Where to stay in Ireland?

On Duck Lane, in Smithfield, 1.2 km from the centre, on the north bank of the Liffey. The quays are within walking distance and Temple Bar ten minutes away, in a cheaper area than the centre.

The Jameson distillery on Bow Street is a stone's throw away, on the same square in Smithfield.

On Bachelors Walk, on the Liffey, 300 m from the centre and O'Connell Bridge. Cross the river and you are in Temple Bar, with no bus or tram needed, even late at night.

Historic grand hotel for this stop, for those who want the Dublin of drawing rooms and doormen. An address for anyone for whom the setting matters as much as the city outside.

Opened in 1824 on St Stephen's Green; the Irish Constitution was drafted here in 1922.

On Balfe Street, just behind Grafton Street, 900 m from the centre. You are in the middle of the shops and a few minutes' walk from Trinity College and St Stephen's Green.

On Merrion Road, in Ballsbridge, 3.4 km from the centre, in an embassy district. For those who want residential calm and take the DART or a taxi to Temple Bar.

Formerly the Four Seasons Dublin, next to the Royal Dublin Society grounds.

Hostel for the Galway stop, for sleeping simply between pubs and a trip to the Aran Islands. You save the budget for the crossing and the evenings of traditional music.

On Frenchville Lane, opposite the station, on Eyre Square, 700 m from the centre. You arrive by train, drop your bag and walk down to the Latin Quarter and its pubs.

Estate away from the city, in the countryside 4.3 km from the centre. For those who want to sleep in parkland and drive into Galway for the pubs.

The Pullman restaurant is housed in two Orient Express carriages parked in the grounds.

On the Salthill promenade, 2.3 km from the centre, facing the bay. You walk along the seafront at sunset and reach the city in twenty minutes on foot.

In Barna, a coastal village 6.7 km from Galway city centre, on the road to Connemara. For those with a car who prefer the coast to the noise of the city.

In Doolin, the closest village to the cliffs, 5.4 km from the town centre. You set off on foot or by bus for Moher and end the evening in the village's music pubs.

On the banks of the Aille River, in Doolin, 5.9 km from the town centre. For those who want the calm of the river and the village pubs a few minutes' walk away.

In Lahinch, a seaside resort 7.1 km from the town centre, on the south side of the cliffs. For those who also come for the beach and the surf, with Moher a quarter of an hour's drive away.

At Spanish Point, on the coast, facing the Atlantic. For those who want a big beach beneath the windows and Moher half an hour's drive away.

Lodge for this stop, for those who want to sleep on an estate rather than in town. An address for tackling the Ring of Kerry in peace, away from the crowds of Killarney.

In Kenmare, beside the Sheen waterfalls, at the southern entrance to the Ring of Kerry.

On Kenmare Bay, near Sneem. For those who want to sleep on the Ring itself, facing the sea, rather than in Killarney.