Grand Canal Hotel

2012 A BUMPER YEAR FOR DUBLIN

2012-01-05T02:08:00.000-08:00

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

2011-10-07T05:13:00.001-07:00

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

2011-09-26T02:23:00.000-07:00

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

2011-09-14T06:34:00.000-07:00

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

2011-09-06T02:07:00.000-07:00

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

2011-08-17T08:47:00.000-07:00

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.

FAILTE DUBLIN HORSE SHOW AT THE RDS

2011-08-03T00:38:00.000-07:00

The Failte Dublin Horse Show kicks off at the RDS in Ballsbridge today with over €1 million in prize money up for grabs.

The Dublin Horse Show has been running for nearly 150 years and is part of the social calendar of the capital.

Ireland will compete with a massive international field of competitors including France, Germany, Great Britain, Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark and the United States.

The week’s main event takes place on Friday where the Nations’ Cup, for which the Aga Khan trophy is awarded, with 300 temporary staff, 300 voluntary stewards, 65 judges, veterinary surgeons, 12 commentators and 20 medical doctors are all on hand for what will be a busy week of action.

Ticket prices for the event have been frozen for a couple of years but this year’s season ticket increased from €57 to €60. The family ticket increased from €52 to €54 and allows admission to two adults and four children.

General admission prices range from €21 for adults and €15 for students, old age pensioners and children.

Remember visitors there is no parking at the RDS during the Horse Show. There is ample car parking space in the Dublin 4 area with limited space at the Grand Canal Hotel Car Park.

Good luck to the Irish team this week!!!

PETER PAN OPENS AT THE GRAND CANAL THEATRE DUBLIN

2011-07-13T00:15:00.001-07:00

An 18ft crocodile puppet will be one of the main hooks of the latest huge production of Peter Pan which arrives in the Grand Canal Theatre Dublin this week.
The production, starring Les Dennis, Ben Richard and our own Maureen Nolan, kicks off a three week run at the stunning Dublin City venue.
The world premier of the musical, which comes from the producers of last summer's hit musical, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, promises to bring a refreshing look to the timeless classic story.
"Captain Hook has had a makeover," said TV actor Ben Richard's who plays the rouge pirate. "Hook is the quintessential baddie who you don't know whether to love or hate," he added.
The cast of the show boasts a large Irish contingent, headed by Nolan, but there is Irish talent all over the musical, with over 300 children turning up for auditions earlier this year.
It promises to be a spectacular affair, with a flying system, which cost over €100,000 and was developed for the Palladium Theatre in London's West End, to be used to propel Peter Pan around the theatre.
The show runs until the 6th of August and there are still packages from €109pps available on www.grandcanalhotel.com. Packages include ticket to show, pre-show meal, night's accommodation at the Grand Canal Hotel and full Irish breakfast the following morning.

FREE VISITOR ATTRACTIONS IN DUBLIN

2011-07-06T02:57:00.000-07:00

The Office of Public Works are introducing a very interesting new concept for visiting some 750 attractions across the country.
Access to most historic sites managed by the Office of Public Works will be free today and on the first Wednesday of every month for the rest of this year.
It is part of a new initiative to encourage more national and international visitors to sites such as the Rock of Cashel, Clonmacnoise and the State Apartments in Dublin Castle.
The decision was made by Minister of State responsible for the OPW Brian Hayes who said it was done to stimulate interest in the built heritage of the country.
Access to most is free but for some sites such as Kilmainham Gaol, Kilkenny Castle and Newgrange adult visitors pay a fee of between €3-11 each.
The offer will run until the end of the year, when it will be reviewed...hopefully with the intention of maintaining it!!! Keep an eye on www.grandcanalhotel.com for more information.

CNN - WHAT NOT TO DO IN DUBLIN - OLLIE RESPONDS

2011-06-24T02:55:00.000-07:00

So CNN have compiled a list of 10 things NOT to do in Dublin when visiting Dublin. It has caused quite a little bit of controversy on the emerald isle. For those looking for a Dubliner's opinion on CNN's verdict read on!!!
1. Don't get lit in Temple Bar
Ollie says - There a many reasons not to visit Temple Bar. The fact that a pint of Guinness still costs €150 and may even increase further if the pub you are in has a late licence or that you'd be hard pressed to find an Irish person among the throngs of tourists sort of back up the argument...but it is still worth the visit. Beautiful coble stone streets, nick nack shops, the best buffalo wings (the Elephant and the Castle), buskers and the atmosphere make it a must see when visiting Dublin. Just don't over stay you're welcome or you'll find you may need to hit the IMF for a loan.
2. - Do not expect to drink all night
Ollie says - While we can't condone drinking to excess there are always places in Dublin where you can drink all night. Late bars, Leeson Street and hotel resident bars all offer plenty of opportunities for late drinks. My advise - don't. Too much Guinness will mean that the following day the hotel toilet is where you'll be spending most of your time...not a pleasant experience.
3. Don't... try to get inside Oscar Wilde's birthplace
Ollie says - Never tried it myself but I'd always advise against trying to break into someone's property.
4. Never call an Irishman (or Irishwoman) British
Ollie says - goes without saying!!! Same could be said for calling a Canadian an American, a New Zealander an Australian or a Corkman a Dub...particularly after 10 €150 pints of Guinness in Temple Bar:)
5. Don't dismiss the food
Ollie says - couldn't agree more. Did you ever try the meat balls in Gasworks Bar?
6. Don't... stick to British Colonial and Irish Civil War historical sights
Ollie says - very good point. Although it could be handy for understanding why to avoid number 4!!!
7. Don't.... attend the St. Patrick's Day Parade
Ollie says - Once again CNN are on the ball. Have attended the parade many times and each time I ask "why am I here again". You can barely see a thing, it moves at -8 kilometres per hour and it nearly always rains. I'd suggest hitting the normally busy tourist sites while the rest of the tourists get cold, wet and board. Sky Plus the parade.
8. Don't order a Murphy's
Ollie says - The guys from CNN suggest this on the basis that Murphy's is from Cork, but there are many pluses for the tourist trying Murphy's. Firstly its cheaper, but more importantly if you're not used to drinking stout then you wouldn't be able to tell the difference between Murphys and Guinness anyway. While I'm a big Guinness fan...a nice pint of Irish stout is...a nice pint of Irish stout.
9. Don't... expect an "authentic" trad music session
Ollie says - they have a point again. While there are some genuine trad nights in Dublin, indeed it is becoming more common as people have more time on their hands, most of the trad nights advertised for tourists in Dublin are very staged. That said they are still a great experience and certainly not worth avoiding. If you're intending on catching one drop us a line and we'll tell you where to go.
10. Don't... take a photo next to Molly Malone
Ollie says - Ah poor Molly. She never gets a moment of peace. Try getting the picture on the way back from Temple Bar...there shouldn't be too many people around at that stage. But CNN have it right there are plenty of sculptures to get you're picture taken with in Dublin.

So there you have it. CNN's 10 things not to do in Dublin. The one thing it says about Dublin is that if they are the best/worst things to do in Dublin you can't really go wrong.

Check out the CNN article here. If you want to book a room in Dublin to avail of some of Ollie's 10 best things to do in Dublin then click here.

Cheers,

Ollie McGrath.

DUBLIN TAXIS GO ELECTRIC

2011-06-14T01:27:00.001-07:00

We know that Dublin taxi drivers are some of the most friendly and indeed talkative on the planet but they are about to add "most green" to their growing repertoire.

Two electric taxis have hit the streets of Dublin, offering Irish customers a chance to travel the city under electric power for the first time. The new taxi's, which can comfortably achieve 100 mile range between charges, will easily fit the Dublin taxi drivers programme which currently averages 74 miles per day.

The service is offered jointly by Ireland’s Electricity Supply Board (ESB) and National Radio Cabs (NRC), with two vehicles available for general hire – a Nissan LEAF and a wheelchair-accessible Peugeot Expert.

The Dublin service is one of the first working electric taxi schemes in Europe and is part of a wider EU research programme that includes gathering data on the performance of electric transport in an urban setting.

Dublin currently has just five on-street charging points, but 30 fast-charging points, which can recharge a car to 80% capacity in 30 minutes, are due to be installed along inter-urban motorways by the end of the year.

Well done lads. I wonder though, will these new cars reduce the cost of getting a taxi. They'll be saving on the extortionate diesel and petrol prices.

The Grand Canal Hotel are offering a shuttle service to the airport hourly between 6am and 12pm daily. Alternatively Aircoach stops outside the Schoolhouse Hotel which is located just a minutes stroll from the hotel.

Talk soon,

Ollie.

10 TEN THINGS TO DO IN DUBLIN THIS SUMMER

2011-06-02T04:32:00.000-07:00

Summer has finally arrived and the numbers are coming back to the beautiful city of Dublin in there droves.

Theatre, gigs, museums, festivals, comedy and attractions...there is no shortage of things to do in Dublin. With so many things to do I've decided to put together a top 10 things that you can't miss this summer.

1. Failte Dublin Horse Show at the RDS - the country's premier horse event takes place in the RDS from the 3rd to the 7th of August. A celebration of Ireland's affinity with the horse, from the best show horses to the best international show jumpers. It is one of Ireland's largest events, a highlight of the summer, each year welcoming tens of thousands of people from Ireland and all over the world. Special discounted offers are available, with up to 20% discount on longer stays.

2. Riverdance - one of Ireland's greatest exports, Riverdance, kicks off its annual residency at the Gaiety Theatre on the 28th of June and runs till the 28th of August. This show has evolved over the years so even if you've seen it years ago it is probably very different. The hotel are offering theatre packages to include pre-show meal, ticket to show, night's accommodation and full Irish breakfast from just €109ppps.

3. Bloomsday - a celebration of one of world's greatest writers, James Joyce, Bloomsday, runs from June 16th - 19th in various part of Dublin city. June 16th is BLOOMSDAY, the day in 1904 on which all the action of James Joyce’s novel Ulysses takes place. It is celebrated every year on 16th June by Joyceans all over the world. In Dublin, where the novel is set, Bloomsday celebrations go on for a week from the 16th to the 19th June, with most of the attention on the day itself. It is traditional to dress up and go out for the day, visiting the locations of the book and taking part in readings, walks and convivial activities of all sorts which in some way connect with Ulysses, its author and its world.

4. The Script - Ireland's golden boy's of pop-rock RnB return to their home town for the biggest show of their impressive career. The Dubliners are set to grace Aviva Stadium on the 2nd of July for a once off show. The "Breakeven" stars have had a remarkable career thus far but this will surely be the highlight.

5. Rugby Internationals - After a very mixed autumn series and start to the Six Nations Irish rugby finally found its voice with a stunning victory over England at the Aviva Stadium. The provinces maintained the momentum with Leinsters' amazing Heinekin Cup victory in Cardiff and then Munster's Magners League triumph in Thomond Park. Now we are all excited about our prospects in September's World Cup in New Zealand...the dream is still alive. Brian O'Driscoll, Paul O'Connell and the lads have two warm up games in August with France (27th) and England (20th) both visiting the Aviva Stadium.

6. Dublin Super Cup - Without meaning to offend any of our Portuguese friends out there we were all a little dissapointed with the finalists of the Europa Cup Final in May...or at least all the Manchester City and Liverpool fans were. But there is light at the end of the tunnel with a new two day international club tourmanent taking place at the Lansdowne Road venue at the end of July. Inter Milan, Manchester City, Celtic and an Airtricity League Selection will all battle it out for the Dublin Super Cup on July 30/31.

7. Dublin Zoo - It is one of the oldest and most visited Zoos in Europe and for good reason. Located in the largest city centre park in Europe this zoo is a stunning site. Every kind of animal imaginable, bar the dinosaurs, are in here and there is plenty of picnic areas and things to keep the children, and adults, busy. Well worth the visit.

8. Grease - Dust off your leather jackets, pull on your bobby-socks and take a trip to a simpler time as "bad boy" Danny and "the girl next door" Sandy fall in love all over again. It’s the original High-School musical, featuring all the unforgettable songs from the hit movie including You’re The One That I Want, Grease Is The Word, Summer Nights, Hopelessly Devoted To You, Sandy, Greased Lightnin’ and many more. So throw your mittens around your kittens and Hand Jive the night away with the show that’ll make you want to stand up and shout, “A-wop-bop-a-loo-bop A-wop-bam-boom!” Package includes pre-show meal, ticket in teh Upper Circle, night's accommodation at the Grand Canal Hotel and Full Irish Breakfast from just €119pps. The show runs from August 9th - 27th in the Grand Canal Theatre.

9. Cricket International August 25th - Ireland v England. After the heroics of the world cup the star studded English cricket team come to Dublin to play their Irish counterparts. Cricket is not exactly a major sport in this country but if we were to put Ireland's victory over the English into context it would be like Andorra beating Ireland in Gaelic football. Interest in the sport is on the rise and over 2000 people attended the recent clash with Pakistan. The game takes place in Clontarf. If the weather holds up this could be a very enjoyable occasion.

10. All Ireland Hurling Final Croke Park, September 4th - Concluding on another sporting theme this really should be the first thing on the list to do this summer. Having attended the 2010 final between Kilkenny and Tipperary I can attest to the awe inspiring site of 30 amateur sports men slamming a tennis ball sized sliotar around the hallowed turf of Croke Park in front of 82,000 people. There are not too many places in the world where you would see such an event. The Hurling Final really epitomises what it is to be Irish...and you don't have to be Irish to appreciate it.

Feel free to let me know what I've left out.

Enjoy the sun.

Cheers,

Ollie (OMG).

SUMMER IN DUBLIN - GREASE, RIVERDANCE AND MORE

2011-05-26T01:24:00.000-07:00

President Barack Obama and her Majesty the Queen are not the only visitors to Dublin this summer, with a host of international musical and drama events arriving in the next couple of months.

As the city returns to normal following the two very high profile visits, the Grand Canal Hotel, located in the leafy Ballysbridge area of Dublin City, are offering superb packages for all music and theatre lovers. The hotels theatre packages are hugely popular an include per-show meal, ticket to show, night's accommodation and full Irish breakfast the following morning from just €109 per person sharing.

First up comes the Westend hit musical, Joseph and His Amazing Techinicolor Dreamcoat which runs in the stunning Grand Canal Theatre from May 31st till June 11th. Around the same time the Gaiety Theatre welcomes Blood Brothers, the Hailed as one of the best musicals of all time. Blood Brothers has triumphed across the globe, scooping up no less than four awards for best musical in London and seven Tony Award nominations on Broadway. The show runs from June 7th to the 25th.

The end of June see's the return of Riverdance for its annual residence in the Gaiety Theatre from June 28th - August 28th, while over the same period a stunning new production of Peter Pan starring Les Denis (June 15th - Aug 6th) and Grease (Aug 9th - 28th) visit the Grand Canal Theatre.

Click here for further details on up and coming show's including Mamma Mia, Sister Act, Thriller, Annie and Dirty Dancing. The hotel is also offering packages including return rail from just €139pps.

If theatre is not your thing, The O2 plays host to some of world's biggest international acts including Rihanna, Duran Duran, James Taylor, Journey and Def Lepard to name just a few. The Grand Canal Hotel are offering a special O2 package which includes pre-show meal, return transfer to the O2, night's accommodation and Full Irish breakfast for just €79pps.

Keep an eye on the blog over the next week as Ollie is going to inspire us with his top 10 things to do in Dublin this summer.

EUROPA CUP FINAL DUBLIN - OLLIE WELCOMES YOU

2011-05-18T00:43:00.000-07:00

The largest ever audience for a soccer match played in Ireland will tune in today to watch Portuguese teams Braga play Porto in the Europa Cup Final.

It is believed that 20,000 Portuguese fans will arrive in Dublin today for the clash. You can imagine the fans of Porto and Braga looking at all the garda and barriers on the streets of Dublin and thinking..."are they not going over the top with their security...our fans don't hate each other that much." Fear not our Portuguese friends...it is all for her Royal Majesty the Queen.

On my way to Belfast yesterday I had a quick look at the stadium and noticed that the normally stand out sign for Aviva was covered with a banner saying "Dublin". I later read that we are not allowed call it Aviva Stadium due to the sponsors of the cup not wanting any shine to be taken away from them...they didn't have to worry about Irish supporters as most still call it after it's real name...Lansdowne Road.

What a couple of weeks it is going to be for Dublin and Ireland. The capital is plastered all over most major networks in the world showing images of the Queen laying a wreath at the Garden of Remembrance. This comes just days after Jedmania overcame Europe and the Eurovision Song Contest. The lads song Lipstick has gone number one in for countries this week. Next week the President of the World...Barack Obama arrives in Dublin to woo us.

But first things first. The Europa Cup Final will be the biggest televised event to date in Ireland with 40 cameras worth €75m in place. A total o 54 different international broadcaster will b covering the game.

No disrespect to the finalists but the game will not be a sell-out. There are still tickets available but today will till be the busiest day in the history of Dublin Airport as the Portuguese invasion takes place.

It is estimated that up to 80pc of the visitors will fly into Dublin today and head home tonight, however the match will be worth €20 million to the city.

On the football front, it appears that Braga don't have chance in the game. Porto are unbeaten and most footie pundits I've read or heard say that Braga will have to play out of their skin to have any chance.

We'll I'm a lover of the underdog...so Ollie will be shouting for Braga.

That said both fans are all very welcome to drop into the Grand Canal Hotel and Gasworks Bar for a pint of Dublin's finest. Just ask for Ollie.

Ollie McGrath (OMG).

SOME TRIVIA FOR THE QUEEN'S VISIT TO DUBLN

2011-05-17T08:49:00.000-07:00

Firstly a very warm welcome to her Majesty the Queen. It is great to finally welcome you to Dublin.

I've been scrolling through the pages of today's newspapers and came across some interesting trivia about the Queen in the Belfast Telegraph.

Ten Queen facts:
1. She is a qualified car mechanic dating back to her wartime service in the Women's Royal Army Corp.
2. Her principal Lady-in-Waiting is Lady Farnham, widow of Co Cavan landowner Lord Farnham.
3. Her funeral procession is rehearsed once a year on the route from Buckingham Palatce to Westminster Abbey.
4. She has 200 racing pegeons ketp in a special loft in Norfolk.
5. She owns one-third of the swans on the Thames river between Blackfriars and Hendon.
6. The poor of Windsor recieve a cwt of coal each from her at Christmas.
7. Her handbag contains a collection of good luck charms given to her by her children, including minature dogs, horses and saddles - plus family snaps, the most treasured of which is is a photo of Prince Andrew on his safe return from the Falkands in 1982.
8. She has two birthdays: April 21, marking the anniversary of her birth in 1926; and the second Saturday in June, her official birthday, marked by the Trooping of the Colour.
9. She's Britain's biggest landowner with 250,000 acres of agricultural land and 15,000 acres of forest in England and Scotland. She also owns huge swatches of Kensinton, Victoria, Millbank and the City as well as half the country's forshore.
10. She owns the copyright of the King James Bible and gets royalties for its use.

So there you have it.

NEW VISA WAIVER INITIATIVE FOR VISITORS TO IRELAND

2011-05-12T08:50:00.000-07:00

It has been a very good week for tourists hoping to come to Ireland and by extension the beleaguered Irish economy.

Not only will the Airport tax be withdrawn, VAT in tourism is to be reduced to 9% and arguably more significantly, from July, tourists from 14 nations, that up until now required a visa to holiday in Ireland, will not need one as long as they hold a visa to enter Britain.

The change to Ireland's visa regulations will encourage tourists visiting Britain for the Olympics next year to travel on to Ireland. The programme will last from July 2011 until October 2012. It will be reviewed and more countries may be added to the list.

