INTRODUCTION - Ireland 2014 - page 58

Laundry
Ifyou'renotplanningtowashyourclothesinthesinkinyourroom,it'sagoodidea
to plan ahead for when you'll need to do laundry. Figure on an average of about
€12 per load (up to €15 for smaller towns with only one launderette).
Most launderettes in Ireland are drop-off rather than self-serve. Drop-off opera-
tions are a smarter use of your valuable travel time. The €5 you might save plugging
coins into a self-serve washer/dryer is not worth the two or three hours you'll waste
when you could be out enjoying the sights.
Drop your load off first thing in the morning, and pick it up late that afternoon
(washed, dried, and kind-of folded). If you wait until too late in the morning to drop
it off, they might not be able to get it done for you by closing time that day (be sure
to confirm closing time when you drop it off). Note that most places are closed on
Sunday; waiting to pick up your load until Monday morning may cramp your plans.
When I know I might be distracted by sightseeing, I set an alarm on my watch or
mobile phone to go off late in the afternoon, reminding me to pick up my laundry.
If you've packed only basic, practical wash-and-wear clothes, you have nothing
to fear from an Irish launderette. If you're traveling with your favorite silk kimono,
don't tempt fate—it might come back leprechaun-size.
Hostels
Ireland has hundreds of hostels of all shapes and sizes. Choose yours selectively; hostels
can be historic castles or depressing tenements, serene and comfy or overrun by noisy
school groups.
You'll pay about €25 per bed to stay at a hostel. Travelers of any age are welcome, if
they don't mind dorm-style accommodations and meeting other travelers. Most hostels of-
fer kitchen facilities, guest computers, Wi-Fi, and a self-service laundry. Nowadays, con-
cerned about bedbugs, hostels are likely to provide all bedding, including sheets. Family
and private rooms may be available but are limited in number, so book ahead.
Independent hostels tend to be easygoing, colorful, and informal (no membership re-
quired); www.hostelworld.com is the standard way backpackers search and book hostels
these days, but also try www.hostelz.com , www.hostels.com , and
www.hostelbookers.com . Ireland's Independent Holiday Hostels ( www.hostels-ire-
land.com ) is a network of independent hostels, requiring no membership and welcoming
all ages. All IHH hostels are approved by the Irish Tourist Board.
Official hostels are part of Hostelling International (HI) and share an online booking
site ( www.hihostels.com ) . HI hostels typically require that you either have a membership
card or pay extra per night.