Harbour House Hostel

I stayed here in August for the Fleadh Cheoil, an annual traditional Irish music festival. The staff was quite busy during this time so hard to say this is representative of the hostel during more normal times. I made my reservation on the hostel’s website for 2 nights in a 4-​bed dorm. But when I checked in, the reception initially couldn’t find my reservation. Then when they did, I got placed in an 8-​bed dorm instead. Unfortunately the dorm was mostly a group of guys from Derry who talked in their loud Irish voices at 2am like they were the only ones in the room (there were also two others from Germany). My bed wasn’t available during the check-​in time, but no worries since I just wanted to set my stuff down and then walk around the city, albeit in the rain.
POSITIVES:
good kitchen facilities with two stoves
cereal and bread available all the times, not just breakfast times
nice common room with tv and fireplace. Great to hang out during a rainy day, which happens a lot during Irish summers
big dining room to hang out
15 minute walk from bus station
NEGATIVES
wifi was weak in the bedrooms
ran out of toilet paper the second day. this should be a regular check hostels do
located in industrial area with not much nearby and about a 20 minute walk to the city center. I don’t mind walking, but when it’s raining, it becomes a chore.
Harbour House has the potential to be a great hostel since the bones are there. Hopefully the service aspect is better when the hostel isn’t fully booked.

Food was good, but service was very slow. Male waiter was a little rude, but the female waiters made up for it.