Discovering Temple Bar....

January Wintere Sale Offer

2012-01-06T10:33:00.004Z

The ice and snow may have come and gone but the great rates at Temple Bar Hotel just keep on coming!

Our Winter Sale offer starts from just €76pps for a two night stay with breakfast(on both mornings) and a bottle of wine to enjoy during your stay. Being Dublin's most centrally located hotel means you are just a hop, skip and a jump away from Dublin's greatest restaurants, pubs, shops, galleries and much more. Out hotel also boasts its busy bar Buskers and its classy club and venue Alchemy. Why not pop into one or both of these venues during your stay or enjoy a nice meal in our Terrace restaurant?

Call us now to book YOUR getaway or treat someone else to a nice break after the long, cold winter!

Tel: 01-6773333 Email: reservations@tbh.ie

Christmas Parties in Temple Bar Hotel Dublin

2011-11-21T10:18:00.008Z

Magical Christmas Parties in Temple Bar Hotel

Temple Bar Hotel have some great offers this year for their Christmas parties. You can eat for as little as €6pp, get complimentary reserved seating in their bar Buskers and discounted entry to their club Alchemy. On top of all of this, they provide you with Christmas novelties and treats to make your night a special one!

They offer a four course meal for just €22pp and can hold up to 55 people in any one party! What's more, is that the party planner doesn't have to pay for their meal as it's for FREE!!

To check availabilites or to book one of these party nights, call or email Grace on the details below now.

Tel: 01-6129241 Email: events@tbh.ie

Halloween in Temple Bar Dublin

2011-10-26T16:33:00.005+01:00

CarnEVIL

If you are looking for somewhere this weekend with outrageously freaky entertainment, spine chilling beats and blood spattered clowns then Alchemy Club and Venue in Temple Bar, Dublin is the place for you! To celebrate one of our favourite annual holidays, Alchemy will host CarnEVIL this Saturday the 29th and Sunday the 30th of October. It's Halloween.....but with a circus twist.

Admission is €10 in advance or €15 on the night. Tickets can be in Buskers or Alchemy. For more information: http://www.alchemyclub.ie/

Dublin Marathon

2011-10-10T12:11:00.002+01:00

I've noticed lots of enthusiastic runners around Dublin city and suburbs over the past few months, no doubt a large share of them are in training for the Dublin city marathon which takes place on Monday, 31st October 2012.

My three brothers are taking part this year. One is flying in from Chicago, one from London and my little brother is coming up from West Cork to take part. The rest of the family have been summoned to Dublin to cheer them on! The competition between them is beginning to intensify but with a few injuries being mentioned it's hard to know which brother will 'win'.

There is a great atmosphere around Dublin every year for the marathon. All the Dublin hotels are busy and most including Temple Bar Hotel serve up a healthy, carbohydrate rich breakfast on the morning.

Best of luck to my three brothers and to all those taking part in the marathon this year.

Dublin Gospel Choir

2011-08-15T10:17:00.008+01:00

As strange as it may sound, St. Mary's Church of Angels was the place to be last Saturday night! One might think a church would be the last place you'd want to spend your Saturday night but between the disco lights, the smoke effects and the dancing crowd, some might say it would beat Dublin's club scene any day!

Dublin Gospel Choir (or DGC as they like to call themselves) belted out an array of tunes that carried on for over two and a half hours last Saturday night in aid of a fundraiser for the church's local charity. Tickets were only €10 for a student/with a concession and €15 for adults. 'Aint't no Mountain High Enough', 'Oh Happy Days' and 'Lifted' were among the many songs that graced the stage that night as part of their set list. The choir were bursting with energy throughout the whole night, encouraging the crowd to get up, dance and sing along to the songs.

The show was finished at a reasonable hour-10.30pm- so a trip over to Temple Bar to continue the nights festivities was the perfect way to follow on the night. A quick drink in Buskers Bar before heading to Alchemy nightclub was the ideal Saturday night adventure.

The MC for the night (who was a monk) was brilliant! He was funny and really got the crowd involved. He was delighted with the turn out and thanked us endlessly for our support. DGC have taken a break for the summer but usually sing in this church on the first and third Sunday of each month. They are definitely a must see, Click on the link here to go to their webpage.

