Irish Luck With Accommodations

The Irish Student Travel Service operates accommodation centers that offer economical lodgings to travelers in Dublin, Cork and Galway. The facilities are not included this year in the popular student and youth guidebook “Let’s Go: Europe,” but they are good economical lodgings.

In Dublin is the centrally located Kinlay House, a red-brick Victorian building at 2-12 Lord Edward St.; telephone 011-353-1-679-6644, fax 011-353-1-679-7437. Up to 150 travelers can be accommodated in two, four and six-bed rooms.

This summer (July, August and September) the rate for a single room will be $29.50, $23 to $26 for a bed in a twin room, or $20 to $21 for a bed in a room shared by four to six people. These rates drop an average of $1 outside peak travel months, and they include continental breakfasts.

Facilities include 24-hour access, bike and car rentals, self-catering kitchens, laundry, TV lounge, tourist information, luggage storage and a safe for storing valuables.

Kinlay House is in the Temple Bar area between Dublin Castle and Christchurch Cathedral. Buses 50, 54, 65 and 77 pass by the door. A taxi from Dublin Airport will cost about $18 for up to four people.

Also available to individuals and families between June 16 and Sept. 14 are student apartments at Dublin’s UCD Village, University College (tel. 011-353-1-269-7111, fax 011-353-1-269-7704). A one-room apartment will be $36 per day, and an apartment for up to five people is $144 per day.

There is also a Kinlay House in Cork, nine miles from Ringaskiddy Terminal, where some travelers land when arriving by ferry from Britain or France (a journey included on Eurailpasses). Kinlay House is located in the old city center neighborhood of Shandon, on Bob and Joan Walk, tel. 011-353-21-50-8966, fax 011-353-21-50-6927. Single rooms are $25 and a bed in a twin room is $18 per person. Some four-bed rooms are also available.

Cork’s Kinlay House offers kitchen facilities, a laundry, TV lounge, security lockers, luggage facilities, 24-hour access, tourist information and bike and car rentals.

Cork is a university city and a gateway to such sights as Blarney Castle (five miles) and the seaside resort town of Kinsale (30 miles).

In Galway, another university town known for a lively night life, you can find a Kinlay House in Eyre Square, Merchants Road. During peak travel this summer rates will be $28 for a single room and $21 to $23 for beds in twin rooms. Continental breakfast is included. Galway is a transit point for Irish-speaking Aran Islands, where you can investigate the ruins of the mysterious 1st century Dun Aengus Fort.

For more information on these services, including the special $13 Travelsave Stamp available to students with International Student Identity Cards (it’s valid for 50% reductions on national rail services and 15% discounts on most bus lines), drop into one of the Irish Student Travel Service offices. In Dublin: 19-21 Aston Quay, near O’Connell Bridge, tel. 011-353-1-679-8833.

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If you’re looking for low-cost lodging in London, keep in mind that some student residences, such as the International Student House (ISH), will provide short-term accommodations to travelers.

International Student House is at 229 Great Portland St., across from the Great Portland Street Underground stop in the West End. This facility can accommodate up to 550 people in single, twin, triple, quad and multibed rooms. The accommodations are spread over three sites, two at the Great Portland Street address and the third a few minutes’ walk away at Mary Trevelay Hall, overlooking Regent’s Park.

ISH offers single rooms for $45, twin rooms for $32.50 per person, a bed in a room shared by three or four for $27, and beds in larger shared rooms for $17 per person. Rooms with private washrooms are $48.50 single or $38.50 per person to share a twin. Special weekly rates are available from September to May. Single rooms for seven nights are $246, twin rooms are $187 per person, per week. Rates include continental breakfasts.

Rooms in these residences have direct-dial telephones, voice mail facilities and washbasins. Other facilities include a bar and restaurant (with student prices), a fitness center and 24-hour access. The ISH also organizes sports and social events throughout the week.

For more information contact International Students House, 229 Great Portland St., London WN 5HD; tel. 011-44-171-631-8310, fax 011-44-171-631-8300.

Other International Student House locations include New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, and Melbourne, Sydney and at the University of New South Wales in Australia.