On the one hand, the price was hard to beat. If memory serves, it was only something like 30 or 35 euros a night. And the breakfast was fine.

But, I have to concur with the negative reviewers' points. We had a child with us and thus went to bed early. It was, however, difficult to sleep with the constant noise downstairs. Like the one reviewer says, for whatever reason, there was frequent banging of doors, and it sounds like the banging is right on top of you. Plus, I unfortunately also have to agree with the one previous point about the owner - she's not going to win any awards for being the warmest of hosts. In Ireland, where almost everyone I've ever encourtered in multiple trips there seems incredibly nice, the lack of warmth was odd indeed.

At the end of the day, if you're not planning on going to bed until late (and thus can hopefully avoid the incessant door banging) and don't care about getting a warm greeting, I guess it's not the worst place in the world to stay, especially given the price. The rooms were clean enough, and it's only a short walk to the center of Ennis.

Marie couldn't have been more hospitable and helpful to us during our 2 night stay. The rooms were very clean and comfortable, a good size and excellent showers. Other niceties like soap and shower gel also provided. An excellent breakfast too. Ennis is a lovely town and Stonehaven B & B is the icing on the cake. If you are heading south from here a good option is to take the ferry which saves a lot of time. Marie recommended this to us and we were very grateful.

I for one completely disagree with the last post. I stayed at the B&B in the same month and really loved it. The owner Marie, while a little shy couldn't do enough to help us, especially with local info and recommendations for restaurants etc. The whole family, and especially the kids were so friendly, made us feel at home in an Irish family home.

If you stay in hotels you get voices outside your door, buffet breakfasts and nonchalant staff. I didn't hear excessive door slamming I must admit, although Marie mentioned they were putting in new kitchen and apologised for any noise. The work will be finished now no doubt. The lovely front "sitting room" which is available for guests to sit and watch TV, the clean modern rooms with little extras like bottled water, bathroom extras and great shower and the close proximity (5 min walk) to the centre of the bustling market town of Ennis made this a real treat. Ennis has lots of lovely pubs with live Irish music, colourful cafes and restaurants and a lovely river walk. If you want to experience real, wholesome Irish family life, stay at this charming B&B.

Hannah, Edinburgh

We stayed 2 nights at Stonehaven in May 07. I could harp on little details like the bedroom floor being covered in dust bunnies and Marie (the unsocial innkeeper) not bothering to refill our tea station after the first night, but what makes this place absolutely unacceptable is the sound of slamming doors that constantly comes from the first floor. As another reviewer pointed out, these slams come from the private part of the house, not the guests' rooms, and they start at 6:30 am and go on all day until about 11:30. Don't even think you're going to sleep in in the morning or take an afternoon nap. I have no idea what the family is thinking running a B and B. AVOID THIS PLACE!