Some of the countries that will be able to avail of the waiver from July include: Russia, Serbia, Turkey, Ukraine, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, India, China and Uzbekistan.

The government have stated they expect the new initiative to see an increase of 30,000 visitors to the country.

Currently tourists must fill out forms and this will avoid delays and costs.
Minister Shatter said the visa waiver scheme alone would not transform the tourist industry in Ireland.

Under the programme, nationals of 14 countries - who would normally have to apply and pay for a visa to enter the state at a cost of EUR60 – will be allowed enter Ireland if they have already obtained a short-term visa to enter the UK.

The initiative is expected to come into effect on July 1st, running until the end of October 2012.

Some good news indeed. There has NEVER been a better time to visit Ireland. Everything is cheaper...even the Queen is dropping off in the markets when she visits Dublin next week.

Added to the hottest April since records began, this has been a good couple of months for people visiting Ireland. Check out www.grandcanalhotel.ie for best rates online.

Talk soon,

Ollie (OMG).

THE QUEEN AND BARACK OBAMA VISIT DUBLIN

2011-05-05T07:07:00.000-07:00

Conversation overheard on the Dart last week: "Did ya see the Queen, Obama and the Pope are all comin to Ireland this year," said a 25 year old odd man in a thick Dublin accent to his friend standing beside him. "They musta heard about the €3 pints in Coppers," laughed the friend.

Of course the visit of such high profile world leaders is not down to the price of the pint in one of Ireland's favourite night clubs, but it certainly is timely. The images of the Queen and Obama smiling and waving at well wishers while standing in front of some of the country's most iconic scenery will be a welcome image boost for the country.

What a contrast the stunning architecture of Trinity College or the rolling hills of West Cork will make to clichéd photos of the unfinished skeleton of the Anglo Building and the ghost estates of middle Ireland that have been bandied about endlessly around the world.

I'm sure the arrangements have already been made for their travels but Old Ollie here has already sent out an invitation to Mr Obama to stay in the Grand Canal Hotel Dublin, and offered her Majesty the Lansdowne Suite should the trappings of Farmleigh House in the Phoneix Park not live up to her usual standards.

Disappointingly, we learned today that the President is only going to spend 24 hours in Ireland and that his mooted address to the people in Croke Park is not now going to happen.

I'm not sure where Obama is staying but at this stage I can only presume that the room I'm holding for him is going to remain idle unless I put it back up for sale. That said I've also invited him in for a pint in Gasworks. I'll be waiting by the bar Mr President.

The Queen is due to arrive on the 17th of May until the 20th. Trinity College, the Garden of Remembrance, Dublin Castle and Croke Park are all thought to be on her itinerary.

So far, the dates for the visit have not been officially confirmed by either Áras an Uachtaráin or the palace, but it is most likely to occur either side of US president Barack Obama’s State visit to London between May 24th and 26th.

Despite the obvious (well to the Irish anyway) historical issues, the vast majority of Ireland will welcome with open arms the Queen's visit to Ireland.

Security around the visit of both will be enormous...to such an extent that when I typed in "the Queen's visit to Ireland itinerary" I probably appeared on both the Irish and the British security alerts.

The Pope's visit has yet to be confirmed. Rumoured to take place at the same time as the 50th Eucharistic Conference which takes place in Dublin in May 2012 a visit by the Pope will be another welcomed boost to Ireland's image abroad.

A message to all three...if you get board give me a shout. We have a great relationship with the Gaiety/Grand Canal Theatre, the O2, Aviva Stadium, Shelbourne Park and if they really feel like it...the National Leprechaun Museum.

Cead Mile Failte to you all!!!

Yours,
Ollie McGrath (OMG)

DUBLINIA REVIEW DUBLIN CITY

2011-04-26T03:06:00.000-07:00

You’ll step right back in time into the Viking World as soon as you cross the door at Dublin’s Dublinia exhibition. From the Viking ship that greets you just inside the doorway and the costumed actors roaming each room of the exhibition, you’ll feel like you’ve time travelled back into the 900’s.

Gertrude who works on the till at the entrance enlightened the whole experience and each staff member knows their stuff, from the horrid details on the Black Death to the intricacies of how really old ‘lavatories’ (if you could call them that) worked.
Daily life of Vikings in Dublin and the history of how they arrived & stayed in Ireland are also explained in great detail.

The exhibition features some of the National Museum of Ireland's collection of artefacts from the Wood Quay excavations as well as a new interactive archaeology room which explores the work of archaeologists.

The Dublinia building, the former Synod Hall of the Church of Ireland, links a bridge straight into the Christ Church Cathedral, a stunning & striking part of Dublin history.
All in all, Dublinia is a very cultural and educational exhibition, with a bit of fun thrown in…..everyone roar Dubhlinn!!! Grrrrr…..

SOUND OF MUSIC REVIEW GRAND CANAL HOTEL DUBLIN

2011-04-20T09:44:00.000-07:00

The thing I always loved most about the Sound of Music was Dick Van Dike...he was a genius. The quintessential children’s comedy clown, Van Dike was the genuine article.
So it was with trepidation that I trotted along to the Dublin’s Grand Canal Theatre to catch the latest Westend production. Jason Donovan...hmm i thought as I collected my tickets in the box office and headed for a quick glass of vino in the bar.
It did not take me long before I realised that this was not Chitty Chitty Bang Bang or indeed Mary Poppins, and that, of course, Van Dike was in fact Christopher Plummer playing an unyielding Austrian patriot. But still Jason Donovan!!!
The story of the von Trapp family and their escape from Nazi occupation was made famous by the movie staring Julie Andrews and ahem Plummer, however the show actually debuted on stage.
Of course I’ve seen the movie many times and my memory quickly comes back to me. As Maria, Verity Rushworth, is stunning. From the outset, helped in no small part by a chorus of singing nuns she owns the stage.
Familiar songs such as Climb Every Mountain, I am Sixteen and Do a Deer and are well received. But as suspected the one bum note on the night is Mr Donovan. He simply does not have the vocal range for the part. The part of Mr von Trapp is that of a wooden Austrian but Donovan takes the wooden to the extreme.
To their credit the children temper Donovan’s failings and in the grand scale of the musical it is still worth the price of the tickets.
The overall theme of the Sound of Music is a depressing one as the von Trapp family flee from Nazi occupation and i for one left the Grand Canal Theatre a little more depressed than when entering.
Cheers,
Ollie.

LEINSTER AND KATIE TO LEAD US OUT OF DEPRESSION

2011-04-11T04:57:00.000-07:00

There is a belief in Ireland that when we are on our knees and suffering that our artistic and sporting achievements come to the fore.
Following a thrilling weekend of sport it is not hard fall in behind this belief. Rory McIlroy, Ulster, Munster and of course Leinster all gave us something to believe in over the last number of days...but they are not the only ones flying the flag for Irish sport.
Rory is a young man who seems fazed by nothing. Even after his collapse at the Masters on Sunday he still held his head high, tweeting yesterday that "this day will make me stronger in the end."
He may not have won but the country was gripped by his efforts from Thursday on. It was just a shame that he didn't follow Padraig Harrington and Graeme McDowell to lift a major title.
It was also a massive rugby weekend with Munster kicking off proceedings on Saturday afternoon. The men in red had been written off earlier this season following their exit from the Heineken Cup but they could end up with both the Amlin and the Magners League trophies in their cabinet by start of the summer. Not a bad return for a team who it was said were finished.
Undoubtedly the game of the weekend was Leinster v Leiceter just a few hundred yards down the road from here. What a fantastic game and the best team won. Even Sky Sports, who can be notoriously biased toward the English clubs, admitted that Leinster had deserved their win.
Rob Kearney, Lions and Leinster's injured full back, tweeted that he thought it was the best atmosphere at a Leinster game he'd seen. And who'd disagree. Ulster tried valiantly in the other quarter final but just came up short. In fairness to the lads from the North, it has been a great year for them. Next season they should be challenging for the title.
So back to my point. Our economic difficulties really seem to be lifting our sporting achievements to new levels. Certain commentators highlight the Jack Charlton era as the real spark for the Celtic Tiger.
Step forward the Irish Cricket Team, Katie Taylor, Brian O'Dricsoll, Conor Niland or, fingers crossed, Trap's national soccer team. It is a good time for sport in Ireland, ironically when there is less money being pumped in.
So here's lookin forward to the 30th of April when Leinster battle Toulouse at the Aviva Stadium and give us a welcomed break from depressing economic headlines.
OMG.

THE O2 DUBLIN AND THE GRAND CANAL HOTEL

2011-03-30T02:16:00.000-07:00

Firstly, reports of our demise are well exaggerated. If you were to believe reports in the media and the web this week the Hayatt Hotel Group have bought the Grand Canal Hotel.
Well fear not my friends. We are and will remain an Irish family owned hotel for a long long time. The property the media are referring to is in fact the Grand Canal Square Hotel which is lying unfinished and vacant just opposite the Grand Canal Theatre.
I attended the Kylie gig last week and while I didn't get quite as excited as a certain Irish TV personality, I was none the less hugely impressed. What a show. While Kylie's musical repertoire hardly rivals Bob Dylan or even Madonna, she is an entertainer.
Taking obvious borrowings from U2's stunning stage productions over the years the gig was much more than about the music. Kylie seems comfortable with the fact that she doesn't have the songs to carry such a large venue but entertains heroically, backed up by dazzling lights and fire works.
The one thing that took me back was that it was full. This is not a reference to Kylie's popularity but rather that even in such recessionary times that people are still going to gigs in such numbers.
I mean look at the poor FAI and to a lesser extent the IRFU. Attendances at the Aviva Stadium have been disappointing to say the least. But the O2 consistently hosts touring artists who sell out.
Almost every show that has visited the docklands venue has had the "no tickets available for this date" come up on a search on Ticketmaster. From X-Factor, the Script, JLS, Katie Perry and of course Justin Bieber.
And going forward things are looking just as rosy for the Live Nation run O2 Dublin. Peter Kay, Westlife, Roger Waters, Glee, and Colin Farrell's new squeeze Rihanna have all still to visit the O2 Dublin.
Of course at this stage I have to plug the success of our O2 Package, which has been busing people over to The O2 for over a year. And it doesn't surprise me. You break down the price. A pre-show meal in Dublin could cost you anything up to €30, god knows how much for the taxi or train, €40 each for the hotel and at least €10 for the breakfast.
At the Grand Canal Hotel we can offer you car park, pre-show meal, return transfer to the gig, night's accommodation and your full Irish the next morning for just €79pps. Throw on another €20 and you can get return rail from anywhere in the country.
Click here to book the O2 Package or check here for what is going on in the O2 over the next year.

Ollie McGrath.

CITY OF A THOUSAND WELCOMES

2011-03-15T06:23:00.000-07:00

Fair play to Simon O'Connor and the guys down at the City of a Thousand Welcomes. This is a new site which is, on one hand asking Dubliners to become Ambassador's and with the other, offering visitors the chance to meet with one of the said Ambassadors for a pint to learn about the city.

This, well timed with the St Patrick's festival kicking off, project has plenty of merit. One of Ireland's greatest selling points is our culture and our people. We are famous throughout the globe for the Cead Mile Failte (a hundred thousand welcomes in Irish).

Some of Ireland's favourite sons and daughters have already signed up to be ambassadors, including Presidential hopeful Senator David Norris, actress Victoria Smurfit and former Miss World Rosanna Davison (how nice would it be if you could request the person to meet you!!!).

Tourism has slowed down in recent years, chiefly down to the world recession, but also, and not to the same degree, due to the perception that Ireland is expensive. Unfortunately we cannot control the first part of my last statement but we have made huge inroads into the latter statement.

But that message has to be gotten out there to the world's masses. I would suggest that if you were to ask anyone from outside Ireland what they think of when you mention the Emerald Isle, outside the usual steryotpes and movie/music stars, people will talk about scenery, craic and of course friendly people.

I was touched by a story, written by an Irish journalist who is covering the tsunami tragedy in Japan. He tells of how he was staying in a hotel near the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant when he got a knock on his room door telling him they were evacuating everybody because of an explosion at the plant. He had now where to stay when a local, who didn't have a word of English, offered him a mattress in his family home. Irish people are a similar breed.

So why not get out there and sell one of our greatest tourism strengths...the people. So I've signed up to be an Ambassador.

Any visitors looking to take advantage of the new project go to www.cityofathousandwelcomes.com and of course...ask to meet OMG.

See you soon,

Ollie McGrath (OMG).

CHASING THE LEPRECHAUN

2011-03-10T11:48:00.000-08:00

First of all a Definition:

What is a leprechaun?
The leprechaun is a character of Irish Mythology. He is about 2'6" (75cm) tall. He is very rich but extremely tricky and if you catch one don't take your eyes off him, or he will disappear! He is a very slick talker and loves a bit of fun...or so the website tells us.

Not sure now, but at some stage over the last month or so I came across the National Leprechaun Museum. It jumped out at me like a rabid dog in Resident Evil.

At first I presumed that it was some Irish American gimmick in Boston or Chicago. You see Leprechaun’s are a stigma that Irish people do not like to be associated. Unfortunately for us like U2, Riverdance and the Celtic Bust for most foreigners the mere mention of Ireland evokes images of the Leprechaun, similar to the way the English are associated with bolar hats.

This Irish stereotype is rampant the world over and the Simpsons, Family Guy, Darby O’Gill and even Scrubs have all used the Leprechuan to represent the Emerald Isle. The mere mention of Leprechauns’ to an Irishman will be met with a feckless roll of the eyes or a tut, so when Tom O’Reilly came up with the concept of a museum he was certainly taking risk by adopting the red haired midget. Indeed Tom has been more or less shunned by the Irish tourism machine. No self regarding politician or Lord Mayor is going to give the press an opportunity to be seen near a Leprechaun…especially in Dublin.

So a year to the day that they opened, and purely coincidently I might add, old Ollie here strolled in to speak to museum manager, Craig Burnett. He kindly, considering I just dropped in, gave me a tour of the facilities.

The museum is well located along the Luas line and just a short stroll from the new “Italian Quarter” in an up and coming part of Dublin. A word of advice though, don’t just head into the city thinking you can find it. Although there are plenty of directional signs around Temple Bar, the trail goes dead once you hit the Liffey, as the guys in the museum have been told they are not allowed put directional signs on the North of the city…hmmm.

So first and foremost…what to expect. Don’t expect wax works of midget red haired, bearded men. There is actually not a huge amount of images etc of Leprechauns. Refreshingly what you actually get is a real experience of how story telling has developed from ancient Ireland from shanachies (old Irish story tellers).

See what most people don’t realise is that Ireland has as rich a methogical culture as Greece and Crete, thanks mainly to pre Celts and early Celts suspicion of putting stories down in words. There are very few records of writings on early settlers in Ireland with most of the evidence coming from the Tain. (I stand to be corrected on my history). Instead what happed is that stories were past from person to person, generation to generation by word of mouth, therefore opening every passing to exaggeration. As each person embellished the story as they past it, myths were born.

Cuchalain, Fionn McCool, Queen Maeve, Banshee’s, Fairies and of course Leprechauns are all explored. The museum was started off essentially as an art project and you get a real sense of that as you go though the building. Wooden structures, light shows and dazzling displays litter the walk through. Craig also tells me that the tour guides are in fact qualified actors who literally take on the forms of Shanachies as they take visitors along the experience.

Each tour is tailored to the visitor and the stories tend to change focus based on that. I can see how it would appeal to children, adults and even stags or hens who would probably enjoy the leprechaun room with its giant table and chairs as much as the infants.

There have been over 70,000 people through the doors in the first year which is quite remarkable considering the lack of publicity and support they have got. This is not a gimmick people and very much holds its own with the major visitor attractions of the city.

The Irish tourist authorities should embrace this and give them as much support as they need. You get the feeling that Craig and Tom are only beginning and this is a working canvas.

There is a pot of gold on Jervis Street for Irish Tourism. Somebody in Failte’s Amien Street office just needs to open their eyes to see it. Follow the Rainbow guys!!!!

The Leprechaun Museum is located in Twilight House, Jervis Street, Dublin 1. The cost of a tour is €10 for Adults and €8.50 for children with under 3s free. Visit www.leprechaunmuseum.ie for more details.

Ollie McGrath (OMG).

TUTANKHAMUN VISITS DUBLIN - SORT OF

2011-02-18T01:59:00.000-08:00

The ad for "Tutankhamen - His Tomb and His Treasures" tells us that "The Pharaoh is Coming", but did he really, I asked myself leaving the RDS in Dublin on the opening day of the exhibition.
At a glance, Dublin 4 hasn't seen this much bling since the height of the Celtic Tiger. But before any serious criminals start planning a Brinks type heist, don't bother, all the merchandise are replica's of the originals.
Don't let that put you off visiting however, all of the 1,000 artefact's have been painstakingly reproduced to scale by expert Egyptian craftsmen.
I'm a bit of a history buff so I was looking forward to visiting the exhibition. Egyptian history is not a subject I can claim to know a huge deal about, but with a little help from the Mummy movie franchise and Karl Pilkinton's Idiot abroad I have at least beginners knowledge of history's longest enduring civilisations.
Tutankhamun is the most famous of all the Egyptian Pharaohs for a number of reasons - not least that his tomb was the first that was found almost fully intact - all others were emptied of their treasures by thieves.
He died at the relatively young age of 18 but like all Pharaoh's he didn't go empty handed. His tomb was littered with stunning pieces of art and enough gold to pay off the debts of modern Irish banks.
Children will definitely enjoy the spectacle. Backed up by a stunning audio and visual display, images of the mummified remains of Tutankhamen and two still born children will no doubt fascinate and revile in equal measure.
This is an impressive exhibition which has seen over 2 million people pay through the doors since its inception in 2008. There are now three touring exhibitions roving the World.
Based on original photos and diary entries from the period, the exhibition tells of Howard Carter's painstaking journey to find the lost Pharoh's remains. After many year's of searching and shedding tons of Lord Carnarvan's dosh, Carter was about to give up on his dream after exhausting the Valley of the Kings.
He was to find the tomb of Tutankhamun in literally the only remaining slither of land that he hadn't searched. The exhibition brilliantly walks you through the moment he found the tomb and following process of detailing, photographing and of course the curse.
The only problem I would have with the exhibition is that there is always the over-riding knowledge that none of what you are looking at is real. That said don't let that stop you going...it really is a stunning presentation of what is a riveting subject.
Tutankhamun his Tomb and Treasures opened on the 17th of February and runs till July. Packages are available at www.grandcanalhotel.com.

Ollie McGrath

JAMESON DUBLIN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

2011-02-16T01:21:00.000-08:00

The Jameson Dublin International Film Festival kicks off on the 17th of February with a host of stars and interesting movies visiting Ireland's capital city over the next month.

Established in 2003, The Jameson Dublin International Film Festival (JDIFF) has fast become Ireland’s premiere feature film festival and takes place in Ireland’s capital city over the course of eleven days and nights each February.

JDIFF will show 120 films from the four corners of the globe to the Irish Audience. The festival is a citywide event that takes place in all of the Dublin City Centre Cinemas including Cineworld, The Savoy, Screen, Irish Film Institute and Light House Cinema in Smithfield. The majority of films shown at the film festival are Irish premieres, and for some of the films shown, the festival represents the only public screening that will take place in Ireland.

As I mentioned earlier there are 120 movies to be shown so while I can't really go through them all I'm going to pick out a few that have seduced my interest.

Highly rated directors Brendan Culleton and Irina Maldea - bring us An Irish Affair, a penetrating and poignant study of the Irish-led 1961 UN peacekeeping mission to Katanga, a province that wanted to break-away from the newly independent Congo and the two Irishmen who were key decision makers in the country during that time, Gen. Seán McKeown, commander of the UN military force and Irish diplomat, Conor Cruise O’Brien, the UN’s civil representative in Katanga.

