Top 10 Quirky Things to do in Dublin

Posted on 10/12 at 11:46 AM

If it’s an unusual experience you’re looking for but don’t quite know where to start…then here is a great guide! We’ve made a top 10 list of Quirky, different and unusual things to see and do while in Dublin!

1. Mummies in St.Michan’s Church and Crypts

The peculiar dry atmosphere has caused the mummification of the bodies and the preservation of the coffins. Underneath the church are five long burial vaults containing the mummified remains of many of Dublin’s most influential 17th, 18th and 19th century families, including the legendary Shears brothers and the highly decorated coffins of the Earl’s of Leitrim. Guided tours are available! Also check out the bog bodies dating back to the Iron Age in the National Museum of Archaeology for more ancient preserved bodies!

2. National Leprechaun Museum

The National Leprechaun Museum is a truly unique attraction! It's first ever attraction dedicated to Irish mythology, opens up a fun and magical world full of fascinating folklore, mythology and enchanting stories. The museum  takes you deep into Irish and Celtic culture to discover what really lies behind the well-known tales of Irish cultural icons - leprechauns, rainbows and pots of gold!

3. 'The Tudors' Exhibition at Christ Church Cathedral 

Christ Church Cathedral has so much to offer visitors. The crypt is the oldest surviving structure in the capital and one of the largest crypts in Europe. Housed in the crypt is the Treasures of Christ Church exhibition, as well as the beautiful original costumes from 'The Tudors' television series, much of which was filmed in the Cathedral.

4. Dublin Falconry

The Dublin Falconry is new to Dublin this June! The Dublin Falconry brings you the art of Falconry with well conducted speeches, dress and flying displays. The Dublin Falconry offers a number of unique activities that allow you to get up close and personal with the majestic birds. Take a Hawk Walk,which features an introduction to holding and flying an amazing raptor as you see first-hand how the raptor moves. Or the Falconry Experience which lasts 4 hours includes Luring Falcons and flying Teddy, the massive European Eagle Owl! The Dublin Falconry is located north of Dublin in Balbriggan.

5. Café Culture
Queen of Tarts and The Cake Café are both worth a visit for cake lovers! A visit to The Queen of Tarts cosy tea room to sample Dublin’s sweeter side is a must do after exploring the streets of Dublin. You can enjoy savoury delights as well as sweet, which both go down well with a pot of tea! Located nearby isDublin Castle and Christ Church Cathedral.

Hidden away down Pleasant’s Lane in a quaint court yard you will find the adorable Cake Café. What makes The Cake Café so different and many would say cute, is the 1950s feel and mismatching antique china cutlery. A perfect spot for lunch, whether sitting inside or out in the funky courtyard, there is plenty to choose from on the tempting menu. Or check out the Foam Cafe, tucked away in the Italian Quarter. The eclectic decor and tasty cakes, tapas will ensure your first visit will not be your last!

6. Hidden Dublin Walks

Hidden Dublin Walks will help you see the Irish capital as you have never seen it before! Hidden Dublin Walks deals with subjects that other tours fear to touch, including the outrageously controversial medieval Celtic Christianity through the horrors of the bubonic plague, the characters of the 19th century. Hidden Dublin Walks offer a unique tour that no other company dare to bring you, The Hellfire Club! The tour winds its way up the Dublin Mountains towards the burnt out shell of this haunted hunting lodge. Dating from 1725 is known for its association with Satanism, the supernatural and the occult!!

7. Le Cool Walking Tours

Le Cool Walking Tours offer tours that show an alternative side to Dublin! Incorporating elements of the city which have become staples of le cool content such as pop-ups, new collectives and initiatives, Le Cool want to share these 'of the moment' living culture experiences. This continually evolving two-hour tour will reflect the now and engage with people behind initiatives which are reshaping Dublin city in vibrant and meaningful ways. Find out about DIY culture, street art, fashion, emerging music and literature, artists, hidden historical gems and the latest trends.

8. The Science Gallery

Tucked into the historic grounds of Trinity College Dublin is the super modern and fascinating Science Gallery. It’s a truly new and unique type of venue where today’s white-hot scientific issues are thrashed out and you can have your say! What makes The Science Gallery so Quirky is that unlike most galleries? , it doesn’t have a permanent collection. There is always something new and fascinating to see. Through each exhibition, there are events, talks, debates and workshops, giving everyone a chance to get involved.

