TO CONTACT THE HOSTEL DIRECTLY, PHONE: +353 (0)61 369220
The Jamaica Inn Hostel is the closest hostel to Shannon Airport (12km/8 miles). It is an ideal first and last stop for visitors to Ireland. For people arriving, there is information on what to do and see in the local area as well as local bus and train timetables.
For people departing, the hostel offers an opportunity to visitors to get themselves organised for the flight home as well as getting a good night sleep
Sixmilebridge is a good example of a typical Irish country village with a real community feel. Obviously there are loads of hiking walks in the area and marked trails for people to follow though the nearest is about 5km. There’s traditional music on Friday nights in the pubs in the village, occasional concerts and other music (ballad type, country and western) on Saturday and Sunday nights.
There are GAA hurling matches on Sundays – generally free to attend. Hiring a bicycle is also an option but that must be arranged in advance and costs €10 a day with a one-off delivery charge of €10.
The bus stop is just 200m from the hostel so it is possible for guests to travel to Limerick this way as well – they can purchase an extra travel stamp if they wish to request this or pay for the bus on the day. They can take a day trip to Limerick (home of Angela Ashes). They would have to get a taxi to either Bunratty Castle and Folk Park (€12), Knappogue Castle (€15) and Craggaunowen (historic site with old ring fort) (approximately €15) – this could be shared by up to 4 people. These are three main cultural tourist attractions in the area. There’s also the railway station which you can use to travel to Limerick, Ennis and Galway.
They can also visit the Cliffs of Moher with the 9:25am bus from Limerick or 10am bus from Ennis to connect to these famous cliffs which feature in Harry Potter (The Half-Blood Prince), and as “The Cliffs of Insanity” in The Princess Bride. From the cliffs they can head on to Galway (the next top) if they visit them on the second day. There’s also a Barratt Tours bus (except on Fridays) that does a full tour of The Burren and the Cliffs of Moher for €27 (students €25) which is well recommended for a day trip. The tour leaves from Limerick and Bunratty at 9:50am / 10:15am.
There’s also horse-riding stables – there are three but you would need to get a taxi to the stables (approximately €20) and it’s €30 per hour on average and fishing – you can hire rods and you don’t need a permit for the local rivers and lakes. The river flows through the village.
Regarding getting to Limerick or Ennis in the morning for the bus to the Cliffs of Moher – you could either get a 7:50am bus from Sixmilebridge to Limerick (arriving at 8:20) or you can get the train from Sixmilebridge at 8:15am which takes 20 minutes. You would have a little time to grab a coffee and some breakfast in Limerick before getting the 9:25 bus to the Cliffs of Moher.
Alternatively, you could take the 9:05 train to Ennis (also takes 20 minutes) and meet up with the bus to the Cliffs of Moher at 10am. These times are valid from Monday- Saturday but it is always best to check with reception beforehand to ensure there have been no changes to the timetables.
On Sundays, the tours are a little later: 11:25 bus from Limerick to the Cliffs and 12:25 from Ennis. You would need to take the train on Sunday to get to Limerick or Ennis. There is a 10am train from Sixmilebridge arriving in Limerick at 10:20 so there’s some time for breakfast or at 11:10 train to Ennis arriving in at 11:30 – again, leaving some time for breakfast. There will be cafés etc open in Limerick and Ennis so the guests can grab a morning bite to eat before heading out to the Cliffs.
Opening Dates and Times
OPENING DATES: 11 January – 30 November
OPENING TIMES: 8.30am – 1pm & 3.30pm – 10pm
CHECK- IN: 3.30pm – 10pm