Some big international films also make their debut in Dublin including The Adjustment Bureau starring Mat Damon and Emily Blunt. The film is both a knowing examination of contemporary American politics and a witty and stylish thriller. While The Way, starring Martin Sheen and directed by his son Emilio Estevez, is a touching film about the testy yet unbreakable bond between father and son, as well as the supportive, familial connections that can form among strangers.

Others films getting their first airing at the festival include the political thriller Fair Game, starring Sean Penn and Naomi Watts and Channing Tatum's The Eagle, adapted from Rosemary Sutcliff’s classic novel The Eagle of the Ninth, a breathtaking historical drama, detailing the explosive clash of cultures in the Roman empire.

But the movies that I'm most looking forward to come from two of my favorite directors. Guillermo del Toro has an exceptional eye for new talent and his latest film as producer, Julia’s Eyes, directed by Spanish newcomer Guillem Morales, will terrify audiences, while Ken Loache's Route Irish, the story of the privitisation of the war in Iraq, will no doubt only enhance his excellent reputation for brilliant films.

Finally watch out for new Irish directing talent in Juanita Wilson. Her first feature, Inside I'm Dancing, starring James McEvoy, gave us a glimpse of what she was capable of. Her latest movie, As If I'm Not There, a hard hitting true story from the Bosnian war, based on Croatian journalist slavenka Drakulic’s book of the same name is causing some serious excitement.

Check out www.jdiff.com for details on when the show are taking place.

IRISH AMERICANS OUTNUMBER US 9:1

2011-02-08T05:02:00.000-08:00

A very interesting article on www.irishcentral.com sheds some light on the level of the Irish infiltration into the US. Interesting facts from the US Census include that 24% of people in Massachusetts claim Irish ancestry and even more impressively 36.9 million US citizens claim to of Irish decent.

Here are some highlights:

Number of Irish Americans: 36.9 million
This number was more than eight times the population of Ireland itself (4.5 million). Irish was the nation's second most frequently reported ancestry, trailing only German. If Scots Irish are included the number rises to over 40 million.
Sources: 2009 American Community Survey & Ireland Central Statistics Office

Number of Irish-born in U.S.: 122,000
Number of Irish-born U.S. residents in 2009. Those from Ireland are much older (a median of 60 years old) and have a higher median household income ($56,158) than U.S. residents as a whole (37 years and $50,221, respectively).
Source: 2009 American Community Survey

Largest population of Irish: Massachusetts, 24%
Percent of Massachusetts residents who were of Irish ancestry in 2009. This compares with a rate of 12% for the nation as a whole.
Source: 2009 American Community Survey

Irish American education levels: 32% college graduates
Percentage of people of Irish ancestry, 25 or older, who had a bachelor's degree or higher. In addition, 92% of Irish Americans in this age group had at least a high school diploma. For the nation as a whole, the corresponding rates were 28% and 85% respectively.
Source: 2009 American Community Survey

Annual income: $56,383
Median income for households headed by an Irish American, higher than the $50,221 for all households. In addition, 10% of people of Irish ancestry were in poverty, lower than the rate of 14% for all Americans.
Source: 2009 American Community Survey

Numbers of professional Irish: 40% in management
Percentage of employed civilian Irish Americans 16 or older who worked in management, professional and related occupations. Additionally, 27% worked in sales and office occupations; 16% in service occupations; 9% in production, transportation and material moving occupations; and 8% in construction, extraction, maintenance and repair occupations.
Source: 2009 American Community Survey

Numbers of Irish owning their own home: 70%
Percentage of householders of Irish ancestry who owned the home in which they live, with the remainder renting. For the nation as a whole, the home ownership rate was 66%.
Source: 2009 American Community Survey

Places called Shamrock : 4
Number of places in the United States named Shamrock, the floral emblem of Ireland. Mount Gay-Shamrock, West Virginia, and Shamrock, Texas, were the most populous, with 2,623 and 1,828 residents, respectively. Shamrock Lakes, Indiana, had 152 residents and Shamrock, Oklahoma, 122. (Statistic for Mount Gay-Shamrock is from the 2000 Census; the other statistics are 2009 estimates.)
Sources: American FactFinder and population estimates

Number of places called Dublin: 9
Number of places in the United States that share the name of Ireland's capital, Dublin. Since the 2000 Census, Dublin, California has surpassed Dublin, Ohio, as the most populous of these places (44,541 compared with 39,310, respectively, as of July 1, 2009).

So there you have it. Any chance our cousins in the States can come back and help us with our economy. You'll have a great time...we promise.

WIN CARLING NATIONS CUP TICKETS

2011-02-01T06:41:00.000-08:00

The inaugural Carling Nations Cup takes place in the Aviva Stadium on the 8th of February 2011 and the Grand Canal Hotel are offering fans the chance to win two tickets to the Ireland v Wales game.

The tournament kicks off with the clash of the Republic of Ireland v Wales on Tuesday followed by Northern Ireland v Scotland on Wednesday. Molson Coors Key Account Manager on Trade Leo Brennan and Brand Manager Jordana Busby dropped into the Grand Canal Hotel in advance of the showpiece to show off the new trophy (see picture attached).

We have to admit we were impressed. Shaped not unlike the World Cup, the Carling Nations Cup trophy is certainly going to capture fans imagination.

This brand new competition is designed to add an edge to the friendly season.Indeed Northern Ireland and Scotland will bring more than 10,000 fans for their clash at the impressive new arena.

Carling have very kindly provided us with two tickets to the Ireland v Wales game. Simply visit our Facebook page and tell us the parent company name of Carling to be in with a chance to win the tickets.

DUBLIN PRICES DROP

2011-02-01T05:17:00.000-08:00

As if there was need for anymore proof to show that there is super value in Dublin, the latest Savills and City Occupancy Hotel Index shows that hotel room rates fell 6.3% in 2010.

The report results are based on daily statistics supplied during the year by over 100 hotels, primarily in the urban centres of Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Galway.

These hotels account for over 14,000 bedrooms, which is around 25% of hotel bedrooms in the Republic of Ireland.

Dublin’s revenue per available room was down 7% year on year which lagged behind the national average. Savills believes this is due to the “hugely competitive” hotel pricing in the capital. Tell us about it!!!

Limerick occupancy increased 2% – the first increase in five years. The city remains last on the list with 53% occupancy however, while Cork is in the lead with 69%.

Five-star hotels were hit the hardest with revenue per available room down 8% in 2010.

Check out www.grandcanalhotel.com for best rates in Dublin City.

OMG'S HOPES AND RESOLUTIONS FOR 2011

2011-01-25T01:07:00.000-08:00

We are well into 2011 and New Year's Day seems like months ago. I've been thinking that maybe I should start some resolutions for 2011 but then I'm useless at keeping them. So I've decided to articulate my hopes and resolutions for the rest of the year. Stay tuned as i'm going of offer my 10 predictions for 2011 later this week.

1. Start Smoking - the smoking ban is one of the best laws enacted in the history of the Irish state. The smoking ban had been in effect in the Republic of a number of year's when on a trip across the border into Northern Ireland I walking into the Merchant Hotel in Belfast. The Merchant had only recently been converted from a bank into one of the most stunning hotel's in Belfast but when I walked into the bar it looked like someone had set the place on fire. The smoke was everywhere. That is my abiding memory of the place...not the stunning decor. My problem with the smoking ban is that, particularly during the summer, the smoking area is the social hub of any pub and as a non-smoker with so many cigarette puffing friends...the bar can be a lonely place.

2. Ban the Recession - talk of the bust has been haunting the print and airwaves in Ireland for four year's now. In that time I've been married, had children, a knee operation, got a degree and gone very grey...enough said. We're all recessioned out. It may be fresh news to the international media but although people have slightly less money, a walk around Dublin even on a Monday would dispel the myth that Ireland is dead. So the word Recession is now retired from OMG's vocab.

3. Change Hotel Ranking System - I read over the weekend that the British authorities were considering doing away with the traditional 1 - 5 star hotel ranking system...great idea. I've been saying it for years. The star system does not do the Irish hotels any favours. Three star hotel's in Dublin are far superior to their British and European counterparts. I've lost count of the amount of times I've been left disappointed with the facilities. Why is complimentary Wi-Fi such a big ask. It is the norm in Dublin. An ironing bord please!!!

4. Get Tourism Ireland to come clean - Our tourism promoters have traditionally done a decent job in promoting Ireland abroad...sure look at the success we've had in attracting tourists over the last decade. Things have quietened down recently and there are a number of reason's for that such as world reccess...oops not allowed use that word, but one of the biggest obstacles to getting visitors to Ireland is to get over the perception that it is a very expensive destination. Breaking news...we are not. Hotel prices are down up to 50% and alcohol and food deals are a plenty. Now that said, if you go to Temple Bar expect to still pay dearly for the privileged. So here's an idea. Why don't we hold our hands up and say "we were wrong". Yes we did get a little greedy, some more than others, but we've learned our lesson. Ireland is still the place to come for a break, cead mile failte and scenery.

5. Visit the Dublin Wheel - Opened in the summer of 2010 down in the Point Village. I had all good intentions of dropping down to see it but ain't made it yet. I'll be honest I get sick going around a roundabout so it is something that I've sort of put off but I'm going to make it over the next few weeks. I'll post pictures. The view should be stunning.

6. Wear a Tie - The suit tie is a relic of the class system. Yep that is just my opinion but this opinion is acted out by the thousands of young business people all over Europe. I'm told that a proper business man wears a tie and that presentation is king. Well let me tell you people you can be dressed like a king but if you have nothing to back it up the suit is as useless as a coat for a dog. It is all about product and personalities. If you don't have either it doesn't matter what you are wearing...as long as it is not a tracksuit. Wear a tie...i think not.

7. Buy some skis - If there is one very important thing that I learned in 2010, it was that suit shoes and ice are not compatible...indeed rather lethal. The snow and ice that crippled the country in November/December almost crippled me aswell. Twice I bounced off the hard concrete and countless times resembled Bambi and that was only going from the office/house to the car. That is two years in a row that we've been hit with those weather conditions so for 2011 I'm going to buy a pair of skis to get around.

8. Be more Cultured - i made a couple of forays into the dramatic world last year when I went to see Hairspray and then Scrooge in the Grand Canal Theatre. Both were very enjoyable. If you've been reading my blogs then you'll know that I particularly enjoyed Tommy Steel in Scrooge. So this year I'm going to make a big effort. There is plenty to chose from with Calendar Girls (and not just for the ladies), Mamma Mia, Peter Pan, Grease and Jekyll and Hyde to name just a few of the show's visiting the Grand Canal Theatre this year. Keep your eye out for reviews.

9. Learn French or Spanish or Polish or Irish. Irish people have to be one of the worst nations in the world for learning languages. Maybe it is because we were forced to learn Irish in school, a language which had not daily use. Maybe it was the way it was taught. Either way, I think we were left with a strong dislike for learning another tongue. But things are slowly changing. Irish is once again a very popular language. People have rediscovered their love for our native tongue. So over the next year I'm going to learn a foreign language. Which one I haven't decided. Any suggestions?

10. Visit the O2 - Our O2 Package has taken on a life its own over the last year. The package offers pre-show meal, return transfer to The O2, Night's Accommodation and Full Irish breakfast. When you consider that you get all that for €79pps with complimentary car parking then it is easy to see why it has gone so well. But I've a confession to make. I've not been to the O2 since it was re-built. I believe it is a superb venue, or so the reviews say. I'd been a regular to its former incarnation...the Point but I either have had no interest in the gigs there or if I did want to go tickets were like gold dust.

Click back for 2011 Predictions.

Lots of love,
OMG.

CIVIL MARRIAGES...IRELAND GROWS UP

2011-01-13T01:11:00.000-08:00

January is a big month for the Irish homosexual community with civil partnerships becoming a reality.

Some of the great legacies of the boom in Ireland are not the three lane motorways or the gleaming architectural marvels littered around the city but maturing of our laws.

Strolling around post Celtic Tiger Ireland it is hard to imagine that condoms were illegal in this country just 20 years ago. Indeed most people don't realise how quickly we have grown up on the Emerald Isle.

The latest strides towards adulthood are taken this week with the commencement of the Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Act 2010, which provides legal recognition for same-sex couples in Ireland for the first time. The Act was signed into law by President Mary McAleese at Áras an Uachtaráin back in July 2010.

Changes to the tax and social welfare code were made in the recent finance and social welfare Bills made way for the introduction of the Act. The first Civil Partnerships will be taking place in April, however, if couples have already had a foreign marriage then they will be recognised as Partnered from January, so congrats from the Grand Canal Hotel.

Previously same sex couples had to travel to other jurisdictions such as Northern Ireland or England to get married. The Act will give the civil partners rights over shared homes, maintenance payments and pensions.

Progressive laws like the above do more for the development of Irish society than any IMF/EU bailout. Another step on the road to adulthood has been taken.

The Registrar of Civil Marriages is located Grand Canal Street Lower, Dublin 2, just a two minute stroll from the Grand Canal Hotel. Check out our website www.grandcanalhotel.com for details on our wedding packages. The Registrar is contactable by phone on 00353-1-6787114 or 00353-1-6787115.

OMG.

BT YOUNG SCIENTIST COMPETITION EXHIBITION

2011-01-10T02:45:00.000-08:00

This week sees the return of the BT Young Scientist and Techology Exhibition to the RDS from the 12th to the 15th of January.

The exhibition, in it's 47th year, is the final stage of a nationwide science competition which is open to all second level students both north and south of the border.

The first competition was held in 1965 in the Round Room of the Mansion House in Dublin and attracted 230 entries. The first ever winner, John Monaghan, has recently retired as Chief Executive Officer of Avigen, a US Biotech company. The success of the first year was such that the exhibition moved to the much larger venue of the RDS in year two and it has remained there ever since.

Students pick from four Project Categories including Social Behavioral Science and Technology. The winner of the competition goes on to represent Ireland in a European competition, which was won by Donal Keane from Abbey Grammer School, Newry, in 1993.

The competition can act as springboard to much greater things for the participants. Indeed Patrick Collinson from Castletroy College, Limerick, who won for his Croma - "A New Dialect of Lisp" in 2005 went on to study in MIT Boston and founded a company called Auctomatic which was subsequently sold for $5 million.

Entries into this year's BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition include "Ultraviolet Perception of Colours by Birds" by St Aloysius College, Cork; "Can fuel tax replace road tax" by Mary Immaculate Secondary School, Lisdoonvarna, Co Clare and "A walking aid for the visually impaired" by Abbey Christian Brothers School, Co Down.

Richard O’Shea, 18 year old sixth year student from Scoil Mhuire Gan Smal, Blarney, Co Cork was the winner of the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition 2010 with his project entitled, “A biomass fired cooking stove for developing countries”.

See listed below all the awards that will be made at the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition 2011:
BT Young Scientist(s) of the Year 2011 Individual or Group
• BT Young Scientist(s) of the Year Trophy (perpetual).
• Cheque for €5,000 / £4,500.
• The chance to represent Ireland at the European Union Contest for Young Scientists.
Best Individual or Best Group.
• BT Trophy (perpetual).
• Cheque for €2,400 / £2,160.
Runner-up Individual and Runners-up Group
• BT Trophy (perpetual).
• Cheque for €1,200 / £1,080.

Special rates available at the Grand Canal Hotel are as follows:

Single Room €59.00 incl. Full Irish Breakfast
Twin Room €72.00 incl. Full Irish Breakfast
Triple Room €99.00 incl. Full Irish Breakfast.

Contact 01-6461000 to book.

Good luck to everyone involved.

DM.

10 THINGS TO LOOK FORWARD TO IN 2011

2011-01-06T03:20:00.000-08:00

What a year 2010 proved to be for Dublin. I was going to start naming the landmark events but when I put them down on paper they all proved too depressing to talk about so instead I decided to focus on what there is to look forward to in 2011…and what a year we have in store my friends. I was look for 10 things but could have written 80. There is so much going on in Dublin in 2011…plenty to smile about.

So here we go and in no particular order:

St Patrick's Day – Ireland’s Day. Dublin may not boast the biggest St Patrick’s Day Parade (New York has the largest parade in the world) but there is no better place to be on St Patrick’s Day (or week) than Dublin City. And it is not just the parade. There is so much to do around the streets of Ireland’s capital during the festival. It is a celebration of Irish culture and for the uneducated on the subject…it is a very extensive portfolio. Art, music, literature and theatre and much more. Where ever you go in Dublin in that week you are sure to have some craic. You can find out more about the festival on www.stpatricksfestival.ie. The St Patrick’s Festival runs from the 16th – 20 of March.

Europa Cup Final - Europe's second biggest international club cup competition comes to Dublin this May and what a fitting event for one of the worlds most spectacular stadiums. That may be a bold statement but having watched the old Lansdowne Road pulled down and then view the creation of the stunning structure that is the new Aviva Stadium I'm fairly confident that visitors who see it will agree. As there is no Irish interest n the Europa Cup I'm going to put my money on Liverpool, although I think there is more chance of Shane McGowen becoming Pope, judging by their current form. Our close cousins would make it a night to remember as most are half Irish anyway and it is the closest thing we could get to having a home team in the final. The final takes place on the 18th of May.

Six Nations - Ireland have been fairly successful in recent years at the game of rugby. Led by talisman Brian O'Driscoll this is going to be a massive year for the boys in Green. With the World Cup in New Zealand this September fans are going to get to see their heroes more than they'd be used to. France in February and England in March in the Six Nations. The lads owe me big time. I much prefer to watch rugby from the comfort of my couch but decided, due to the fact that they were going to play their last game in Croke Park almost guaranteed to lift the Triple Crown against lowly Scotland, that I'd go to the game...they lost!!! For visitors rugby is a fascinating and sometimes brutal sport to watch and the beauty about it is the recession means that it may not be impossible to get tickets for the games in the Aviva this year. If you don't make the Six Nations games both France and England return for World Cup warm up games in August.

Sound of Music – I’ve been harping on about the brilliance of the Grand Canal Theatre for ages at this stage and it appears that many people agree. The Theatre had a stunning 2010 and bucked the trend in recession hit Ireland. 2011 is going to be another big year for the guys down in the stunning venue with a host of fanctastic shows including Calendar Girls, Josephs & His Technicolor Dreamcoat, Peter Pan, Greece, Mamma Mia and Sister Act to name just some of the shows coming to Dublin this year. But the big one for us is the Sound of Music. Maybe it is the child in me but I think this particular tale holds a special place in most people’s hearts…particularly after the festive season when the film is strewn across the small screen. Sound of Music runs in the Grand Canal Theatre from the 4th to the 30th of April. Click here to book the Theatre Package.

The Script at Aviva Stadium - These lads are really making a name for themselves across the globe but their success at home is literally stunning. Three night's in The O2 sold out in March and then they return for the big one...a sell out show in the Aviva Stadium. One of the reasons that I like these lads, apart from the fact they release consistently good music, is that they are so humble. They may be international start but the fact that they've sold out the Aviva Stadium is not lost with them. On a recent appearance on the Graham Norton Show the lads could not hold in their excitement about playing the venue...much to the confusion of Norton, who despite being Irish claimed ignorance to its existence. Hmm!!! The Script play the Aviva Stadium on the 2nd of July.

All Ireland Finals - Attended the Tipperary/Kilkenny final last year with a friend from the UK and both us went away equally impressed. It is hard to comprehend that these ridiculously talented sports men play the sport for nothing. Apparently a group of American troops stopping over in Shannon on their way to a year's tour of duty in Iraq were so inspired by an ad they saw on TV in the airport that they started their own team. Now the American military are making available the sloitar, hurleys and helmets available to all serving troops. They need to get down to Croke Park in September to really appreciate the spectacle. A must...if you can get a ticket that is.