Nice Italian Restaurant in Temple Bar

2011-08-09T09:04:00.002+01:00

There are many Italian restaurants in Dublin city centre but if you're looking for one of the best then I would look no further than Toscana on Dame Street. It is approximately a ten minute stroll from Temple Bar Hotel. They do an excellent lunch value menu as well as a pre-theatre menu. I would strongly recommend the meatballs and the vegetarian lasagne is one of the best I've tasted, served with fabulous home-made chips! The service is friendly and most importantly Italian! Toscana really is a genuine Italian restaurant.

The New Theatre in Temple Bar

2011-07-25T12:38:00.007+01:00

I never thought watching a play that only consisted of two people, in a theatre that was hidden within a bookshop would be so entertaining! Last Wednesday night, myself and my friend attended a play called Ergophobia in the New Theatre in Temple Bar, Dublin. It was a play that told the story of two men-one with the potential to lose,the other a loser with potential. The two actors were great and really held the audiences attention throughout the evening. It was an interesting play that was funny, heartfelt and definitely worth the €15 entry fee!

The theatre only has about 70 seats in total which created a very intimate setting. The play lasted for 90 minutes and there was a 15 minute break in the middle which allowed us to get a glass of wine/tea/coffee in the bookshop outside. I thought it was a great idea to build this theatre in conjunction with the bookshop as it combines two businesses together allowing one to enhance the other. The theatre is located on Essex Street which is just down past Temple Bar square. The play was over by 9.30pm so it's definitely a great way to either start an evening or finish it. A quick drink in Buskers Bar before or after is the perfect solution for a night out!

Midsummer Madness

2011-06-24T09:05:00.005+01:00

Facebook fans, brace yourselves for a great deal!...

For the months of July and August, we are providing our Facebook fans with a great deal that cannot be missed. Our Midsummer Summer deal currently offers our guests a one night, room only stay in the hotel for €79 per room when you book and pay in advance (Sun to Thurs only). Whats extra for you guys is that if you mention when booking that you are a fan of ours on Facebook, then you'll get the choice of a free ticket for you and your guest to the Dublin Walking Tours or else you'll both get a free cocktail..what more could you want from an offer?

Call our reservations team now to book your Midsummer Maaaadness offer and don't forget to tell her that you are a fan of ours on Facebook!

Tel: 01-6773333
Email: reservations@tbh.ie
Web: www.templebarhotel.com
Fax: 01-6773088

Blood Brothers at the Gaiety

2011-06-13T09:36:00.007+01:00

Blood Brothers is a captivating musical telling the story of twin brothers who were separated at birth and brought up in two completely different environments. Somehow fate and the bond of brotherhood intervened to ensure the brothers got to know each other from a young age, much to the distraught of their mothers.

Rebecca Storm is the lead and her incredible voice will stay with you for days after especially in 'Marilyn Monroe' and 'Tell me its not true'.

Blood Brothers runs in the Gaiety Theatre until 25th June 2011. It is definitely worth seeing and it will appeal to young and old, male and female.

The Gaiety Theatre is a 10 to 15 minute walk from Temple Bar Hotel. For our best available rates check out http://www.templebarhotel.com/.

Barrack Obama's Visit

2011-05-24T12:04:00.005+01:00

Is Féidir Linn!

These wise words were spoken yesterday by the American President Barrack Obama when he encouraged us in these hard, recessionary times that 'Yes We Can!'. Grinning from ear to ear yesterday in College Green in front of Trinity College, Barrack reached out to thousands of admiring, Irish followers. He was charming, polite and as expected, a true gentleman. People of all ages had queued since the night before to come see this inspirational man and listen to his heartwarming speech. He mentioned our country's great relationship with America, the historic connection between the two countries and his Kearney ancestors from Moneygall. He spoke about his hopeful belief that this country can battle through this terrible recession and come out of it as good as we were before it hit. He only graced our Irish soil for a mere 24 hours but it was enough to bring hope and spirit back into the hearts of our people.

Barrack and Michelle visited Moneygall in Co. Offaly on Monday afternoon before the big gathering in College Green. While there they met Barack's cousin 'Henry the 8th', had a quick pint of Guinness in Hayes' pub, took a trip into the local shop and chatted timelessly to the local villagers. They were greeted with enormous welcome from the locals and were treated as one of their own.

May the 23rd 2011, is a date that will surely go down in history for Dublin, when the American President brought hope and life back to the Irish people. It will certainly be a while before Dame Street, Temple Bar and the areas that surround it will see such an iconic figure in its midst which will atract such an enormous adoring crowd.

President Obama..after your visit, it is without a doubt that the thought on every Irish mind today is the creed: Is Féidir Linn!

