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.

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!

Christmas Markets in Dublin's IFSC

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

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

Dublin Beer Fest!

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

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

Walking distance from Temple Bar Hotel - 15 minutes.

Dine in Dublin Week!

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

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

For bookings, contact the restaurants directly. Happy dining!