The Tipperary hostel -
Mountain Lodge - is located 16km from Cahir and is set in a lovely area of the forests of the Galtee mountains. The heritage town of Cahir in County Tipperary is situated in a delightful setting on the River Suir at the eastern end of the Galtee Mountains. For walkers the hostel is near the Tipperary Way.
My husband and I recently stayed in your Mountain Lodge hostel in Co. Tipperary and just wanted to compliment you for maintaining such a beautiful building and making it accessible to visitors. The sitting room area is stunning and the rest of the hostel is comfortable and has ample supplies of cooking utensils etc. The setting is fantastic and we couldn't have asked for a warmer welcome from the couple running the hostel. Keep up the good work. Amber Walsh Olesen, Galway, 2008
"This is a delightful hostel with very welcoming staff" Nora, Ireland, June 2006
Mountain Lodge Hostel is always worth a visit, especially if you started your trip in Glenmalure and finish it at Mountain Lodge, the contrast between the houses for ordinary people and the well-to-do at the turning of the 20th century adds something to the trip. Margaret and Jimmy keep it very well, so it is just wonderful to sit down in the living room after dinner and relax by the fire. The well-equipped kitchen offers plenty of oppurtunities to cook nice meals when you are in the mood for it. The dorms are roomy enough for bigger groups and with the peace and quiet all around in the National Park you'll sleep well. Unlike Glenmalure, you don't have to give up the idea of running water, and it's even hot :-). Personally, I'm a bit sorry that the gas lighting fell to progress. The solar lighting is nice as well and reading and cooking became easier with it but all the same. Apart from that, there is still no electricity and I hope it will stay that way. Hostels like these (two) simply have to be a bit existientialist in their equipment. It does good to see that we can live without mobiles and internet (and running water) for a while. Gets you to think about the luxury we live in which is often taken for granted but is in fact not a commodity provided (and needed) everywhere in the world. Besides, the National Park with its nice walks and the sights around you compensate you more than enough. Honestly I think that staying at the Mountain Lodge Hostel makes you deeper understand the guided tour in Cahir Castle, which I recommend to every visitor. Hans Christian, Summer 2009