Bridges over the Liffey

2011-05-18T17:54:00.001+01:00

Dublin City is divided by the River Liffey and while there is the obvious need for bridges to transport traffic, the most important function of bridges is to link and connect people according to Michael Phillips, City Engineer with Dublin City Council. In a recent talk at the Central Library, The Ilac Centre, Dublin entitled ‘Bridges over the Liffey’ Michael gave listeners a historic insight into the 20 bridges that connect North and South Dublin city and as he explained the erection of bridges has a lot to do with what is going on at that current time. With just a lunch time hour Michael gave a brief yet interesting overview of each bridge.

Some interesting snippets:

• The current width of the River Liffey is about three times shorter than back in the 13th Century due to land reclamation
• The iconic Ha’penny Bridge got its name from the fact that is was originally built as a toll bridge and yes you guessed the price of the toll!
• O’Connell Bridge is unique in that it’s width is nearly the same as the length

The Central Library is a ten minute walk from Temple Bar Hotel.

Castleknock Barbeque

2011-05-10T09:34:00.004+01:00

A beautiful hotel in a countryside location, good company and great food...what more could you ask for? That's what i was thinking last week when i was out in Castleknock Hotel and Country Club with my work colleagues. We were invited out to our sister hotel in Castleknock last Thursday to join the staff and their corporate clients for a great night of entertainment. They hosted an amazing evening that included a selection of games and even a falconer who displayed a very interesting collection of birds for our amusement-some of the guests even got to hold them on their arm!!

We helped ourselves to some wine and the array of salads and meats that were laid out for us.Their location for a summer BBQ is perfect. They have a huge outdoor patio area which has outdoor heaters and sheltered areas. There's plenty space for people to sit out with big gardens to roam around in. It's the ideal place for a birthday or a post-wedding day party celebration.

To top it all off we were serenaded for the evening by a fantastic Dublin based singer, Sean Boland, who sang songs by Michael Buble and Frank Sinatra. It really added to the overall atmosphere of the hotel and it made everyone very much at ease. My overall opinion of the hotel was it was classy, stylish and very elegant and overall a definite must see!

Dublin Gospel Choir

2011-04-27T14:39:00.003+01:00

If you are a sufferer of 'the Sunday night blues' then I have the cure! Dublin Gospel Choir perform the first and third Sunday of every month at the 7pm mass in St. Mary of the Angels Church on Church Street.

The music is so uplifting that it's near impossible not to clap and sway along with them. Their powerful voices are exhilarating and roof raising! The choir are a good mix of ages and gender. The music will transport you from Dublin city centre to another world!

The Church is a 20 minute walk from Temple Bar Hotel or 5 minute in a taxi.

Facebook Competition

2011-04-19T08:52:00.006+01:00

Introducing, the Temple Bar Hotel's best competition to date! This is a prize not to be missed. It includes the very best elements of a city break...with no expense spared.

A two night weekend stay in our lovely three star hotel which is located right in the middle of the city centre. Along with this we are offering a free lunch in Buskers bar, a lovely meal in the Terrace restaurant, tickets to the Guinness Storehouse AND the Dublin Bus Tour, along with cocktails to kick-off your night and then free club entry into Alchemy Nightclub and Venue. What more could you want? Oh ya, a late check-out time on the day of your departure, so you can rest that sore head of yours after your wild night out in the town:)All you have to do is log onto our Facebook page, 'like' us and then answer one simple question. You should tell your friends too because if they win, they might just bring you!!

Competition runs until April 27th, the winner will be announced shortly after this. Good luck and get liking!!

Grand Canal Theatre-Sound of Music

2011-04-06T10:44:00.006+01:00

The Hills are Alive...The Grand Canal Theatre

Firstly, i must say...what a great spot! The amazing architecture of the building, the beautiful views of the city and the selection of great restaurants located nearby with well-priced dinner offers really made this night out a great experience. My first impressions of the theatre itself were that is was very clean, the staff were well groomed and polite and the great views you get of the stage from your seat were great( and i was seated up high).

Apparently you can't bring your drinks into the theatre which is acceptable i suppose(i didn't know this at the time though so i successfully brought my glass of wine in with me).They do have a brilliant service to compensate for this as you can pre-order your interval drinks so when you come out your drinks are waiting for you with your allocated number alongside it. Genius:)

The musical itself was outstanding. The voices of some of the actors were unbelievable, especially the Mother Abbess. The children were so cute and really good at their parts. Maria was very like the character she was playing and had a lovely voice also.The props and stage settings looked very realistic and kept changing in every scene so not to get boring.

