check-in. This deposit is fully refundable upon checkout once all house rules and other guests have been respected.

Please note we don't accept -17 in dormitories.

House Rules

Check In

15:00 - 23:00

Check Out

until 10:00

  • Taxes Included
View House Rules

Facilities

  • Free Breakfast
  • Free City Maps
  • Free WiFi
  • Free Internet Access
  • Free Luggage Storage
  • Adaptors
  • Luggage Storage
  • 24 Hour Reception
View all facilities

Reviews

9.6Superb(8717)
  • Value for Money
    9.3
  • Security
    9.8
  • Atmosphere
    9.4
  • Cleanliness
    9.5
  • Staff
    9.7
  • Location
    9.9
  • Facilities
    9.6
Summary of traveller reviews

Kinlay Eyre Square Hostel in Galway is praised for its exceptional staff, central location, and cleanliness. Guests frequently highlight the comfortable beds, great amenities, and the included breakfast. It's a top choice for solo travellers and those seeking a friendly, well-equipped base for exploring.

Was this helpful?
Stayed in Aug 2026
10
A
Anonymous
Female, 41+, England
Wonderful hostel, staff accommodated my request for a bottom bunk. Lovely to get free towel and free shower gel and lovely clean bathroom and shower- also a hairdryer. Very easy to get to in centre of city and free luggage storage. Best hostel I have ever stayed in!
Stayed in Aug 2026
10
S
Sam
Male, 31-40, Australia
awesome place, great toilets and shower facilities, very clean.
Stayed in Aug 2026
10
A
Aiman
Female, 31-40, Kazakhstan
This might’ve been one of if not the best hostel I’ve ever stayed in. The infrastructure and system there reminded me of a hotel rather than a hostel. Rooms were always clean and fresh, noise isolation was excellent, I felt safe, other travelers were also really nice. Building structure made sense, there were safety features involved and yet nothing overcomplicated. 10 out of 10 stay experience
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Location

Eyre Square, Galway, Ireland
0.2km from city centre
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Hostelworld says

Kinlay House Hostel Galway is located on Eyre Square, a pretty green which is also the centre of nightlife in Galway. This lively hostel was recently renovated and modernised and features accommodating staff and a friendly, relaxed atmosphere. Hostelworld guests have said this hostel is "very well thought-out", citing the very large common areas, guest kitchen, frequently-praised free breakfast and the power outlets in the lockers. We like that there's traditional Irish musical instruments for guests to use.