If you want to experience the real Ireland, before it is gone forever..the Seagull is the place. My brother-in-law and I met Mary at the Tap Tavern, her quaint pub on the corner below the B&B, she greeted us with a cheery 'Hello Darlings' and showed us to our rooms, inviting us to return to the bar for a 'drop', an invitation we took up with haste! A great night followed, meeting locals, chatting to Mary's hilarious son, Brian, sampling irish whiskeys and then toddling home to our beds. The accom is basic but homely and exactly what I had hoped for, I live in France and wanted to show my French relation a taste of Irish hospitality. There are fancier places in Kinsale, I have stayed at them, but this is the real deal.

This is a lovely Guest House in a perfect location, minutes walk from everything Kinsale has to offer.

One main problem the place is freezing...........I don't consider it very comfortable to eat breakfast in coats, no warm cosy fire is lit anywhere in the house and the only heating in the bedrooms, a small wall electric heater. On our first night at the Guest House I slept with my clothes on it was so cold and some of the bedding felt damp. All bedding was blankets not a duvet to be seen.

Maybe in the summer this guest house is warmer but I would not recommend it to anyone at this time of year. There are no tea or coffee facilities in the rooms therefore you have to go outside and find somewhere for a cuppa. The toilet doors are glass panelled and therefore not very private.

If its warmth and comfort you want please dont visit the Seagull. We did eat regularly in the White Lady Hotel and even had a look at the rooms. Believe me for the price difference we did feel that we had been short changed! Stay at the White Lady I highly recommend it.

I stayed here for 2 nights. The room was clean and charming. Excellent location and walkable everywhere in Kinsale. Very good breakfast. Good value, but cash only.

We arrived at Seagull around 11:00 pm and after a little difficulty the cabbie found it in the pouring rain. We knocked, rang then pounded for a while before another guest opened the door. He said Mary was at the tavern at the bottom of the hill (she works there). Mary walked back with my husband and let us in. She said she thought we were not coming though our emails mentioned time of arrival several times. The room was small but clean and comfortable. Sparse. The shower was good. Mary is very nice and cordial but you will only see her at breakfast (of eggs, meat, toast, juice and coffee), which is ok unless you want more information about Kinsale.

There is a living room with 3 chairs and tv and I think it's ok to sit there but there wasn't anyone to ask. Town is just a few minutes walk away, so it truly is convenient. It was 63 euros a night with Rick Steve's discount, cash only. I don't know how much the other B&Bs are so I'm just guessing that it was a good value for May travel.