Tickets only cost €25 for an adult or €20 for an OAP or student. Upcoming acts are: Sicter Act, Mamma Mia, Dirty Dancing and many more. Overall, i would definitely advise anyone to go to this musical for a bit of fun and uplifting.

1916 Rising Walking Tour

2011-03-24T16:36:00.003Z

One of the best things I’ve done in this city I’ve learned to call home is the ‘1916 Rebellion Walking Tour’ with Dubliner Lorcan Collins as the tour guide. Lorcan is a gifted story-teller with a fantastic enthusiasm for this specific and pivotal time in Irish history. In the two hours I spent in his company I learned more about 1916, or perhaps I gained a deeper understanding of it than all my years in school. The tour will appeal to a large audience as Lorcan makes an asserted effort to engage with everyone in the group.
As Lorcan brought the group along the route he pointed out numerous historical interest points that are not obvious to the uninformed as well as the more obvious landmarks such as the GPO and James O’Connell’s statue. Lorcan does not adhere to the ‘pretty’ areas of Dublin as he escorted us down some of the more ‘local’ streets to learn of their relevant to the Rising. However I felt this added to the authenticity of the tour. I must say I felt a sense of privilege to be on the tour when I became aware of some puzzled stares from passersby who must have been intrigued at the attention our group were giving to Lorcan with his larger than life personality.
Lorcan’s knowledge, passion and sense of humour makes this tour a must for both locals and tourists. The pace is very manageable for all ages.
All tours leave from the International Bar, Wicklow Street (10 min walk from Temple Bar Hotel). Monday to Saturday at 11.30am and Sunday at 1pm. The price is a very reasonable €12.

Election Day

2011-02-25T11:51:00.006Z

Election Day Dawns...

It's that crucial time again folks! Nerves and excitement fill the country today as citizens flee to their nearest polling station to vote for their choice of parliament. Workers are rushing out on their lunch break, parents are sneaking out when the kids are gone to bed and the newly turned 18 years old are bravely experiencing their very first public vote, all in an attempt to make our country a better place.

You'll be interested to know that President Mary Mc Aleese and her husband Dr. Martin Mc Aleese both voted in St. Mary's Hospital in the Phoenix Park earlier today. Polls are due to stay open until 10pm tonight so make sure you take a few minutes out of your day to vote for the party you think will do our country the most justice.

The parties running for election today are Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, the Green Party, Sinn Féin, The Socialist Party, Labour Party, People Before Profit, Christian Solidarity Party, The Workers Party and the South Kerry Independent Alliance.

Lets make the country a better place by voting for your chosen party today!

For more information on the election updates, please click the following link http://www.rte.ie/news/election2011/

Girls Night Out

2011-02-15T10:10:00.006Z

Food, Drink and a Bit of a Singsong...

I am now officially a pro at making Dublin's best cocktails! Myself and my work mates hit the town last Thursday night to soak up the city atmosphere after a hard days work.

We started off by going to Salamancas Tapas Bar for an Early Bird meal, which was really good value. I got a glass of wine, a steak and dessert for only €15; it was the perfect portion size too as I wasn't too full or any bit hungry after it.

We journeyed on then to Buskers bar afterwards for our cocktail lessons which were great craic! We got loads of attention from Emre (the guy who gave us the lessons) and we made up some really tasty concoctions. The lessons lasted for two hours, we got two cocktails and one shot and it only cost €25 each!!

Rock Star Karaoke followed after that then which was loads of fun! We got to sing with a live band instead of just singing on stage on your own in front of a tv screen.

All in all, it was a very enjoyable night and I'd highly recommend it to any of you who are in dire need of a fun night out!

Jameson Film Festival

2011-02-09T17:55:00.002Z

Not long to go now until the Jameson Film Festival kicks off in Dublin. The festival runs for ten days from February 17th to 27th and presents over 120 films.

There is a wide range of flims to choose from including categories such as Irish Cinema, Latin Cinema, Real to Reel, French Cinema, First Look...to name but a few.

For more information on the festival and the films check out www.jdiff.com

2011-01-28T09:11:00.002Z

TradFest is back!!

