INTRODUCTION - Ireland 2014 - page 59

Self-Catering Cottages, Apartments, and Other Options
Travelers wanting to slow down and base themselves in one place for extended periods
can rent a cottage or an apartment (sometimes called a “flat” in Ireland). This type of
lodging varies greatly, but almost always includes a kitchen and living room. The owners
discourage short stays and usually require a minimum one-week rental, plus a deposit.
I focus on short-term-stay sleeping recommendations in this topic (B&Bs, guesthouses,
and hotels), rather than self-catering options. But if a B&B I've listed also offers a worth-
while self-catering option nearby, I'll mention it.
A variety of organizations specialize in this longer-term alternative. Your most reliable
source for places that live up to certain standards is the Irish Tourist Board
( www.discoverireland.ie ) . Another option for apartment, house, and villa rentals is
HomeAway.com and its sister site VRBO.com, which let you correspond directly with
European property owners or managers.
Airbnb.com makes it reasonably easy to find a place to sleep in someone's home. Beds
range from air-mattress-in-living-room basic to plush-B&B-suite posh. If you want a place
to sleep that's free, Couchsurfing.com is a vagabond's alternative to Airbnb. It lists mil-
lions of outgoing members, who host fellow “surfers” in their homes.
Eating
Denis Leary once quipped, “Irish food isn't cuisine...it's penance.” For years, Irish food
was just something you ate to survive rather than to savor. In this country, long known
as the “land of potatoes,” the diet reflected the economic circumstances. But times have
changed. A study in 2010 found that the average Irishman was eating half as many spuds
as he had a decade before. You'll find modern-day Irish cuisine delicious and varied, from
vegetables, meat, and dairy products to fresh- and saltwater fish. Try the local specialties
wherever you happen to be eating.