Posts filed under 'Places to Visit'
Planning permission has been granted for the first phase of the terminal expansion at Ireland West Airport Knock. The airport expansion is due to be completed by the end of the year.
Currently, Ireland West Airport Knock can carry 500,000 passengers a year. When the new developments are completed, this should rise to 800,000.
The terminal expansion will include a new security screening area, an expanded check-in hall, additional departures capacity and enhancements to the baggage sorting facility.
There is also a second extension planned for 2009-2010, which will provide additional arrivals capacity and further develop the departures areas.
April 9th, 2008
An Aide de Service - a specially designed service stop for motorhomes - has been launched at Askeaton in County Limerick.
Previously practically unheard of in Ireland, Aide de Services are common throughout the UK and the rest of Europe. According to current Aide de Service sites, they can bring in the benefits of tourist activity, such as increased business for local shops and restaurants.
The first official Aire de Service in Askeaton forms part of the Askeaton Pool and Leisure Centre Development and is close to the Tourist Information Point at Askeaton Civic Trust House.
Many tourists enjoy driving holidays in Ireland, touring the country in their motorhomes. Research has shown they tend to stay longer in the country, spend more money and travel to more rural locations.
An Aide de Service post will include some or all of the following: a fresh water fill point, waste water emptying point, chemical toilet emptying point, rubbish disposal facility and in some cases, even an electrical hook-up. Those using the service say it is an excellent way to meet fellow motorhome owners.
April 9th, 2008
In the 80 years since it opened the Gate Theatre has been a unique venue. It has only had two artistic directors in its time, a level of consistency not seen in any other theatre.
In 1991 the Gate was the first theatre in the world to show a full retrospective of Samuel Beckett’s 19 stage plays. The theatre has also been at the forefront of promoting Irish writing and acting talent.
Over the past 25 years, the Gate Theatre has continued to refurbish, improve and expand on the 18th century building it is housed in. This building has been an architectural focal point in Dublin for over 200 years.
This year sees the Gate celebrate 80 years since it opened its doors as a theatre. Don’t miss the programme of plays and talks to mark this momentous event.
March 26th, 2008
Every Saturday from 10AM - 5PM, The Designer Mart will showcase the work of over 30 Irish and Irish-based designers.
This is a great chance to see beautiful handmade creations in the areas of fashion, furnishings, crafts and visual arts.
The Designer Mart at Cow’s Lane, Temple Bar will run on every Saturday from March 22nd.
March 18th, 2008
The 19th century was a period of great change for Dublin. By 1800 the population of Dublin had risen to around 180,000. To meet the needs of the growing population, fever hospitals were opened in Dublin in 1803 and 1804. The most common fever was typhus, sometimes called gaol fever, because it was so common in prisons.
In the early 19th century several new bridges were built across the River Liffey to improve transportation in Dublin. O’Donovan Rossa bridge was built in 1813; Ha’Penny Bridge (also called Liffey Bridge) opened in 1816 and Kingsbridge opened in 1828. This later had its name changed to Heuston bridge). Queen Victoria bridge, now Rory O’More Bridge was built in 1859. The Royal Canal was opened in 1817.
A column with a statue of Nelson on top was erected in 1808. It was destroyed in the 1960s. In 1855 the fair which had been held each year since the 13th century was stopped. In 1825 St Mary’s Protestant Cathedral was built.
In 1824 a gasworks was built in Dublin and gas was used to light the streets from 1825. The first electric lights in Dublin were switched on in 1881 but electric light was a rare novelty until the early 20th century. In the early 19th century sewers were laid but only in the middle class districts (poor areas could not pay the necessary rates). The sewers were extended in the 1850s, 1860s and 1870s.
The railway reached Dublin in 1834 when a line to Kingsbridge was built. Horse drawn buses began running in Dublin in 1840. They were followed by horse drawn trams in 1872.
From 1838 there were workhouses in Dublin where the destitute were fed and housed. During the potato famine they were overwhelmed by the numbers fleeing starvation in the countryside. Soup kitchens had to be set up in the streets to try and feed them. Although the population of Ireland fell sharply after the famine the population of Dublin actually rose because of the number of starving people fleeing to the city.
