Temple Bar Tradfest 2010

I was delighted to receive my invite for the launch of the Temple Bar Tradfest this morning. The Tradfest runs from January 27th to 31st. It is Dublin's biggests and best Irish Music and Culture Festival. It will be the fifth year of the Tradfest and there are some great performers lined up including the legendary Finbar Furey. There's also Film Screenings, Workshops, Street Theatre and Markets planned for the festival.

Buskers Bar will have the Electric Ceili band playing on January 27th, 28th, 29th and 30th. It's great to have something to look forward to in January and the Tradfest always offers a buzzing atmosphere along the cobbled streets of Temple Bar.

Christmas Markets in Dublin's IFSC

I was so excited to hear Dublin's Christmas markets are back on December 10th. Last year we went there for our Christmas party (a budget alternative to the big sit down meal party) by walking down there (just 10 mins walk from the hotel) in the afternoon and strolling around the stalls. There was plenty of food vendors serving delicious hot food and mugs of mulled wine to warm us up. There is a fantastic festive atmosphere around the markets with everyone in the Christmas spirit. It's a great place to get some stocking fillers with lots of quirky gift ideas. There's no charge and it's great for children and adults. It could also be added to the list for anyone doing the '12 pubs of Christmas' in Dublin. On that note, if anyone has established a good list of pubs....do leave a comment and let me know!

Warning! If you are walking down to the markets with a gang, expect to lose some on the way to the many inviting bars you will pass!!

Dublin Beer Festival! A Great Night Out!

Well I took my own advice yesterday (and suffering for it today) and I gathered the troops after work and headed down to Oktoberfest in the IFSC. There are numerous food stalls serving a variety of German foods. I had a tasty German sausage which had been cooked on the charcoal bbq followed by a Baileys and Banana Crepe for dessert. And then for the Beer!! I went for the smaller jug of Paulander Beer as I wasn't sure if I'd even be able to lift the larger one. Most of the drinking goes on in the large tent with wooden benches and seats. The atmosphere was fantastic with plenty of beer mug clinking and lots of beer loss in the process! The Bavarian band played traditional German music which is quite lively and calls for plenty of beer mug raising! There were German girls in the traditional Dirndl dress and you can purchase the dresses, but be warned that while it may seem like a good idea after a few beers, you won't be wearing it on a regular Saturday night out!

There's still over a week left to go so get yourself down there.

Dublin Beer Fest!

If like myself you are raging that you didn't make it to Munich for Ocktoberfest why not take a trip in George's Dock in Dublin's IFSC for Paulaner Ocktoberfest!! It's also worth the trip if you are suffering withdrawal systems from a recent trip to Munich. It's a FREE event and runs from the 8th to 18th October. In true Ocktoberfest style there will be traditional German food and entertainment, as well as German barmaids dressed in traditional Dirndls.

My advice is to gather the gang and head down there after work some evening next week after work. There's plenty of food there...soakage!

Walking distance from Temple Bar Hotel - 15 minutes.

Dine in Dublin Week!

Whether you live in Dublin or if you are visiting the capital city between Monday, 12th October and Sunday, 18th October you should treat yourself to a meal in one of the city's top restaurants! Over 50 restaurants are taking part in 'Dine in Dublin Restaurant week' which offers 3 courses plus tea or coffee for either €25/€30 depending on the restaurant.

Here in Temple Bar you have a choice of Chameleon Restaurant, Frankies Bar & Grill, FXBs, Gallagher's Boxty House and Monty's of Kathmandu.

For bookings, contact the restaurants directly. Happy dining!

Sand Sculpture in Meeting House Square

If you're around Temple Bar today or over the weekend, take a trip over to Meeting House Square to see the sand sculptures. It's for a good cause - Make a Wish Foundation - so don't forget to bring some change! It's all part of their National Positivity week and what better place than Temple Bar!

Great Steakhouse in Temple Bar!

Working in Temple Bar feels like belonging to a little community, which can be a rare feeling in such a large and diverse city. So last Thursday after work we decided to 'keep it local' and stay in Temple Bar for dinner. FXB's Steakhouse has a great reputation in Dublin, with 5 restaurants around the city. They have a value menu for €24.95 for 3 courses but about 3 of the 7 main courses have a supplement. Saying that, it is still good value as all 3 courses are of superb quality.