For those of you who enjoy lively music, a couple of beers and mostly a bit of craic, then the TradFest is the thing for you! Already the place is buzzing and its only Friday; two more days of madness to come:) Traditional Irish music is serenading the cobbled streets of Temple Bar, chefs are preparing their best Irish stews and bar staff enthusiasts are mixing up their best Irish coffee yet. Dublin city in January has never felt so busy, which is great after the winter blues. Hotels are filling up with culchies, city people, tourists, families, you name it...people are coming from far and wide to indulge in this festive event. I'm looking forward to finishing work this evening so that i can pop downstairs (to Buskers Bar), have a few drinks and then enjoy a few tunes in the Singers Club. I would recommend 'Clannad' this weekend also; they are a renowed trad band and they are playing tonight and tomorrow night in the Christchurch Cathedral. If you get a chance, pop into Buskers Bar in Temple Bar as there is a once-off TradFest menu created especially for the occasion (and it looks yum!). If you like a copy of the menu you can email me on meeting@tbh.ie

Enjoy yourselves and let me know how you get on or if theres any crazy stories that Dublin needs to hear about!!

Dublin Ocktoberfest is back!

2010-09-28T12:00:00.004+01:00

Dublin Ocktoberfest starts this Thursday, 30th September and runs until 10th October in the IFSC. The event is well worth a visit...at least once! It was a huge success last year with big beer loving crowds filling the wooden benches in the large tents. The energic atmosphere in the tents is created by the Bavarian music as well as the beer. A friendly vibe is created by the clanking of beer mugs with anyone within arms reach. There is plenty of traditional tasty German food on offer. For more information on the event click here. The IFSC is just a 15-20 minute walk from Temple Bar Hotel.

Free Open Air Opera Performances

2010-07-27T09:16:00.003+01:00

Well it's back this August, Dublin City Council will again host a series of lunchtime performances in their Amphitheatre (Civic Offices, Wood Quay, Dublin 8) at 1pm for every Thursday in August.

The line up includes:

5th August: Don Pasquale (Donizetti)

12th August: Ariodante (Handel)

19th August: Cavalleria Rusticana (Mascagan)/Paglicci (Leoncavallo)

26th August: Don Giovanni (Mozart)

I went along to one last year and really enjoyed the ambiance of a unique outdoor Opera performance. The audience were well prepared with picnic baskets and the sun shone! The events are free so do take a trip over. The Amphitheatre is approximately a ten minute walk from Temple Bar Hotel.

Point Village Market

2010-07-16T10:38:00.003+01:00

I am a HUGE fan of markets. I just love to potter around the colourful stalls smelling the aromas and listening to the banter and chatter between the vendors on the various stands. In Dublin we are fast becoming spoilt for choice with markets popping up all over the city. The newest addition being The Point Village Market which is open every Saturday and Sunday from 9am to 5pm. I took the Red line Luas there last Saturday which is very convenient. I was impressed with the amount of stalls. I had one of the best Lattes I have ever had from one stall (the one that is a miniature lorry). I was slightly amused to see the amount of 'cupcakes' on sale, which seems to be the latest phenomenon sweeping the city. Although in many cases (excuse the pun!) they appear to be nothing more than a bun/queen cake that we had when we were young, but now they are called cupcakes and we've all been sucked into the Americanism and paying €2.50 a pop!

My one criticism of the Point Village Market is I feel the area itself. Not that it's a bad area, but I enjoy markets more when they are in a more intimate setting such as a park (Marley Park) and maybe I'm being biased but Temple Bar Markets in Meeting House Square. I would definitely recommend that Dubliners take a trip to these markets but if you're pushed for time and just on a short visit I would take a trip to Temple Bar Markets on Saturdays.

Sensational Summer

2010-06-29T16:00:00.004+01:00

I'm very excited about The Summer Sensational happening in Temple Bar. Organised by Temple Bar Cultural Trust; it's a 4 day festival with events for all ages to participate in and enjoy.

I'm particularly interested in Movies on the Square. Where Dirty Dancing, Jaws and Stand By Me are all being show out doors on big screen. Free admission of course but you need to book tickets here.

For full information click here and don't forget to swing by the Temple Bar Hotel for a cold drink after all the excitement!

Taste of Dublin

2010-06-04T17:15:00.003+01:00

Taste of Dublin is back on June 10th - 13th in the Iveagh Gardens. The food and drink festival is one of the most popular events of the summer with upto 30,000 visitors expected to attend. For some reason the sun always seems to shine for Taste of Dublin (I hope I haven't jinxed it now!). Dublin's top restaurants will display their finest cuisine samples and it's always a good idea to have a good look around before deciding on which to choose.Well known chefs including Darina Allen, Kevin Dundon, Donal Skehan Gino D'Acampo and Rachel Allen will be present and even offering cooking demonstrations.
Taste of Dublin is a great day out for family and friends and if you don't live in Dublin we highly recommend you stay over and make a weekend of it. Temple Bar Hotel is a 20 minute scenic stroll from the Iveagh Gardens.