In 1853 an industrial exhibition was held in Dublin on Leinster Lawn. The Zoological Gardens opened in Phoenix Park in 1830. Portobello Gardens opened as a park in 1839. A Natural History Museum opened in 1857. The National Gallery of Ireland opened in 1864. The National Museum of Ireland opened in 1890. The Gaiety Theatre opened in 1871. In 1882 a memorial to O’Connell was erected in O’Connell Street.
The Catholic University was founded in 1845. Catholics were allowed to attend Trinity College after 1873 but the Catholic church disapproved of Catholics going there. Glasnevin Catholic cemetery opened in 1832. In 1892 a new fruit and vegetable market opened and in 1897 a new fish market opened.
March 12th, 2008
Ron Black’s is all about socialising around food and drink.
Its city centre location makes it a convenient meeting place for locals and tourists and the split-level arrangement is exciting. The quality furnishings in Ron Black’s create a comfort zone; especially the lounge area at the rear of the ground floor bar and restaurant area. There is a variety of choice for a variety of moods and needs.
Whether you want to sit at the bar, people watch at the window or recline lazily on one of the couches at the rear, you can at Ron Black’s. You can even invite 150 of your friends to a party with its own private bar.
The restaurant area seats 200, making a lively atmosphere. The quality of the service is exceptional from a Europe-wide staff blessed with extra charm and courtesy.
The lunch menu combines excellent flavours with great value. Nothing on the food menu exceeds €10.50. If you have a soft spot for side orders such as delicious onion rings or cheese and garlic ciabatta. Main meals include beef cannelloni, Thai chicken curry, lasagne and Caesar salads, but even in these sophisticated circumstances, bangers and mash, fish and chips and burgers are also on offer. The younger members of the party will love them.
Sunday brunch comes highly recommended and the prices for evening meals do not drift upwards.
Ron Black’s is located opposite the Mansion House in Dawson Street.
March 4th, 2008
Pub chain Thomas Read has won the Best Multiple Operator award in the Irish Region at the Ireland & UK Theme Bar and Restaurant Awards 2008.
They were also nominated for Best New Bar, Best Drinks Selection and Best Bar Team.
The Best Multiple Operator Award was judged throughout all 32 counties of Ireland and the winners were announced on the 26th February in Belfast
All the winners automatically qualify as finalists for the Ireland & UK Theme Bar and Restaurant Awards Final. This takes place on the 17th June in London.
The Theme Bar and Restaurant Awards celebrates the best in the hospitality industry.
Now in their seventh year, they include four regional nomination parties and culminate in the Ireland & UK Final, where over 800 key professionals celebrate the dynamic and exciting industry.
The winners are chosen through a mixture of online voting, extensive canvassing of opinion from key regional contacts and mystery visiting. At the end of the process a winner for each category in each region is announced, with the four regional winners subject to further scrutiny and mystery visits prior to the announcement of the Ireland & UK Theme Bar and Restaurant Awards 2008 Winners on 17th June.
The four regions are: Ireland, Scotland, the South of England (covering everywhere south of Birmingham) and The North of England and Wales (this covers everywhere north of Birmingham and Wales).
The Thomas Read Group has successfully operated some of Dublin’s finest, cutting-edge and market-leading bars and restaurants.
Along with the original Thomas Read & Oak Bar, the group’s portfolio has expanded into different markets and includes popular venues such as Ron Black’s, The Bailey, Searsons, Lincoln’s Inn, The Globe, Ri-Ri, Pravda, Harbourmaster, Floridita Dublin, Thomas Read Smithfield, Thomas House, TRG Airport, Bodega Wine & Tapas Bar and Kingswood Country House.
They also run the Dawson Lounge, famed as the smallest bar in Dublin.
Recent additions including The Champagne Bar and The Winding Stair Restaurant & Bookshop prove the company’s commitment to leading the way in the food and drink sector.
The award winning Winding Stair Restaurant & Bookshop is situated on Lower Ormond Quay. Specialising in simple Irish cooking with an organic direction and extensive wine list, their latest award is the Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand.
Its ‘unique’ atmosphere has been maintained and it still attracts many regulars who visit daily. The Winding Stair establishment is widely seen as one of Dublin’s hidden gems.
