DUBLIN HOTEL PRICES STILL DROPPING

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

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

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

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