Volcanic Ash Charter

2010-05-20T14:32:00.003+01:00

At Temple Bar Hotel we are committed to ensuring our guests have an enjoyable and memorable stay with us. Due to the recent volcanic ash cloud disruptions we have developed a charter which we hope will reassure our guests.

If your flight is canceled due to the volcanic ash cloud, we will offer you the following:

· The normal 24 hour cancellation fee is wavered, there will be no charge for cancellations due to the volcanic ash cloud.

· If you do cancel your reservation with us we will guarantee you a rate of €59 (room only) if you re-book with us. You can use this rate at any time in the future (subject to availability).

· If you need to extend your stay with us because your flight is cancelled, we will offer you this rate of €59 room only for the remainder of your stay with us.

· We will be happy to assist you with your onward travel arrangements by contacting airlines/ferry companies/airports for you.

· If you need to extend your stay by two nights or more we will offer a complimentary ticket for a walking tour of Dublin.

· We will offer you 30% off our laundry facilities.

· We offer a €5 main course lunch in Buskers Bar and we will also offer a 10% discount on evening meals in the bar.

· There is complimentary WiFi access available throughout the hotel and bar.

· We will offer complimentary access to the nearby Health & Fitness club.

· Complimentary tea/coffee and newspaper will be made available throughout your stay with us.

· We will provide a 15% discount on Aircoach tickets to Dublin airport.

· We will offer our Full Irish Breakfast for a reduced price of €7.95.

Top 10 things to see & do in Dublin!

2010-04-21T08:30:00.003+01:00

Many Irish people are opting for the staycation option this year and the big dilemma will be where exactly to holiday at home! A few days in the capital offers visitors not only a wealth of things to do but now there is really good value for money to be got here too!

Guinness Storehouse
The Guinness Storehouse is Dublin's most popular visitor attraction. Here you will discover all there is to know about what goes into the making of 'the black stuff'. You can conclude your visit with a complimentary Pint in the stunning Gravity Bar which offers panoramic views of the Dublin skyline.

Book of Kells
The Book of Kells is a 9th Century illuminated manuscript on permanent display in Dublin's Trinity College. Over 500, 000 people come to view this ornate historical book each year.

Dublin Bus Tour
The Dublin Bus Tour offers visitors a convenient way to see Dublin city and its tourist attractions. You can hop on and hop off the bus as often as you wish and the tour guides will ensure you are both well informed and entertained while enroute.

Jameson Distillery
The Distillery was built in 1780 and the tour brings you on a complete tour of whiskey making and ends with a whiskey tasting in the Jameson bar. A visit to the distillery is a truly unforgettable experience as visitors can get a true sense of Ireland and its history.

Dublin Castle
Dublin Castle is one of the city's most historical attractions. Built in 1204 it is one of the oldest surviving buildings in the city. It now houses a new visitor centre in its vaulted basement.

Dublin Zoo
Dublin Zoo is the third oldest zoo in the world (after London and Paris). The zoo has over 240 species of wild animals and tropical birds. It is a popular attraction for both locals and visitors. It is located in Phoenix Park, fondly known as Dublin's playground, it is the largest park in Europe and offers a welcome retreat for city dwellers looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life.

Kilmainham Gaol
Kilmainham Gaol is well worth a visit as it provides an insight into the history of Irish Republicanism. It is one of the most famous disused prisons in Ireland.

St. Stephen's Green
This city centre park is beautifully landscaped with flowerbeds, trees, lakes and a fountain. It is a popular spot for office workers at lunch time, especially during the summertime.

Trinity College
Trinity College was founded in 1592 and among its most famous students to attend the college were playwrights Oliver Goldsmith and Samuel Beckett. Trinity College is home to the Book of Kells.

Temple Bar
The Temple Bar area is a must see for everyone visiting Dublin. This cultural area of Dublin has become known as the Old City and it possesses a unique and wonderful atmosphere and buzz. The bars and restaurants are alive with music and dance every evening and numerous festivals and events take place here throughout the year.

