If you are arriving by airport bus, you will need to walk south across the River Liffey to reach the Temple Bar area. The main structure has a charming Georgian-style exterior with a yellow and green color scheme, even if it does look like Ye Olde Giant Billboard or Ye Olde Irish Pub. You will see the pub on the main floor first, a fun place to hang out and listen to traditional Irish music. This establishment is named after one of James Joyce’s contemporaries, a fellow who was a poet, pilot, politician, and frequent imbiber here. The entrance to the hostel is a bit inconspicuous along the side street to the right. Take the lift to your floor or just walk up to your room.

I asked for a private room, and it went for about 33 euros per night (low season rate during November 2003). You can definitely go a bit cheaper if you stay in a room with up to 10 bunks. My room had a bunk bed with a single upper and a wider lower berth that could fit two people who like each other very much. You must turn on the heat yourself, but soon the room is reasonably warm. The very basic room has a writing table, closet, and a private bathroom with a shower stall, sink, toilet and liquid soap dispenser. You must bring your own towel, or you can rent one here. The bed linen is included though. The view from my window was not bad, although it was not quite soundproof. While I did not hear too much noise during my sleeping hours here (remarkable considering there is a popular Irish pub below…with music!), there would be the occasional disenfranchised drunk bellowing various obscenities at 3AM.

Hostel guests can enjoy a light complimentary breakfast in the kitchen area. You can have some toast, cereal, fruit, and coffee, tea or juice. You can use the kitchen during designated times as well. There is a TV and various magazines and brochures to entertain you here. There is also a commons area with a TV and sofas, but I found this to be more of a smoking lounge.