My partner and I will be traveling in Ireland for 18 days. We will be renting a car and touring in Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland. What is best to do when making reservations at either B&Bs or hotels as a gay couple. Do you tell them that you are a gay couple wanting to make a reservation or not tell them at all? My partner and I are married and wear wedding rings. Could be obvious with the rings???? We don't need together. Separate beds are fine. I sent an e-mail to a B&B in Salthill asking about a room and if being gay was a problem. Never heard back. I guess they don't want to answer. The B&B was listed in the Rick Steve's, Ireland 2010. Any advise from travelers.
Posted by
Bloomington, IL, USA
9371 posts
I don't think it's a problem, but it's probably easier just not to mention it. If separate beds are fine, it shouldn't make any difference - just ask for a twin room. I have traveled there with a friend (female) and never been asked if we were a couple or not when we shared the same room. And I doubt whether anyone is going to examine your rings to see if they match. You're just two married guys traveling together.
Posted by
Boston, MA, United States
1806 posts
1) The Irish don't care if you are gay or married; even more specifically, the Irish who work in the hospitality industry really don't care as long as you fork over your Euros and give them your business. 2) I don't think it is necessary for you to turn it into a big deal by emailing hotels and asking if they have a problem with gay couples. I also don't think it is necessary to book rooms with separate beds. If you share a bed with your husband at home, then you can share one in Ireland, too. And whether one is straight or gay, if one wants to have headboard rattling nookie late at night, B&B's generally aren't the greatest places to do that as walls are very thin and antique beds creaky. Chain hotels like Jury's are way more generous with the soundproofing ;) 3) While you may not find it as prevalent in small villages, you'll find loads of businesses in the cities (Galway, Dublin, Belfast, Cork) that display the rainbow sticker in their windows indicating they welcome your patronage. 4) Although I am straight, I once could only book a last-minute room in the Aran Islands for myself and my best friend that had one queen bed in it that we had to share for a night. The only thing the owner wanted to know was if we'd be paying her cash or credit. 5) There are plenty of guidebooks and websites that list GLBT friendly and GLBT owned accommodation throughout the world, including Ireland and Northern Ireland. If it would help you to feel more comfortable, you may want to book rooms at places they recommend. 6) Don't be surprised if you don't hear back from B&B owners via email immediately when you ask a question...any question! I've sent emails before to B&B owners and gotten zero response back and would often have to telephone them to get an answer to a question.