Aille River Hostel
(Sorry, didn't get an address)
Phone: (00353) (065)74006
This is the way a youth hostel is supposed to operate. Doolin is jam-packed with youth hostels, so when I quipped to someone on the street "There are just too many choices here," and she responded "that one has free laundry," it suddenly became an easy choice. The washing is in fact free, but drying costs £1, or you can line-dry it. The kitchen has plenty of dishes, the turf stove/fireplace is stoked all day long (just evenings in the summer, says the manager), there's no curfew, the showers are always hot (and free), rooms are reasonable (4 beds/room), and at £6.50, it's a steal. Doolin is famous for its traditional Irish music, and the hostel manager seems to know when things are happening and where. In my opinion, this is the way it's supposed to work. I'd stay here again without even thinking about it.