CALENDAR GIRLS RETURNS TO DUBLIN

Calendar Girl's returns to Dublin this February for a brief stop over following a hugely successful stint in the capital in 2011.

The hysterical show sold out for its entire two week run last year, with a not too small amount of them staying with us. A quick vox-pop of those checking out of the hotel last year left us in no doubt of the quality of the show so be warned...this is its final visit to Dublin.

The original Calendar Girl herself Miss Lynda Bellingham returns to the show with Camilla Dallerup, Jan Harvey, Sue Holderness, Deena Payne, Lisa Riley, June Watson and Ruth Madoc with Kevin Sacre as Lawrence the photographer and Joe McGann as John.

Calendar Girl's tells of a group of ordinary women do something extraordinary and spark a global phenomenon when they persuade one another to pose for a charity calendar with a difference. Based on an inspiring true story, Calendar Girls is quirky, poignant and hilarious!

Packages in the hotel start from just €109 per person sharing Monday to Thursday and €129 per person sharing Friday or Saturday. As with all our theatre packages the deal includes pre-show meal, ticket to show at Grand Canal Theatre, night's accommodation and Full Irish Breakfast the following morning.

Book soon as its selling fast and won't be back...although we've all heard that before. Anyone for Riverdance?

Book Here

OMG

2012 A BUMPER YEAR FOR DUBLIN

The year 2012 promises to be a bumper one for Dublin in terms of tourism with a huge number of events coming to the city.
As anyone who’s stayed at the Grand Canal Hotel can attest our location in regard to the city’s main venues is second to none with the Grand Canal Theatre, The O2, Aviva Stadium, RDS and Convention Centre all within walking distance of the hotel.
So what’s happening this year? We’ll in January one of the worlds most successful musicals, Dirty Dancing, starts a six week run in the Grand Canal Theatre. The hugely popular show is already sold out for most dates in January, weekends for the total run and is fast selling out for all dates. The poor guys over in the theatre don’t get much chance to rest as once the curtain comes down on show, the equally popular Calendar Girls returns for a weeks run, having packed the house for a couple of weeks in 2011.
But the Theatre is not the only show in town during this period, if you excuse the pun. The O2 has a busy calendar during the first two months with Snow Patrol, Van Morrisson, Florence and the Machine and JLS all visiting the Docks. And let’s not forget sport, with the Six Nations opener against Wales (yes revenge will be on the cards) in early February, a clash against the Italians and a Euro warm up for Traps army who take on the Czechs at the Aviva towards the end of the month.
This brings us nicely into March, where St Patrick’s Festival is once again a huge attraction in Dublin. Swan Lake, Cinderella, Sally Morgan, Darren Brown and Tommy Flemming all visit the Grand Canal Theatre, while Rebecca Ferguson and The Wanted make appearances in The O2. Paul O’Connell and the lads wrap up their home games for the Six Nations when the Scots visit early in the month.
I’ve already ran out of steam in terms of doing a month by month account of what’s going on so here’s the synopsis for the rest of the year.
Formula One enthusiasts are in for a treat in June when more that 100,000 spectators will be treated to the Bavaria City Racing event with Superbikes, WRC, Formula 2, Touring Cars and demonstrations by Formula One drivers all on offer. Let’s not forget that June will be a massive party as pubs and streets will be invaded as the country prepares to cheer on the Irish soccer team in the European Championships. It will be impossible not to get caught up in the buzz.
July see’s the arrival of one of my favourite musicals of all time the timeless Phantom of the Opera to the Grand Canal Hotel. Running from the 5th of July till the 4th of August this Andrew Lloyd Webber musical is certain to sell out very fast.
The Failte Dublin Horse Show at the RDS makes its annual return on the 15th of August, in what is a very busy month in the City. The Tall Ships Race sails into the city on the 23rd in what will a thrilling spectacle, while American Football is back in Dublin when Notre Damme take on Navy in the Aviva Stadium.
September will, fingers crossed, see Dublin win both All Ireland Finals in Croke Park, while the big Greyhound Derby takes place in Shelbourne Park. Much is still to be confirmed for the rest of the year but suffice to say Dublin is going to be a busy place in 2012.
Watch out also for the World Street Performance Championship, Bloomsday, Dublin City Marathon, Westlife and Red Hot Chilli Peppers in Croke Park, Stone Roses in the Phoenix Park, Bruce Springstein in the RDS and Riverdance at the Gaiety.
Happy New Year’s everyone from Ollie and all at the Grand Canal Hotel.

OMG.

VERTICAL PARK FOR DUBLIN

It has become one of the most iconic reminders of our embarassing past. The image the shell of what was to be Anglo Irish Bank's new headquarters has fronted many a newspaper around the globe as a representation of the collapse of the Celtic Tigers...but a number of very interesting proposals, including a "Vertical Park" could transform the eye sore.

A radical proposal is being made to transform the concrete skeleton on Dublin’s North Wall Quay into a park in time for the centenary of the 1916 Rising.