Riverdance - Behind Guinness and U2, is there another Irish brand that stands out so clearly to tourists? Well to be fair to the tapping feet of the Riverdance crew they are much more than a brand and their highly and acclaimed spectacle returns to the Gaiety Theatre this summer from the 28th of June till the 28th of August. I've seen it around five times at this stage. Roll on the sixth. I’ve a feeling this show is going to become a permanent fixture every summer in Dublin, although that is a statement of the obvious considering it has been running in the Gaiety Theatre for 150 years at this stage. It is well worth the visit…even for the atmosphere after the show when everyone spills out on to St Stephen’s Green. Riverdance runs in the Gaiety Theatre from June 28th – August 28th. Click here to book the Package.

U2 - Rumors were rife around the internet last year that Dublin's favorite sons were going to make an October appearance in the Aviva Stadium but unfortunately it didn't happen. Well U2 are due to finish off their World Tour in Europe this year and the Beautiful Day hit makers are almost certain to make the Aviva Stadium a date...maybe up to five times???? Fingers crossed. Watch this space.

Dublin Theatre Festival – The Ulster Bank Dublin Theatre Festival is dedicated to presenting the very best of national and international theatre every Autumn…or so www.dublintheatrefestival.com tells us. I’m a novice when it comes to theatre but the one thing I do know is that Ireland produces a serious amount of talented actors, writers and directors. Liam Neeson, Colm Meaney, Peter O’Toole, Brendan Gleeson, Neil Jordan, Colin Farrell, Jim Sheridan, Roddy Doyle, Soirse Ronan, Cillian Murphy, Richard Harris, Martin McDonagh and Paddy Breathnach to name just a few. Dublin also boasts some of the most renowned theatre’s on the planet with the Abbey and the Gate in particular having hosted some of the greatest stage productions. Check out the aforementioned website for announcements. The Ulster Bank Dublin Theatre Festival runs from September 29th till the 16th of October.

If I missed anything let me know. But special mention to the Dublin Chinese New Year Festival (1st – 14th Feb), Jameson Dubln International Film Festival (17th – 27th Feb), Dublin Book Festival (March 4th – 6th), Carling Nations Cup (February 8/9th and May 24th – 29th), AIB Street Performance World Championship (June 16th – 19th) and Bloomsday Festival (June 16th – 19th).

Yours Ollie McGrath.

SCROOGE GRAND CANAL THEATRE REVIEW

2010-12-13T01:58:00.000-08:00

I think I've made my feelings pretty clear on musical on this blog before...I don't particularly like them.

I ignored my gut instinct and was pleasantly surprised when I attended Hairspray in November, so when the girls from the theatre offered me a ticket to see Scrooge I was a little excited. I've always been a bit partial to the Christmas tale of the man who hated Christmas.

Not being a huge fan of the festive season myself and Scrooge have a lot in common. But like him and unlike the weather my feelings on it have thawed in recent times. Speaking of weather, the walk to the theatre from the Grand Canal Hotel was treacherous. Office shoes are not made to walk on ice and snow covered pavements.

I tend to drive everywhere because walking is for people who have too much time on their hands so I hadn't really prepared myself for the conditions. On walking out of the hotel I was immediately in trouble...a bit like Bambi was I. At one point I was hanging onto the side of the railings guiding myself very slowly along the path...that is until I was humbled by the site of a woman casually walking along the ice beside me while talking on the phone. So I manned up and tried to walk unaided. It was difficult but the 8 minute walk did take 25.

On arriving in the Grand Canal Theatre I picked up the tickets said hello to the girls and made myself home at the bar with a lovely glass of red. I have to say my seat couldn't have been better. I shared an isle with Pat Kenny, Gay Byrne and Brian Ormond, all of whom looked enviously on at my central location while they were seated in the wings. Thanks girls.

Air conditioning under the seats if you don't mind!!! I was really at home. The show kicked off with some singing...not sure about that, but I quickly warmed up the Tommy Steel's brilliant performance as Scrooge. I believe the man is in his 70's? Well he certainly uses all his experience in the show. His facial expressions and body movements alone are enough to keep the audience entertained. Funny and entertaining in equal measures Steele certainly knows what he's doing...but after over 1,500 appearances in the West End you'd expect him to.

But there is much more to this musical than Mr Steele. The set is stunning and really does make you feel like you are in the 1800's, not that I know what it feels like it to be from that era but you get the point. I know these guys have probably been performing this show in London for a couple of hundred years but their timing was really on the money, especially considering this was just their third show in Dublin.

I read earlier that day that the special effects guy that worked on Harry Potter is involved in the production so I was interested but a little skeptical to see what he could do on stage. I was blown away. People appearing, disappearing explosions, ghosts and mirrors that were there but not there. Stunning stuff.

Don't ask me to name check any of the songs or the actors because I have an awful memory and I was too cheap to buy the brochure but there were fine performances all round. None more than little Darren Dixon who plays Tiny Tim.

So all in all if you are looking for something to get you into the Christmas spirit...if you excuse the pun, than Scooge is your man. Walking out into the snow covered Grand Canal Square made it all the more apt and enjoyable...that is until I tried to take a step and nearly ended up looking at the stats. Which brings me to my biggest tip for anyone looking to venture down to see Mr Steele...don't wear office shoes.

OMG

TOURIST GUIDE TO THE BUDGET

2010-12-09T07:37:00.000-08:00

Well the Session (Celtic Tiger) is well and truly over and Alka-Seltzar is being administered for the hangover. I’m sure you’ve heard that the Irish government have decided the cure, sorry Budget, needs to be strong.
The effectiveness of the cure, we’re told, has more consequences than just for the Irish people. It is hard to imagine that this small country can hold the faith of the Euro in our hands but if you are believe the media it is true. Europe held its breath as our finance minister, Brian Lenihan, announced the details of the budget to the world.
If your thinking about or actually coming do Dublin in the near or distant future DON’T worry. We're not French or Greek for that matter, so don't believe those images in the international media of riots and protests in Dublin. The reality is that the only thing we have in common with our French cousins is a Gaelic heritage and a strong love for wine (mine's a red thank you). Indeed the only large protest that happened here recently was the senior citizens and despite their best efforts it past off very peacefully.
So what does it mean to the visitor coming to Dublin...this Budget? Well believe it or not it’s all good…for you guys at least. I've taken the time to offer a tourist guide to what the budget and the IMF/EU bailout means to our visitors.
Tax - While the poor souls of the Republic of Ireland have been handed severe tax burdens from the budget our overseas visitors will be delighted to learn that Mr Cowen has actually reduced the travel tax into Ireland from €10 to €3, something that the Chief Executive of Ryanair, Mr Michael O'Leary, will no doubt be encouraged by...any chance of those 5,000 jobs you promised us Michael. So to cut a long story short the cost of flying to our beautiful island is now cheaper.
VAT - there were no VAT increases on food or services in the budget so the continued downward cost of alcohol and eating out is reduced further...we've learned our lesson.
Minimum Wage - again while the unfortunate in society face the prospect of having the minimum wage reduced by €1 and therefore may have to depend on charity from friends and neighbours the traveller will by encouraged by the cost of services being reduced and consequently the cost attractions, restaurants, hotels etc.
More Historical Sites - Tourism Ireland likes to portrait Dublin as a fun loving city, easy to get around with over 1000 years of history. It uses images of Haypenny Bridge, GPO, the Spire, Grafton Street, Guinness etc to help promote it. But what has the recent Celtic Tiger added to Dublin? History will spend a lot of time covering events of these times. There will be chapters in future school history books called "Celtic Tiger" and "Boom to Bust".
The banks billions have given us some fantastic and truly spectacular buildings. I'd even dare say that Dublin has a stunning skyline. The Ulster Bank towers in City Quay, the Convention Centre and it's Red Bull like dome, the O2, the Point Village, the Grand Canal Theatre, Grand Canal Square, Samuel Beckett Bridge and much more. But ironically enough, while these buildings and structures will attract many an admiring glance the historical significance of the recent period lies wedged between the CCD and the O2. Sticking out like the mole on Enrique Inglesias face is an unfinished shell of a building.
This was to be Anglo Irish Banks (yes the bank that could bring down Europe) new head office. Tourist should be brought down past the half empty glass buildings of the Irish Financial Services Centre and toward the Dublin Wheel to see this iconic ghost of the Celtic Tiger. It is essentially a building site with cranes still in place. Looking at it you almost expect the cranes to start moving...but nothing will happen here for a long time. It should be part of the Dublin Bus Tour...indeed it my be.
Meet the Dubliner - One of the sadder (yes I just made up a word) elements of our economic problems has been the exodus of foreign nationals from Dublin. As any visitor to the island in recent times can attest that it was most unusual to come across and Dubliner serving in a restaurant or a hotel for that matter. You had to look hard to find one of those funny talking, wise cracking natives. We have much to thank from our international residence and we do still benefit from the ones that remain. But it is all good for the visitor!!!
They have made our Capital a much more cosmopolitan place to visit, but fear not because on your return you are going to meet the Dubliner, a character so brilliantly captured by James Joyce and Roddy Doyle in their famous novels. Think Colin Farrell (mostly without the looks), think the Commitments, think Colm Meeney, Brendan Gleeson (minus the eye patch), think Coronation Street and Boyzone’s Keith Duffy...you get my drift. Real Dublin is easier to access in debt ridden Ireland.
So there you have it people. While the citizens of Ireland face the music and deal with the hangover from the Celtic Session...sorry Tiger, tourists have a lot to look forward to.
Dublin can now compete with any city in Europe in terms of price competitiveness...just have a look at www.grandcanalhotel.com to see the value. Eating out is cheaper, the booze is cheaper, the flights will be cheaper and it is only going to get even cheaper.
But don't take Ollie McGrath's word for it. Come and visit. Go to any bar, ask any taxi man, talk to the man on the street...everyone has an opinion. The best things about Dubliners is that we love to talk.
Yours Ollie McGrath.

I DON'T LIKE MUSICALS...BUT

2010-11-24T05:42:00.000-08:00

Have to admit that i'm not the biggest fan of Musicals. The emergence of Glee has only cemented this opinion so when I was offered two tickets to Hairspray...only the threat of being single again forced my hand.
So what did I think? Well the Grand Canal Theatre is very impressive. I know the guys in the hotel have been raving about it for months but some of them were also raving about Glee...you do the maths. But OMG...what a venue...what an area.
Dublin has undergone a sea change since (don't mention the Celtic Tiger)...well a while ago. But the Grand Canal Square area really is a beautiful addition to the city. Stunning buildings, some of which look like complex logo land structures, surrounded by restaurants. It was a good start as i made my way into the show.
The theatre itself is a fine building, all shapes and corners. One of the things I hate about theatre is the standard of seats that you get...obstructed views...big heads in front of you. There is nothing of that in the Grand Canal Theatre. Spacious, air-conditioned and stunningly red.
To my surprise the rest of the audience looked normal...not that there is a typical musical loving person look but it was a good start nonetheless. Oh and I was on an aisle seat which helped.
So the show. Before I start I have to confirm that I've never seen the movie...any of the movies...for reasons I've already mentioned, so I had no idea what to expect other than the distant memory of Michelle Pfeiffer and John Travolta in the trailer of the 2007 movie adaption.
A cross-dressing Michael Ball (slightly disturbing image) apart, this was a bit of craic. Performances were for the most part excellent, even if vocals are occasionally strained...I'm no Simon Cowell, but in particular the villains who are a little grating on the ear.
Now don't get me wrong I haven't morphed into a Musical junkie, but my eyes have been opened a little. Mamma Mia is coming to the Grand Canal Theatre on the 4th of October next year and I've already got my ticket...I've always been a bit partial to Sweedish pop...Oh! and I'm going to Scrooge.

I'll report back.

Yours,
Ollie McGrath (OMG).

A WARM WELCOME TO THE IMF

2010-11-22T02:04:00.000-08:00

So the IMF have arrived and our lovely island nation is front page news across the globe with headlines screaming..."humiliation"..."Ireland Bailed Out"...etc.

I don't think that people from outside Ireland realise that we've been reading/listening to recession/depression/bail out/IMF stories for years now. The IMF's coup is like a weight off our shoulders. It's like we've finally come out of the closet. Our little dirty secret.

If I hear anything else about Good Banks/Bad Banks...bond markets...interest rates...I'm going to scream...please SHUT UP. I've made a conscious not to listen to the radio or read the newspaper today because I'm sick of it.

How about a good radio station and a bad radio station...a good newspaper and a bad newspaper. Change the record please. We've had enough of bad news. Dublin is open for business.

The hotel was buzzing on the weekend and we even had George Hook and Brent Pope in entertaining the masses with RTE...George even managed to stay awake this time. The hotel is full for most of the week...granted that could be thanks to the thousands of journalists that are hear to cover our fall from grace.

I could still afford me few pints last night, bought meself the usual cup of tasty coffee from Marta in the Coffee Dock and even arranged to go and see Harry Potter during the week.

I was in London last week and I had people coming up to me commiserating and offering their sorrow...as if I can't feed the kids. It reminds me of the height of the troubles when American visitors to Dublin were genuinely surprised not to see tanks patrolling O'Connell Street.

For people looking to visit Dublin or Ireland in the near future know this...there has never been a better time to come here. Drink, food, entertainment are all cheaper and most importantly we've got our sense of humour back. Being the rich kids of Europe didn't suit us anyway.

So take some advice from Ollie. No more talk of recession/depression etc. Dublin is open for business.

Ollie McGrath (OMG)

IRELAND MORE POPULAR THAN PARIS

2010-11-04T09:18:00.000-07:00

IRELAND has surpassed Paris as the top holiday destination for 2011 in a global poll by a prestigious tourist guide.

Almost a third of readers of Frommer's guide books chose Ireland as their favourite holiday destination for next year -- narrowly beating the City of Lights as the readers' favourite.

Some 7,300 voters chose Ireland over other tourist hotspots including Egypt, Hawaii, Australia, Italy, Greece, Alaska, New Zealand and Germany.

Visitors cited the landscape, ancient attractions and the overall beauty of the Emerald Isle as their main reasons.

"I love being out in the country, rambling around, exploring megalithic sites, having tea in small shops," said a reader.

"Beer, castles, lush landscapes, small enough to explore via bicycle or car," were the reasons given by another reader.

The stronger US dollar and a drastic reduction in the price of food and lodgings last year were also among the reasons cited.

But Ireland didn't make the guide's Top Destinations list for 2011, which is compiled by the guide's writers and editors.

The coastline of Kent in England was top of the 12 chosen destinations for next year, followed by Stockholm, Sweden and Rio de Janeiro in Brazil.

But the guide lavished praise on many of Ireland's natural attractions.

Frommer's editorial director David Lytle said Ireland should be proud of what the country has to offer visitors.

"Ireland has always been a very popular destination for our readers. There are people who go there again, and again and again," he told the Irish Independent last night.

"It's a storybook destination for people and it's very accessible," he said.

Despite its popularity, Irish tourism suffered one of its worst years in 2009 with an 11.6pc decrease in overseas visits. Figures for 2010 have not yet been released.

Article curtsey's of www.independent.ie.

DIRTY DANCING COMES TO DUBLIN

2010-11-03T03:50:00.001-07:00

Fantastic news theatre lovers...our friends over in the Grand Canal Theatre are brining the world famous smash hit musical to Dublin in 2012.

Seen by millions across the globe Dirty Dancing, tells the classic story of Baby and Johnny, two fiercely independent young spirits from different worlds, who come together in what will be the most challenging and triumphant summer of their lives. Dirty Dancing is told by a tremendous cast of 37 and featuring 35 hit songs, including Hungry Eyes, Hey Baby, Do You Love Me? and the heart stopping I've Had The Time Of My Life.

The show kicks off on the 17th of January 2012 and runs right through till the 25th of February.

Now that might seem a distance off but i was talking to the lovely ladies in the box office and they tell me that tickets are ALREADY selling very fast.

But fear not. We have put together a package for people hoping to attend the show. As with all our theatre packages...enjoy a pre-show meal, ticket to the show, night's accommodation and full Irish breakfast the following morning from just €109pps.

Click here to make your booking or for more informatio.

FINANCIAL TIMES KNOWS WHERE VALUE IS

2010-11-03T03:44:00.001-07:00

We don't mean to be harping on about value in Dublin, but when a newspaper giant such as the Financial Times picks up on it...then there must be some truth in it.

Check it out....

Many of the costs associated with doing business in Ireland at the tail end of 2010 are now considerably lower for the business traveller than they have been for many years.

According to the latest figures from Hotels.com, the average price of a hotel room in Ireland dropped 21 per cent last year and a further 4 per cent in the first half of this year. Although the decline in prices is slowing, the average room rate of €79 ($110) a night makes Ireland the least expensive destination in western Europe and the fourth-cheapest in the eurozone.

Dublin is now one of the least expensive major city destinations in the world, according to Hotels.com, with an average room rate of €73 a night.

All the big international chains are represented in the capital and around the country, including Marriott, Conrad and the Four Seasons.

There are also quite a few boutique hotels, offering a more individual twist to the “hundred thousand” Irish welcomes.

Hotels

Dublin is sadly short of historic hotels – most of them fell victim to the developers’ wrecking ball in the 1970s. To the south of the river Liffey the Shelbourne Hotel, founded in 1824, has long been the destination of choice for many of the business community.

The Horseshoe Bar, once voted by Time magazine as one of the best in the world, was where Celtic tigers quenched their thirst during the boom years. One disgruntled wag defined it as “a place where women with a past met men with no future”. Those seeking “the relics of old decency” will be well looked after here.

Just a block away, the Merrion offers old world charm in a set of Georgian buildings overlooking the prime minister’s office. The Cellar Bar offers a good lunch for those in a hurry. These atmospheric rooms are the old kitchens and wine cellars of Mornington House, where the Duke of Wellington was born. The hotel also houses the Michelin-starred Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud.

The Conrad, on Earlsfort Terrace, is also centrally located. It is favoured by regular business visitors for the high quality of its service and the fact that many of the friendly staff have been there for years. It has also been the home for 12 years of one resident Irish businessman known for his exacting standards. The Conrad has, therefore, been put to the test by some of the most discerning patrons.

Off Grafton Street, the capital’s trendy shopping street, the Westbury offers city-centre luxury in a more modern setting. Its Marble Bar is a discreet first-floor watering hole favoured by early evening tipplers.

Elsewhere in the country, Cork is well served by a wide variety of quality hotels, but Hayfield Manor near the university is by far the most stylish. The hotel is set in the former estate of the Musgraves, one of the city’s leading merchant prince families. The restaurant offers some of the best seafood in Cork. It is a haven of tranquillity yet within walking distance of the city centre.

North of Cork on the west coast, lies Limerick. Its Savoy hotel is centrally located and offers impeccable service in the heart of the business district. A short drive from Limerick, Adare Manor, once the seat of the Earls of Dunraven, offers golfing and spa facilities in a historic setting.

Further up the west coast, Galway, the “City of the Tribes”, has one of the most vibrant cultural scenes in Ireland. A favourite haunt of the racing set and home to the Galway Oyster Festival, the city has the hotel infrastructure to go with all of that. The SAS Radisson is much favoured by the racing set. The Meyrick on Eyre Square is a former grand railway hotel offering Victorian elegance and modern service.

