yelp map showing boston usa, its in republic or ireland..i spent 6 days here. Located with equal distances to the giants causeway, and the Guinness factory, its 10 mins easy drive away from knock airport + car hire. the village has plentiful free parking (including right outside ) unlike several pay and display villages/towns i visited,
Charlestown has got several petrol stations and newsagents / convenience shops ,an informative curiosity shop, arts center , police station ,some other shops, at least 4 or 5 pubs/bars (i liked the one that was also a hardware store) there is a similar number of places to eat,fish and chips, pizza, kebab, curries (your local mc donalds fix is half hour if you drive briskly) the riverside menu is more grown up traditional with good portion size, Anthony is an excellent cook ,running proper kitchen well, while also being a super host,
Going by the decor and certificates about he is also quite the interior designer,he has achieved the ye olde look without it being i dont want to touch that crusty thing.there are 2 dining rooms the other has a much more shiney modern look.the cosy living room is full of family history, books to read for quiet days,a tv some striking comfy armchairs.and a nice view for watching the world go by.
i think there are about 8 staff members all very kind and friendly, the locals use this restaurant,and their family's stay here while visiting,free no fussing about wifi was very welcome as my uk phone did not want to play internet while in ireland. While staying here you get a key to the front door as well as your room,which is great not having a lock out time to get back by. there is tea/coffee making facilities 24h in the living room.
Prices are on track with everyone else 58 per night single ,40something pp based on 2 sharing. my room was simple clean and fresh but not so fresh that it gets cold,en suite,shower,basin toilet,mini soaps flannel +fluffy white towels the hot water is actually hot,the single bed was very comfortable, not concave ,not lumpy , the river was directly outside my window(its not crashing torrent) with a view into the middle of the village,the restaurant/kitchen closes fairly earl;y and does not make much noise.
breakfast starts at 9 with cereals juices toast eggs bacon that sort of thing menu, he passed the fried egg test with flying colours. there is seating outside that weather permitting is a great sunny spot for morning coffee.
i had a super time here, i enjoyed chatting with the staff and guests about my adventures in Ireland, i was treated like a friend, and that makes an enormous difference when traveling alone. the riverside is much more than i imagined. read more