The Champagne Bar, located on the 1st Floor above Ron Black’s, is renowned for its large selection of Champagnes & Wines and its beautiful décor.
On the back of this, the Thomas Read Group has secured the ‘exclusive distribution’ rights for Henri Abelé Champagne in Ireland. This excellent Brut Traditional NV is true, highly-spirited champagne with distinctive floral aromas and a pleasing crispness.
With an expanding selection of venues, the Thomas Read group should expect even more success in the future.
February 29th, 2008
If you are looking for a traditional Dublin pub, there are few better choices than the Lower Deck. Situated canalside at Portobello, the Lower Deck has benefited from the infill operation at the harbour.
The pleasant paved civic area that has been created enhances the Lower Deck’s environment and also provides some shelter if you are a smoker.
While the harbour may have changed dramatically outside, inside the ambience in the Lower Deck is just as gracious, homely and comfortable as ever.
The black and white pictures of old Dublin at the entrance to the pub set the scene. The panelled mirrors and the dominance of timber have resisted the advance of modernity, but for one important exception – the TV screens. This intrusion is allowed because the clientele love their sport – especially the GAA teams Tipperary and Dublin.
It is an ideal venue for visitors seeking a live music scene and a party night out. A great range of musical tastes is catered for, with sing-along cabaret shows, plenty of rock music and traditional Irish music.
Inside or out life is good on the Lower Deck.
January 31st, 2008
Dublin Castle is one of the most important tourist attractions in Ireland, and has played an important role in Irish history throughout the centuries.
Construction began in 1204 and by 1230, Dublin Castle was largely complete. The original castle was of typical Norman design, with a defensive tower and each corner and a courtyard instead of a keep. Today, Record Tower is the sole surviving tower of the medieval castle.
The castle continued to evolve and change use over the years, acting as the seat of government, a prison, a royal residence and, its original purpose, a defensive fort.
Today Dublin Castle is a great tourist attraction and is also used to host state functions. The castle complex also hosts the Chester Beatty Library, which houses the manuscripts collected by Sir Alfred Chester Beatty.
No visit to Ireland is complete without visiting Dublin Castle – a remarkable building with a remarkable history.
January 29th, 2008
Jaipur, winner of the Best World Cuisine Award in 2004 counts celebrities such as Bono, Van Morrison, Pierce Brosnan, authors Maeve Binchy and Hugh Leonard among its satisfied customers.
Jaipur is an authentic Indian restaurant in the charming village of Dalkey, which nestles between Killiney Hill and the Dublin Bay coast. Everything on the menu celebrates traditional Indian cooking, no more than the special Gourmet Menu. Priced at €40 Euro per person, this includes eleven delectable items.
As well as using traditional ingredients, the chefs in Jaipur recreate authentic cooking methods. For instance, to produce the rustic smoked taste for the kebabs, the traditional Punjab wood charcoal method is used.
According to manager Poojary, the Jaipur menu: “reflects the confluence of flavours drawn from the four corners of the Indian sub-continent. We endeavour to cook each dish in its purest traditional culinary form with spicing levels determined by the customer or the talented chef, Sunic.”
Jaipur talented staff have interpreted Indian cuisine and reproduced it in the context of the contemporary Irish environment. The result is a cooking format along European lines which is a process of refining the sauces and producing distinctive layers of flavours for the palate. This detailed dedication is truly admirable.
Jaipur in Dalkey is open seven days a week from 5.30 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Early bird specials are available from 5.30 to 7 p.m - three delicious courses for just €20.
January 8th, 2008
There’s still time to pick up some great gifts at the Temple Bar Christmas Market.
The markets are on every Saturday and Sunday in the run-up to Christmas. That’s the 15th, 16th, 22nd and 23rd of December. Each day’s trading runs from 9.3AM to 4PM.
The Old City area in Temple Bar is completely pedestrianised, so you can enjoy a wander about the cobbled streets,without worrying about traffic.
You will be able to get jewellery, beauty products, decorations and much more at the Temple Bar Christmas Market. If all that shopping gives you an appetite, enjoy a cup of mulled wine and lunch at one of the local cafes or bakeries.
