Doorus House Hostel (Hostelling International), Kinvarra

Doorus House is a youth (and family) hostel in Kinvara, County Galway, western Ireland. The Abbey Theatre, National Theatre of Ireland, was founded in the living room. Early guests included poet William Butler Yeats, who had a home nearby. Doorus House is fully modernized. The kitchen serves delicious meals, often from a noted European chef, and pack lunches for those day trips. Dorm rooms beds are comfortable with linens provided, and cool evenings warm by the fire in the living room. The entertainment lounge has television, DVD players (European PAL and U.S. NTSC), a VHS player, or you can enjoy games, stories, and warm socializing. Broadband internet and wi-fi is available for a reasonable fee! The grounds have flower gardens, picnic tables, benches, and shade. A separate laundry cottage doubles as a reading room -- complete with couch and easy chair. The hostel bulletin board is filled with activities and field trips: hiking, bicycling, kayaking, touring the countryside. Nearby is The Burren, a unique environment with stone cairns and Neolithic Dolmens (think Stonehenge). The Aran Islands are a short ferry ride from nearby Galway. It's a short trip to the dramatic Cliffs of Moher. South, explore County Claire and the River Shannon. North is rustic Connemara. Travel further north to County Mayo to visit early Irish holy places, and where Gaelic is still the common language. Western Ireland is a little known treasure. Day trips by motorcar, bus, or train can reach anywhere in the Emerald Isle. Back at Doorus House, check the tall, narrow chalkboard beside Reception. Each night are trips to one of local Kinvara pubs. Many have been family run for generations. One evening the featured pub has traditional Irish music, another night a pub with lessons in Irish dancing, yet another evening offers blues. Each evening something different: a group with Irish flute, fiddle, pennywhistle, Irish harp, and local singers. The smallest pub in Ireland (and most popular in Kinvara) has jazz. A special treat is when locals just happen together, instruments in hand, and a spontaneous jam session arises. An evenings cost? Often just the price of "a pint", usually Guiness. Each evening has plenty of "Craic", a Gaelic word for getting together with friends and neighbors to socialize and enjoy good company. Check the blackboard, enjoy the craic. Kinvara is a tiny village, population about 1000. The picturesque wharf has many small boats moored on lovely Kinvara harbor. Though tiny, Kinvara is famed for the music found everywhere. Its tranquility, sense of community, and Irish charm attract artists, photographers, poets or bards, and visitors from all over Europe and around the world. Surprisingly, Kinvara is not touristy or crowded. At Dunguiare Castle you can enjoy a Medieval Banquet on summer evenings. A local web site offers information about the community, local merchants, accomodations, and photos. A web search for Kinvara will find it. The best for last: the wonderful staff and incredible service at Doorus House. Dee O'Gee (a pun), the hostel dog, is warm and friendly. Everyone at Doorus House is equally warm and friendly, so be prepared for a generous serving of craic, accompanied by droll humor and a stream of puns. Doorus House is affiliated with An Óige, the Irish Youth Hostel Association, and the International Youth Hostel Association (IYHA). Association members receive a discount, but guests need not be members. My rating: Five Stars