The restaurant was not full but busy when we arrived. The atmosphere was cosy with some of the seating with sheepskin rugs over the backs of them. We ordered a lovely bottle of Fleurie to complement the steaks. I had the fish cakes to start which were very tasty. For the main course the Ribeye steak was done to perfection. It was served with homemade chips, mash and vegetables. The waiter then correctly guessed our dessert choices, much to our amusement! My boyfriend thought he had overheard us but I figured the girl always goes for the chocolate dessert as I did and the guys go for the ice-cream as he did! All 3 courses were of a really good quality and it was one of those meals that was so satisfying that I was thinking about it for days afterwards!

If you like steak, you will like FXBs!

The Best Things in Dublin are Free!

I’d like to say a big ‘Thank You’ to Sir Alfred Chester Beatty for the donation of his vast collection of manuscripts, miniature paintings, rare books and artefacts from Asia, the Middle East, North Africa and Europe that make up the museum/library named after him. His once private collection is now a national treasure located on the grounds of Dublin Castle in Dublin city centre.

Last Sunday myself and my friend decided to take a much overdue visit to the Chester Beatty Library, stopping off on the way at a quaint French café restaurant called Chez Maz for a leisurely cappuccino. We decided to sit outside so we could cope with our hangover-induced hot flushes.

Because entry is free we decided to visit just one of the permanent exhibitions as there is so much to take in that we took our time in the ‘Arts of the Book’ collection. We plan to return again and visit the others. The collection is housed in an expansive dimly lit room which felt relaxed and peaceful to walk around. We took time to read all the explanatory notes next to each artefact and enjoyed the unique beauty of the ancient manuscripts and paintings.

Before heading home we took a stroll upstairs to the roof top Japenese Zen garden and relaxed under the warm sunshine. There are viewing areas around the garden where you can see areas of Dublin castle and the city. We also had the pleasure of hearing the distant melody of church bells ringing out around the city. It did feel quite barren there with a lack of greenery but we still found it an oasis of tranquillity on a sunny Summer’s afternoon in late August.

The Chester Beatty museum/library is gushing with culture and the joy of the place is in the diversity of the collections. I’m already looking forward to my return visit. If you live in Dublin it’s the perfect way to while away an afternoon or indeed if you’re a visitor to the city you will find it an interesting stop off for an hour or two depending on your time. For more information visit the website www.cbl.ie.
Walking distance from Temple Bar Hotel - 10 minutes

BBQ in Powerscourt Waterfalls!

Well my initial plan was to write a blog about things to do in Temple Bar, then I branched out a little and included the Dublin area and now I’m even including Wicklow! Sure where will it stop I hear you ask?!? But I think Powerscourt Waterfalls are a popular destination for both tourists and locals and definitely worth a mention.

I’m a huge fan of barbeques! I just love the whole concept of cooking outdoors or more so the concept of getting the men to do the cooking for a change! Usually a few comments in the line of ‘It’s such a manly thing to do’ has them cooking without too much complaint! Last Saturday I got it in my head that I wanted a barbeque and what better a destination that on the grounds of Powerscourt waterfall in Wicklow. I would highly recommend it to tourists and locals as a relaxing way to spend an afternoon.

When we left Dublin at midday the grey clouds were looming overhead but we decided to continue on and luckily by the time we arrived in Powerscourt the sun was shining and we managed to get a perfect spot next to an old tree trunk which we put our disposable bbq on. There was also a wooden bench and table next to it to prepare the food on. It wasn’t too long before the charcoals were lighting and the smoky barbeque smell was wafting through the air. There were about five other groups all enjoying a barbeques nearby and there was a sense of summer giddiness in the air. Two beef burgers and a lamb kebab later the belly was full and we were stretched out on the rug reading the Saturday papers with the warm sunshine on our backs and the sound of flowing waterfall in our ears.

Half an hour later it was time to pull out the flask of tea from the car boot (oh the memories of the 80s came flooding back!!), although I was delighted that jam sandwiches were replaced nicely with a slice of home made carrot cake. We walked up to the base of the waterfall and lay the rug down with our cups of tea. But just before you start thinking it was all perfect, I must warn you about the annoying midgets that we had to deal with that did their level best to ruin our day! Another downside is the €5 per adult charge to get into the Waterfalls, tis a bit Irish!