December 13th, 2007
The Unicorn in Merrion Court is a famous name in Dublin’s restaurant scene, where it has served its citizens and visitors for over 60 years.
The Unicorn is an established rendezvous for the movers and shakers in society, especially for Saturday lunch when it is popular with political animals, media types, thespians, musicians and playwrights. It offers a lively contemporary atmosphere with a sure-fire sense of occasion and a fidelity to Italian cuisine which is “religious” in its intensity.
Proprietors Giorgio and Jeff, who acquired the restaurant in 1995 from the family who ran it for the previous 58 years, believe in hands on management. The details of the traceable origin of the food are included on the menu. They monitor the quality of the food and its regional origins in Tuscany, Lombardy or Piedmont.
The outdoor terraced section of the restaurant which makes the Merrion Court a most colourful scene is a smokers’ sanctuary par excellence. Weather permitting, al fresco dining is enjoyed by non smokers to.
The Unicorn is a highly successful business which has expanded to a piano bar in a separate building and thriving retail outlet for Italian food. The professional staffs, including chefs Paul Skelton and Brian Farren, enjoy a well earned reputation for friendliness and efficient service.
Book a table at the Unicorn to experience the excellent Italian cuisine.
November 28th, 2007
Celebrate the festive season with a visit to the Howth Ice Rink.
The Howth is Magic on Ice includes an all weather ice rink, refreshment stands and a free playground for younger children.
If you want a break from the ice rink, or can’t stay up on the ice, you can also enjoy the view of Howth harbour. See if you can see the seals.
Howth is Magic on Ice is open from December 14th to January 13th, from 12pm - 10pm during the week and 11am - 10pm at weekends.
Open hours
Adult - €15
Child Under 12 - €8
Family - €44
Students - €12
School Children - €8
Tiny Tots - €8
Spectators - €2 entrance fee
Enjoy a great day out with Howth is Magic on Ice.
November 22nd, 2007
From the moment you step into Poulot’s Restaurant in Donnybrook, Dublin, you are entering a comfort zone, designed so you can relax and enjoy your meal.
And you certainly will enjoy your meal. Charming though the environment may be, the food prepared and cooked by Jean-Michel Poulot surpasses everything. A speciality is a Japanese-style yellow fin tuna, while the loin of venison is wonderful and delicately flavoured.
Poulot’s is not cheap. How could cuisine of this calibre be so? But it is superb value. For sheer flair, its excellence will make any celebration memorable.
The imaginative dishes set Poulot’s in a class apart. Starters include rabbit loin served with basil risotto, pepper compote and sage butter or seared duck fois gras, served with fig compote, toasted brioche and vinegar syrup. Main courses like the fillet of barbary duck is worth ordering just for the buttered green cabbage with which it is served. Seafood dishes include spiced scallops or roasted fillet of sea bass. Both are highly recommended.
For good calorific value try Opera Carupano for dessert. It contains 70% cocoa chocolate fondant! A little of what you fancy indeed.
November 15th, 2007
There are many great wines - some that are known for the vibrant colour, some because they are bursting with flavour, some because of the pleasing packaging.
Beaujolais Nouveau stands out from the pack. It is a wine free of pretentiousness, without the complexities that may intimidate those new to wine tasting.
From Thursday 15th November, Beajolais Nouveau is available at La Mere Zou, in St Stephen’s Green, Dublin. You can book a table at this wonderful restaurant quickly and easily with DublinEvents.
Beaujois Nouveau is very much an ‘immediate’ wine, so don’t miss your chance to sample this year’s vintage.
November 13th, 2007
Who would travel to Italy and not eat spaghetti?
Well, when you travel to Ireland you have to try the local speciality – boxty. And where better than Gallagher’s Boxty House, who specialise in this rustic dish.
Boxty is a traditional potato pancake. While the name comes from the Gaelic “Aran Bocht Ti” (meaning “Poorhouse Bread”) the chefs at Gallagher’s Boxty House have turned this simple dish into a wonderfully special and mouth-watering meal.
Gallagher’s Boxty House is situated along the old cobblestone streets of Dublin’s cosmopolitan Temple Bar district, and has made serving unique Irish food presented in a contemporary, European context a speciality.
