Despite cctv and a monitor in the office our hire car was robbed. Backs on to a dark roadway/back lane. Gates are not shut at night. Theft is common in Ireland, beware.

This place needs to change for the better! Obviously the place was on sale when we stayed there. And you could feel it, too. The owners didn't seem to care about the hostel AT ALL. The kitchen for guests was DISGUSTING and all the devices were too old. One day the hostel staff emptied the fridge without a warning. We stored some food there and luckily we could save it on time. Still, the tone was unfriendly, the sheets were partly dirty, the owners sold breakfast there and it was clear that they wanted to make this money and they didn't like you to prepare your own food. Maybe this was, why they had a wonderfully equipped, clean kitchen for their own. You were made to feel second class! Don't go there!

I loved the fact that the bunks were very secure and hence didn't squeak or move. I also liked getting my clean sheets handed to me. Thumbs up too for card access to the room. I hated the shower as I had to keep pressing the push button and it only stayed on for a couple of seconds. The kitchen is very small. Many people seemed to be ordering the cooked breakfast which you can buy there. The car park is also small and is at the rear of the building; it's not very well signposted so check with staff for directions. It's a bit of a walk to the city centre but not unreasonably far and it's on a wide safe street. Owners were very friendly and helpful.

The hostel was chosen on the bus going from Kilkenny to Cork, as an overnight stay had not been planned. It is a good walk from the bus terminal, but it was possible to call in advance to check room/ bed availabilities. At our arrival, we were pleasantly surprised; staff welcomed us and we were given clean sheets for our beds. Unlike some hostels, the rooms are locked by cards such as the ones in hotels. There is a common room on the ground floor with a sitting area and television and a kitchen at the guest's disposal (but breakfast can also be pre-arranged for a small fee) with lost of room to sit and eat. Our room itself was cozy and we even had our own shower. This hostel did not feel like a simple place to sleep, it was a good stop.