Powerscourt Waterfalls are only a 40 minute drive from Dublin. Daily bus tours are available to Powerscourt if you don’t have access to a car. It's an ideal day trip for people living in Dublin that are looking for something different to do on a sunny Sunday!

Opera in the Open 2009

Since I moved to Dublin 6 years ago I have at various stages said farewell to friends that have got the calling back to Cork. Their time in the capital had been done and they were ready to move home! The one thing they all say they miss about Dublin is that there is so much to do here! And I must say I have to agree. You are allowed only two excuses, one being laziness and the other being penniless but on this occasion it won't cost you a bob so if you don't make a trip you are downright lazy! :)

This Thursday Dublin City Council is starting their Summer lunchtime Opera series which is free! It runs for five weeks and here is the superb line up....
August 6th – 1.00 pm : THE MAGIC FLUTE – Mozart
August 13th – 1.00 pm : JULIUS CEASAR– Handel
August 20th – 1.00 pm: DON PASQUALE – Donizetti
August 27th - 1.00 pm: HANSEL UND GRETEL – Humperdinck
September 3rd – 1.00 pm : IDOMENEO – Mozart

So whether you reside in Dublin or you're here visiting it is worth taking a lunchtime trip to the amphitheater at the Civic Offices, Wood Quay to see the Opera. Let's just hope the weather stays dry! For more more information check out the Dublin Tourism website.
Walking distance from Temple Bar Hotel - 12 minutes.

Yamamori on the Quays!

Can you think of anything more annoying than when you make a bad food choice when eating out? You look around the table and all your friends have big happy grins, clearly delighted with the culinary delights that lay in front of them! My competitive disposition usually renders me speechless in this situation, slow to admit that I have not made the best decision amongst us! Normally when this happens I am a little prepared as it’s usually when I go for a completely different dish. But yesterday I was pretty confident I had made a good decision until the dish arrived and it was not what I was expecting! The Tatsuta Age (Ginger Chicken) looked pale and unappetising when it arrived! It tasted somewhat better than it looked but this was perhaps my most disappointing visit to this popular Japanese restaurant yet!

On the upside the service was really friendly and quick which we agreed was a must to sustain a lunch time trade. The restaurant is bright and airy with long wooden tables throughout. On this occasion it was relatively busy but not crowded. The prices were reasonable and the portions are large…..although how much pale chicken can one stomach!!! Ewww!

I have no doubt that I will return to Yamamori again as I have really enjoyed my previous experiences of the restaurant. But here’s hoping my decision will be better next time or maybe the chicken will have been on a sun holiday!

Walking distance from Temple Bar Hotel - 10 minutes.

Running away with the Circus!

When we were kids, my brother had this notion that he wanted to run away with the circus. I think it was the idea that he could eat as much candy floss and popcorn as he liked that was the ultimate appeal. Admittedly the circus has a certain lure for most children who crave adventure and escape!

Temple Bar Circus Festival started yesterday and runs until this Sunday, attracting both children and adults. This afternoon there was a performance by the Cannonball Circus. Temple Bar Meeting House Square was alive with children's laughter as they watched their performance. Their animated faces displaying their utter enthusiasm for all things Circus!

I was raging with myself yesterday when I rang the ticket office to see if there was any tickets left for the outdoor screening of Mouin Rouge tonight. But the good news is, there's lots of non-ticket events going on over the weekend.

Walking distance from Temple Bar Hotel - 5 minutes.

When there's no time for dawdling!

The one thing that puts me off eating out for lunch during the week is the time it takes. Your lunch hour suddenly feels more like a lunch half hour! And the one thing that was putting me off going to Thai Orchid was memories of the last time I went there. It was when I first came to Dublin and I had my birthday dinner there. I thought I liked spicy foods but sure I was as green as the chilli I bit into! I’ll never forget the heat or ‘the pain’ as I described it at the time. I suppose it is no wonder the girls laughed me off as being a Drama Queen with the fuss I made. So today I made my return and avoided the chillies….and the drama!