The ambience is just right for a restaurant located in vibrant Temple Bar with live traditional and modern Irish music played every day.
Prices start from €9.95 to €12.95, making Gallagher’s Boxty House an ideal choice for a lunchtime meal, available from 12.00pm - 4.00pm). The Early Bird Menu offers great value at €15.95 for 2 courses or €18.95 for a three course meal, available from 4.30pm - 6.30pm.
You can also pick up a Gallagher’s Boxty House polo shirt, cigarette lighter or keyring as a souvenir of your visit to a restaurant that celebrates the finest traditions in Irish cuisine.
You can book a table at Gallagher’s Boxty House quickly and easily with DublinEvents.
October 29th, 2007
On Wednesday 22 August, Bud Rising commences in Dublin at 17.30 bringing three rebellious acts to whip your Wednesday into shape. The line up:
- Silversun Pickups 17.45
- Nine Inch Nails 18.45
- Foo Fighters 20.30
Silversun Pickups (also known as SSPU)
A well thought out opener to a well thought out festival – SSPU open the live music event at Dublin’s Marlay Park blasting out favourites such as Well Thought Out Twinkles and Kissing Families.
The band have been likened to The Smashing Pumpkins, so you know there’s no need for them to visit the School of Rock - well there wouldn’t be as band member Tanya Haden has already picked up tips from husband Jack Black.
Nine Inch Nails
Industro-rocky sounds and anti-US political messages are to be expected from Trent Reznor’s live ensemble at the gig at Marlay Park.
The release of the latest Nine Inch Nails album, Year Zero, in April is part of a concept album and spin off reality game that aims to capture the imagination of future generations.
Reznor’s album envisages an Orwellian existence and is a reaction against the Bush administration and US Military – so music fans should be prepared for some speeches and stunts dotted throughout the performance.
Previous NIN gigs saw Reznor plant flash drives randomly for fans to find – so who knows what to expect at this live event in Dublin.
Find out more about the Year Zero spin-off game
Foo Fighters
Foo fans will be anxious to hear new material from the Foo Fighters when they play live in Dublin. The band’s latest album Echoes, Silence, Patience and Grace, is set for release on September 25, 2007 and marks a reunion for the band with record producer Gil Norton. Gil helped produce The Colour and The Shape in 1997.
Foo Fighters front man and lead vocalist Dave Grohl also has links with funnyman Jack Black as they appeared dressed in drag as frisky rednecks on the video for Low which was banned from MTV! Grohl also played drums on Tenacious D’s 2001 debut album and played the devil in the video for Tenacious D’s song Tribute.
Get a sneak preview of The Pretenders, the first single to be released off the new Foo Fighter’s album
For the latest Foo music news and tour dates, visit the main site
No patience? Book tickets to see them headline and kick off this Bud-tastic live music event in Dublin
August 6th, 2007
Josh Ritter performs his own blend of folk music live in Dublin’s Tripod on 8 September.
You might have heard his musical talents before, as a couple of years ago, the Idaho singer-songwriter performed at the Oxegen festival and has also supported home-grown act The Frames. He is a big fan of Dublin, so it’s great that he is performing here and his Live EP was recorded here in the city.
His live performances in Ireland have won him many fans in Dublin and beyond who love his Dylanesque ballads and heartfelt lyrics.
Josh loves his audience too and is known to tell little stories as he plays his music, so Dubliners are in for a treat.
I urge you to book your tickets for this live music event in Dublin now as tickets are sure to sell out.
Find out about the man behind the music, here’s an interview where Josh talks about how “great” he thinks Ireland is!
August 1st, 2007
See the home-grown talents of Mr Damien Rice and some very special guests over the bank holiday weekend on 25 August in Dublin’s Marlay Park.
The gig in Dublin will take place come rain, hail or shine and the organisers are advising fans to “dress appropriately”. So pack your wellies, sunglasses and waterproofs and book your tickets for this melodic music event now.
It’s refreshing news that Damien and co are tough enough to perform whatever the weather. All too often the plug is pulled on an outdoor gig because of the weather and there’s nothing worse than looking forward to a music event only to hear it’s cancelled a few days before.
