Bugler Doyles Bar & Townhouse

Early Friday evening 3rd of May we visited this Pub along South Main Street. There was outdoor seating on the pavement in front of the Bar, however, we chose to sit indoors We walked into the main bar where it was rather dark inside with minimal light from the nets of small twinkling lights, hanging from the ceiling. There was other ceiling lights but were dimly lit. The dark wooden bar and well stocked shelves behind the bar added to the dark feel to the place. The brightest feature was the vast number of illuminated fonts along the bar. We found a table to sit at, then ordered our drinks at the bar. Near where we were seated was an interesting ceiling that caught our eyes. As well as stools along the bar, there were a number of booths with seating and other seating around the pub. There were a number of wall mounted televisions around the walls showing sporting events. Sports and pub related memorabilia hung from the walls. At the time of our visit horse racing was being screened, felt like we were in a betting shop. We only had the one drink here.

I paid e480 for a four night stay during the Wexford opera festival season when all accommodation prices increase. The guesthouse is located above the bar and on the high street at the Talbot Hotel end of the street. The room was fine but it had two large double beds which meant there was next to no room to walk around. The TV remote control didn't work and took three visits from a member of staff to fix but they did come quickly. Toiletries were not replaced each day. Minor quibbles. There was no where to sit in the room or in the guesthouse but, being so near to the Talbot Hotel, I often went there to relax, including for breakfast (which is not offered at the guest house). As I mentioned, I was there for the opera festival so the key accommodation issue is to find somewhere as near to the opera house as you can get for the best price given that all the places increase their prices for the three weeks of the opera season. It's a short five minute walk from the guest house to the opera house, very handy on a rainy night.

We only booked this place because no other places were available or ridiculous money for the weekend we wanted, so we felt we had no choice. As Bugler Doyle's is a pub with guestrooms above it, we thought it would be poky, noisy and a bit shabby. However, it was not like that and way better than our poor expectations. The room was big, with a double bed and single bed, plenty of room to walk around and a table with two chairs. Beds were very comfortable. Plenty of sockets. Bathroom was basic but functional - didn't look great but the shower was very good.