A Dublin architecture firm is seeking a licence to develop the seven-acre site on behalf of the people of Ireland to put in place a landmark on the Liffey Quays that would nurture sustainable vision-making and proclaim a new future.

It sounds like a wonderful plan...if it goes ahead. A good example of how successful such a development could be can be seen in New York, where an disused railway line was turned into a park and has since become one of the most visited attractions in the city.

Developed by Mahoney Architecture, the Trees on the Quays group is seeking support from the Dublin Docklands Development Authority, Dublin City Council and – most of all – Nama. “If we get heads of agreement with Nama that the site would be made available for, say, 10 years, that would be a big step forward,” Mr Mahoney told The Irish Times.

The licence would need to be made available free for the proposal to succeed. He added: “Even a tiny fraction of the Irish diaspora would create a huge fund to develop this project and there would also be enormous benefits for nearby buildings, such as the convention centre and O2.

Inspiration came from Dutch architects MVRVD’s Netherlands pavilion at Expo 2000 in Hanover, which featured trees growing at different levels, and the High Line in New York City, where an abandoned elevated railway was turned into a linear park.

The Trees on the Quays group proposes a similar vision, re-imagining Anglo Irish Bank’s concrete structure as a multilevel city park – with its floorplates punched out to make room for trees and the resulting rubble reused to form a hill alongside.

I for one think it is a fantastic idea and one that the city planners should embrace with open arms. The city is dotted with statues of great figures in Irish history who inspire the next generation of Irish people, so why not use this shell as a reminder, an inspiration and most importantly...a lesson to the future.

Sure aren't we the kings of packages; we can put together a package for visitors coming to Dublin to have a pre-parkviewing meal, return transfer and night's accommodation...that one could catch on!!!

SEAPLANES TO LAND IN DUBLIN

I was delighted to hear the announcement that Harbour Flights have been given a licence to operate a seaplanes out of Dublin City Center.

At a time when the economy is in the dog house, it is brilliant to see individuals coming up with new ideas to do business. When I first read the plan for air taxis I was very sceptical, but a seaplane landing right in the heart of Ireland's major tourist and cultural hubs is genius...and a very welcomed addition to the tourism industry.

Harobour Flights hope to fly to Limerick, Cork, Belfast, Waterford, Aran Island, Lough Derg and, naturally, considering it is the home of the seaplane, Foynes, with the Dublin flights landing at Poolbeg (not far from the hotel).

The seaplanes will seat up to nine people with flight times taking less than 50 minutes to any of the destinations. A particular boost to tourists will be the link with the Aran Islands, which can take up to 6 hours to get to from Dublin. Harbour flights will make it possible to fly to the islands in less than an hour.

Initially, Harbour Flights will be operating a Cessna 172 and a Cessna 206 but by year two they hope to add a Cessna 208 to the fleet and by the third year, a 19 seat De Havilland Twin Otter.

And the cost? We're told customers will pay between €50 and €150 one way for the journey. There is a lot to be said for walking the 10 minutes to the Liffey and then jumping on a plane and landing in Galway Bay 30 minutes later. The company are also looking for a 25 minute turn around time at each destination. No check in; no queues and no taxis.

I really hope it works out for Harbour Flights CEO Emelyn Heaps and all his staff. I'll be looking forward to taking a trip myself...I wonder if the Grand Canal Hotel would accept it as an expense...worth a try!!!

Ollie McGrath

DUBLIN BIKES - WE WANT A STATION

I was a bit sceptical when the notion of renting bikes in Dublin was mooted a number of years ago.
As a Dubliner who's had his fair share of bicycles stolen you have to forgive my cynical view that the thieving gits who so skilfully removed my prised possessions would be able to refrain from doing the same to Dublin City Councils hundreds of bikes...easy pickings me thought.
But I stand corrected. It has turned out to a master stroke by the City Council. The numbers below attest to the fact that not only have the visitors and natives embraced Dublinbikes but the would be robbers either can't figure out how to rob them or just feel that they are way too uncool for them to rob.
Either way, we are all benefiting from them. My only gripe at this stage is that we don't have a bike station outside the hotel. With Google and BT, to name just two, having big offices across the road, surely The Grand Canal Hotel would be the perfect location for a bike depot.
I'm half tempted to start a Facebook campaign.

Anyway...the DublinBikes in numebrs:
2,527,435 – The total number of journeys that have been taken on DublinBikes.
550 – The number of bikes that are currently in use.
44 – The amount of bike stations that are located across the city.
6,280 – The number of journeys taken on July 13 this year, the busiest day ever for the scheme.
25,000 – The number of short-term subscriptions taken by cyclists.
67 – The percentage of long-term users that are men.
95 – The percentage of Dubliners who said the scheme is the “best thing” to happen in the city in a recent survey.
13 – The time, in minutes, of the average journey on a DublinBike.
97 – The percentage of journeys which are free because they last less than 30 minutes.
9.8 - The average number of times a bike is rented in one day.

