Dublin's Fair City-Hidden Gems and Free Activities

The Dublin Summer never fails to disappoint....

Ok so maybe the lack of sunny weather in Ireland during the summer months does sometimes let us down but the one positive we can take from the rain during the summer is that we will always have something to talk about! And remember that!...if you need an ice breaker when in a conversation with an Irish person, the weather will never let you down.

Whatever the weather there is always something going on in Dublin's Fair City and this year some of the most exciting events budget friendly or free of charge!

Why not take in the stunning surroundings of Dublin's (somewhat hidden) Iveagh gardens and enjoy some of Shakespeare's finest work. This free event promises to bring culture and art to Dublin. It runs right through August and people are encouraged to pack picnic's and really make the most of it!

For those of you who remember the Tall Ships Festival back in 1998 you will understand why the Tall Ships Festival 2012 is something not to be missed. For those of you who were not there-take our word you won't want to miss this! Dublin will be the final host port for the Tall Ships race this year and in light of that there is a full schedule in place of free live music, parades and the opportunity to jump onboard and see what the it feels like to be a captain! The festival will run from 23rd to 26th of August.

If all that isn't enough for you the Vodaphone Comedy Festival will take place during the 26th and 29th of July in the Iveagh Gardens and the Street Performers World Championship will take place in Merrion Square from the 19th to 22nd of July.

If you prefer to take things at a slower pace or need a bed to rest your head or just need somewhere to store your bags while you party the night away Temple Bar Hotel have packages to suit everyone this summer. Click here to check out the Summer Wine Down Promotion running in July and August.

Christmas Parties in Temple Bar Hotel Dublin

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

Nice Italian Restaurant in Temple Bar

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.

Barrack Obama's Visit

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!

Free Open Air Opera Performances

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

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.

Top 10 things to see & do in Dublin!

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

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.

Dublin Convention Centre

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

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!

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

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.

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.

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!

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!

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.