Restaurants

Many Irish restaurants have dropped their prices by as much as 40 per cent in the past year or so. Rather like the absence of old hotels, restaurants with a pedigree are thin on the ground in Dublin. One exception is the Unicorn, which has been going since 1943. Offering primarily Italian cuisine with a modern twist, this is a favourite with politicians and businessmen. It is a good place to spot visiting theatre and film stars who, when working in Dublin, inevitably end up using the Unicorn as their base.

Peploe’s, on St Stephen’s Green, is named after the Scottish painter Samuel John Peploe and has established a firm reputation as one of Dublin’s top dining spots. Converted from an old safety deposit vault, it is atmospheric and has a charming wine bar with its own menu as well as more sustaining choices in the main restaurant. Lunch and dinner usually find Peploe’s full of business diners. For business travellers with an interest in military history, the wonderful menu covers are the art work of Melinda Patton, a descendant of General George Patton.

Town Bar and Grill, on Kildare Street, is a short distance from the national parliament and the museum district. Located in charming old wine cellars, the restaurant has a loyal clientele. It serves superb fresh fish, meat and pasta dishes. At weekends, it has a resident piano player.

Cork’s gastronomic accolade must go to Jacque’s, now one of the longest established restaurants in the city. It aims to showcase the best of County Cork’s fresh produce in a modern environment and achieves this aim splendidly. It is conveniently located near the Imperial Hotel and the South Mall in the heart of the business district.

Just a short journey down the coast is Kinsale, which is known as Ireland’s gastronomic capital. It offers an extensive selection of seafood restaurants in an idyllic coastal setting.

Bars

James Joyce once set a challenge: to cross the city of Dublin without passing a pub. It is of course a near impossible task. In the city centre it is worth sampling Doheny & Nesbitt’s on Baggot Street. The business traveller will note that this local is credited with having its own school of economics, surely a world first. Nearby on Merrion Row, O’Donoghue’s is famous for live sessions of traditional Irish music.

In Cork, the local brew is Murphy’s Stout and anyone seeking the authentic pub experience must head for Counihan’s of Pembroke Street. Downstairs offers an old Cork pub atmosphere, while upstairs is somewhat trendier.

Culture

The National Museum in Dublin is centrally located and boasts a fabulous collection of Celtic gold artefacts.

The National Library, which always has an interesting literary exhibition, is located just opposite.

Behind these two institutions is the National Gallery, which houses collections of Irish and international art including a relatively recently discovered Caravaggio. The Chester Beatty Library (really a museum) at Dublin Castle is the jewel in the cultural crown, housing one of the world’s greatest collections of Oriental artefacts.

Cork plays host to a major jazz festival every October and an International Film Festival in November. The Crawford Gallery and the Lewis Glucksman Gallery between them cover the fine arts comprehensively.

Limerick’s Hunt Museum holds the nucleus of a private collection from the Neolithic age to the 20th century.

The sporting life is one of Ireland’s treasured activities. Golfing facilities are world class, including Ryder Cup host, the elegant K Club in County Kildare.

Ireland does not have a foxhunting ban and visitors are always made welcome by masters of Irish hunts, where a modest cap fee secures a day’s riding to hounds in the countryside.

Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. You may share using our article tools. Please don't cut articles from FT.com and redistribute by email or post to the web.

DUBLIN HOTEL PRICES STILL DROPPING

2010-10-21T03:03:00.001-07:00

Well if ever you needed proof that Dublin is now one of the best cities in Europe in terms of hotel value than have a read of today's article in the Irish Times.

Anyone who's stayed in the Grand Canal Hotel or taken an interest in any of our offers will already tell you that we strive to offer the best rates. Our friends over in Hotels.com like to monitor these things and their latest survey makes good reading for anyone wanting to travel to Ireland's capital.

Dublin now ranks as the tenth cheapest city for hotel prices among major holiday destinations worldwide, according to a new survey.

The latest Hotels.com Hotel Price Index shows that the average price per room in the capital fell 7 per cent from €78 in the second quarter of 2009 to €73 for the same three-month period this year. This means that Dublin continues to be the cheapest city for hotels in western Europe.

Monte Carlo, the city which is the playground of the rich and famous, is the world's most expensive city for holidaymakers with prices having risen by 6 per cent over the past year to an average of €180 per night.

Geneva in Switzerland is the second most expensive city for hotel accommodation with prices up 7 per cent year-on-year to €174 per night. Hotel prices in Rio de Janerio rose 22 per cent during the same time period to €166. New York and Moscow, formerly two of the world's most expensive destinations, make up the top five with prices at €153 and €150 respectively.

The most significant rise in hotel costs recorded in the year to the end of June was in Cape Town where prices increased by 35 per cent to €108 per night, due to the World Cup.

Singapore and London also saw substantial rises in room rates with prices up 20 per cent and 14 per cent respectively.

The Latvian capital Riga is ranked as the cheapest city for hotel prices wiht costs having fallen by 8 per cent over the year from €63 to €58.

Christchurch, Tallinn, Bangkok and Beijing make up the top five in terms of cheapest hotel prices with all offering accommodation at €66 per night or below on average.

Abu Dhabi was the city which experienced the largest fall in prices in the year to the end of June with room rates down 29 per cent to €136.

The Icelandic capital Reykjavik saw its room rates fall by 22 per cent due to the ash cloud crisis earlier in the year while room rates in Bucharest dropped by 27 per cent on average making it one of the least expensive destinations in the world.

So there you have it. Dublin, value and particularly the Grand Canal Hotel are synonymous. Check out www.grandcanalhotel.com for more info.

DUBLIN APP

2010-10-11T05:44:00.000-07:00

Dublin Tourism has launched a fantastic innovative piece of technology that allows tourists visiting the city to discover information on an attraction by just pointing at it...and the Grand Canal Hotel are very impressed.

The app is already proving to be hugely successful and is the number one travel app in Ireland since its launch.

The IPhone app allows tourists to point their cell phone at a range of buildings in the city providing them with a wealth of information including 3D maps, building details, voucher details and audio clips.

An additional one million visitors are expected to descend upon the city to try out the innovative product.

More than 7,000 pages of information have been condensed into the one feature.

Frank Magee, chief executive of Dublin Tourism, said although the application can be accessed abroad it will be very appealing to people from Dublin.

"We are the first people in the world to introduce this but we expect that other cities will follow," he said.

"It's a fascinating piece of equipment.

"We were the first city in the world to introduce iwalks and within the first 18 months, over 600,000 were downloaded."

A 100,000 application downloads are expected in the first year.

"The beauty of it is that once you download the app from the Apple Store or the Google Marketplace, there is little or no charge," Magee added.

"There is the option to accept an entertainment guide and breaking news, which will carry a minimum charge to see."

"So if want to stay at Mrs McGrath's B&B in Balbriggan, you can find out all the sites in the area," Magee explained.

THE RDS

2010-10-08T04:38:00.000-07:00

The RDS is one of Dublin's most iconic venues and home to the majority of the large exhibitions which take place in Ireland each year...not to mention the fantastic Failte Ireland Horse Show.
So we've (after coming across some leaflets on the venue) decided to fill you all in on a bit of history on the old venue.
A Short History of the RDS:

IN 1713 fourteen Irishmen came together in Dublin united by a common aim - to improve the poor economic conditions of the country by promoting agriculture, arts, industry and science in Ireland. This objective, they believed, could be achieved by dissemination of knowledge and new ideas.
The Society draws its strength from its independence from impartiality; it relies on its own resources to fund its activities, and on the voluntary input and support of its Members who give their time and expertise to serve on its Council and Comittees.

Some Major Milestones;
In 1750 the Dublin Society set up and managed its own Drawing School. In 1877 this was transferred to government and became the Metropolitan School of Art and Design, later the National College of Art and Design.

The Veterinary College was opened by the Society in 1800 and remained the only body engaged in veterinary education in Ireland until 1895.

From 1815 until 1922 the Society was based in Leinster House, now the home of the Oireachtas, the Irish Parliament. The Society sold its Headquarter to the new Irish government in 1922 and the RDS Lecture Theatre is now the Dáil Chamber.

While based in Leinster House, the SOciety built an art school in 1827 and the Natural History Museum in 1856.

The first Horse Show was held in 1868 on Leinster Lawn, it was moved to the Society's new Showgrounds in Ballsbridge in 1881.

The term "electron" was introduced to the English language in an article published in the Transactions of the Royal Dublin Society, written in 1891 by George Johnstone Stoney (1826-1911), the first recipient of the Society's Boyle Medal.

In 1914 the RDS purchased a stock of radium bromide for medical research purposes and later established the Radium Institute. The Institute was active in treatment of cancer for 38 years; the radium was then transfered to the new Cancer Association of Ireland, now known as St Luke's Hospital.

As early as 1882 the Society accepted a few small commercial bookings from respectable outside bodies.

The commercial arm of the RDS developed from these shows. This now contributes to the funding the Foundation aims in agriculture, arts, science and industry. The Society is therefore largely independent of external funding for its work.

Leinster play Racing Metro in the RDS on Saturday at 1.30. Tickets still available.
The Pregnancy and Baby Fair takes place on the 9th and 10th of October.
The Over 50's Show takes place in the RDS on October 12th - 14th.

CLASH OF THE TITANS

2010-10-01T01:04:00.001-07:00

So Saturday is the first chance for Ireland's rugby elite to sample the fantastic new Aviva Stadium.

It will be unusual for the lads in that they are normally sharing the hallowed Dubln 4 turf in green jerseys. Saturday will see Ireland's two most powerful rugby provinces clash in what will be an enthralling battle.

Leinster are in serious need of a victory having lost three of their opening four Magners League games under new coach Joe Schmidt. For their part Munster, well until Cardiff's victory over Connacht last night, are leading the table after a fine start which included two away wins.

The return of many of their elite players last week against Edinburgh didn't exactly have the desired effect, which adds to the pressure in this fixture.

All in all it leads to a facinating game...and we can't wait. Having international and major competitive sport back in the Ballsbridge area has brought a great buzz into the hotel.

Michael Bublé last week threw down the gauntlet to the rugby fans in terms of enjoying themselves. The bar was rammed after the gigs and the crowds lapped up Brendan Keeley's set in Gasworks.

Obviously, being a Dublin City hotel, our allegiance lies with the boys in blue, but that doesn't mean we don't have a soft spot for the lads from Munster. So all are welcome for some good food drink and craic before and after the game.

For those going to the game here is some useful information:
- Stiles open at 6pm
- Admission to all parts of Aviva Stadium is by ticket only,
- External check points will only admit patrons with the correct colour ticket.
- Patrons are reminded that parking is strictly prohibited in the areas around Aviva Stadium and vehicles parked illegally are liable to be clamped or impounded.
- The Grand Canal Hotel has limited car parking spaces available...get in early to ensure you get a space.
- Check out www.avivastadium.ie for more info.
- Kick Off is at 7.30pm

Gasworks Bar

Facilities include:
Sandwich Counter
From 3.30pm – late (12 midnight)
Sandwiches/Wraps/Pizza/Chips from €5.50
Bar Carvary From 4.15pm – 9pm
Chicken Curry & Rice, All €10
Burgers & Chips, Chicken
Goujons & Chips,
BBQ Beef Rolls & Chips
With salads

Restaurant
Tab menu €20 – 3/3/3 with T/C

Entertainment - Band – 10.30pm – 12.30

Wii in lobby on TV’s

THE MUSIC SHOW

2010-09-29T02:28:00.000-07:00

The Music Show, which takes place at the RDS on October 2 and 3 is one of the music highlights of the year with a programme of events including a host of exhibitions, workshops, seminars, fun & games.

Last year's show was the largest event of its kind staged in Ireland with 12,000 visitiors attending the Mucis Show...and the country's ultimate music event is set to be bigger and better than ever.

The Live Stage features a host of top bands including Damien Dempsey (one of our favorite artists), The Brilliant Things, the Coronas, Fight Like Apes, Cathy Davey and brilliant new wannabe stars OEmperor.

A host of top producers, musicians and broadcasters from the Irish and International industries such asb Bob Geldof, Steve Lillywhite (U2 producer), Mark Glossopp (Van Morrison and Waterboys producer), Liam O'Maonalai, Justin Greene (MCD), Mundy and Gemma Hayes will be in Dublin over the weekend to give an unique insight into how hit records are made.

Date: Saturday October 02, 2010 - Sunday October 03, 2010

Venue: Hall 1

Opening Hours:
Saturday: 10.00am - 6.30pm
Sunday: 11.00am - 6.00pm

Organiser's Contact Details:
Hot Press
13 Trinity St
Dublin 2

Tel: +353 1 241 1500
Web: http://www.themusicshow.ie

CULTURE NIGHT

2010-09-24T04:30:00.000-07:00

Michael Bublé may be hogging the spotlight in Dublin this weekend with two sell out shows in the Aviva Stadium but it aint the biggest show in town by any stretch.

Culture Night in Ireland kicks off today with over 500,000 people expected to attend the various free events across Ireland.

Twenty locations including Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick, Waterford and Kilkenny are hosting their own events to celbrate irish culture.

Dublin has some fantastic offers with galleries, libraries, museums, theaters and tourist attractions open to the public for the evening.

Pick of the lot has to be Royal Kilmainham Hospital which is hosting a massive tented street party, offering free food, music and the chance to meet artists in residence. Guinness Storehouse is offering a pint of the black stuff and a free tour between 5pm and 10.

Leinster House will have guided tours of the debating chambers of both the Dail and the Seanad as well as the hallowed halls of the Houses of the Oireachtas.

The Culture Night, which kicked off in Temple Bar in 2004, has become an All-Ireland event with activities taking part North of the boarder in Belfast and Derry.

So it has been a busy week. Arthur's Day, Michael Bublé and Culture Night and that's not even the full picture. You have to admit...Dublin is Great!!!!

BUBLÉ IN AVIVA STADIUM

2010-09-22T02:45:00.000-07:00

A great night is in store for all the ladies...and some lads who are attending this weekend's highly anticipated Michael Bublé concert in the Aviva Stadium.

As most of you will know the Grand Canal Hotel is just a stone's throw away from the new venue and as a result we have put together some superb food and entertainment for the concert goers.

The highlight for us is the confirmation that Brendan Keeley will be playing in Gasworks Bar after the gig on Saturday night. The "I'll always be lonely" troubadour will entertain all from 10pm.

But that's not all. We'll have great food, drinks promotions and a cocktail bar. Check out the line up:

Friday: Gala buffet dinner served in the Gasworks bar from 4pm. Only €10pp.
Pizza and sandwich bar open from 10pmto midnight. ALll pizzas only €10

Restaurant open from 4.30pm. 3 course dinner only €20

Saturday: Bar menu available form 12pm to 4pm
Gala buffet dinner served in the Gasworks bar from 4pm. Only €10pp
Pizza and sandwich bar open from 10pm to midnight. ALll pizzas only €10

Restaurant open from 4.30pm 3 course dinner only €20

Live music from 10pm. ''Irleand's greatest crooner' - Brendan Keeley

COSMOPOLITANS €6 ALL NIGHT

Remember we have limited car parking spaces so get in early if you are looking to grab one. Also if you are hoping to eat in the restaurant it is advisable to book early as space is already filling up.

THE DUBLIN PASS

2010-09-21T01:52:00.000-07:00

One of the beauties about Dublin is that, as cities go, it is rather compact and easy to get around.

For those visitors hoping to get the most out of their visit the Grand Canal Hotel would make the following suggestion. Buy the Dublin Pass and a Dublin Tour ticket. The two combined gives you transport and access to 27 top attractions in the city.

The Dublin Pass is your passport to Dublin that gives you FREE ENTRY to over 27 favourite attractions! Not only does The Dublin Pass offer great value and convenience, it also allows you to be a VIP and skip the queues at Dublin's major attractions.

Travel hassle-free to the city centre by using your Dublin Pass. From the minute you arrive in Dublin Airport, you can avail of this pass by travelling FREE to the city centre with Aircoach. From there, experience the delights Dublin has to offer for a fraction of the cost.

OK those last two paragraphs were Dublin Tourism spin, but it rings true. The Dublin Pass may cost €35(1day), €55 (2 day) and €65 (3 Day) but if you consider the cost of entering attractions such as Dublin Castle (€4.50 for the tour), Dublin Zoo(€15 for adults), Guinness Storehouse (€15 for adults), Kilmainham Gaol (€6 for adults) and the Old Jameson Distillery (€10 per adult) you can save a fortune plus you get discounts on shops and restaurants associated with the pass.

From personal experience the Dublin City Tour buses are well worth the €14 cost. It is the full experience. Similar to their New York counter parts, the drivers are full of chat and humour and give a fantastic local insight into the real Dublin.

Check out www.dublinpass.ie for more details. You can also get discounts when booking online. For information on attractions in Dublin check out www.grandcanalhotel.com.

GREAT VALUE DUBLIN

2010-09-15T00:39:00.000-07:00

Dublin received a timely PR boost today as newspapers across the world picked up on the fact that Dublin is now the 4th cheapest city in Europe in terms of hotel room prices.

This marks a dramatic turn around from the point when our fair capital was seen as one of the most overly expensive cities to visit in the world.

Canada's CBC News points out that there are "substantial savings in hotel rooms in places like Dublin, Istanbul and the Mayan Riviera," while the Sydney Morning Herald said that "notable destinations that have become cheaper for Australian travellers include Abu Dhabi (down 38%); Athens (down 22%); Beijing (down 20%); Chicago (down 20%); Dublin (down 16%) and Los Angeles (down 16%)."

Price reductions in Dublin hotels is not a new thing, indeed the prices have been falling for over two years now, and, certainly in the Grand Canal Hotel, value has become the order of the day.

Check out our website www.grandcanalhotel.com for details on our deals and packages...and sure why not compare them with prices blow!!!

The world's most expensive cities for hotel rooms (ranked by price)

1. New York $268 a night

2. Venice $251 a night

3. London $223 a night

4. Washington $222 a night

5. Paris $222 a night

CONVENTION CENTRE DUBLIN OPENS

2010-09-07T02:07:00.000-07:00

Taoiseach Brian Cowen will today officially open the fantastic new Convention Centre Dublin in the Docklands.

The Grand Canal Hotel have been lucky enough to get two sneak hard hat previews of the 8,000 capacity venue and we are really excited about seeing the finished product.

We can verify that, even at its early building stage, it is a truly impressive spectacle and will be a superb addition to the city's infrastructure, offering even better views of the city than the nearby Dublin Wheel.

The centre officially open at noon today with travel agents and other potential clients attending a gala dinner and view the facilities the new venue has to offer this evening.

A further 120 top global conference buyers, who have €500m worth of business on their books are also in Dublin as part of a business drive to coincide with the opening of the Docklands-based centre.

Built at a cost of €380m, the futuristic building on the river Liffey, designed by Irish-born architect Kevin Roche, can accommodate up to 8,000 delegates and includes a 2,000-seat auditorium, 4,500sqm of exhibition space and banqueting facilities for up to 5,000 guests.

Over its six floors, there are 22 meeting rooms, as well as an extensive carpeted room, with capacity for more than 3,000 conference delegates or up to 2,000 diners.
Spencer Dock Convention Centre Dublin Ltd (SDCCD), led by Richard Barrett and Johnny Ronan of Treasury Holdings and Harry Crosbie of the Point Village, will run the centre for the next 25 years until it reverts to State ownership.

The opening of the Centre is the latest boost to the tourism industry in the city, following on from the opening of the O2, Grand Canal Theatre and the Aviva Stadium in recent years. Our regular guest will tell you that we are well placed if you are attending any of these venues as they are only a short stroll from the door of the Grand Canal Hotel.

The first major conference, organised by the Construction Industry Federation, entitled The Economics of Ireland's Recovery, gets under way this Friday, while it is believed that there are up to 300 conferences booked, some for as far out as 2021.

