Ireland, where the Guinness, “craic” and good times are plentiful! It may be a small island but it has a lot to offer. Ireland caters for party animals, history fans and nature lovers… there’s literally something for everyone. Dublin is considered the main attraction and for good reason. The energetic, fun capital offers awesome culture, interesting history and a top night out with its selection of buzzing pubs featuring local Irish bands that will have you dancing the night away. Although Dublin is a must, do not underestimate the other gems such as Galway, Limerick and Killarney to name a few. Wherever your Irish adventure takes you, you’re sure to be charmed by its beauty and quick-witted, warm, welcoming locals. So, get yourself to Ireland because “it’s grand!” and check out our handy guide of the best hostels in Ireland to make it even better!

Jump straight to:

1. Best hostels in Ireland for solo travellers
2. Best hostels in Ireland for couples
3. Best party hostels in Ireland
4. Best hostels in Ireland with private rooms
5. Best of the rest hostels in Ireland

Best hostels in Ireland for solo travellers

Isaacs Hostel (Dublin)

Hostel highlights:

• Free wifi
• Free breakfast
• Free walking tours
• Free live music
• Free sauna
• Quiz nights/pizza nights
• Xbox, DVDs, pool table, Foosball, table tennis

Once a 19th century wine house, now a hostel, this building sure knows how to host a good time! Backpackers love staying here as it has a lot of character thanks to its funky design with features such as exposed brick tunnels. The location is spot on; very close to Connolly train station and Busáras, Dublin’s main bus station, providing great connections for you to explore the rest of Ireland. Also, if you fancy embracing Dublin’s great night life, Isaacs is an excellent base as it’s conveniently within walking distance of O’Connell St and Temple Bar. Isaacs is perfect for solo travellers thanks to its awesome social communal areas which include table tennis and foosball tables, making it easy to socialise and meet new travellers in a friendly, lively atmosphere.

🏠 Address: 2-5 Frenchman’s Ln, Mountjoy

🏘Neighbourhood: Dublin City

🚂 Nearest Station: Central Bus station (Busaras), 3 minutes from Connolly train station and a stone’s throw from the Luas (Tram)

Book your stay at Isaacs Hostel now

Abrahams Hostel (Dublin)

Hostel highlights:

• Free Wifi
• Free Breakfast
• Free walking tours
• 24-hour security
• Tours/ travel desk
• Security lockers

Abrahams Hostel is a laid-back and super friendly hostel located in a Georgian townhouse, conveniently located within walking distance to Dublin’s busy city centre. You’ll be treated to a delicious and light breakfast to start off your day – FREE of charge! If you want to meet like-minded travellers whilst exploring a new city, then take advantage of the free walking tour on offer. If walking makes you thirsty then get involved in the nightly pub crawl to get the party going.

🏠Address: 82-83 Lower Gardiner Street, Mountjoy

🏘Neighbourhood: Dublin City

🚂 Nearest Station: Connolly Station

Book your stay at Abrahams Hostel now

The Black Sheep (Killarney)

Hostel highlights:

• Free wifi
• Free breakfast
• Free pasta
• Communal guitar, chess board, games, record player and book-share shelf
• Pod style beds

A stunning renovated 19th century townhouse, The Black Sheep hostel shouts all things natural and cosy. Wooden pod-style beds with your own light, power-point, locker and privacy curtain provides an extra comfortable stay. A great asset to this hostel is its mixture of local and globetrotting friendly staff that are more than happy to give you advice on things to see and do to ensure you have an amazing time whilst in Killarney. Located on a nice quiet street, right next to Killarney National Park and just 1 minute away from the town centre, this hostel boasts plenty of activities and attractions right on its doorstep. Not to mention you’ll have a fury little friend to always keep you entertained, the hostel dog, Bob is welcoming to his guests and loves a good belly rub!

