Our Two Cents...

The IHH Free Travel Ireland Challenge was thought up of to promote independent holiday hostels and to help increase tourism in Ireland in general. For many years Ireland has been known overseas as an expensive country to travel in and to a certain extent this was true.. especially during the Celtic Tiger.

However, even in the economic boom, independent hostels all over Ireland were endeavouring to keep the price of their beds down as much as possible to assist backpackers and adventurers alike. Staying true to the nature of youth hostels, a lot even offered and continue to offer free accommodation to performers and entertainers. Some even give free beds to those celebrating their birthdays.

The atmosphere in a hostel is unlike any other type of accommodation. They are fun, active and happy places where you can meet people from all over the world and share your stories. Many young people would not be able to afford travel if it weren't for youth hostels providing comfortable accommodation at an affordable price.

With the downturn in the Irish economy and on a global sense, the tourism industry in Ireland has suffered. Many new hotels that sprung up in the naughties went into receivership and, in order to hold their own, dropped their prices. This meant that hostels were suddenly thrown into the market with 4 and 5 star hotels that were offering weekend deals not too far from the price of your average stay in a hostel. To say that hostels cannot compete with hotels is not entirely true, as what lacks in atmosphere in hotels is provided 100 fold in a youth hostel. However, for those that have never experienced a hostel, a hotel is probably the preference especially if the price is affordable. Different strokes for different folks we suppose... but this has taken its toll on independent holiday hostels all over Ireland that should always be available to those who need them. They are more than a bed for the night...they are a platform for interaction and friendly encounters.

The IHH Free Travel Ireland attempts to raise awareness of the plight of some smaller hostels around Ireland who are really feeling the pinch during one of the quietest summers we've had in years. The welcome we received in MacMurrough Farm Hostel was really a Cead mile failte!

Our Trip around the East this past week is proof of an Ireland that is ready and willing to host two young people on a low cost adventure and, it's not only the independent hostels that value this concept, but the local bars and restaurants, activity centres and attractions, who were all only too delighted to share a bit of their food, drink or entertainment with us in return for a small challenge and all in the spirit of fun!

If we keep this good morale and spirit alive in Ireland, we will continue to smile...hail, rain or shine!!