Congratulations to all involved in the building and opening of the Convention Centre Dublin.

CHRISTMAS PARTY - WIN TRIP TO NEW YORK

2010-09-03T04:20:00.001-07:00

How does the chance to win a trip to New York, a casino, complimentary beer/wine, singing along to a multi platinum selling singer and dancing till 3am sound?

Christmas Party Nights can be hit and miss..and I know this from personal experience but let's face it...in these tough economic times we all need to let our hair down.

Another fact is that unlike previous years the boss probably won't be paying for it so it'll be down to individuals to book it. So with this in mind when we were organising our Christmas Party Night's we decided to try and make it is as much fun for as much value as possible.

Arrive and enjoy a complimentary bottle of beer or a glass of wine at our pre-party reception. Then head into the Epic Restaurant for a fabulous five course meal...Christmas style. But be careful not to eat too much because there is no time to go to the couch for the usual post dinner nap.

There will be plenty to keep you entertained including having the chance to win a trip to New York. Place your bets and spin the wheel without losing the shirt off your back at our casino. Become a paper millionaire or lose a fortune, either way you will have the time of your life. All entrants on the night have the chance to be entered in the draw to win a trip to New York.

Alternatively and simultaneously one of Ireland's biggest stars of the 90's will be plying his trade in the bar. Brendan Keeley, with seven top 10 chart hits including "I'll always be lonely", "Take the Chains Away" and "Heart and Soul", to his name takes up residency for December.

But it won't be over there because DJ Fast Eddie will be taking to the decks to bring the party to the dizzy hour of 3am. Sure if you don't fancy getting the taxi home stay. At €79 per room B&B it will probably cost as much as a taxi anyway.

So there you have it. You have to admit it is a good night. Check out www.yourchristmasparty.com where you can print your own poster to place around the office.

The Party nights will take place on Friday's on Saturday for the first three weeks in December and costs €64 and €59 respectively.
Give us a shout on 01-6461000 to book or get more information.

WEDDING FAIR COMES TO TOWN

2010-09-01T03:21:00.000-07:00

The Wedding and Honeymoon Show kick off in the RDS this weekend September 4th and 5th.

Now we at the Grand Canal Hotel know as well as anyone else that it is a very tough time financially for everybody but it is hard to stand in the way of love and believe it or not people are still getting married.

We should know. The hotel recently completed a refurbishment of the Epic Restaurant with hosting weddings as the main concept. This and the fact that we are located just a short stroll from the Registry Office in Dublin 2 means that things have been rather busy for us on the wedding front.

Budget is a big concern for people these days. We have taken this on board and now offer a range of options from just €20 per head right up to the more expensive options.

So while it is easy for us to gauge the health of weddings these days due to the fact that we are a popular venue...don't take our word for it. The Wedding and Honeymoon Show regularly attracts 10s of thousands of people to the RDS and they are not expecting this year to be any different.

Everything is covered on the day from florists, bands, cakes, planners and even salsa dancing while it will be possible to quench your thirst on a cocktail...if it takes your fancy. So why not park up in the Grand Canal Hotel, have a bit of lunch and then stoll down (takes 10 minutes) to the RDS and see if anything can help you on the road to your big day.

Check out our website for information on weddings or give us a shout on 01-6461000. It would be our pleasure to give you a show around.

NEW DUBLIN MAP

2010-08-30T03:19:00.000-07:00

Well it is about time, but it finally looks like Dublin is going to get a quintessential transportation map and would you believe it turns out it is a German who designed it.

Graphic Design student, Aris Venetikidis, arrived in Ireland eight years ago and noticed that it is difficult to navigate your way around Dublin City especially if you are not from the city.

So he set about putting together a complete map of all transport links on one map. He used the iconic London Underground map as the template and after initially finding it difficult to get backing has put together, what the Grand Canal Hotel thinks, is the best and most use full map produced.

Essentially, the map Venetikidis designed includes all bus services and stops, as well as existing and proposed Luas stops, existing Dart stations and the proposed Dart Underground link between Inchicore and Docklands, with intervening stations at Heuston, Christ Church, St Stephen’s Green, Pearse (Westland Row) and Spencer Dock.

Everything is colour-coded, and the 10 bus rapid transit lines proposed by Leahy are given names such as Beckett, Larkin, Stoker and Yeats.

These are shown on a large format map of the public transport network as a whole, then in detail on a separate map of the inner city area, so people can see exactly where they are going.

“Every stop is on it, because you can’t assume that every new user has a working knowledge of Dublin’s geography,” Venetikidis told the Irish Times. “So even Dubliners invited to a friend’s party, for example – all they would have to do is to identify the nearest stop on the map, which is not something they can do now, and then work out the route they need to take.”

As the London Underground map had shown, “a successful integrated public transport map is the key to motivating people to leave the car and make the switch to a sustainable transport mode. Couple that with a modern network of rapid transit and you have the solution to congested city centre streets and an absent infrastructure.”

Check out www.aris.ie for a look at the designs.

IRELAND HOT FILM LOCATION

2010-08-25T01:14:00.000-07:00

Ireland has played host to many big Hollywood movies over the years including Saving Private Ryan, Braveheart and ahem...Far and Away. After a quiet number of years where the Celtic Tiger's roar seemed to scare the producers away. So here's the Grand Canal Hotel's lowdown on what is going on with filming in Ireland.

Well now that we are all skint they are coming back in there droves. Sean Penn startled onlookers in Dublin this week after he was spotted wearing a fuzzy wig and lipstick.

But his shocking get-up was all in the name of work, with the actor shooting a new film in the Irish capital.

In This Must Be The Place the Oscar-winner plays a wealthy, retired rocker who sets out to track down the German officer who executed his father.

The 50-year-old wore his familiar serious expression as he sported earrings and full make-up while filming scenes. A friend tells me that they are currently filming in Quinn towers in Blanchardstown.

Another, Knockout, an international thriller, starring Michael Douglas, Antonio Bandaras and Ewan McGregor, is one of the most high-profile Hollywood films to come to Ireland in recent years, mostly because it is directed by Steven Soderbergh who won a best director Oscar for Traffic in 2000.

Soderbergh’s previous films include the Oceans Eleven series, Erin Brockovich and Sex Lies and Videotape.

The multi million euro production of Tudors, starring our own Jonathan Ryes Myers, was filmed on location in Ireland while it's big budget replacement, Camelot, is set to start filming soon.

Saving Private Ryan was filmed in Wexford(1998), Spy Who Came In from the Cold (1965) Ryan's Daughter (1970)Sarah Miles, Robert Mitchum, John Mills, Trevor Howard, Leo McKern Quiet Man, The (1952) Princess Bride, The (1987) Moby Dick (1956) Lion in Winter, The (1968) Crying Game, The (1992) Far and Away (1992) and of course Braveheart was filmed in Ireland.

FAME THE MUSICAL

2010-08-19T02:00:00.001-07:00

Ireland's biggest musical production, Fame the Musical, kicks off tonight in the Grand Canal Theatre.
The Show has already been wooing audiences on national television, RTE,. But now Jessica Cervi and Ben Morris are hoping their fans will snap up tickets for the stage version following on from the eight series show, which was broadcast from the Helix Theatre in Dublin.
The two talented singers, who won the competition to star in the show, will take to the stage alongside 19702 soul legend Sheila Ferguson in a tale about a group of students in New York.
The show opens at the Grand Canal Theatre in Dublin tonight and runs until September 12, before going on a nationwide tour.
The Grand Canal Hotel are offering guests a fantastic chance to see the show. For just €99pps midweek and €109pps on weekends you can see the show, enjoy a pre-show meal stay at the hotel and have a full Irish the following morning. Available between 19th - 31st of August.

DUBLIN VIKING FESTIVAL

2010-08-16T06:45:00.000-07:00

The summer...in the holiday sense of the word...is coming to a close, but before we start preparing ourselves for Christmas (yeah i said it), there is still plenty of things to do in Dublin City.

This weekend for instance the Dublin Viking Festival kicks off. Now in its third year the festival is run over two days with numerous events taking place in the city centre.

The fun takes place on Dublin's Wood Quay and Temple Bar from Friday the 21st August until Sunday 22nd August 2010. The Vikings were the first settlers at Dublin and old reminants of their settlement have been found at Wood Quay in Dublin City Centre on the site of Dublin City Council's civic offices.

Dublin Viking Festival Information:

Viking Village
The village folk are dedicated to the accurate and entertaining portrayal of Viking and Medieval times and lifestyles. With a village of tents, locals at work and trained soldiers in combat, you will feel embraced by this time period’s culture. Lectures on weaponry will get you up to speed and you can even try out your hand at Archery. The village area will be equipped with picnic tables, food stands and Viking hat stalls.

Dublinia
A meeting point for the tours of Dublinia and the Viking House will be located in the Amphitheatre/Wood Quay throughout the weekend. Once you attend the festival throughout the weekend you can avail of 2 for the price of 1 tickets to Dublinia.

Wax Museum
Throughout the festival, the Dublin Wax Museum will be performing scenes from various plays that are relevant to Viking Dublin. There will be 3 shows a day. After the show, why not head to the Viking themed room in the wax museum. It features a wax figure of the Viking King of Dublin and a replica of the Viking Dublin city.
Once you attend the Viking Festival you can avail of Special Discounts for the wax museum if you attend the museum after 5pm. Discount rates are; Children go free with a paying adult (Adult price €10) or a family ticket discount of €25 (normally €30).

Viking Splash
The unique and highly appraised land & water tour of Dublin are offering special discounts throughout the festival weekend. They will also be offering free family passes as prizes throughout the weekend!

Walking Tours
Walking Tours of Viking Dublin will take place on the Saturday and Sunday of the festival. The tour will include historically significant places and areas where everyday life and major events occurred; narrow laneways and hidden streets, Dublin Castle, Christ Church, archaeological discovery sites and much more.

Viking music
To complete the Middle Ages atmosphere, traditional Scandinavian and medieval style music will be played at different intervals throughout the festival by local and professional musicians.

Children’s’ Entertainment
For the kids, there are art zones open from 1-4pm each day of the festival. They will participate in making masks and memorabilia and designing and making their own helmet plaques. There will also be the favourites; face painting and balloon modelling.

Outdoor Viking Movie
There will be outdoor screenings of the 1958 ‘The Vikings’ starring Kirk Douglas and Tony Curtis. A picnic blanket and snacks are recommended to enjoy this screening.

Food and Drink
Available at the festival will be different types of local made and foreign food; including hog roast, breads and Danish pastries. Also, drink stalls with apple cider and mead.

Arts and crafts stalls
The arts and crafts stalls will have genuine Viking tools and memorabilia for sale. Take home with you medieval artefacts and souvenirs and keep the Viking spirit alive.

Shopping
Apart from souvenir stalls, there will also be a selection of stalls selling middle age and medieval inspired jewellery and clothing.

Enjoy yourself.

FANCY A HOLIDAY...TEDDY?

2010-08-11T04:40:00.000-07:00

A German man has given up a thriving sales career - to become a travel agent to teddy bears.

Ulrike Bohmler says his Teddy-In travel firm has been besieged by hundreds of enquiries from customers.

They pay Mr Bohmler, from Cologne, to take their soft toys on holiday to Britain and other countries.

He takes snapshots of the teddies outside famous landmarks to record their holiday adventures.

"It might sound crazy but people love their soft toys and want to give them the best," explained Mr Bohmler.

"I accompany the toys on their tour and although people might laugh at it, a lot of people genuinely love their teddy bears and want the best for them."

I've sent him a messege to tell him about the great rates at the Grand Canal Hotel in Dubln...we won't even charge for the teddy.

Thanks to www.ananaova.com for the story.

RYANAIR STYLE HOTELS?

2010-08-10T04:24:00.000-07:00

A Malaysian hotel chain are hoping to bring Ryanair type bedroom prices to Britain this year...and maybe Dublin to follow?

The room would cost you as little as €25 but but you'll also be charged for using the hotel's hair-drier (£2), its towels (£1 each) and storing your luggage (£2)? Your ride upstairs in a lift is free, as is the air conditioning, but your budget will need to stretch a further pound to secure your belongings in a safe. Want to get your room cleaned? That's £7.50 a day.

This year, Tune Hotels hopes to take on bloated room rates in London and do for the British hotel market what easyJet and Ryanair have done for aviation. It will offer standard rates of £35 a night for a bed, power shower and central location – with chargeable extras.

The nine Tune Hotels in Malaysia and Indonesia offer deals as rock-bottom as £2 a night. The chain's first British hotel is set to open on London's Westminster Bridge Road on 30 August, with further outposts planned across the country, depending on the popularity of the Waterloo operation.

"It's all about choice," says the company's chief executive, Mark Lankester. "We say consumers should assemble the experience as they see fit. We aim to provide whatever suits the customer in terms of timing, price and the comfort people require. If you want to stay in a five-star hotel, there are plenty of them already in London. But if you are really concerned about price then we are going to be relevant."

Have no fear though people. The Grand Canal Hotel will be sticking to great value rates with no extra charges for what you'd expect in a hotel room. That said I'm sure some of the budget hotels not too far from us are sweating at the thoughts of it.

STRANGE PLACE NAMES

2010-08-06T07:27:00.000-07:00

I was listening to he radio earlier and there was a story about strange place names in Ireland and I thought it would make for an interesting Blog. So here is a list of questionable town names in Ireland.

1. Muckanaghederdauhaulia, Co. Galway - the longest place name in Ireland. It’s a small village in the Connemara Gaeltacht between Camus and Carraroe, in County Galway. In Irish, this is Muiceanach idir Dhá Sháile – which literally means “pig-shaped hill between two seas”. It is also thought to be the longest name for a port in the world. The second longest place name in Ireland is Newtownmountkennedy in County Wicklow, at 19 letters.

2. Newtwopothouse, Mallow, Co.Cork - this is a small village 6 km outside of the Mallow, the Cork town. It's famous for growing the best grass in Ireland.

3. Muff, Co. Donegal - the source of endless crude jokes, especially since the installation of a diving board in this small seaside town. Apparently, the name derives from a mispronunciation of the Irish 'Magh', meaning plain.

4. Kilmuckridge, Co. Wexford - a small seaside town in Co. Wexford, just south of another rather morbidly named town, called Gorey.

5. Nobber, Co .Meath - derives from the Irish word “an obair," which means “the work.”

6. Hospital, Co. Limerick - acquired its name from the Knights Hospitaller, a Christian organization in the time of the Crusades. Ironically, the town doesn’t have any medical facilities.

7. Kilbrittain, Co. Cork - you would think that it might be political correct to change this name now that the conflict in Northern Ireland over, but the locals refuse to budge.

8. Cockhill Road, Stamullen, Co. Meath - there are a number of ‘cocks’ in Irish place names: Shercok, a town in Co. Cavan, and Kilcock in Co. Kildare, which is about 40 km of the Dublin suburb, Ballsbridge.

9. Kill, Co. Kildare - perhaps one of the more violently named place names in Ireland, along with Swords and Stoneybatter, both in Dublin.

Thanks to www.irishcentral.com for the above. It saved me a lot of time.

DUBLIN TAXIS RULE - APPARENTLY

2010-08-05T02:45:00.000-07:00

We have to say we were not at all surprised at the Grand Canal Hotel to read that Dublin taxi drives are among the friendliest in the world...according a survey on Hotels.com.

Our "friendly" cab drivers have a reputation in their homeland of being lewd, rude and opinionated but the hotels.com survey lauds the Irish drives for their "cead mile failte".

The survey revealed that international travellers find our lads the third most friendliest drivers on the planet. Fiar play to you lads!

London's famous black cabs led the way in the survey with 59% of international travellers saying that English capital's cabs were by far and away the pick of the world's taxis.

But every silver lining and all that...the lads were also voted one of the most expensive on the planet, coming in fourth place on par with New York.

New York also picked up the rudest award along with Parisian drivers while Roman cabbies were voted the worst drivers.

Voted the best city overall, London was also names the most expensive city (19pc) and the safest (20%) when it comes to cabs.

DUBLIN HORSE SHOW

2010-08-04T07:07:00.000-07:00

Dublin Horse Show, RDS, 04 August 2010 - 08 August 2010

Apparently Irish people are horsey mad!!! We'll in August we certainly go wild for the horses especially as The Failte Dublin Horse Show kicks off.

From August 4-8 the Dublin Horse Show takes over the entire RDS complex in the heart of Dublin. This year they are celebrating 137 years of the Dublin Horse Show, Ireland’s top equestrian event, which offers a great day out for horse enthusiasts and families alike.

Highlights of the Show include, the drama of the Land Rover Puissance featuring the famous ‘Wall’, the Longines International Grand Prix, the Aga Khan Challenge Trophy, the Longines Press Award for Elegance and over 100 national showing and show jumping classes.

Experience live music, visit the ultimate kids’ and nature zones, marvel at the fashion of Blossom Hill Ladies’ Day, wander through the art and crafts exhibition, and shop at over 300 trade stands! Join us at the RDS this August… there is something for everyone! Tickets for the 2010 Dublin Horse Show are on sale now!

Click here for the full programme of events.

DINNER WITH WHO?

2010-08-04T02:40:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago we received a mail from a guest who was coming to stay with us during the summer. The gentleman made an unusual request which has required a bit of research and is now the topic of this particular blog.

Mr Gregory Lesson had recently been on a vacation to Paris and had a unique experience of having dinner at a private residence of someone he had never met before. This experience turned out to be the highlight of his trip…which is saying something because Paris is a truly beautiful city. Anyway, he asked us if we could organize something similar for him and his daughter when they arrived in August.

So, being the lovely hotel that we are, we did a bit of research and it turns out that this is not such an unusual experience. There are a number of organizations in the world that promote such comings together. One organization is Servas.

Gregory and his daughter are staying at the Grand Canal Hotel from August 8th – 10th and anyone interested in having them over for a bit of grub and culture can contact him on gregoryleeson@hotmail.com.

“My unusual request is to ask you how we might find such a welcoming family while in Dublin. Obviously I would be most interested in a family with a daughter near my Jennifer's age. I have a Skype account and would be happy to do a video meeting first. As a second choice, I might be willing to buy dinner at a restaurant for all,” read Gregory’s mail.

I did find one particular organisation who promote cultural tourism. Servas is an international network for making contact with people from all over the world, set up over 60 years ago. The idea is for people to meet and talk to each other, which can be a good way to help promote peace and international understanding. It's for travellers who want to understand how other people live, work and think, and who want to find out about the places they visit from the people who live there.

So I’ll pass this information on to our guest. But that said if anyone out there is interested in welcoming a lovely family, father and daughter, into their house for dinner let us know.

Check out the Servas website for more information http://www.servasbritain.org or contact ireland@servas.org for the Irish part of the organisation.

THE WHEEL OF DUBLiN

2010-07-28T01:11:00.000-07:00

London and Belfast have one so I suppose it was only a matter of time before our beloved capital got one as well. This Saturday the Wheel of Dublin opens up at the Point Village giving visitors the chance to get a unique view of the city.

Not that we at the Grand Canal Hotel can verify but apparently The Wheel of Dublin offers unparalleled views across the city as far the Dublin Mountains and Howth Head. The capsule pods that will carry the passengers will be fitted later this week...so we'll sneak look this weekend and confirm it for you all.

So how does our wheel compare to its more illustrious cousin in London. Well at 197 feet it is less than half the size of the 443 feet tall London Eye and can hold almost half passengers at 336 compared to the Eye's 8000 and surprisingly enough the ride time takes slightly less than half its London equivalent at 13 to 30 minutes respectively. And just to be consistent the cost is also...you guessed it half the cost at €9 compared to £18.

