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.

Dublin Marathon

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.

Blood Brothers at the Gaiety

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/.

Bridges over the Liffey

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.

Dublin Gospel Choir

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.

1916 Rising Walking Tour

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.

Jameson Film Festival

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

Dublin Ocktoberfest is back!

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.

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.

Taste of Dublin

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.

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.

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.

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.

Picturing New York @ the Irish Museum of Modern Art

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

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

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

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

Christmas Markets in Dublin's IFSC

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

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

Dublin Beer Festival! A Great Night Out!

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

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

Dublin Beer Fest!

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

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

Walking distance from Temple Bar Hotel - 15 minutes.