The décor is warm and inviting with genuine Thai artifacts around the restaurant. The waitress in her traditional dress also gave the restaurant a sense of authenticity. Most of the main courses were priced under €10. I went with the Garlic & Black Pepper Chicken, served with fragrant rice while my colleague went with the Kong Pung Beef. Both dishes were delicious and full of flavour. Of course I started into my meal with the same gusto I devote to all my meals, and admittedly it hit me with about two bites to go. Too late then lady! The damage was done and as expected the food coma began to set in about an hour later. Although I doubt it will deter future trips to this high standard restaurant. The service was friendly yet brisk, exactly what you need when you’re watching the clock. The restaurant was full yet it seemed quiet and hushed, as though all the other diners were on the same mission as ourselves….no time for dawdling!

Walking distance from Temple Bar Hotel - 20 seconds!

4th July Party Dublin

Every year we are asked by our American guests for suggestions on where to celebrate Independence Day! So this year we stepped up to the mark and organised the best 4th July party in Dublin. Here's what is planned....
4pm to 5pm: Flair Bar Tending show
5pm to 7pm: Live Band playing the greatest American tunes

BBQ food served all day.
Free popcorn!

Fancy Dress Competition, prize for the best costume!

Buskers Bar, Fleet Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2.
Tel: 01 612 9246

A Tear Duct Cleaner @ the IFI

The Irish Film Institute (IFI) in Temple Bar, does little to promote itself, yet upon entering you feel as if you’re the only person who wasn’t let in on the secret as you eye the diverse range of people seated around the bar and restaurant! The two screens are housed in a large building with exposed stone work throughout which used to be a 17th century Quaker meeting house. Stepping across the threshold is to enter what was once a profoundly sacred place and there is a sense of leaving the world behind.

The glass roofed courtyard is bright and airy and leads onto the bar and restaurant. Every table was full when we arrived early to get some food and there was a buzz from the tables seating a mix of trendy youths and an eclectic older crowd. We lingered for a short while and we got a table in the courtyard. The menu is basic yet inexpensive. You can get a meal here for the price of popcorn and drink in another cinema. It is the sort of place you could pop into for a drink, bite to eat and a spot of people watching and a movie of course!

The IFI shows a mix of Irish and foreign films and they host a variety of film festivals. Last Friday we decided to check out what was on offer at the Documentary Film Festival and ‘Dear Zachary’ was our chosen documentary and to say it was a tear-jerker would be putting it mildly, it has even been described as a ‘tear duct cleaner’! It is an absolutely tragic story and it a labour of love from the film maker for his murdered childhood friend, Dr. Andrew Bagby. The really tragic part is while the film maker is making the documentary (for Bagby’s son, Zachary); Zachary is also murdered by the same woman that murdered Bagby. But it is the presentation of the naked anger and grief of Bagby’s parents that leaves the greatest impact as his father at stages roars at the camera in an outpour of anguish. Stepping back out into the buzzing atmosphere of Temple Bar on a Friday night with bleary eyes was enough to pick my mood back up again! So if you feel like a different kind of movie experience I would definitely recommend the Irish Film Institute.

Walking Time from Temple Bar Hotel to the IFI - a 6 minute stroll, leave 7 if you're in heels (those cobbles need some manoeuvring!)

Clowning Around - Take That Concert, Croke Park

For someone with such a short attention span as myself, Take That’s lavish show on Saturday night in Croke Park Stadium was the perfect antidote. It was a case of not knowing where to look as my attention was being constantly diverted from performance to performance! Once again I cursed my five foot nothingness as I stood on my tippy toes straining to see all that was on show.

It was an amazing feeling to be in the middle of the pitch in Croke Park and to look up at a packed stadium. The girls laughed and me when I observed what it must feel like to be a GAA player looking up at those crowds! It was the largest crowd that the band had ever performed in front of – 80, 000.

We were positioned very close to the centre stage and I was convinced if I waved hard enough that one of the lads would wave back at me…..oh to have go go gadget arms!!!! There were so many parts to the show that I can’t even recall half of it, but I must say that the constructed Elephant was one of the most impressive parts of the show. Take That have really raised the bar when it comes to concerts as it was by far and away the best one I have ever been to!

Walking Time from Temple Bar Hotel to the Croke Park Stadium - 20-25 minute.