Damien is tough though, after splitting from rock band Juniper (now Bell X1), busking around Europe and gigging live in coffee bars around Dublin he has now found success with albums O and 9, tracks from which he’ll perform at the music event in Dublin at Marlay Park.
The line up for this live music event in Dublin’s Marlay Park looks a bit like this:
- KT Tunstall
- Guillemots
- Willy Mason
- Fionn Regan
Find out more about the gig in Dublin over at our main site, dublinevents.com
Or book now!
July 30th, 2007
Innovative circus performer Kwabana Lindsay ensured Circus Week got off to a flying start on Sunday with his amazing aerial acrobatic show ‘Fiddler on a Rope’. The audience were amazed by his challenging, dangerous stunts.
Circus Week forms part of the annual Diversions Festival and will see the streets and public spaces of Temple Bar transformed into a circus arena for 7 days of spectacular outdoor performances from Irish and international circus acts including acrobatics, trapeze, magic and stilt walking performances throughout the week. Highlights include:-
· The premiere of a new walkabout circus performance called ‘The Sommelliers’ from UK circus pioneers Bongo Bolero;
· The Italian Kerrymen known as the Fanzini Brothers new show ‘Deathwish’; and
· A one-day extravaganza of Irish circus throughout the streets of Temple Bar (Sunday 22nd, from 1pm).
Plus lunchtime performances in acrobatics, trapeze, magic and stilt walking throughout the week!
Even better, all events are FREE.
July 16th, 2007
The idyllic grounds of Stradbally Hall may not seem like the most obvious place for a music festival, but since 2004 the Electric Picnic has brought some of rock’s biggest names to these rolling fields.
Since it began as a one-day event, the Electric Picnic has always been unique among music festivals. And not just because of the mix of music.
At the Electric Picnic, you can enjoy the 24-hour cinema, watch some great plays, get a makeover in the Pamper Palace and even fire off a few rounds at paintball.
If you’ve ever thought festival food consisted of dodgy kebabs and burgers, the Electric Picnic will change your mind. There is plenty of high quality, organic food, including mouth-watering barbequed steaks.
All the traders at the Electric Picnic will be using Fair Trade ingredients where possible and the festival is doing all it can to become carbon neutral.
This year the Electric Picnic has teamed up with Act for Climate. Their ‘Adopt a TD’ scheme will help ensure Ireland’s politicians get the message about global warming.
The Electric Picnic could well be the world’s most ethical music festival. Looking at the line-up, it will also be one of the most entertaining.
The 32,500 fans who were lucky enough to get tickets for the Electric Picnic’s three-day weekend will get to see an unbelievable range of acts.
Other festivals may say they have a diverse line-up, but few can compare to the Electric Picnic. It’s not often you get to see Iggy Pop play on the same bill as the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain.
The festival has always made a point of including many up-and-coming acts, making it a great stepping stone for younger bands. It also features classic acts such as Sonic Youth, ensuring there is an older audience compared to other festivals.
The Electric Picnic runs from the 31st of August to the 2nd of September.
July 11th, 2007
Over 80,000 fans enjoyed a weekend of music and mud at the Oxegen festival.
The Killers brought the weekend to a close, with a storming set. Their brand of indie rock had the whole of Punchestown Racecourse bouncing.
Saturday was headlined by Snow Patrol and Muse. Snow Patrol were given a heroes welcome, for what was treated as a homecoming.
Over the last year, the Northern Irish band have become one of the biggest acts in the world, and few bands could have followed them.
Fortunately, Muse were the perfect choice.
Their flamboyant art-rock is made for festivals, and Muse brought Saturday to a close with a bang.
The eclectic mix of music meant Oxegen had something for everyone. Tori Amos drew an appreciative crowd, which enjoyed her experimental piano ballads. At the other end of the musical spectrum, the Wu Tang Clan also thrilled their fans, proving they are the kings of gangsta rap.
The Gossip, Scissor Sisters, Avril Lavigne and Mika were all making their first appearance at Oxegen, but they all played liked festival veterans.
This year’s Oxegen festival also saw many acts returning to Punchestown. Razorlight, The Kooks, Maximo Park and Daft Punk were all given a warm welcome by the fans at Oxegen.