Temple Bar Hotel is currently offering a special rate of €79 per person sharing for two nights B&B, a complimentary drink on arrival, tickets to either the Guinness Storehouse, Jameson Distillery or Dublin Bus Tour. An optional third night is available for just €30 per person sharing. To book call (01) 677 3333 or email reservations@tbh.ie

Handel's Festival Dublin, April 13th

2010-04-07T12:12:00.003+01:00

As I have said in many posts, Temple Bar is a great area for hosting free events. Coming up on Tuesday, 13th April is 'In Handel's Day' which is a one day event run by Temple Bar Cultural Trust. The famous Handel's Messiah was first performed in Temple Bar (on Fishamble Street) on April 13th, 1742 and on April 13th this year there will be lots of free activities from 10am to midnight to commemorate it. Some of the events include:

Let's Walk & Talk: Handel's Dublin - Then & Now (11am)
This is a historical walking tour with Pat Liddy. It is free and no booking is required.

Messiah on the Street (1pm)
A unique choral performance of excerpts from Handel's Messiah on the original site on Fishamble Street, Temple Bar where Messiah received its world premiere in 1742. Again this is free and no booking is required.

Fishamble Street is a 5 minute walk from Temple Bar Hotel.
Check out www.templebar.ie for a full programme of events.

Free Travel for Tourists!

2010-03-18T11:19:00.004Z

Are you a tourist visiting Ireland? Are you aged 66 or over?

If you said yes to both questions you are entitled to a free Golden Trekker ticket!

Golden Trekker tickets entitle you to free rail travel when in Ireland. The scheme which launched today provides free rail travel to all tourists to Ireland aged 66 and over. There is no restriction on nationality or country of residence.

You can access your tickets on www.discoverireland.com. The tickets will take the form of a four day Trekker ticket or a sequence of four day tracker tickets depending on the length of stay, providing visitors with unrestricted rail travel for a set period. Each four day ticket is worth €100.

Irish senior citizens can currently avail of free travel and every time my mother who lives at home in West Cork comes to visit myself and my two sisters in Dublin she likes to remind us that she used her free travel pass. I witnessed her producing her pass to the train inspector recently and the look of apprehension on her face expressed the fear that he would demand she pay up! But the scheme is genuine and hopefully our Golden Trekkers will help strengthen Irish tourism by encouraging visitors to move around our beautiful countryside and cities. Check out routes and times on www.irishrail.ie. Unfortunately I have to wait another 36 years to avail of free travel!!

Dublin Convention Centre

2010-02-26T15:05:00.003Z

I am just back from a site visit of the Dublin Convention Centre and I am very impressed! The Convention Centre is due to open on 1st September and it will bring a lot of business for Dublin hotels. Myself and my colleague walked there this morning from Temple Bar Hotel and it took us just over fiftheen minutes. The other option is to walk five minutes to the Luas stop and it would be just another five minutes on the Luas.

What I loved about the Convention Centre it is the glass fronted atrium. The idea being that when you are moving around the centre itself you can actually see panoramic views Dublin City! The taxi fare from the Dublin Convention Centre back to Temple Bar Hotel was €7.30 which is very good! I think a lot of visitors will want to stay city centre and especially in the Temple Bar area where they can really relax and experience Dublin after a long day in a meeting. There are so many bars, restaurants and cafes in the area that visitors will be spoilt for choice.

Festival of Russian Culture

2010-02-19T17:13:00.003Z

Dublin continues to amaze me! The amount of festivals and events in this city is just fantastic. Well I do come from rural West Cork where the only event was the annual Festival with the 'Rag' as the main event!! I've just found out about the Festival of Russian Culture started on February 15th and continues until February 21st. There will be a collection of informative films on Russia screened in Meeting House Square, Temple Bar this evening and tomorrow evening. If I hadn't made plans already I'd love to go along to the Pepper Canister Church to see the musical 'To Russia with Love'. Click here for a full list of events for the festival.
Most of the festival events are walking distance from Temple Bar Hotel.

St. Patrick's Day Grandstand tickets to giveaway!

2010-02-11T16:04:00.000Z

St. Patrick's Day is something special and spending the day in Dublin is on most people's to do list. The Dublin Parade is always a spectacular event and this year the theme is 'Extraordinary world'. Scenes from the Dublin parade are broadcast throughout the world and thousands come to the city to see for themselves how the Irish celebrate being Irish!

