Foyle's Hotel in the centre of Clifden has been in the Foyle family for 3 generations and one would be hard pressed to find more gracious hosts than Eddy and his two sons. The beauty about staying in Foyle's is that it's lovely, no doubt about that, it is situated right in the centre of the town but also it is situated about ten yards from the best pub in Clifden - EJ King's. Practically every night of the year there's traditional Irish music in King's.

Renvyle House.

What can I say… Situated on one of the most spectacular locations one could imagine for a hotel - right on the beach at the end of the Renvyle peninsular, (take a wee peek at the views. And that's not pints of Guinness those people are holding, just something that looks like Guinness). Renvyle was once the home of Oliver St. John Gogarty, one of Ireland's most celebrated playwrites. A fact not many people are aware of is the Gogarty was a very keen racing cyclist and there are a few posters of him hanging on some of the walls in the corridors in the hotel. Renvyle House is all about relaxation, there's always a turf fire on, (which I usually end up tending…going to have to do something about that) and it is for this reason that we like to try to get here early in the day. One doesn't just stay at Renvyle, one experiences it. And I kid you not when I say we have had many people actually take pictures of their dinners! Look forward to dinner at this place.

Ryan's hotel, situated in the very centre of one of the most famous little villages in Ireland, Cong, is just delightful. Run by Geraldine & Mike Ryan, the hotel has the dubious honour of having John Wayne as one of its ex-residents. The movie, 'The Quiet Man' was filmed in Cong and many a session of Guinness was had in the bar at Ryan's.

The Carrigan. Mary Howard lives in and runs the Carrigan, a lovely hotel 100 yards outside the famous village of Lisdoonvara, (more information on Lisdoonvara later). Mary is quite proud of her dining room, and well she should be, she has a collection of Waterford crystal some people would kill for! She is also a very good chef so again, look forward to dinner at the Carrigan. (I'll tell you about the pub down the road from the hotel later. Famous old Irish republican pub….).

The Central hotel is situated right in the middle of Ireland's only architect designed town, Westport. A lovely hotel with a great collection of local Irish artwork on the walls in the bar. (Just on the topic of bars, Westport has the dubious honour of having more pubs on its main street than any other town in Ireland. Now that's not why we stop in Westport, we stop here because it is one of the nicest town in Ireland). You will not be disappointed by the food at the Central by the way.

Teach Iorrais, (that's a bit of a mouthful, I know. Pronounced, 'chalk urrish'. To say that this hotel is in a remote part of the country would not be doing the word, 'remote' justice. The hotel is way way out west, in a village called, Gweesalia, (pop. 47 at the last count). There are two remaining Gaeltacht regions in Ireland, Gweesalia & Donegal. All the signs are in gaelic, people speak the old language and at the schools everything is taught through gaelic. When you arrive at the hotel expect to be greeted by two lovely local Irish girls, speaking gaelic. You won't have a clue what they're saying to each other for a second or two but don't worry, they look after my guests very well indeed. Once you greet them in gaelic you'll be fine. 'Cunas ata tu?' (How are you today?).

Belleek Castle

People often don't believe us when we tell them we're staying in a castle on a huge estate just outside Ballina. But we are. And when you cycle down the long driveway to Belleek Castle prepare yourself for a very nice sight. This is a real castle, not a made up, fake, touristy castle, but a real one, complete with dungeons, secret passageways and an armoury that is second to none. Marshal and his wife Jackie have spent the last 50 years working on the castle and it is an absolute credit to them the job they have done, and remain doing to keep this place in the order it is currently in. Marshal often gives my guests a tour of the castle and this is an experience you won't forget. He has made a bar out of a ship sunk off the coast on county Clare in the 1400s when the Spanish Armada went down and it is magnificent. We have had so many people tell us that the time they spent in Belleek was truly special. And dinner…?! Trust me.

Markree Castle

is a different kettle of fish altogether. Big. The oldest inhabited castle in Ireland. Lived in and run by Charles Cooper whos great, great grandfather built it in 1565. At the top of the stairs there's a huge stained glass window with the whole Cooper family tree running though it, (quite an impressive sight). The dining room is magnificent and the views of the formal gardens from the bay window are lovely.

Healy's Hotel.

There are two big lakes in Pontoon and a hotel situated right in the middle of both of them - Healy's, and this is where we stay. The staff at Healy's take very good care of my guests and always feed us too well. Not that I'm complaining or anything, we've just had 7 good days of cycling and deserve it. At different times during the year we are often treated to a spectacular sunset on the lakes after dinner. Not always. Sometimes.

The Yeat's Country Hotel is a nice wee spot, just outside Sligo and situated 100 yards from the beach. A walk after dinner is often the order of the day because more often than not the sunsets are spectacular.

The Sand House Hotel

When we say the Sand House Hotel is situated on one of the most spectacular locations in all of Ireland we are not kidding. Right on the most beautiful beach imaginable. And they always give my guests rooms on the sea side, (which is very nice of them, don't you think…). Dinner is an occasion at the Sand House so do look forward to it. Now, just up the cliffs behind the hotel is a pub called, The Smuggler's. We have been known to walk up/cycle up and drive up the Smugglers after dinner so if you're up for it….Just to take in the amazing views of the ocean. Of course. Okay then, maybe one Guinness. And there's a funny story about two of the paintings hanging in the pub. I'll tell you that story when we're there. Seriously though, the Sand House is quite a place. And people just smile when they arrive into the lobby, (actually they usually head straight for the turf fire that's always burning!).

Killybegs is the only real town we stay in on our Donegal tour and we're in the Bay View, right in the very centre. The town is the busiest fishing village in all of Europe and when you see the fishing vessels you'll see why. Huge. The hotel is very nice, dinner is always nice and if you want a wee bit of pampering head upstairs to the sauna, jacuzzi or the steam room.

Bunbeg House. Our guests often tell us the night they spent in Bunbeg was the most memorable. We stay Bunbeg House, a charming wee guest house right down on the pier. But it is where we dine that stands out and makes the impression 'Dannie Minnows'. Absolutely the best restaurant in all of Donegal. Wait 'till you see this place! Now don't get me wrong, it's not black tie, but it is as good a dining experience as you'll ever have. Guaranteed.

Castle Grove Country Manor

'Amazing' is how Castle Grove Country Manor can only by described. 280 years old, run by the O'Haloran family and a place we always love coming to. You'll like this place. Trust me.