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Miriam Kennedy, Manager Dublin Convention Bureau, DCB
My favourite spots: Top restaurants:
Ely Bar and Brasserie, Custom house Quay: A stone’s throw from the national Convention Centre, Ely Bar and Brasserie is set in a stunning 200 year old vaulted warehouse for tobacco and wine. There are over 400 wines to choose from here which can make the decision making process a bit longer but coupled with home grown, organic food, ultimately worth it!
Rustic Stone, South George's St.: Owner Dylan McGrath is something of a celebrity chef in Ireland (hosting Ireland’s "Masterchef" TV series) and has pioneered the use of only seasonal, locally sourced produce in his restaurant. Rustic Stone uses neither butter nor cream in any of its menus so you can savour delicious nutritious food guilt free.
The Winding Stair, Lower Ormond Quay: You actually do have to climb a very winding staircase to get to this restaurant but it does mean that the restaurant has wonderful views over the River Liffey and Dublin’s famous Ha’penny bridge and serves fantastic traditional Irish food with a modern take.
Top three pubs:
Café en Seine, Dawson St.: This fabulously decadent, super pub on Dawson St. is great for people watching, cocktail sipping and dancing the night away (in that order!)
O'Donoghue's, Merrion Row: O'Donoghue's pub on Merrion Row is a Dublin institution and on any night of the week you’ll find hand clapping, foot tapping “trad” music played by any number of talented musicians in cosy friendly environs.
The Church Bar & Restaurant, Junction of Mary St & Jervis St.: If you fancy a pint in the same building where Arthur Guinness got married in 1761, Handel practised his Messiah and Jonathan Swift of "Gulliver’s travels" fame attended service then this is the place for you. The former St. Mary's Church of Ireland is one of the earliest examples of a galleried church in Dublin. Rescued from dereliction, the Church has been tastefully restored and boasts many outstanding features, such as the Renatus Harris built organ and spectacular stained glass windows.
Top three hot spots:
City centre: Compact, and ideally suited to casual exploration on foot, Dublin offers wonderful museums and galleries which chronicle its long, colourful, sometimes turbulent past. Pubs (note – there are more than 800 of them!) and cafés offer wi-fi in tandem with traditional entertainment – from ‘’trad’’ (i.e. traditional music) and ballad sessions, to exuberant displays of ‘’Riverdance’’ style dancing. Temple Bar – a cultural quarter offers lively (and loud!) pubs by night; by day, however, the area has a laid back charm and is home to numerous bohemian cafés, pubs, tea shops, and casual dining spots.
Grand Canal Square: Dublin’s newest square combines a state of the art, 2000 seater, performing arts theatre surrounded by trendy coffee shops, cutting edge restaurants all set around the pretty Grand Canal Basin. The brand new “Marker Hotel” will open here in April 2013 offering 187 bedrooms and a rooftop bar and restaurant with stunning views over the River Liffey and the canal.
Dublin Scenery: Within half an hour of the city centre there are beautiful mountain walks, stately homes and gardens, picturesque fishing villages and beautiful, windswept beaches – enjoy!
In Dublin, for every visitor, it is the people who matter most. Every encounter – from buying a coffee to taking a taxi – offers the opportunity to be entertained, regaled and welcomed.
‘There are no strangers here, only friends you haven’t met yet’, WB YEATS
The Dublin Convention Bureau (DCB) is a non profit making organisation and all of its funds are directed at the marketing of Dublin and supporting our trade partners and by organisations such as Association of Irish Professional Conference Organisers, Irish Hotels Federation, Failte Ireland, Dublin City Council, South Dublin County Tourism. Its mission Statement is to promote Dublin as a business tourism destination by creating awareness of its advantages and offering solutions that meet the needs of clients and partners. www.dublinconventionbureau.com