Side Trips from Dublin - Dublin - page 153

luxurious castle hotel in Clontarf, a pretty seaside suburb served by
both the DART and several bus routes. But if you'll be spending
most of your time in the city center, this hotel will probably feel too
remote. The castle was built in 1172 by Normans and retains its
impressive castellated exterior. Much later, in the 1600s, it was given
to one of Oliver Cromwell's loyal servants, whose family retained
ownership for the next 300 years. There's a regal quality about the
magnificent entrance hall and the guest rooms, some of which boast
four-poster beds. The place was completely refurbished in 1998,
blending the medieval elements of the castle with bang-up-to-date
facilities. Clontarf Castle is also a leading entertainment venue, wel-
coming a variety of musical and comedic guests throughout the year.
Castle Ave., Clontarf, Dublin 3. & 01/833-2321. Fax [phone]. www.clontarf
castle.ie. 111 units.

19 ($23). AE, DC, MC, V. Free
parking. Bus: 130. Amenities: Restaurant (international); 2 bars; gym; room serv-
ice; babysitting; laundry service; nonsmoking rooms. In room: A/C, TV, dataport,
tea/coffeemaker, hair dryer, garment press, radio, voice mail.
INEXPENSIVE
Egan's House This two-story redbrick Victorian guesthouse is in
the center of a pleasant residential neighborhood that's within easy
access of the city center. It's within walking distance of the Botanic
Gardens and a variety of sports facilities, including tennis, swim-
ming, and a gym. Operated by Pat and Monica Finn, it offers newly
redecorated rooms in a variety of sizes and styles, including ground-
floor rooms. The comfortable public rooms feature traditional dark
woods, brass fixtures, and antiques.
7/9 Iona Park (between Botanic and Lower Drumcondra roads), Glasnevin, Dublin 9.
& 800/937-9767 in the U.S. or 01/830-3611. Fax [phone] units. € 90- € 110
($108-$133) double. Rates include full breakfast. MC, V. Limited free parking avail-
able. Bus: 3, 11, 13, 13A, 16, 19, 19A, 41, 41A, or 41B. Amenities: Dining room;
lounge; nonsmoking rooms. In room: TV, tea/coffeemaker, hair dryer.

€ 285 ($343) double. Breakfast €

Forte Travelodge About 13km (8 miles) north of downtown and
2.4km (1 1 ⁄ 2 miles) north of Dublin airport, this recently expanded
two-story motel offers adequate, no-frills accommodations at reason-
able prices. Each of the basic rooms, with a double bed and sofa bed,
can sleep up to four people. The hotel is located alongside the N1
motorway, and the interior is clean and modern. Public areas are lim-
ited to a modest reception area, public pay phone, and adjacent
budget-priced Little Chef Irish chain restaurant and lounge.
Dublin-Belfast rd. (N1), Swords, County Dublin. & 800/CALL-THF in the U.S. or
1800/709-709 in Ireland. Fax [phone] units.

€ 75- € 95 ($90-$114) dou-

ble. Breakfast € 5 ($6). AE, DC, MC, V. Bus: 41 or 43. In room:TV, hair dryer.