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.
7.10.09
6.10.09
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!
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!
22.9.09
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!
14.9.09
Great Steakhouse in Temple Bar!
Working in Temple Bar feels like belonging to a little community, which can be a rare feeling in such a large and diverse city. So last Thursday after work we decided to 'keep it local' and stay in Temple Bar for dinner. FXB's Steakhouse has a great reputation in Dublin, with 5 restaurants around the city. They have a value menu for €24.95 for 3 courses but about 3 of the 7 main courses have a supplement. Saying that, it is still good value as all 3 courses are of superb quality.
The restaurant was not full but busy when we arrived. The atmosphere was cosy with some of the seating with sheepskin rugs over the backs of them. We ordered a lovely bottle of Fleurie to complement the steaks. I had the fish cakes to start which were very tasty. For the main course the Ribeye steak was done to perfection. It was served with homemade chips, mash and vegetables. The waiter then correctly guessed our dessert choices, much to our amusement! My boyfriend thought he had overheard us but I figured the girl always goes for the chocolate dessert as I did and the guys go for the ice-cream as he did! All 3 courses were of a really good quality and it was one of those meals that was so satisfying that I was thinking about it for days afterwards!
If you like steak, you will like FXBs!
The 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!
25.8.09
The Best Things in Dublin are Free!
I’d like to say a big ‘Thank You’ to Sir Alfred Chester Beatty for the donation of his vast collection of manuscripts, miniature paintings, rare books and artefacts from Asia, the Middle East, North Africa and Europe that make up the museum/library named after him. His once private collection is now a national treasure located on the grounds of Dublin Castle in Dublin city centre.
Last Sunday myself and my friend decided to take a much overdue visit to the Chester Beatty Library, stopping off on the way at a quaint French café restaurant called Chez Maz for a leisurely cappuccino. We decided to sit outside so we could cope with our hangover-induced hot flushes.
Because entry is free we decided to visit just one of the permanent exhibitions as there is so much to take in that we took our time in the ‘Arts of the Book’ collection. We plan to return again and visit the others. The collection is housed in an expansive dimly lit room which felt relaxed and peaceful to walk around. We took time to read all the explanatory notes next to each artefact and enjoyed the unique beauty of the ancient manuscripts and paintings.
Before heading home we took a stroll upstairs to the roof top Japenese Zen garden and relaxed under the warm sunshine. There are viewing areas around the garden where you can see areas of Dublin castle and the city. We also had the pleasure of hearing the distant melody of church bells ringing out around the city. It did feel quite barren there with a lack of greenery but we still found it an oasis of tranquillity on a sunny Summer’s afternoon in late August.
The Chester Beatty museum/library is gushing with culture and the joy of the place is in the diversity of the collections. I’m already looking forward to my return visit. If you live in Dublin it’s the perfect way to while away an afternoon or indeed if you’re a visitor to the city you will find it an interesting stop off for an hour or two depending on your time. For more information visit the website www.cbl.ie.
Walking distance from Temple Bar Hotel - 10 minutes
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
18.8.09
BBQ in Powerscourt Waterfalls!
Well my initial plan was to write a blog about things to do in Temple Bar, then I branched out a little and included the Dublin area and now I’m even including Wicklow! Sure where will it stop I hear you ask?!? But I think Powerscourt Waterfalls are a popular destination for both tourists and locals and definitely worth a mention.
I’m a huge fan of barbeques! I just love the whole concept of cooking outdoors or more so the concept of getting the men to do the cooking for a change! Usually a few comments in the line of ‘It’s such a manly thing to do’ has them cooking without too much complaint! Last Saturday I got it in my head that I wanted a barbeque and what better a destination that on the grounds of Powerscourt waterfall in Wicklow. I would highly recommend it to tourists and locals as a relaxing way to spend an afternoon.
When we left Dublin at midday the grey clouds were looming overhead but we decided to continue on and luckily by the time we arrived in Powerscourt the sun was shining and we managed to get a perfect spot next to an old tree trunk which we put our disposable bbq on. There was also a wooden bench and table next to it to prepare the food on. It wasn’t too long before the charcoals were lighting and the smoky barbeque smell was wafting through the air. There were about five other groups all enjoying a barbeques nearby and there was a sense of summer giddiness in the air. Two beef burgers and a lamb kebab later the belly was full and we were stretched out on the rug reading the Saturday papers with the warm sunshine on our backs and the sound of flowing waterfall in our ears.
Half an hour later it was time to pull out the flask of tea from the car boot (oh the memories of the 80s came flooding back!!), although I was delighted that jam sandwiches were replaced nicely with a slice of home made carrot cake. We walked up to the base of the waterfall and lay the rug down with our cups of tea. But just before you start thinking it was all perfect, I must warn you about the annoying midgets that we had to deal with that did their level best to ruin our day! Another downside is the €5 per adult charge to get into the Waterfalls, tis a bit Irish!
Powerscourt Waterfalls are only a 40 minute drive from Dublin. Daily bus tours are available to Powerscourt if you don’t have access to a car. It's an ideal day trip for people living in Dublin that are looking for something different to do on a sunny Sunday!
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!
4.8.09
Opera in the Open 2009
Since I moved to Dublin 6 years ago I have at various stages said farewell to friends that have got the calling back to Cork. Their time in the capital had been done and they were ready to move home! The one thing they all say they miss about Dublin is that there is so much to do here! And I must say I have to agree. You are allowed only two excuses, one being laziness and the other being penniless but on this occasion it won't cost you a bob so if you don't make a trip you are downright lazy! :)
This Thursday Dublin City Council is starting their Summer lunchtime Opera series which is free! It runs for five weeks and here is the superb line up....
August 6th – 1.00 pm : THE MAGIC FLUTE – Mozart
August 13th – 1.00 pm : JULIUS CEASAR– Handel
August 20th – 1.00 pm: DON PASQUALE – Donizetti
August 27th - 1.00 pm: HANSEL UND GRETEL – Humperdinck
September 3rd – 1.00 pm : IDOMENEO – Mozart
So whether you reside in Dublin or you're here visiting it is worth taking a lunchtime trip to the amphitheater at the Civic Offices, Wood Quay to see the Opera. Let's just hope the weather stays dry! For more more information check out the Dublin Tourism website.
Walking distance from Temple Bar Hotel - 12 minutes.
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.
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