Jazzing it up on Bloomsday!

Temple Bar was alive with Jazz bands and Bloomsday celebrations yesterday afternoon.
Distance from Temple Bar Hotel to the Temple Bar - 0 minutes, yes we're in the heart of it!

Getting ready to Bloom!

The highlight of my recent Ulysses walking tour was witnessing one of the greatest supporters of all things Joycean (Senator David Norris) roar a string of expletives as he chased an ‘Out of Service’ Dublin Bus down North Great Georges Street. Apparently the buses are banned because of their potential damage to the underground wine cellars that stretch out underneath the street.

The irony of witnessing such a humorous scene while on a Ulysses walking tour did not escape us as the epic novel is based on humorous observations in Dublin city. Every year on June 16th, Bloomsday is celebrated as it marks the day when all the action in Ulysses took place, when the fictional character, Leopold Bloom wandered Dublin city.

This year the Temple Bar area will host a number of events on June 16th to celebrate the day. Buskers Bar will have a jazz band from 5-7pm and will be serving a Blooms day breakfast all day as well as the famed Gorgonzola sandwich with burgundy wine. Sounds blooming amazing! (sorry, I couldn’t resist!!!).

For more information on events in Temple Bar on Bloomsday, click here.
To download a free iWalk podcast click here
Distance from Temple Bar Hotel to Temple Bar - 0 minutes!

An Evening at the Theatre…..

What better way to distract yourself from the daily grind than to spend an evening at the theatre? The Olympia theatre is located on Dame Street which is less than a five minute walk from Temple Bar Hotel and it is a bonus that so many restaurants in the area offer pre-theatre menus.

There is a feeling of stepping back in time when entering the Victorian style Olympia theatre which is one of Dublin’s most iconic venues and I find it the perfect place to indulge my escapism. Having grown up just three miles from Michael Collins’ birthplace near Clonakilty in West Cork and I also attended the same primary school (albeit 100 years later!) I have always felt a natural affection towards this national hero.

The musical vividly and excellently dramatises the life of Michael Collins. It took about quarter of an hour to get used to presentation of his life in a musical format and after that it is complete absorption. There were stages of it where I felt the desperate need to run home and rummage through my dusty old school history books as the feeling of vague familiarity with certain names left me a tad ashamed!

The standing ovation and the tears streaming down the faces of the actors and audience at the end of the show was enough to make me realise that it wasn’t just because I am from West Cork that I found the show so moving! The theatre was charged with emotion at the re-enactment of The Big Fella’s death. As the fatal gunshot sounded around the ornate theatre I jumped in my seat as if I somehow didn’t know what was about to happen – such was the intensity of the final acts. My hands stung and tingled after a lengthy applaud and my heart was full of pride as I was reminded and remembered the brave men that died for our country.

Distance from Temple Bar Hotel to the Olympia - a 5 minute stroll.

It’s all about Soul…..

Eight years ago when I lived in Manhattan, I remember a Summer’s evening when I went to Central Park with an ex boyfriend to listen to the New York Philharmonic Orchestra...it was our attempt at being cultured! Being typically Irish we just rocked in and ended up sharing my denim jacket to lie down on(they were in fashion 8 years ago!!). We looked around us at all the super organised Americans with their picnic baskets of wine, cheese & grapes, rugs, candles…you name it!! I was more than a bit envious and didn’t feel in the least bit cultured!

Are the Irish finally catching up? I think we might be! Well I thought so last Sunday as the sun shone down on Merrion Square’s Soul Picnic. All around there were families with picnics (we couldn't go too far wrong when the name 'Soul Picnic' suggested that the picnic was essential!!). The entertainment from various Soul artists was amazing and there was an atmosphere of cheeriness in the beautiful surrounds of the city centre park. The fact that it was one of the first sunny days experienced in Ireland this year definitely helped the event to run smoothly.

The Soul Festival also showcased some acts live on stage last Friday night in Temple Bar’s Meeting House Square which created a great buzz amongst the crowd in Temple Bar. In the words of Oscar Wilde “Nothing can cure the soul but the senses, just as nothing can cure the senses but the soul.”

Distance from Temple Bar Hotel to Merrion Square- a 10 minute walk.