If the 100 bands weren’t enough for you, the festival featured some of Ireland’s best comedy talent in the Laughter Lounge tent. There was also a fun fair and, thanks to the less than ideal weather, plenty of opportunities to enjoy mud wrestling and mud slides. In fact, anything that involved mud.
But the rain couldn’t dampen spirits, and no doubt people have already started counting down to Oxegen 2008.
July 9th, 2007
Dublin has a lot to offer throughout the year, and summer probably has more than its fair share of events to entertain visitors and locals.
There is fun for all the family at the various Activity Days. Throughout July, venues around Dublin will be hosting a selection of live music, circus workshops, puppet and magic shows, face painters and bouncy castles.
Each activity day starts at 3 pm and they will be on at:
1st of July at Bunting Road
8th of July at Fairview Park
22nd of July John Paul Park
29th of July Johnstown Park
And that’s not all. There is a great range of concerts throughout the summer. The Lunchtime Concerts series is on at 1 pm – 2 pm and features:
The Army Band - 4th July - Merrion Square
The Garda Band - 10th July - Herbert Park
Mary McEvoy & Friends - 11th July - Civic Offices
Avondale - 18th July - Wolfe Tone Park
The Niall Toner Band - 25th July - Civic Offices
Crofton Folk Band - 1st August - Herbert Park
If you have the energy for shopping after all that, you should see the Smithfield Summer Market. Opening in August 3rd, this is the biggest open air market Dublin has ever seen.
As well as stalls selling something for everyone, the Smithfield Market hosts street entertainment and kids’ activities. There is also a picnic area so you can relax.
The Smithfield Summer Market is open every Friday and Saturday until September 1st.
If you want a taste of the exotic, the Eurocultured Festival is sure to satisfy you.
This free festival features the best in European art, dance, music, performance and cuisine at Smithfield Plaza on Saturday August 18th.
Over 150 top performers from across Europe will be coming to Ireland for the Eurocultured Festival. Expect to see street art, flamenco dancing, DJs, live music, workshops and much more.
The summer in Dublin is always filled with activities, and there is a lot more to do in 2007 as well as the options here.
June 25th, 2007
Situated canal side in Portobello The Lower Deck in the upper echelons when it comes to the traditional Dublin pub.
A pleasant paved civic area in Harbour Square enhances The Lower Deck’s environment.
The black and white pictures of old Dublin at the entrance to the pub set the scene. The panelled mirrors and the
dominance of timber have resisted the advance of modernity. In fact there is only one important exception - the TV screens.
This intrusion is allowed because the clientele love their sport and especially the G.A.A. teams of Tipperary and Dublin.
The floor area is not like the big pubs in which you could land a jumbo jet no bother. The Lower Deck opts for intimacy, with comfortable enclaves which cater for groups of 8 to 10 people. It is an ideal venue for visitors seeking a live music scene and a party night out.
From Wednesday to the weekends the diversity of music tastes is catered for with sing-along cabaret shows, plenty of rock music and the monthly traditional Irish music showcase.
Tasty sandwiches are available at lunchtime. If you are a smoker, you can enjoy the relaxation of the square which was once a harbour.
Inside or out, life is good on The Lower Deck.
June 22nd, 2007
The Dublin Woollen Mills is a landmark surrounded by other landmarks. The Halfpenny Bridge, a quintessential symbol of Dublin, is adjacent to the shop.
Just outside the Dublin Woollen Mill is the statue which has become known as “The Hags With The Bags”, thanks to the Dublin trait of gentle and affectionate slagging of public art.
“The Hags With The Bags” shows two shoppers, resting after their session of retail therapy. The statue is now as much a part of the local scenery as the Dublin Woollen Mills.
The Dublin Woollen Mills has been in the ownership of the Roche family for 118 years, covering four generations. The current manager, Valerie Roche, takes pride in the fact that the business has remained uniquely Irish for so long.
Dubliners and tourists frequent the Dublin Woollen Mills seeking the highest quality tweed, fabrics, knitwear and haberdashery. Larger customers include businesses in the dress-making industry.
The Dublin Woollen Mills has survived many economic changes over the past century, and seen some new landmarks appear in Dublin.
It is sure to see a lot more in the future.
June 22nd, 2007
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