Kilkenny self-catering providers charging between €180 and €2,887 for weekend stays
The local self-catering sector is booming as hotels and guesthouses throughout the city and county finally reopen for business from tomorrow, a KilkennyNow.ie survey of prices reveals.
Prices in the sector have been soaring due to rising demand as the lockdown weary population prepares for another staycation summer.
The Irish Hotel Federation (IHF) has confirmed bookings for hotels and guesthouses in Kilkenny and the South-East are rising faster than any other region in the country.
And local self-catering accommodation providers are also enjoying a huge spike in bookings.
Visitor to the city and county have a wide range of accommodation and budget options to choose from. These range from two night for a family-of-four (two adults, two children) in Moocoin for just €180 to an eye watering €2,887 for a weekend stay at a four-bedroom medieval towerhouse in Cuffesgrange.
We looked at prices for a wide range of self-catering accommodation available across the city and county for two weekends during the peak holiday season, one in July and the other in August, for an average family of four.
Availability is very scarce, with more self-catering options available in our smaller neighbouring county Carlow.
While are still plenty of options for a family-of-four looking to book two nights on the weekend of July 16-18, availability varies according to the area.
Most of the county still has a reasonable supply available on offer in the city, Inistioge, Thomastown, Graiguenamanagh, Cuffesgrange, Freshford, Ballyhale, Mooncoin, Skough, Woodsgift and Urlingford.
There is a notable glut of self-accommodation available in the north of the county between Ballyragget, Castlecomer and the city.
The prices vary significantly. One motorhome in the county has a price tag of €230 for the weekend. An apartment in Wallslough would set the family back just shy of €500 for the weekend, which appears to be the price bracket for most of the available weekend stays.
Self-catering accommodation in Kilkenny city is scarce for July. One-five bed house is priced at €1,700 for the weekend, although it can cater for up to 10 people.
This also shades in comparison to other up-market self catering options currently on offer. One townhouse in Ballyhale with three bedrooms is looking for €2,347 for the July 16-18 weekend. The towerhouse in Cuffesgrange for €2,887 for the weekend was the most expensive of the available options.
Fast forward to four weekends later – from Friday, August 13 to Sunday, August 15 – and there is around 20% more self catering options available.
One two-bed apartment in the city centre is currently on offer for €481. Others self catering options are far pricier; a five-bed city centre townhouse is charging €2,500 for the weekend; a six-bed townhouse in the heart of Kilkenny is asking for €2,557 for the same period.
This is in stark contrast with prices advertised for other parts of the county. For example, one to three-bed properties in Graiguenamanagh are all available for between €300-€350 for the weekend in August.
In Bennettsbridge, a beauitful old cottage guesthouse with plenty of room for a family is available for just €200 for the weekend.
