I have not stayed there but have eaten in the restaurant and enjoyed a drink in the pub and can recommend both. The location is very central for access to the town but they do not have onsite parking. There is a large carpark across to street (but used by a fun fair during the summer) and a large car park around the corner behind the hotel. It costs to park in both.

Thank You for your endorsement of the pub and restaurant! I do not mind having to walk a bit to a car park, but your comment on the activities across the street brought up another concern. Although we would enjoy a festive atmosphere, I wonder about the noise level late in the evening. What should I expect around 11:00 pm or midnight on a Friday or Saturday night? Are things very lively at this hour or is it starting to slow down? I ask because we have our children with us and I wonder how much we will hear in our room. They are good to stay up late, but not too much past 11:00pm. Perhaps this location is a bit "too" central for us?

I did a quick look online for other availability and saw that the Holiday Inn on Muckross could accomodate us at approximately the same price. Is this a long walk from the town center? Any thoughts on the hotel itself? It doesn't seem as "interesting" as accomodations in town, but perhaps I should save "interesting" for another trip.

Any information is greatly appreciated!

The fun fair does not go on late and should be well over by 11pm. And I am sure the kids would enjoy going to it at least one night. Not sure of your exact dates but it will have left for Killorglin and Puck Fair by August 10th and 11th and thus free up more parking for you by then.

The Holiday Inn would be a bit of a walk into town - especially with young kids - probably a 15 minute walk and you will have to cross a busy street on your way in.

Thank you for your input! We have decided to stay at the McSweeney Arms because of the advantages of a central location (including your endorsement of the pub and restaurant!)

We appreciate the help!

And O'Briens next door is very much a locals pub that has not given itself over to the tourist trade and maybe worth checking out.