Wake Up & Smell the Coffee!

There is few smells that can compare to the aroma of freshly brewed coffee! And even fewer smells compare to the aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingled with the smell of cinnamon swirls!! It takes a hell of a lot of willpower to resist, especially in the mornings when I am feeling a little tired after a hectic weekend and craving the ultimate pick-me-up! West Coast Coffee, located on Temple Lane in the heart of Temple Bar serves the best coffee in Temple Bar (in my opinion!). It has been proven to brighten my day on 9 out of 10 occasions! I am reliably informed that the coffee is ethically sourced, environmentally friendly and hand roasted. It is what I’d call ‘a friendly coffee shop’. They seem genuinely interested in whether my weekend was good (or perhaps they are curious as to what gave me those dreadful bags under my eyes!!). The biggest plus for West Coast is they stamp my loyalty card twice so I only need to buy five coffees to get a free one!!! Oh it’s the simple things in life…

The coffee shop itself has a cosy charm that makes it difficult for me to leave and continue on my way to work. I stare enviously at tourists as they linger and chat over steaming mugs of coffee. I get my ‘usual’ latte which not too milky - I find the lattes in Starbucks far too milky for my liking and the prices far too steep!! Most people who are holidaying in Dublin are usually just here for a few nights so why waste time drinking horrible coffee?

I gave up coffee for April. Why April you might ask! Simply put….because I missed the boat on Lent and decided to just try April instead. Yes it did work. Once I’d made up my mind it wasn’t that difficult. I just choose a different cobbled street to walk down to work, purposely avoiding the inviting aroma of coffee beans that wafts its way down Temple Lane each morning greeting me. But once May Day rolled around I was back to my vice with a vengeance! I’ve decided life’s too short to give up coffee!

Walking Time from Temple Bar Hotel to West Coast Coffee - 5 minutes.

Make Mine a Mojito!!

Get the gals together, get your dresses on and let’s party!! I have to say the Cocktail Making Lesson is the most fun I’ve had in ages - it’s perfect for hen parties, team building days, birthday parties or a girl’s night out! It’s very informal, you will NOT learn about the history of cocktail making but you WILL have great craic!!!!

As the organiser of the cocktail making lessons in Buskers Bar, it was only right that I should test it out and see what’s involved….sure it would be rude not to!!! So I gathered the girls together and we made a night of it.

Buskers has a big main bar and then a smaller stylish cocktail bar at the front which was reserved for the 7 of us. On arrival the handsome bartender Paul, greeted us with a charming smile and a wink that had us swooning off our bar stools! We then took our seats in front of the bar and Paul expertly lined up the shots! I’m not a big fan of shots (bad memories of too many Tequilas in days gone by!!) but I decided on the ‘Banana Pudding’ shot which was yum, yum, yum!! The ‘Baby Guinness’ shots were very popular with us too.

I chose a ‘Strawberry Daiquiri’ to drink while the lesson was going on as I had already decided that I wanted to learn how to make a Mojito – my favourite cocktail!!! While Paul and another bartender made up our cocktails the cheesy girly tunes were getting us in the party mood! When we were all served up cocktails it was time to get going on the lesson. We each got a chance to go behind the bar as Paul personally guided us through what is involved in making our favourite cocktails. I made a good hand of muddling the limes and mint leaves….helped on by the cheering of the other girls! But it has to be said that the secret of a great Mojito is Rum, Rum and more Rum!!!

As the lesson finished up we were all nicely merry with belly’s full of cocktails…..Tom Cruise eat your heart out!!!

Tante-lising Zoes!

Working in the hotel I have my lunch here in Buskers Bar most days but it is nice to get out for lunch once in a while. Myself and my colleague didn’t let the rain deter us yesterday and decided to venture out for lunch. Temple Bar often gets a bad name for being expensive. But I think most places are offering great deals at the moment so I’m only too happy to take advantage of a bargain lunch!

Tante Zoe’s is located on Crow Street and they are offering a lunch time special - a main course for €8.50. The décor is lovely with creams and dark browns dominating. The service is excellent. I ordered the Cajun burger which came with home made chunky chips and my friend ordered the Blackened Chicken which also came with a side of chips and vegetables. We were told when we ordered that it would take about 15 minutes which put a stop to us looking at our watches. We still managed to get back to the office within our lunch hour!