9. Glasnevin Cemetery

Visiting a cemetery during your trip to Dublin may sound like a morbid and spooky thing to do but Glasnevin Cemetery is no ordinary cemetery. Originally starting out as a mass grave for the Catholic cholera victims it eventually has grown into Ireland’s largest cemetery. Many people that shaped Ireland have their final resting place here, such as nationalist political leaders Charles Stewart Parnell, Eamon DeValera and Michael Collins. These famous political leaders share the 120-acre site with more than 1.1 million people! While in Glasnevin, visit the National Botanic Gardens , located nearby.

10. Experience Gaelic Games

Gaelic Games of Hurling and Football are the most popular sports in Ireland for both male and female participants. Experience Gaelic Games provides visitors with a unique interactive Irish cultural experience, allowing you to learn and practice the basic techniques and skills of Gaelic Games in a fun and interactive way! 

Tall Ships Races Dublin 2012

Posted on 07/30 at 03:04 PM

Dublin welcoms back the Tall Ships Races in 2012

The Tall Ships revisit Dublin after a 14 year break. Back in 1998 they received a joyous welcome with street parties, live music and water sport activities.

This time around promises to be an even bigger event with a four day festival planned from 23rd August to 26th August.

Dublin is the final host port for this annual international event with over 42 TALL SHIPS expected to take part.

The plan for the festival includes the following

         Day 1 Free Festival

• -Fleet Arrival
  
• -Opening Ceremony
  
• -Captain's Dinner at the Mansion House
  
• -Ships open to the Public. Live music, street theatre, markets, fun fairs, water sport activities and participative family events.

           Day 2 Free Festival

• -Crew Parade at Custom House
• -Prize Giving

• -Crew Party
  
• -Ships open to the Public. Live music, street theatre, markets, fun fairs, water sport activities and participative family events.

           Day 3 Free Festival

• -Crew Activites

• -Ships open to the Public. Live music, street theatre, markets, fun fairs, water sport activities and participative family events.

           Day 4 Free Festival

• -Farewell to Ships

• -Parade of Sail
  
• -Regatta from Dublin to Liverpool
  
• -Live music, street theatre, markets, fun fairs, water sport activities and participative family events which are themed around our farewell programme for the ships.

          For more information check out www.dublintallships.ie

Dublin Comedy Festival

Posted on 07/25 at 02:51 PM

Side Splitting laughs promised at the Dublin Comedy Festival

The Dublin Comedy Festival takes place in the Iveagh gardens just 20 minutes walk from Cassidys hotel.

You can enjoy the humour of International stars like 

 The king of comedy coolReginald D Hunter; the irrepressible Pub Landlord, Al Murray; Edinburgh Fringe winner & stand up poet Tim Key and several Irish (and European) debuts including the Buddha of Comedy Eddie Pepitone, Kyle Kinane, Kumail Nanjiani and the delightfully crazy Aussie duo Sammy J & Randy.Returning following last year’s success will be multiple award winning one-linerMilton Jones, charismatic Argumental team captain Seann Walsh andReggie Watts, who LA Weekly recently described as ‘the most wildly inventive new talent of the last five years’.

and see homegrown Irish talent such as

Tommy Tiernan, Jason Byrne, PJ Gallagher, Ardal O’Hanlon, David O’Doherty, Neil Delamere, The Nualas, David McSavage, Kevin McAleer, Barry Murphy and Dead Cat Bounce.

For more detail or to book your place see http://www.vodafonecomedy.com/

Dublin City Rooftop Tours at Croke Park

Posted on 05/24 at 02:59 PM

Dublin Sightseeing has Reached New Heights!

Enjoy the best views of Dublin from the roof of the iconic Croke Park Stadiumon the exciting new Etihad Skyline Tour.

Accompanied by an experienced tour guide, visitors will ascent to a walkway 44 metres above the ground to take in

panoramic views of the Irish capital and find out more about Dublin’s key landmarks.

Etihad Skyline includes stops at five viewing platforms along Croke Park’s 0.6km rooftop walkway.

Each stop gives visitors the opportunity to learn about the highlighted buildings and sites in their line of

vision through multi-lingual audio guides. The audio guides include historical information, quirky anecdotes and interviews

with key figures working at some of Dublin’s most famous locations including Glasnevin Cemetery, Guinness Storehouse and Kilmainham Gaol.