The biggest problem on the day is trying to find the best vantage point to view the parade. That's where we help out! We have two pairs of VIP Grandstand tickets to give away to the first two people who book into Temple Bar Hotel for March 16th and 17th. Just email me on sales@tbh.ie or call me (01) 612 9286 to book your room (€80 per person per night) and claim the tickets! The tickets are worth €60 each! For more information on the hotel see http://www.templebarhotel.com/.

We also have 10 tens of tickets for the City at Play fun fairs for the 10 best comments that describe their best St. Patrick's Day in 30 words or less!

Jameson International Film Festival Dublin

2010-02-10T18:00:00.000Z

The Jameson Film Festival which takes place from February 18th to 28th is one of those festivals which is going from strength to strength. There will be over 120 film and documentary works screened over the 10 days. The popularity of the festival is due mainly to the fact that it offers in a lot of cases the only chance for people to see the film and many of them are Irish premieres. This year there are a few films that have caught my attention including Ondine which was shot in my home County of Cork and stars the handsome Mr. Colin Farrell. It also happens to be the Opening Gala film. There is also a chance to see a number of classics, most notably La Dolce Vita. For more information see www.jdiff.com. All the venues are within walking distance of Temple Bar Hotel.

Picturing New York @ the Irish Museum of Modern Art

2010-02-01T10:55:00.000Z

I was very excited to see that the Irish Museum of Modern Art is displaying a photo exhibit called Picturing New York. I just returned from New York City on Thursday morning so with the energy of the city still pulsing through my veins I immediately summoned my fellow New York loving friends to an afternoon of indulgence! It’s one of those cities that I can never get enough of and the queue of people (or the line as the Americans like to call to it!) was testament to the fact that I am not alone in my love of the Big Apple.

The Picturing New York photo exhibition in the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) features a collection of 145 black and white photographs from the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York. The photos capture everything that symbolises the diversity of New York from its architecture to its people but all portraying the vibrancy and velocity of the city. There were moments when I was captivated by an image of an iconic building and moments where I smiled at simple human interactions captured by the camera lens.

Admission is €5 so it won’t break the bank and the collection can be viewed in about 40 minutes so there’s not enough time for museum fatigue to set it. Like the city itself, it leaves you wanting more. It runs until 7th February.

From Temple Bar Hotel, take the Luas (Red line) to Heuston Station, 5 mintues walk from here to entrance on Military road.

Temple Bar TradFest coming up

2010-01-13T16:42:00.000Z

Temple Bar TradFest was launched yesterday. It takes place over 5 days and nights from January 27th to 31st. Try to pick up a Programme of Events which will give you a good guide to all the performances in Temple Bar.

Is there anything more magical than a pub filled with the sound of traditional Irish music? It is at the very core of the Irish culture. There's an energy in traditional Irish music that attracts people of every nationality and makes them want to get up and dance a jig! Irish music sessions keep Irish music alive right across the globe. For visitors to Ireland that are seeking out Irish cultural experiences, a traditional Irish music session is highly recommended. But also for locals who have experienced extreme weather conditions lately, it is the perfect way to raise your spirits and celebrate being Irish!

Temple Bar Tradfest 2010

2009-12-21T12:32:00.000Z

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

2009-11-26T12:14:00.000Z

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!

2009-10-09T12:17:00.000+01:00

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!

2009-10-07T17:23:00.000+01:00

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!

2009-10-06T15:44:00.000+01:00

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

2009-09-22T15:59:00.000+01:00

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!

2009-09-14T17:07:00.000+01:00

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!

2009-08-25T13:08:00.000+01:00

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!

2009-08-18T17:11:00.000+01:00

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

2009-08-04T14:28:00.000+01:00

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!

2009-07-30T12:46:00.000+01:00

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!

2009-07-10T16:05:00.000+01:00

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!

2009-07-03T18:01:00.000+01:00

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

2009-06-30T15:22:00.000+01:00

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

2009-06-22T16:58:00.000+01:00

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

2009-06-18T11:46:00.000+01:00

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!

2009-06-17T17:45:00.001+01:00

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!

2009-06-09T16:53:00.000+01:00

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…..

2009-06-02T12:55:00.000+01:00

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…..

2009-05-28T14:23:00.000+01:00

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!

2009-05-25T13:13:00.001+01:00

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!!

2009-05-18T11:49:00.000+01:00

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!

2009-05-05T14:59:00.000+01:00

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!

2009-04-27T16:45:00.000+01:00

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!

2009-04-21T14:11:00.000+01:00

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!

2009-04-14T12:18:00.000+01:00

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.