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Mac Gabhainns Backpacker Hostel – reviews, photos

24 Vicar Street, Kilkenny 0, Ireland
Hotel amenities
Mac Gabhainns Backpacker Hostel
4.0 of 5 stars 17 Reviews
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17 reviews from our community

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Date Rating
Wicklow, Ireland
1 review
“Crazy owner couldnt handle a large group and went out of his way to make our night hell!”
1 of 5 stars Reviewed 22 February 2011

On arrival to the hostel we were greeted by a guy who runs the hostel and he must have been hungover cause he couldn't handle a group of 9 people showing up at once, we have booked in 2 separate groups 4 in one room and 5 in another, he was annoyed that the 2 rooms were paying separate and he had not one bit of change for any of us. Only we took order and controlled the situation we would have been there all day. We also gladly paid the 100 euros "noise" deposit but looking back we should have known we wouldn't be getting it back.

The rooms are a nice size with en suites on the ones we stayed in, all very clean but no hot water, he only heats the water after 6pm which was a pain as we all wanted to shower.

We came back that night in separate groups, without warning at 4am we got told that enough was enough (no prior warnings to this) and he called the guards for "noise pollution", when we approached the owner to ask what we did wrong and apologise we were greeted with curses and abuse, he genuinely was so out of line and he is lucky we are a nice group and the guys held their anger back because no man should speak to a woman the way he did! when the guards came we were in bed asleep and they woke us and turned the lights on and warned us but it was obvious they were shocked and wondered why they had been called for such a quite bunch.

Needless to say we didnt get our noise deposit back but I think this is a money making scheme and we were never getting it back.

This hostel might be okay for a couple or a small group but if you are a large group do not stay here, they do not have the know how or experience to deal with people! I am still in shock with my experience of this guy, it was just awful!

  • Stayed February 2011, travelled with friends
    • 1 of 5 stars Value
    • 2 of 5 stars Location
    • 2 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 2 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 3 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 1 of 5 stars Service
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Verona, Italy
Reviewer
3 reviews 3 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
“Down to earth and uncomplicated but very clean and welcoming”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 18 August 2010

My friend and I have been on a short trip to Kilkenny just for one night, and we arrived to town without having booked any hostel. We knew about Mac Gabhainns from the Internet and we had a good impression about it - so we just walked in there.
The hostel was booked out, but we were offered to sleep in the tv room - we accepted and slept on the couch and a mattress which was arranged on the floor.
The hostel is small, colourful and cosy... we found the common areas (corridors, kitchen, bathrooms, tv-room) very clean - don't know about the rooms, as we haven't been in there!
The kitchen is very well equipped and offers free coffee and tea all day long. The breakfast selection wasn't very big, though (toast and marmelade, plain corn flakes, porridge).
Location is good, 7-10 mins walking from the city centre. Kilkenny is quite small!
Altogether we were satisfied with our stay there, because of the good atmosphere, the cleanliness and helpfulness of staff.

  • Stayed August 2010, travelled with friends
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 3 of 5 stars Location
    • 4 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 3 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 3 of 5 stars Service
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Estonia
Senior Reviewer
9 reviews 9 reviews
Reviews in 8 cities Reviews in 8 cities
6 helpful votes 6 helpful votes
“Nice enough little hostel”
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 18 May 2010

I stayed in MacGabhainns hostel for 3 days and i liked it there. They are a bit hard to find, about 15-20 minute walk from the bus station. The dorm room i stayed in was a bit chilly, but it was also an early spring, some temperature issues might be pardonable. Bed was comfy enough, the bathroom in the hallway clean and cozy (but also very cold!), but most of all i liked the kitchen - it was big, spacious, very well equipped and also generous - the breakfast materials were available all day long, instead of some cramped time period in the early early morning when any normal traveler would still like to sleep. For more comments please read my post at: http://sshiksa.blogspot.com/2009/05/they-killed-kenny.html

  • Stayed April 2009, travelled solo
    • 3 of 5 stars Value
    • 3 of 5 stars Location
    • 3 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 3 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 3 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 4 of 5 stars Service
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London
Senior Contributor
23 reviews 23 reviews
Reviews in 22 cities Reviews in 22 cities
9 helpful votes 9 helpful votes
“reasonable value”
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 13 March 2009

Stayed here with a group of my girlfriends for a weekend, great value for money as there was free cereal, toast, tea, coffee, milk, butter which sorted most of us out for breakfast. my one very big complaint was an absence of hot water for everyone to have a shower. the electic shower in room 2 en-suite had zero water pressure, and the room had a fair amount of mould for which we were offered no discount on the room rate! i appreciate they may be just renovating/starting out but basic hot water should be readily available!

  • Stayed March 2009
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 4 of 5 stars Location
    • 2 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 3 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 3 of 5 stars Service
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Milan, Italy
Senior Reviewer
9 reviews 9 reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
“Esperienza divertente!”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 20 May 2012
Google Translation

  • Stayed January 2012, travelled with friends
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 4 of 5 stars Location
    • 4 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 3 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 3 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 3 of 5 stars Service
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