🏠Address: 68 New St, Monearmore, Killarney

🏘Neighbourhood: Monearmore

🚂 Nearest Station: Killarney

Book your stay at The Black Sheep Hostel now

Best hostels in Ireland for couples

Gardiner House (Dublin)

Hostel highlights:

• Free Wifi
• Free breakfast
• Linen included
• Airport transfers
• Tours desk
• Games room

A beautiful historical building, Gardiner House has had a stunning make-over that screams modern-chic but still holds true to its originality and charm. The hostel’s location is ideal, a short 15 minutes stroll and you’ll be at Connolly Rail Station, where the options for exploring Ireland are endless. Start the day right with a free continental breakfast (c’mon who doesn’t love free food?!) and then either head out to explore Dublin or relax and recoup with a day spent playing board games or pool in the games room.

🏠Address: 76 Gardiner Street Upper

🏘Neighbourhood: Dublin Centre

🚂 Nearest Station: Parnell Luas Stop

Book your stay at Gardiner House now

Ballyhoura Luxury Hostel (Limerick)

Hostel highlights:

• Free Wifi
• Book exchange
• Foosball
• Security lockers

Tucked away in the mountain village of Kilfinane, Ballyhoura Luxury hostel is your taste of elegance on a budget. For those looking for some rest and relaxation with your loved one, this off the beaten track hostel is the perfect spot for it. Make yourself a cup of tea and relax on one of their dreamy lounge couches or enjoy a BBQ on the outdoor terrace after a day of biking Ireland’s largest mountain bike trails. Either way, the relaxed, warm atmosphere is sure to make it feel like your home away from home!

🏠Address: W End, Kilfinane

🏘Neighbourhood: Kilfinane

🚂Nearest Station: Just 15 minutes off the M8, get off at Junction 12 coming from Dublin and junction 11 coming from Cork.

Book your stay at Ballyhoura Luxury Hostel now

Best party hostels in Ireland

Galway City Hostel & Bar

Hostel highlights:

• Free wifi
• Free breakfast
• Outdoor terrace
• Tours desk
• Linen included

Winning the best hostel in Ireland for 3 years in a row and the most popular hostel in Galway in 2017, Galway City Hostel and Bar is sure to impress. Conveniently located overlooking Eyre Square with the bus and train station right next door, this hostel is the ideal starting point to explore the attractions and the nightlife that Galway has to offer. If you’re feeling adventurous and want to go exploring a little bit further out, you can organise and book tours directly from the reception area who offer unbeatable prices. Backpackers keen to party love this hostel as it has nightly pub crawls where you can experience the best bars and live music in Galway.

🏠Address: Frenchville Ln, Eyre Square, Galway, Ireland

🏘Neighbourhood: Galway City Centre

🚂Nearest Station: Galway Ceannt

Book your stay at Galway City Hostel & Bar now

Barnacles Temple Bar House (Dublin)

Hostel highlights:

• Free wifi
• Free breakfast
• Linen included
• Currency exchange
• 24-hour security
• Shuttle bus
• Book exchange

If you’re heading to Dublin for the craic, you can’t go wrong with Barnacles Temple Bar House. As the name suggests, you’ll be in the thick of things with Dublin’s iconic Temple Bar pub right on your doorstep… literally two doors down! The interior is bright and spacious, all rooms have en suite bathrooms and personal under-the-bed lockers. Barnacles is a very warm, social hostel where meeting other travellers is easy thanks to a selection of chill-out areas where they have foosball tables, darts, movie nights and the odd live music night. They also have a free light brekky and daily walking tours. Guests often comment on the amazing staff, location and great atmosphere, which has resulted in Barnacles winning numerous awards such as ‘most popular hostel in Dublin!

🏠Address: 19 Temple Ln S, Temple Bar, Dublin

🏘Neighbourhood: Temple Bar

🚂Nearest Station: Trinity Luas Stop

Book your stay at Barnacles Temple Bar House now

Best hostels in Ireland with private rooms

Jacobs Inn (Dublin)

Hostel highlights:

• Free Wifi
• Free breakfast
• Linen included
• Tours desk
• Shuttle bus
• Book exchange
• Outdoor terrace

If you’re looking to explore more of Ireland after your Dublin adventure, Jacob’s Inn is perfectly located, opposite the main bus station Busáras, and 50 metres from Connolly train station. Jacobs Inn ticks all the boxes with its modern design, relaxing roof terrace and cool communal areas featuring table tennis tables and foosball. Each dorm has its own en suite bathroom, all beds have USB outlets to charge your phones and curtains for that extra bit of privacy. Staff also organise events such as movie nights, walking tours and pub crawls; A great way to meet fellow travellers and see the real Dublin whilst making some new mates!