To make the Etihad Skyline experience truly memorable, adventurous visitors will have the chance to walk out from the stadium roof

onto a specially designed walkway suspended above the Croke Park pitch. Not for the faint hearted, this view of Croke Park shows

Ireland’s most famous arena and Europe’s further largest stadium from a completely different angle!

Public Tour Times 
Mondays to Fridays: 10.30am/11.30pm/12.30pm/2.30pm 
Saturdays: 10.30am/11.30am/12.30pm/1.30am/2.30pm/3.30pm 
Sundays: 11.30am/12.30pm/1.30am/2.30pm/3.30pm

How do I book a Skyline Tour?
To guarantee your place on Skyline, book online at www.skylinecrokepark.ie. Group bookings are available and can be made by phoning 01 8192323 or emailing skyline@crokepark.ie.

The tour lasts approximately 2 hours. This includes a health and safety briefing and ascent to the walkway. 

Public Admission
Adult €25
Child €15 (up to 12 years old)
Student €20
Family €65 (2 adults 2 children)

Click here for more information http://www.skylinecrokepark.ie/

Bavaria Racing comes to Dublin

Posted on 05/22 at 09:32 AM

   Great news for motor rqacing fans.

   On the 03rd of June Bavaria is bringing Formula 1 to the streets of Dublin!

   More than 100,000 racing enthusiasts are expected to gather for a spectacular afternoon with 

   Dakar trucks, Super League Formula, Indy Car, Formula 2, drifters

   and Formula 1 demonstrations as the highlight of the day.

   Bavaria City Racing Dublin is a fun-fuelled weekend of activities, with something for everyone,

   including fashion, music and parties all over the city.

   Over 96% of the viewing space for Bavaria City Racing Dublin is free to the public.

  See video footage: http://vimeo.com/33717096 

   For more information visit: www.bavariacityracing.ie

   For the race map click here http://www.bavariacityracing.ie/bcrd/route-map

Dublin App now FREE

Posted on 03/25 at 11:58 AM

Great news for visitors to Dublin......

The offical Visit Dublin APP is now FREE to download.

This is a fantastic tool for the visitor to Dublin to help explore the city.

• For Apple download          Click HERE

• For Android download      Click HERE

St Patricks Day Events

Posted on 02/28 at 02:36 PM

The St Patricks Festival 2011 kicks off on 16th of March with a host of events for young and old until 20th March 2011 in Dublin.

A full list of events are available to see at http://www.stpatricksfestival.ie/index.php/events

Some of the highlights being

• The City at Play Funfair at Merrion Square http://www.stpatricksfestival.ie/index.php/events/event/city_at_play_funfairs4
• The Trad Trails http://www.stpatricksfestival.ie/index.php/events/event/trad_trails
• The St Patricks Ceili @ St Stephens Green http://www.stpatricksfestival.ie/index.php/events/event/st._patricks_festival_ceili

And of course the now world famous St Patricks day parade through the streets of Dublin http://www.stpatricksfestival.ie/index.php/events/event/st._patricks_festival_parade

Join in the fun and help turn the world GREEN this St Patricks festival in Dublin city.

Chinese New Year Festival

Posted on 01/27 at 12:13 PM

Chinese New Year Festival Carnival

Dublin Chinese New Years festival 1st to 14th February 2011

To welcome in the Chinese New Year of the Rabbit Dublin City Council, present a special Chinese carnival.

This will include

• Interactive craft and animation workshops at the DCC Big Blue Library Learning Bus
• Chinese food and craft stalls
• Information booths
• Authentic Chinese performances with dragon and lion dances
• Tai chi and martial arts displays
• Special musical and dance entertainment performing traditional and contemporary Chinese music and acts
• A Chinese rock band as part of the carnival celebrations
• Chinese State Circus

For more information click HERE

Cassidys hotel is just a short walk from the heart of the activities

Dublin welcomes the TMForum Management World Conference

Posted on 01/27 at 12:12 PM

Dublin is delighted to welcome the TMForum Management World Conference

This annual event, now in its 12th year, is set to attract 3,000 senior executives across more than 700 companies from over 80 countries worldwide.

TM Forum’s Management World 2011 will deliver a unique blend of thought-leadership, real-world case studies and interactive debate. This event will help communications and digital service providers focus on growing revenue through new business models, increasing operational efficiency and cost reduction, whilst addressing the challenges of revenue assurance, customer experience and retention.