We at the Grand Canal Hotel are delighted to welcome the latest edition to the Dublin skyline. The last 10 years have seen some impressive new structures added to the horizon, including Grand Canal Theatre, Aviva Stadium and the Convention Centre Dublin but it will be hard to distract from the natural beauty of the Dublin/Wicklow Mountains and the Eastern Coast.

As a matter of interest...I wonder if the Wheel offers views inside the Aviva Stadium. It could come in handy for the November Rugby Series where tickets are going to be at a premium.

INTERSTING TRAIN OF THOUGHT

2010-07-27T03:33:00.001-07:00

In these difficult times we at the Grand Canal Hotel are always looking for new ways to try and encourage people to come and stay with us. We think we are pretty good at it actually but a hotel in Tokyo has pushed the boundaries to new levels and has created its very own special model railway room for guests to sleep in.

The new room includes a grand model of Akihabara town that comes complete with its own fully functioning railroads. Train enthusiasts can bring their own model trains or, alternatively, the hotel is more than happy to provide some, reports Rex Features.

Using the dual set of controls, guests can navigate their miniature trains round the cityscape - past highrise buildings and even through a tunnel under a mountain. The unique room costs around 23,000 yen (£170) a night and is the only one in the Akihabara Washington Hotel.

Note to all train enthusiasts out there...we won't be following their example. That said don't be too disappointed. The Grand Canal Hotel offers views of the busiest train line in Ireland from some of its bedrooms...well when we say view we mean you can sort of make out overhead wires from the Grand Canal Train Station located just across the road from the hotel.

Thanks to www.annanova.com for the above.

BUSY COUPLE OF WEEKS AHEAD

2010-07-26T02:38:00.000-07:00

Hello all!!! Just thought we'd give you an update on what is going on around the country over the next couple of weeks...and it is a busy time with the opening of the Aviva Stadium being the stand out event for us at the Grand Canal Hotel.

After four years of waiting, the 31st of July sees the first game take place at the 50,000 seater stadium. A litttle bridie informed us that the Aviva Stadium is the most modern of its kind in the world. A third generation stadium we believe it is called. The opening match might only be a dry run for bigger days but for €10 it is possible to be one of the first in through the turnstiles. Ulster/Leinster play Munster/Connacht on July 31st.

It's only taken almost 4 years since Derry City beat St Patrick's Athletic in the final game played at the old stadium...and we felt every second. Rugby and Soccer left us for that period, plying their trade across the city in the impressive Croke Park. As much as we loved visiting the Croker we are delighted to see the sports return to their official home. The first games kicks off this Saturday. As we said it may only be a clash of potential young stars but at €10 entry it is well worth the visit...sure a tour of the Aviva Stadium would cost nearly the same. The game kicks off at 2.30 on Saturday July 31st. The Grand Canal Hotel are offering overnight packages with ticket, dinner and breakfast for just €89pps.

For music fans, Rod Steward returns to Dublin for the second time this year when he takes to The O2 on the 31st of July. We are a bit partial to "Wake Up Maggie" Scottish star who obviously shares our love for Dublin considering the amount of times he performs in the capital. The Grand Canal Hotel are offering pre-show meal, return O2 shuttle, night's accommodation and full Irish Breakfast for just €79pps. Rod plays The O2 this Saturday.

We have to admit that we've never been huge fans of heavy metal but we can appreciate that there is a market for it. The big indicator for us is the amount of people booked on our O2 Package for this Friday's Iron Maiden show in The O2. Forgive our ignorance on the genre but apparently these lads have sold over 12 million albums...not to be sniffed at.

We have to give a mention to legendary Dublin soccer club Shamrock Rovers who welcome the mighty Juventus to their Tallaght Stadium this Thursday for their Europa League clash. History, budgets, bookies and pundits may all point towards a handy victory for the Italian giants but we at the Grand Canal Hotel are going to take a romantic view and dream for a Rovers victory. The game has already sold out but you can see it on RTE 2, kick off 7.45pm.

Gaze - Dublin Lesbian and Gay Festival kicks off this Friday for a five day cinematic showcase of Irish and international. The Lesbian and Gay Film Festival offers an exciting programme, packed with premiers, new independent features, documentaries, shorts award winners and experimental films over the August bank holiday weekend.

It may not be kicking off for another week but the ultra popular Failte Ireland Horse Show takes place from the 4th - the 8th of August in the nearby RDS. The Dublin Horse Show is a Dublin Institution. A celebration of Ireland's affinity with the horse, from the best show horses to the best international show jumpers. It is one of Ireland's largest events, a highlight of the summer, each year welcoming close to 80,000 people from Ireland and all over the world. The Grand Canal Hotel are offering 2 day packages including dinner and breakfast from just €189pps. Check out www.grandcanalhotel.com.

And finally, the Grand Canal Theatre have announced that the Westend musical Scrooge is coming to Dublin for Christmas. Now not too long ago the guys at the Theatre put a poll out to their Facebook fans wondering what show they would like to see play at the venue. Well we punted for Scrooge...so it looks like our wish has come through. And of course we are going to be offering packages to the show. Keep an eye on www.grandcanalhotel.com for details. The show will run from December 7th - January 2nd.

So there it is. I'm sure we missed out on one or two events but this at least gives you a taster of what is going on.

CHITTY FAR FROM SHITTY

2010-07-22T03:26:00.000-07:00

Well the early reviews are in and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang offers plenty of Bang Bang for the cash spent on the tickets. We canvassed a few guests on their return from the Grand Canal Theatre and to a man they were raving about the Westend spectacular.

The "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" musical landed in Dublin last night, ahead of a four week run at the Grand Canal Hotel.

With a cast and crew of over 100 (including 10 dogs), sensational sets, a full orchestra and stunning special effects this action-packed adventure is the story of the magical car, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Eccentric inventor Caractacus Potts, and his two children Jemima and Jeremy alongside Truly Scrumptious and Grandpa Potts, all try and outwit the dastardly Baron and the evil Child Catcher. The production which costs €3million to bring to Dublin for the four week run is the first major show to arrive at the Grand Canal Theatre.

The huge Westend hit really gave the Theatre a chance to show its worth and nobody was disappointed. We even asked one of the children on their return what they thought and the said “the Child Catcher was cool" which suggests they need to make him little more evil because the thought of the one in the movie still scares us.

Tickets are priced from €31 - €55 and the Grand Canal Hotel are offering an overnight package with dinner, ticket and breakfast from just €109pps. Check out www.grandcanalhotel.com.

It will be interesting to see the reviews from the national newspapers. But judging from our early poll they can only be positive. Congratulations to all down at the Grand Canal Theatre. We know they have put a lot of work in since the opening.

RUGBY SQUADS ANNOUNCED FOR OPENER

2010-07-21T02:56:00.001-07:00

The squads for the opening game at the fantastic new Aviva Stadium between Munster-Connacht and Leinster-Ulster have been announced.

Over 40,000 tickets have already been sold for the match despite the fact that no fully-contracted players will be appearing due to the time of year. The four provences are all on a well earned break preparing for the new season.

We've been lucky enough to get a tour of the stadium and i can tell you it is worth the visit and at €10 a go for a ticket you'd be mad not to.

The Grand Canal Hotel are offering ticket, meal, accommodation and full Irish breakfast for just €89pps. If interested give us a shout on 01-6461000 or check out www.grandcanalhotel.com.

Munster-Connacht: Ronan Barry (Munster), Callum Boland (Connacht), Shane Buckley (Munster), Shane Leydon (Connacht), Luke Cahill (Munster), Aaron Conneely (Connacht), Jack Costigan (Munster), Mark Dolan (Connacht), Johnny Holland (Munster), Daniel Horgan (Munster), Lucas Kunz (Munster), Tadhg Leader Connacht), Eoin McKeon (Connacht), Ian Mullarkey (Munster), Paul Mullen (Munster), Rob O'Herlihy (Munster), Danny Qualter(Connacht), Gareth Quinn-McDonogh (Munster), James Rael (Munster), Ben Sargent (Munster), Aaron Spring (Connacht), Kieran Stokes (Munster), Sean Wooton (Connacht)

Leinster- Ulster: Andrew Boyle (Leinster), Conor Carey (Ulster), Paddy Carroll (Leinster), Sam Coughlan Murray (Leinster), Peter du Toit (Leinster), Craig Gilroy (Ulster), Ian Henderson (Ulster), Robert Hynes (Leinster), Paddy Jackson (Ulster), Alex Kelly (Leinster), Stephen Lecky (Ulster), Paddy Marks (Ulster), Cathal Marsh (Leinster), Luke Marshall (Ulster), Michael McAuley (Ulster), Mark McGroarty (Leinster), David McGuigan (Ulster), Emmet McMahon (Leinster), Martin Moore (Leinster), Jonny Murphy (Ulster), Conor Spence (Ulster), James Tracy (Leinster)

GREAT CANAL PLANS

2010-07-21T01:00:00.001-07:00

There are exciting times ahead for the beautiful Grand Canal, and by association the Grand Canal Hotel, with a new floating stage and new berths for an Amsterdam-style houseboat community all on the way...well that is if Waterways Ireland are to have their say in its future.

A study carried out by consultant firm Scott Wilson revealed a master plan for Dublin's Royal and Grand canals was launched this week at the re-opening of the Waterways Ireland Visitor Centre just down the road from us.

After its modern renovation the ‘Box on the Docks’ reopens its doors. Whether you want to learn about the heritage of Irelands waterways or find out what to do on them , this is your one stop shop. This architecturally unique space is also available for meetings, launches, exhibitions and more.

For further information on the Waterways Ireland Visitor Centre or the canals contact: Waterways Ireland Visitors Centre, Grand Canal Quay, Dublin 2, Tel: +353(0)1 677 7510; +353 (0)1 677 7510; Mob: +353 (0)87 122 6258; +353 (0)87 122 6258; Email: info@waterwaysireland.org.

But we at the Grand Canal Hotel, while delighted about the reopening of the Visitor Centre are particularly interested in the plans for the Grand Canal. What we would give to see U2 or the Script play a floating stage on the canal.

Congratulations guys. The visitor centre looks great. You can also ask at reception at the Grand Canal Hotel for details and we'll do our best to point you in the right direction.

DUBLIN - 10 INTERESTING FACTS

2010-07-16T08:39:00.000-07:00

Dublin is the best city in the world...and if you don't believe us just ask us. We decided to compile some interesting details on our lovely capital to show you just how...well interesting it is. Here we go:

1. Dublin has two completely different names in the Irish Language! Dubh Linn and Baile Átha Cliath. The literal meaning of Átha Cliath is "Ford of the Reed Hurdles" – and the name Dublin is derived from the Old Irish Gaelic Dubh Linn, which has its literal meaning "Black Pool". Historically the native Irish favored Áth Cliath, Dubh Linn by the settled Vikings and Anglo-Normans. The Dubh Linn was a lake used by the Vikings to moor their tradeships and was connected to the Liffey by the River Poddle. The Norse settlements in Dublin were around the Christchurch and Wood Quay Areas of Dublin.

2. The First Citizen of Dublin is the Lord Mayor, who is surpassed only in authority by the President, since the first Lord Mayor Sir Daniel Bellingham was appointed in 1665. However, the title of First Citizen of the city has been in place since 1229. The Lord Mayor is elected at Dublin City Council on a yearly basis. The current Dublin Lord Mayor is Fianna Fáil Councillor Eibhlin Byrne.

3. The city of Dublin covers a land area of 115 square kilometers. The city population is just under 1 million. The average temperature in January is 5°C and the July Average is 17°C. The city has a vibrant nightlife and it is estimated that 50% of the city’s residents are under 25 years of age.

4. Arguably Ireland’s National treasure and masterpiece the Book of Kells, a sacred manuscript created by Celtic Monks featuring the Four Gospels of the New Testament and decorated with stunning artwork (created about 800 AD) is on viewing display and located at the Long Room Library in Trinity College (Just 10 minutes walk from The Grand Canal Hotel), Dublin.

5. Dublin is twinned to cities Barcelona in Catalonia, Spain, Liverpool in the United Kingdom and San Jose, in California, USA.

6. Dublin's O'Connell Bridge that covers the famed River Liffey is reckoned to be the only bridge in the European continent that has the same width as its length.

7. Dublin has a renowned history in the Literary and Movie World with celebrated native names such George Bernard Shaw (dramatist, critic & Nobel Prize winner), James Joyce (writer and poet and writer of Ulysses), Oscar Wilde (playwright, poet, essayist & novelist) and Dracula creator Bram Stoker to name but a few all hailing from Dublin. Prominent Hollywood Actors hailing from the city include Maureen O’Hara, Brendan Gleeson, Gabriel Byrne and Colin Farrell.

8. The "Oldest Pub in Ireland" is reputed to be located in Dublin; this pub is called the Brazen Head. There has been a pub on this site since 1198.

9. Handel’s classic "Messiah" was premiered for the first time in 1742 in Dublin at the New Music Hall in Fishamble Street, with 26 boys and 5 men from the St Patrick’s and Christchurch choir cathedrals taking part in the production. Find out more about the Dublin Handel Festival.

10. Dublin is home to many of Ireland’s most famous musicians, from the Dubliners and Thin Lizzy to Sinead O’Connor and U2. Many of U2’s back catalogue of albums were recorded in their home city. Windmill Lane Studios was the place where U2 recorded their early work and first three albums; subsequently much of their latest work was created and recorded at Hanover Quay Studios also in the city. The site at Windmill Lane Studios is covered in graffiti from fans who have paid pilgrimage from all over the world and is known as the "U2 Wall" (Only 5 minutes walk from Grand Canal Hotel).

11. The Grand Canal Hotel was voted the best hotel in the world ever in the largest survey ever done...ok we made this one up. But we think we're great. Come stay with us an we'll prove it. Checkout our new site www.grandcanalhotel.com. Tell us what you think.

Thanks to Goireland for the above.

THE WEEK AHEAD

2010-07-16T02:11:00.000-07:00

So any plans for the weekend or indeed next week? Well we at the Grand Canal Hotel are going to kindly help you make your mind up if you haven’t already. As always in brilliant Dublin city there is plenty going on. So here is seven things to do over the next week or so.

Cirque du Soleil - The O2 - Friday July 16 - Following the critically acclaimed tour of Qudiam , Cirque Du Soleil is to return to the UK and Ireland with an arena tour of its vibrant signature production SALTIMBANCO, created by Franco Dragone. This timeless Cirque opus hits Ireland for the first time with a series of exclusive shows in The O2. Saltimbanco is Cirque du Soleil’s longest running major touring show which has toured the world since 1992 to wide-spread acclaim and has enjoyed sell-out success across the world in Europe, North and South America, Australia, Japan, and New Zealand performing to over 11 million fans. The O2 Package is available at the hotel for just €79pps which includes return transfer to The O2, Pre-show meal, night's accommodation at the Grand Canal Hotel and Full Irish Breakfast.

Ray Manzar - Grand Canal Theatre - Saturday July 17 - Ray Manzarek was the architect of The Doors intoxicating sound. His evocative keyboard playing fused rock, blues, jazz, classical and an array of other styles into something utterly, dazzlingly new and his restless artistic explorations have continued unabated ever since. His memoir ‘Light My Fire: My Life with The Doors’ was published in 1998. He has also published two novels ‘The Poet in Exile’ and ‘Snake Moon’. He also wrote and directed the 2000 thriller movie ‘Love Her Madly’. The musician joined forces with is old bandmate to form the Manzarek-Krieger Band (formerly Riders on the Storm - Fuel singer Brett Scallions replacing Cult lead singer Ian Astbury on vocals). Theater packages for just €79pps including pre-show dinner, night's accommodation and full Irish breafast.

Riverdance - Gaiety Theatre - Monday July 19 - The worldwide smash hit muscial returns to the Gaiety Theatre for an extended run. If you haven't seen it...make a night of it with out Riverdance Package which includes ticket, pre-show meal, night's accommodation at the Grand Canal Hotel and full Irish breakfast next morning from just €99pps.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang - Grand Canal Theatre - Wednesday July 21 - Finally it is here. After four magical years at the London Palladium, flights to Broadway and Singapore and three sensational years touring large scale venues all over the UK, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is back and coming to Grand Canal Theatre, Dublin from 21st July – 14th August for her Irish Premiere! This box office smash hit has been re-vamped, updated and technologically advanced since her London days. Directed by Adrian Noble this feel good family favourite will be a sure fire way to beat the blues. With a cast and crew of over 100 (including 10 dogs, see below), sensational sets, a full orchestra and stunning special effects this action-packed adventure is the story of the magical car, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Eccentric inventor Caractacus Potts, and his two children Jemima and Jeremy alongside Truly Scrumptious and Grandpa Potts, all try and outwit the dastardly Baron and the evil Child Catcher. Packages for the show are still available from €109pps including pre-show dinner, ticket, night's accommodation and full Irish Breakfast.

So there you have it. Plenty to do over the next week. Remember if you are heading out in Dubin give us a shout and we can put something together for you.

COMPETITION

2010-07-13T02:02:00.001-07:00

We'd like some help with a dilemma that we have at the hotel. We have just completed two new suites. One is going to be called the Lansdowne Suite and has a corporate feel to it. The other is more of a quirky leisure atmosphere.
Both offer stunning wrap around views of the stunning new Aviva Stadium. Our problem is we can't figure out what to call this suite. We're thinking that it should have a theatre feel considering our location to the Grand Canal Theatre to the Grand Canal Hotel but then again the room is overlooking the stadium...we can't decide.
We thought about "Grand Slam Suite" but that aint going to work. Someone suggested "Drico Suite" after Ireland's most famous rugby genious. "Academy Suite was another one.
Anyway, we've decided to ask for your help. Give us some suggestions and if we pick your suggestion we'll give you a night's stay in the suite and a lovely evening meal.
Head off to our Facebook page before the 30th of June to be in with a chance.

Good luck.

WHEN HARRY MET SALLY

2010-06-30T01:02:00.001-07:00

Well here is the fist national review of When Harry Met Sally in the Grand Canal Theatre. While not making one want to rush to the venue to catch the Hollywood film turned theatre, don't fret it is only one man's opinion. Some of the staff attended the show this week and thoroughly enjoyed it. Go and see it and make your own conclusions.

WHILE Marcy Kahan's stage adaption of his famous romantic comedy is lively enough, it really would take Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan to animate the vast science-fictional dimensions of the Grand Canal Theatre. The chatty confessionals of the story simply isn't suite to such a large space.
Rupert Hill's Harry is the most effective, his sinewy New Jersey accent and clipped physical mannerisms give this garrulous character a lot of warmth. And, of course, he has most of the best lines.
Sarah Jayne Dunne makes a far less impression as the romantically accident-prone Sally. In the first act, she's just a competent American accent, with nothing to suggest how Harry's cerebral interest could be continually reignited.
It's not until the second act that she becomes slightly weightier complement. All those years on the `Hollyoaks' soap opera come into play as she alternately bubbles with repressed desire and snorts with exasperations at Harry's stubbornly platonic behaviour.
Sally's infamous imitation orgasm in the restaurant could hardly be left out, and it's good enough, but erupts rather than flows our of th heated discussion about women faking it and men being fooled. Like every other scene in Michael Gyngell's production, it feels dutifully slotted in rather than thoughtfully arranged.
There is solid support in Luke Ruterford and Annabelle Browne as Jack and Helen, the two friends who pair off and get married against Harry and Sally's expectations.
But there's no compensation for the one missing crucial character that only the film can supply: New York. Plucked out of that teeing metropolis and dropped on the stage, Harry and Sally's long-term on-off relationship, however witty and representative it can be rendered, seems self indulgent and insignificant.
By John McKeown - Irish Independent.

