Dublin!

Top of the mornin' to ya! Yes Darren and I went to Dublin again! It's probably my favourite place and city, and we've been 3 times now. Ahh- the Guinness, Temple Bar, restaurants, nightlife- and of course, culture!!! It's such a cosmopolitan place, and the locals are fabulous and friendly.

The first night was 'interesting' because our usual hotel, the North Star, let us down big time. We arrived to a moody receptionist, who chucked us a few key cards after not even raising her head to our queries. We got upstairs to find they had allocated us a no smoking room, so D went down to correct the problem. A different receptionist then told him to go back upstairs to get my keycard before she would rectify the booking. This he duly did. She then helpfully put us in a crap room in the back of the hotel looking over traintracks to Connelly St Station. it was a bank holiday, so we thought we'd give it a crack- afterall, it couldn't be that busy, surely? Otherwise the hotel wouldn't use the rooms...

Oh how wrong we were. From 05.45, every 10 minutes a train roared past the window until exhausted with lack of sleep, D went down and played merry Hell with the next new receptionist. Lots of profuse apologies emanated from her mouth and then she phoned her boss. D noticed that she only said a few words, for instance " back of the station" and then suddenly, a new room was found for us.

So, within 24 hrs, we booked into our third room. It was a Suite! We enjoyed the suite, don't get me wrong, but after a wee chat to the manager later in the holiday, we were informed as Expedia customers, we shouldn't have been even allocated a rear room anyway. Infact, none of this should have actually happened. So the second receptionist put us in a budget room when we were paying good money (hence the sudden upgrade as an apology) and we found out once we land there, the breakfast is no longer included.

So ladies and gentleman- do NOT use the North Star Hotel in Dublin. We used to love it there, but the shoddy way we were treated and poor service ensures I'd never recommend it to a friend now. Big big shame.


PLACES TO EAT AND GO:

Remember- you cannot smoke cigarettes in shops, pubs and restaurants in Southern Ireland. That's why you see demented and betrodden-looking smokers hanging round outside of shops in the rain (remember this isn't Benidorm. It's Ireland. It rains. Fact.)



Book of Kells/ Trinity College Trinity College is Ireland's oldest University, and the architecture is fabulous. Book of Kells Exhibiton. One word:Amazing. The Book of Kells is over a thousand years old- a monks record of the Bible, with fine art, dazzling goldleaf and calligraphy. The call it 'Picturing The Word'. Absolutely beautiful, and the actual way they've set it out and give lots of visual info as you walk through to see the actual manuscripts is brilliantly done.



The Irish Art Museum There is a wonderful selection of the world's finest portraits and landscapes by prestigious painters from the 18 th century to the present day. At least allocated 3hrs in here- you'll be surprised how big the museum is, and how much there is to see and enjoy.


Dublin Castle a mixture of original Norman castle and 18th century re-building. European Summits, inauguration of the President and even gigs take place here! Gorgeous a must-see.


Enuff Culture- this is what you want...



PUBS AND GRUB



O'Neills (across from the Tourist Information) No, not the replicated chain of pubs we have in the UK...no, this is a REAL pub! The atmosphere is warm and friendly, and the food- it is the BEST Irish pub grub you will find in the city. The main courses start from ten euros; beef, lamb, salmon, chicken, you name it. The set up is similar to a carvery, you take you tray to the gentlemen who then ask what you're having...then they think you're anorexic and need feeding up. Roast, mashed, cubed anything- potatoes, fresh veg, more veg, which sauce...You are left holding a plate so overpacked with homemade marvellous food that your tray cracks under the weight. I like my food- ask anyone- but as yet, I have not managed to clean my plate in there. And they do desserts too- haven't managed one of those yet! It's a cracking place to relax with a beer or to eat. Nice mix of people too- the locals and young professionals on lunchbreak or going home nip in, alongside the visitors- and I guarntee you can always find at least three large visiting Americans in there.

And they can't clean the plate either.
Nuff said.


Temple Bar The Area: The famous Temple Bar area was actually scheduled for demolishion to make way for a bus station in the '80s! The main road- funnily enuff called Temple Lane- is mostly pedestrianised and hosts loads of pubs, restaurants and eateries of every description. There's even a Ice Cream parlour with a lovely cafe attached! Big hint- just go afew blocks any way from Temple Bar St- you'll find the prices of drinks abit cheaper than on the main thoroughfare but still enjoy the atmosphere.


Temple Bar-The Pub. Established 1840! Set right in the heart of the Temple Bar area on the South side of the Liffey, the Temple Bar is lovely- and again, great atmosphere. Pull a first class pint of Guinness- mind you, that's a statement of fact of every pub in Dublin!


Mercantile- A lovely pub adjoined to another one (can't remember it's name). Up towards Dublin Castle 5 mins walk from Temple Bar. It's basically our local when we hit Dublin, even though it's 20 min walk from the hotel and we walk past at least 10-20 other bars. Lovely staff, relaxed atmosphere, a nice place to sit and watch the world go by...or alternatively watch some Pub TV!