The TMForum – Management World Conference will take place in the Dublin Convention Centre (CCD) on 23rd May 2011 to 26th May 2011.

Cassidys hotel is located just a 15 minute walk from the Dublin Convention Centre (CCD)

Dublin welcomes the ACI Europe Airport Trading & Conference Exhibition

Posted on 01/27 at 12:10 PM

Dublin is delighted to welcome the ACI Europe – 20^th Annual Airport Trading & Conference Exhibition to the Convention Centre Dublin.

The landmark 20th ACI EUROPE Airport Trading Conference and Exhibition will bring together key airport commercial executives, operators and brands as well as key business partners from airport retail, food and beverage, travel services, media and other enterprises from around the world, who are focused on delivering non-aeronautical revenue success at airports.

The Dublin Airport Authority are the host of the 2011 Airport Trading Conference and Exhibition. The event will take place in Dublin, 4-6 April 2011 in the new Dublin Convention Centre (CCD)

Cassidys hotel is just a 15 minute stroll from the Convention Centre Dublin (CCD)

Dublin welcomes the PMI Global Congress 2011EMEA to the Convention Centre Dublin

Posted on 01/26 at 04:04 PM

Dublin is delighted to welcome the PMI Global Congress 2011—EMEA to the
Convention Centre Dublin.

The PMI Global Congress 2011 will take place in the Convention Centre Dublin on 9–11 May 2011

This three-day event attendees will gather the know-how and inspiration needed to succeed. Educational sessions and networking opportunities will connect peers to discuss common issues, innovative solutions and best practices as well as learn about the latest trends, tools and techniques from project management experts.

Cassidys hotel is located just a 15 minute walk from the Dublin Convention Centre (CCD)

Dublin welcomes Major bowel disease congress to the Convention Centre Dublin

Posted on 01/21 at 12:08 PM

Dublin is delighted to welcome the Major Bowel Disease Congress to the Convention Centre Dublin.

The 6th Congress of European Crohn's and Colitis Organisation (ECCO) will take place from 24-26 February. It will focus on the latest research, therapies and procedures in treating inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD).

Around 2,000 medical professionals treating sufferers of Crohn’s disease and colitis will desend on Dublin in 2011 for a special event held in the Convention Centre Dublin (CCD).

Cassidys hotel is just a 15 minute stroll from the Convention Centre Dublin (CCD)

Autum / Winter Theatre Season in Dublin

Posted on 10/22 at 12:22 PM

The Autum / Winter theatre season is upon us and the standard on offer is spellbounding.

Here is a selection of the best on offer and the best part is all theatres featured are within 10 minutes walk form Cassidys hotel in Dublins city centre.

Dates Theatre Performance Authur 

13 Oct to 31st Oct Gate Theatre ENDGAME Samuel Beckett

04 Nov to 15 Jan Gate Theatre JANE EYRE Charlotte Brontë

24 Sept to 06 Nov Abbey Theatre B for BABY Carmel Winters

22 Oct to 14 Nov Olympia Theatre Between Foxrock & a Hard Place Ross O'Carroll Kelly

11 Nov to 21 Nov Gaiety Theatre "Tosca" Puccini

28 Nov to 30 Jan Gaiety Theatre ALADDIN A Pantomime

Something for everyone.

Dublin TV See Dublin before you arrive

Posted on 08/06 at 03:02 PM

Do you want to sample what Dublin has to offer before coming? Why not check out Dublin TV?

View and hear what Dublin has to offer in the coming weeks and months on Dublin TV.

Your host Aine Kavanagh will update you on the sights and sounds if the city.

Click HERE to start your journey.. Enjoy

The Dublin Horse Show 2010 Aug 04th - 08th

Posted on 07/28 at 10:40 AM

The Dublin Horse Show takes place in the Royal Dublin Society (RDS) between 04th & 08th August.

This is a reason in itself to visit Dublin this August.

The 5 day festival includes:

International show jumping
Live music
Blossom Hill Ladies’ Day
Over 300 shopping stands
Crafts & art exhibition
Restaurants & bars
Kids’ entertainment and magic shows

The 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 tens of thousands of people Ireland and all over the world.

Full details from http://www.dublinhorseshow.com/