2010-06-15T04:39:00.000-07:00

If a scateboarder jumping through an inferno, men dressed in a shiny tracksuite singing Westlife into a hairdryer or the tale of a Transylvanian mail-order bride who finds herself stranded in Ireland with only her high-risk dance contortion and alligator wrestling skills to rely on is your cup of tea then get yourself down to the The Street Performance World Champsionships in Merrion Square this week.

Svetlana Flamingo, Lord of Strut and The Fire Guy are just some of the acts performing from the 17th - 20th of June. The show, which attracted more than 150,000 spectators when it was held here in 2009, is arguably Ireland's greatest free
festival. 2010 will be the fifth year of the festival in Dublin's Merrion Square.

It really is a fantastic and unusual event. So this June the best contortionists, magicians,breakdancers, comedians and other assorted world-class professional jesters willdescend on Ireland; first on Cork’s Fitzgerald Park and Mardyke Sports Ground, and then on Dublin’s Merrion Square, to battle it out for the most coveted title in street performance, the AIB Street Performance World Champion.

Due to the phenomenal turnout last year, the Cork festival will also expand to Mardyke Sports Ground. Over both weekends, voting booths will be set up at the event sites and the act with the most votes will be crowned the 2010 AIB Street Performance World Champion.

Some of the world-class competitors this year include: Quick Change: We still haven’t worked out how they pull off their act: it is quite simply jaw dropping and possibly one of the most spectacular shows on the planet. An uncountable number of blink-and-you-miss-them costume changes that left the America’s Got Talent judges speechless. Any ideas how they do it!?: www.spwc.ie/quickchange Victor Rubilar The man who turned down a place at the World Cup to be with us (well, that’s what he tells us!!) will treat us to some football-inspired antics. Keep your eyes peeled for four time Guinness World Record holder and football free-styler The 2009 title holders, the awesome USA Breakdancers will also return as special
guests in 2010.

If you missed them last year, here’s a taster of what to expect:
www.spwc.ie/breakdancers. And this year the festival also has a surprise up its sleeve in the form of a mass participation World Record-Breaking attempt…! Keep Sunday the 20th June free, come along to the Pepper Canister Church round 1.30pm, and if you feel like practicing your Space Hopper skills between now and then, it won’t go astray! All entertainment at the festival is entirely free of charge, with the performers, who have dedicated their lives to this amazing art form, asking for a contribution from their audience at the end of each show.

Check out http://www.spwc.ie/dublin/home.swf for more details.

IT'S A GRAND CANAL

2010-06-10T06:35:00.001-07:00

On our hotel website http://www.grandcanalhotel.ie/ we list a number of ways to get to the hotel from various access points to the country. There’s car, train, taxi and even walking but we’d never thought of putting directions down by Canoe. Yeah you read that right!

On Wednesday May 26 a remarkable couple arrived at the Grand Canal with a couple of canoes on the roof of their car. The canoes sparked the interest of our Duty Manager, Eoin Byrne, who enquired about the boats. He was more than surprised to find that Lesley and Chris Collins had just completed an eight day canoe journey from Shannon Harbour along the Grand Canal, which is just a stones throw from the hotel.

Canoeing along a canal may not seem alien to some of our international friends but to people in Ireland it is very unusual. The canals have only in recent times been dredged and re-opened (although the Royal Canal is not due to open for a number of months). So the thought of anyone taking this mode of transport to the hotel is a novel one…to say the least.

Chris explains why they decided to give it a go. “Believe it or not we’ve just recently taken to canoeing. We live in North Kerry and liked to take the canoes out on the canal. We took two weeks off and decided to head to Dublin along the canal. We'd canoe five hours each day and it took us eight days to get to the Grand Canal Hotel.

Passing through stops Shannon Harbour, Pollagh, Tullamore, An Daingon, Edenderry, Robertstown, Sallins and the Clondalkin along the way Chris says it was a surreal experience and noted that they very much felt that they were one of the few people to use the canal. “It was very strange at times seeing these places. The canal is not utilized enough and a is without a shadow of a doubt one of Ireland’s hidden secrets. There was no commercial or pleasure crafts."

Chris believes that there is plenty of potential for the canal and that the authorities still have a bit of work to do. “Certain places were a bit run down. For instance, Edenderry has its own basin but there was only one other barge there and they had some American’s on it. They could do so much with it.”

Not that Chris is knocking the canal. “I would recommend it to anyone. It goes right through the middle of Ireland and there is a lot to see on the way. Although it was a bit of a challenge it was well worth it,” said Chris.

Chris and Lesley’s only concern was coming into Dublin and says that his friends were horrified at the thought of them canoeing through parts of Dublin and were genuinely worried for their safety. “They thought we’d be murdered. So we got up at 6am to avoid the gurriers. When we got to Clondalkin there were a group of kids on a bridge and we had a bit of friendly banter with them. They wanted to get into the canoe so we let them in. They even helped us carry the canoe across the last three lochs…for a small fee of course,” he added. “But we had no trouble at all and arrived at the hotel at 10.30 this morning.”

Next on the list for the active couple is the soon to be opened Royal Canal on the other side of Dublin. “We are hoping to take on the Royal Dublin Canal next. We’ll probably do it for charity and raise some money. We are really looking forward to it.”

Fair play to you Chris and Lesley. If anyone out there would like to contribute to their charity canoe you can contact Chris here.

FESTIVAL UPDATE

2010-06-09T03:52:00.000-07:00

While i was putting together they things to do post for last weekend I realised just how much Ireland really is a festival mecca. From dancing, writing, singing, film, boats, food...whatever takes your fancy the chances are that there is a festival going on in Ireland somewhere that meets your needs.

So the guys in Discover Ireland have very kindly put together a list of festivals for 2011 which means we don't have to spend hours putting it together.

Enjoy: http://www.discoverireland.ie/festivals.aspx

THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND

2010-06-04T03:30:00.000-07:00

It is not very often that Dublin can boast a Bank Holiday weekend that brings with it spades of sun...then again the sun is not that regular a visitor full stop...but that is not why people love the place...is it? Of course not!!!

So what are you going to get up to this fantastic June Bank Holiday weekend. Well here is our guide to what is "hot" in the city over the next three days.

1. Night At The Dogs, Shelbourne Park, Saturday June 5th - Let's be honest...it's a great night out. Come over to the hotel, have bit of grub, head down to Shelbourne Park, have a bet and a pint on us and then stay the night with a Full Irish Breakfast in the morning. All for just €85pps. If there are no rooms left...and that is very possible because everyone loves staying with us (even if we do say that ourselves) head down to the dogs anyway. Great night is a given.

2. Westlife, Croke Park, Saturday June 5th - Have to admit that I'm a bit partial to the Sligo/Dublin quartet and lets face it 80,000 people can't be that wrong. The "Flying Without Wings" lads have a large catalouge of hits and the sun is sure to make it a great day.

3. Neil Hannon, Liberty Hall, Dublin, 8pm Friday June 4 - In the second part of two special events on the art of songwriting as part of the Dublin Writers Festival, Divine Comedy main man Neil "i love cricket" Hannon eplores his crat trhough a conversation with RTE broadcaster and writer John Kelly, with a sprinkle of live performances of course.

4. One Night in Istanbul, Grand Canal Theatre, Friday and Saturday - This show has been in town since Wednesday and it has had a sensational response from the guests who've attended it. A brilliant comedy based on Liverpool Football Club's heroic recovery from a 3-0 deficit in the Champions League Final to lift the title in Istanbul. A must for not only Liverpool fans...but god knows those poor beleagured fans neeed something to shout about...Rafa's gone anybody.

5. Maritime Festival, Dublin Docklands, June 4th - 7th - Everything you can want on a sun soaked weekend...water, boats, outdoor markets, food, music, entertainment and loads of fun. Check out the DDDA website for full listings.

Whistle Down the Wind Review

2010-05-20T03:23:00.000-07:00

The Irish Times' Sara Keating attended the Andew Lloyd Webber show in the Grand Canal Theatre and she was suitably impressed:

Premiered in 1996, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Whistle Down the Wind has had a chequered history; it has been reworked three times since its failed opening, and, for many critics, has been consigned to the graveyard of musical theatre. However, Bill Kenwright’s 2001 production made a convincing case for its reappraisal. Kenwright is also responsible for this new production, and his confidence with the material is evident everywhere, especially in his exuberant skip through the storyline, which weaves an excess of pondering themes like the threads a technicolor dreamcoat.
Set in the bible-belt deep American south, there is more than a touch of Joseph to Whistle Down the Wind . Based on the 1961 film of the same name, it mixes religious symbolism and iconography with ironic musical tropes, as an escaped felon is mistaken for Jesus in a small-town being torn apart by the evils of modernity. Kenwright makes no apology for the preposterous plot, and allows the more ridiculous moments (and musical numbers; Tyre Tracks and Broken Hearts , anyone?) to have their time.
The Grand Canal Theatre accommodates an impressive range of set changes, lit with red and blue stained-glass effect, although perspectives occasionally seem slightly askew. Carly Bawden’s Swallow is the star of the show, capturing the innocence of her character in the purity of her soprano, while Jonathan Ansell growls and prowls across the stage as the masquerading Jesus.
An enormous chorus of children complement the leads in a variety of numbers, and Kenwright choreographs their exits and entrances with impressive skill.
There are some memorable musical numbers in the score ( No Matter What , made famous by Boyzone, and the title track), but the inconsistency of tone is mirrored in the inconsistent musical motifs, which veer from early rock and roll to gospel, while referencing Lloyd Webber’s own repertoire.
However, without a single new song, the second half of the show flags and is nothing more than an extended finale.
It’s all good fun, though, as all contemporary musical theatre must be; camp and knowing, while taking its duty to entertain very seriously.

By Sara Keating (Irish Times).

Aviva Stadium

2010-05-20T02:48:00.000-07:00

The official opening of the Aviva Stadium took place on Friday and by all accounts it is a beautiful thing to behold. We are really excited. It has felt like centuries since the old Kitty O'Sheas (now Gasworks) was thronged with punters cladded in green jerseys. Anyway here is a list of all the facts on the stadium...just in case you were interested. Thanks to the Irish Times for the info.

HISTORY: Lansdowne Road stadium first opened for athletics in 1872 and when it closed it was the oldest sports stadium in Europe. Work started on the Aviva stadium in May 2007 and the venue was officially opened on Friday May 14th, 2010. The project architects were Populous (formerly HOK Sports Architecture)/Scott Tallon Walker, while the main contractor was John Sisk Sons.
€410m
Total cost (inclusive of €191 million of government funding).
4
Stands – the south, east and west stands have four tiers. The bottom and top tiers provide the main volume of spectating facilities, the second tier is for premium ticket holders, and the third tier houses corporate boxes. The North stand comprises one low-level seating tier because it is close to nearby houses.
63,802 sq m
The area occupied by the stadium.
47.65m
Highest point above the pitch.
189.9m
Length, north to south.
203m
Width, east to west, excluding podium and grand stairs.
6,000
People employed over a three-year period.
4,000,000
Work hours during construction.
5,000 tonnes
Of structural steel used.
€40m
Cost of the naming rights which were awarded to Aviva on February 12th, 2009.
50,000
Seating capacity. All seating is under a roof, but the roof does not extend over the pitch. There are 36 corporate boxes, with seating for 850 people. Premium seats total 10,000.
230
Wheelchair positions.
150
CCTV cameras.
400
Beer taps, capable of delivering 90,000 pints.
68
Camera positions. There are three television studios.
400
The number of press facilities.
AND THERE’S MORE
Car parking spaces: 200 (100 for disabled drivers). Meals served on match day 2,300. Restaurants : three, with nine kitchens and 69 kiosks or bars. Catering staff: 900. Chefs : 48. Stewards : 700. Gardaí on duty inside ground : 50.

Things to do this Weekend

2010-05-14T01:48:00.000-07:00

Well thank Crunchie it's Friday again. The sun is shining in Dublin...for the moment anyway and the Aviva Stadium is officially opening so there is plenty to smile about. But what are we all going to do this weekend. We'll I’m going to give you some food for thought. Personally I'm probably going to settle for the new Robin Hood movie staring Russell Crowe, which has received mixed reviews. But if I was heading out this is what I'd be thinking about:

1. Cathy Davey, Olympia Theatre, Tonight - One of the best Irish female artists of all time, well in our opinion anyway. Loving her new single "Little Red" from the newly released album "The Nameless" which looks set to be No.1 in the Irish charts this week...well done Cathy. The Olympia is a great venue for live music. Cost (€26-€28).

2. Book Sales for Older People Living in the Docklands Community, National College of Ireland, IFSC, Friday 14th May 11am – 7pm Saturday 15th May 10am – 5pm - Irish author, Sheila O'Flanagan, will launch a two day book sale on Friday at the National College of Ireland (IFSC Campus). Five organisations from the Docklands Seniors Providers Forum (Age Action, Care Local, Friendly Call Service, Lourdes Day Care Centre and NASCADH CDP) and the Docklands Seniors Forum have joined forces to raise much needed funds to continue their work in the Docklands community. A worthy cause...and we love books.

3. Interior and Arts Fair 2010, RDS, Friday - Having just finished the re-design of our new Lansdowne Suites we feel we have a bit of knowledge on this subject. The RDS is located just short stroll from the hotel so drop in for some lunch and a sociable on the way by.

4. Dublin Dance Festival, All Weekend, Various Venues - We have to confess that not many of us at the Grand Canal Hotel can dance...although I can only talk for myself when I say that is an understatement. Anyway award-winning dancers from across the globe will be taking the stage, drawing on dance styles and stories from West Africa, Algeria, Vietnam, the Americas and Australia, with Irish participants. The diversity of our world culture and experience is embodied by the artists travelling to Dublin from destinations across the globe to take part in the Festival. Award-winning dancers from across the globe will be taking the stage, drawing on dance styles and stories from West Africa, Algeria, Vietnam, the Americas and Australia, with Irish participants. The diversity of our world culture and experience is embodied by the artists travelling to Dublin from destinations across the globe to take part in the Festival. Check out their website for details http://www.dublindancefestival.ie/programme/.

5. Whistle Down the Wind, Grand Canal Theatre, All weekend - already been to see this so cheating a little but i can recommend it to all. Andrew Lloyd Webber Westend hit. Plenty of songs, great orchestra and of course stunning venue in the Grand Canal Theatre.

That's it for this Friday's tips. Have a great weekend and we hope to see you in the hotel over the weekend. Don't forget we will be running the Whistle Down the Wind Package and Shawshank Redemption Package next week while the O2 Shuttle bus will be running for Mark Knophler and the lovely Alicia Keys gigs. Check out http://www.grandcanalhotel.ie/ for more info.

2010-05-12T09:16:00.000-07:00

Good Evening Everybody,

Check out our newsletter for the chance to win a Theatre Package for 2 at the hotel. The package for either Shawshank Redemption or Whistle Down the Wind includes pre-show meal, ticket to the show, night's accommodation at the Grand Canal Hotel and Full Irish Breakfast the following morning.

Click here for more info or go to http://www.grandcanalhotel.ie/.

Rod Stewart Gig

2010-05-11T03:55:00.000-07:00

One of Scotland's favourite son's arrives in Ireland for the first of three gigs at the O2 in 2010. The "Maggie May" singer is a firm favourite in Ireland and graces the famous Dublin venue on the 11th and 12th of May, both of which are sold out. But fear not Rod fans, another gig takes place on the 31st of July. Check out http://www.ticketmaster.ie/ for more details. If you're going to a gig in the O2 don't forget our O2 Package offer. For just €79pps you can enjoy a pre-show meal, return shuttle bus to the O2, night's stay at the hotel and full Irish breakfast next morning. Click here to book.

Interesting Story of the Day

2010-05-11T03:48:00.000-07:00

We narrowly avoided disaster this week...or at least that is according to Irish spiritual healer, Joe Coleman. The latest message from the Virgin Mary comes ahead of her next visit to Knock, scheduled for May 11, 2010 at 3 pm. “The oceans will explode - The Atlantic Ocean - Three major volcanic explosions under the sea - Tsunamis both sides of the Ocean between America and Europe. Fire will fall from the heavens. Ireland is under massive threat from the evil one. Pray Pray Pray for peace,” reads part of the message relayed to Coleman from Mary.
This disaster was set to take place two days before her next apparition, which means if Coleman was right, the world would have experienced a seismic disaster on Sunday.
According to Coleman, Mary’s communication line to him and all the disasters she is predicting are all heralding the second coming of Christ." Check out the full story one Irishcentral.

As if the volcano wasn't causing us enough hassle.

What's Going on This Weekend

2010-05-07T06:04:00.001-07:00

It is a busy weekend in Dublin this week in terms of entertainment. My own choice would be a trip down to see Jerry Fish and the Mudbug Club in Vicar Street but if the former Emotional Fish front man is not your cup of tea there is plenty more on offer. There is loads of action in the fantastic Grand Canal Theatre over the next three nights. First up is Randy Newman tonight, followed by Ray Davis on Saturday and on Sunday the "American Pie" man himself, Don McClean.
If theatre is your thing then drop down to the Gaiety Theatre where the very well received Shawshank Redemption has returned for another run. The iconic story based on the famous film is on Friday and Saturday and is definitely worth a visit. Indeed there are still packages in the hotel for the show where you can get pre-show dinner, ticket to the show, night's accommodation and full Irish breakfast. Check it out on http://www.grandcanalhotel.ie/.
World famous rockers KISS bring their unmistakable show to The O2 tonight and there is a shuttle bus available from the hotel. Neil Delamare brings his infectious brand of comedy to Vicar Street on Saturday night and the very interesting sounding "The Story of Motown" takes place in the Olympia Theatre tomorrow night.
Whatever you're thinking of doing why not stop off in Gasworks for a cocktail or if you prefer pull your own pint. It's always worth a visit.
Have a good weekend.

Volcano...it could get worse

2010-05-06T07:58:00.000-07:00

One of the geeks at the hotel couldn't help himself and has been doing a bit of research on the Volcano that is causing travellers so much trouble since April, and what he discovered is a little alarming. I won't bore the pants off you with too much technical information but here we go. The volcano that erupted on the 20th of March is called Eyjafjallajökull (try pronouncing that). The 1821 eruption which lasted just under two years was not an issue for flights because the plane had not been invented at that stage. However an alarming aspect of the eruption is that it was followed by an eruption from Katla, a much larger nearby volcano and this has been showing signs of unrest since 1999. Geologists have concerns that it might erupt in the near future. Monitoring has been intensified following the March 2010 eruptions of a smaller neighbouring volcano - Guðnasteinn - beneath the Eyjafjallajökull glacier. In the past 1,000 years, all three known eruptions of Eyjafjallajökull have triggered subsequent Katla eruptions. The concequences of Katla erupting could be catastrophic for the airline industry as it would eject far more ash into the atmosphere. On 20 April 2010 Icelandic President Ólafur Grímsson said "the time for Katla to erupt is coming close...we [Iceland] have prepared...it is high time for European governments and airline authorities all over the world to start planning for the eventual Katla eruption". Get your holidays in quick people.

Volcano Disruption

2010-05-05T09:01:00.000-07:00

There appears to a break in the clouds...ash clouds that is coming early tomorrow. Unfortunate travllers are having a nightmare at airports throughout Ireland and the UK thanks to a certain volcano in Iceland. Mother Nature obviously keeps forgetting that we are an island nation and flight is a key to our economy. Not to worry. The Grand Canal Hotel will look after you. If you get stranded in the airport at any stage give us a shout and we'll look after you. No rip off republic in this part of Dublin 4. Keep an eye on www.grandcanalhotel.ie for updates on rates and http://www.dublinairport.com/flight-information/live-departures1.asp for information on the airport.