Click here to see where the DublinBike stations are located http://www.dublinbikes.ie/All-Stations/Station-map

NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM - WELL WORTH A VISIT

I promised my two year old son that I'd bring him to see the dinosaurs...thinking we'd head into see the Dinosaur Petting Zoo in the RDS...but I got my dates wrong!!!
It had finished last month. But fear not, I though to myself...I'd bring him to the Natural History Museum opposite Merrion Square...they have dinosaurs there. I remembered them from when I was a kid...problem solved.

The little man was all excited and dully woke me at 6.30 Saturday morning asking when he was going to see the "dinarsssus". Great start to the day!!!
Breakfast downed, bags packed, bob the builder doll in tow we all jumped in the car and made our way to the City Centre.

As any visitor to Dublin will know, the city is very compact and you can technically walk to most of the major attractions without breaking a sweat...the problem with Dublin is that it rains...even when the sun is splitting the trees...as I forgot to my displeasure.

A pleasant surprise at the entrance...it is free, as is a lot of the attractions in Dublin visitors will be happy to hear. Also known as the "Dead Zoo" the museum first opened its doors in 1857 and boasts over 10,000 exhibits...but as I was soon to find out NO dinarsssus!!! I must have made up that memory. More of that later.

The first thing that greets you, aside from a shop, is the Giant Irish Deer who roamed the Irish Landscape up until around 12,000 years ago. Truly huge animals as they are, my son was not fooled...they were not dinarsssus.

He was, as was I, very impressed with all the stuffed sharks, birds, squirrel that were literally stacked in presses and displays on the ground floor. Particularly interesting, to me at least, was the Native to Ireland animals...who knew we had sharks!!!

Now here is my first gripe with the museum - no lifts. This place anit, displays aside, the most child friendly of places. We were greeted at the foot of two stories of stairs with a sign that informed us that we were not allowed abandon the buggy. But no lift!!! Thankfully a very helpfull Dubliner who noticed my frustrated look offered to help me up the stairs with the buggy...gentleman.

Now this is where the Dead Zoo really comes to life. Lions, tigers, monkeys, ant eaters, gorillas...we were enthralled. Most impressive was the huge Blue Whale which hung from the roof. My son was well impressed.

We spent at least 30 minutes exploring the stuffed animals on display. Brilliantly kept and plenty of information attached. On the way around I noticed a very professor looking chap giving a tour to 20 or so genuinely captivated visitors.

When we reached the other end of this huge hall we were greeted with more stairs...and no lift. I can handle this I thought...steep as the stairs were. My son certainly enjoyed the experience as I dropped him step by step down the rather steep stair well. He seemed far more confident than I was that we had it all under control.

Thankfully the security man at the front entrance noticed my very obvious terror and ran to our assistance...much to the disapproval of my son who was really enjoying the adventure. At the end of the stair the guard informed me that they did have plans to put in lifts but the IMF were now taking it as part of the interest on the loans they gave to our banks...fair enough.

I was just positioning the buggy to leave the Dead Zoo when my son looked back with a sad face and asked "where the dinossarus?" As most who have children can attest...it is not always the easiest to bribe a child who really wants something so despite promises of McDonalds and ice-cream he was not buying it.

Thankfully I had another great thought...maybe the shop in the museum sells dinosaurs!!! They did...brilliant. The little man was delighted as we headed to the check out. That'll be €45 said the very pleasant woman behind the counter...OUCH!!!
Off we went to McDonalds happy but with a much lighter wallet.

In summary, the Natural History Museum is a very good attraction and I would recommend it to anyone visiting the city. Just a couple of warnings...don't bring a buggy and don't expect to see dinosaurs...unless you want to pay a fortune for one of the plastic miniature kind.

Ollie McGrath.

9/11 EXHIBITION COMES TO DUBLIN'S RDS

Irish audiences are in for a real treat this September with the arrival of Nicola McClean's Ground Zero 360 Exhibition to the RDS.
The 11th of September 2001 will always be remembered as the day that two jet liners crashed into the World Trade Centre in New York. The world was reviled, shocked, distraught and then enthralled by the heroism of the people of New York.
American based photographer McClean responded in the only way she knew how; she picked up her camera and took to the streets to try and capture the confusion and panic that surrounded her.
This September Irish audiences will get the opportunity to get a first hand account of the day that literally shook the world.
Through harrowing visuals, chilling audio clips and a unique panoramic installation, Ground Zero 360° invites you to step into the past and feel what eight million New Yorkers were feeling in the days that followed the attacks. The spectator will be able to discover, through Nicola’s eyes, the startling aftermath of one of the most tragic events in American history – seeing what she saw, hearing the stories she heard and meeting the people she met, particularly the heroic men and women of the New York City Emergency Services.
The city of New York continues to evolve and change, but the memory of those extraordinary days and weeks will always remain with us. Ground Zero 360° allows the onlooker to experience the enduring events of September 11th and celebrate the tremendous courage and dignity of a nation under fire.
The show runs in the RDS in Dublin 4 from the 1st of September through to the 30th...and it is free to the public.
Don't miss this opportunity to see one of the most stunning exhibitions likely to visit Dublin for some time.