🏠Address: 21 Talbot Place

🏘Neighbourhood: Dublin City Centre

🚂Nearest Station: Connolly station

Book your stay at Jacobs Inn now

The Nest Boutique Hostel (Galway)

Hostel highlights:

• Free Wifi
• Free breakfast
• Late check-out
• Luggage storage

“Beautiful, clean, safe interior” is what you get from  The Nest Boutique Hostel according to a recent review! Located only 2 minutes walk from shops, bars and restaurants, The Nest Boutique Hostel offers not only a great location in a seaside village but also quality accommodation with great social spaces for hanging out and meeting travellers from around the world. A short stroll (less than 1 minute) you’ll find yourself at the beach, what more could you want? Perhaps only a 15-20 walk away from Galway city centre seals the deal with this hostel for you. Plus, a bus stop just outside the hostel with regular bus services to and from Galway city from early morning until midnight makes getting around the town a breeze.

🏠Address: 107-109 Upper Salthill

🏘Neighbourhood: Salthill

🚂Nearest Station:  Galway bus station

Book your stay at The Nest Boutique Hostel now

Generator Hostel (Dublin)

Hostel highlights:

• Free Wifi
• Linen included
• Tours desk
• Bar and cafe
• Games room

Guests love the slick boutique-style design of Dublin’s Generator. Along with your stylish room you are also treated to awesome communal areas, and an on-site bar and café – all perfect for socialising with your new travel buddies. Also, guests are also treated to drink promotions and free events such as karaoke and quiz nights. Generator Hostel is perfectly located, a few minutes’ walk from all the local hot-spots. Oh, and if you’re a whiskey fan after a tipple, just head next door to the Jameson Distillery for some proper Irish whiskey.

🏠Address: Smithfield Square, Dublin 7

🏘Neighbourhood: Smithfield

🚂Nearest Station: Smithfield Luas Stop

Book your stay at Generator Hostel Dublin now

Best of the rest hostels in Ireland

Abbey Court (Dublin)

: li_sa_be

Hostel highlights:

• 2018 HOSCARs Winner for ‘Best Hostel in Dublin’
• Free wifi
• Free all-you-can-eat breakfast
• Free walking tours
• Free luggage storage

Abbey Court hostel is the 2018 HOSCAR Winner for ‘Best Hostel in Dublin’. As you’ll see from the pic (below) this place is funky and full of quirky design. Guests love the artistic vibes, especially the awesome kitchen/dining area, which is perfect for socialising. Like many Dublin hostels, Abbey Court is full of freebies and offers perks such as free luggage storage, free daily walking tours and an all-you-can-eat breakfast! If you’re down to party, make sure to join their infamous nightly pub crawl, which can get pretty rowdy! Guests love the location as it’s smack bang in the centre of Dublin, just a 2 minutes from the buzzing Temple Bar.

🏠Address: 29 Bachelors Walk

🏘Neighbourhood: North City

🚂Nearest Station: Connolly Train Station – Walk South to the River and then West along the quays to O’Connell Bridge (10 minute walk).

Book your stay at Abbey Court now

Snoozles Hostel Galway

Hostel highlights:

• Free wifi
• Free breakfast
• Linen included
• Outdoor terrace
• Mini-supermarket
• Games room

Conveniently located next to the Galway City Coach Station and train station and a short 2 minute walk from Eyre Square, Snoozles Hostel Galway is a great option for those who are going to be spending majority of their time exploring the ins and outs of Galway. Being in such a great city location also means you’ll have the town’s pubs and nightlife right on your doorstep making the walk (stumble) home after a few (too many) much easier. A great bunch of friendly staff are happy to help you book tours, right from the reception, talk about convenient!

🏠Address: Forster St, Galway

🏘Neighbourhood: Galway City Centre

🚂Nearest Station: Galway Ceannt

Book your stay at Snoozles Hostel Galway now

See more hostels in Ireland

Keep reading!

• Best hostels in Dublin
• Best hostels in Europe