This hostel is well located on the busy main street. The room was OK but the shower was really mouldy and unpleasant so the bathrom smelled. The breakfast is very basic.

The hostel is ideally located in Galway, on the very busy Quay Street, where all the pubs, restaurants and shops are. Try to pick a room that's on the back, because trying to sleep with so many people partying right under your window is impossible!
The hostel is safe, clean, the dorm where I stayed had in suite showers (2 showers, 2 toilets, 3 sinks!) that were individual, so privacy guaranteed!
Two things that were not as good : the room where I stayed was cramped, you could barely circulate among the quantities of backpacks laying on the floor. That's because they put 16 beds in a room that should not have more than 12. Second thing : the staff. The girl who did my check in wasn't helpful at all, didn't try to accomodate me, and when I went up to the room and realized that there were still some dirty sheets on the bed and trash from the previous customer, she sighed like I was doing this on purpose to annoy her.
But it was only one person, and maybe she was having a bad day, after all.
Overall, a very good time spent at Barnacles and Galway!

first of all the location is great right off the main street where all the bars are and 2 minute walk from the train station. its great, you get drunk and walk across the street to your hostel. staff was really nice and helpful. definatly a party place, but really nice friendly people.

second, the hostel was real clean every day i stayed in it. the only complant i have about it was the first night the room i stayed in the shower wouldnt work for me and i talked to the person at the desk they sent someone up and it worked for them. then another person in my room used it and it worked, and when i went to use it the morning it wouldnt work again. the second and third night i stayed in a room with a shared bathroom and the door had a key card lock. the dead bolt lock didnt work on the door of the bathroom so people kept walking in on me on the toilet.

third, the first night i was on the 4th floor and it was really quite. then the 2ed and 3ed night we were on the 2ed floor and it was really loud all night even with the windows closed. the trade off for the awesome location is your right across the street from the pubs. people were walking down the street yelling till 5am then a loud street sweeper went up and down at 6am and then the beer trucks went down the street to the pubs after that.

i'm definatly going there again because its cheap and the best location in the city but i'm bringing ear plugs

In terms of location, this is your best hostel bet in Galway. It's right in the middle of everything on charming Quay Street as well as near the water and an easy walk to Salthill. Best of all, I was able to stumble home from the pubs quite easily.
Compared to the other hostels I've stayed in, this was one of the nicest in terms of the facilities and the cleanliness. My biggest complaint would be the noise level because the room I stayed in faced directly onto Quay Street-- not a big deal at night, but first thing in the morning, the truck came around to pick up all the empty kegs from the night before. It was impossible to sleep with keg after keg being tossed in the back of the truck for what seemed like hours. If you're a light sleeper, there are other rooms that don't face the street that you should ask about.
Another great thing about this hostel was the internet connection which was fast and reliable. I spent some time using the computers to plan the second half of my trip and to get in touch with folks at home. I never had to wait for a computer and was usually the only on in the cozy lounge area, which was nice for a little peace and quiet.
Overall, I highly recommend Barnacles Quay Street for anyone who can tolerate hostel living.