The cost of living in Ireland has been flooding the headlines for months now, but one man’s experience of trying to book one night in Dublin shows how truly difficult things are becoming.
Speaking to Cork’s Red FM, an Irishman said he is returning to Ireland this week, and in order to save himself a three-hour journey home from Dublin after a long flight, he tried to book a hotel in the capital.
In a bid to stay close to Heuston, to get back to Cork the following day, he searched the area for somewhere.
However, after being quoted a startling amount for one night at an unnamed hotel, he decided to hire a car and will drive home the same day for less money.
Texting into Neil Predeville, of RedFM, the man said: “I'm flying into Dublin on Friday and then hiring a car and driving down to Cork. I was going to stay in Dublin a night or two but the Hotel near Heuston wanted €730 a night and breakfast was extra.
“The same place on St Patricks weekend: €2,890. I'm just back from India and for the entire trip, just over 2 weeks, I spent €340 on hotels”.
He went on to say: “And the hotel industry wants to keep the 9% vat rate and they charging prices like this. Rip off Ireland at its finest”.
People have been reacting to his story and some think this is the beginning of the end of Ireland’s tourism industry.
They wrote: “Tourism season 2023 will be nonexistent. No availability and whatever is available is overpriced”.
Others say the cost of things has even turned them off heading out for a drink these days: “I was thinking of just heading into town for a few pints but that's a rip-off now as well so I won't bother”.
A third person said: “Greedy Ireland at its finest unreal. “I got two days in Manchester hotel was 100 and flights where 120 for me and my boyfriend in January. Proper greed Ireland for absolutely everything”.
A fourth wrote: “I booked 4 nights in an apartment with a private jacuzzi and sauna with my partner to Poland for the same price as 2 nights in Killarney”.
READ NEXT:
'My brother died alone in a tent in Dublin - he was abandoned by the State'
Paedophile rugby coach John McClean 'as arrogant as they come' in prison
Woman claiming to be Madeleine McCann could go to court to force DNA test
Drivers warned over range of motorcycles recalled in Ireland due to injury fears
Specialist diver who failed to find Nicola Bulley removed from National Crime Agency's expert list
Get breaking news to your inbox by signing up to our newsletter