Walking Time from Temple Bar Hotel to Tante Zoes - 6 minutes.

The place to be Screen!

They say that in recessionary times people like to reminisce more and seek out nostalgic experiences. If you are a current seeker then I would definitely recommend a trip to the traditional 1960’s Screen Cinema on D’Olier Street. The Screen is well known for its choice of obscure, off beat releases and is a haven for those looking for an alternative to the mainstream films.

Temple Bar Hotel recently teamed up with George Hook’s The Right Hook show on Newstalk Radio and Screen Cinema to start a Movie Club. Our first screening was ‘The Damned United’ and while it can't really be categorised as an obscure film, it was very successful. It was the first time I saw a film in the Screen Cinema but I will definitely be returning. It is less than a five minute walk from the hotel which is great as some of the cinema goers came back to Buskers after the film to meet with George Hook and Karl McDermot to discuss movies! We are hoping to have a screening once a month. I will keep you posted!

In this day and age it is rare to find a cinema with the unique charm and personable ambience that the Screen cinema offers. However I must acknowledge that the Screen cinema experience is not for everyone. One of my friends is not a fan, preferring instead the modern Americanised Cineworld on Parnell Street. Admittedly the shabby exterior of the Screen does not look inviting but in my opinion it is not a true representation of the true spirit and charm that awaits you inside……

Walking Time from Temple Bar Hotel to The Screen Cinema - 4 minutes.

Searching for Something Special…..Somewhere Special!

Designer Mart – Cow’s Lane, Temple Bar!

Ever since I was a child I’ve had a fascination with acquiring unique pieces of jewellery. That one off piece that everyone admires but no one else has! It is surprising then that it has taken me so long to discover the Designer Mart in Temple Bar.

The old city area of Temple Bar is the perfect location for the outdoor Designer Mart. Every Saturday from 10am to 5pm, Cow’s Lane is buzzing with talented artists and designers of clothes and jewellery. Amongst the stalls you will discover a diverse mix of handmade jewellery, original fashion creations and an array of art and crafts.

Last Saturday was the perfect day for a browse around the atmospheric Mart. The sun was shining and there was a pleasant breeze. The traders were refreshingly non-intrusive as I browsed their stalls. They chatted easily with those that wanted advice and there seemed to be a sense of community between them as they discussed how business was. As I heard two foreign girls shriek with delight as they looked through a rack of clothes, I felt proud that Irish designers could cause such a reaction! Yes my morning was successful! I purchased a beautiful pair of earrings. My only disappointment was that the Dublin String Quartet weren’t playing! A friend of mine had been lucky enough to hear them play there several weeks previously! Ah well, it’s always good to have an excuse to return!

More more info see http://www.templebar.ie/home_nav_32_m_3.html

Walking Time from Temple Bar Hotel to Cow's Lane - 7 minutes.

Food markets in Temple Bar!

What better way to spend time on a Saturday than to wander through the Food Markets in Temple Bar’s Meeting House Square. It is a must for all foodies! The colour and vibrancy of the markets are a feast for the eyes and give the Square a special atmosphere every Saturday.

On entering the square I am greeted with the aroma of fresh coffee and an espresso is the perfect way to start the day! With so much variety it is difficult to decide what to eat. I do a leisurely lap of the market first so I can acquaint myself with all that is on offer. Samples of olive tapanade, sun dried tomatoes and fresh breads are all enticing. While the smell of the barbequed burgers is mouth watering I decide it is still a little early for a big feed so instead I opt for a freshly made crepe with banana and chocolate. It’s a sunny day and the market is busy without being too crowded so I am content to stroll around whilst eating the crepe. I see there is a lot of people enjoying the fresh oysters at the picnic tables nearby, happily squeezing lemon and splashing Tabasco sauce on them.

There also seems to be quite a few people who look like locals who are doing a weekly shop for organic vegetables and meats. There is a wide smile on my face as I leave the markets with a full belly and continue my exploration of Temple Bar….

For more information on Temple Bar Food markets click on this link http://www.templebar.ie/home_nav_32_m_1.html

Walking Time from Temple Bar Hotel to Meeting House Square - 6 minutes.