A Happy New Year !

Dublin Castle (3)

St Patrick's Cathedral (4) - Three Choristers

Malahide (3) - Malahide Castle

A walk through the forest, to Malahide Castle, will put all your troubles away and give you peace of mind. The green of the grass is unreal and when visiting the interior of the castle you will feel the presence of at least one of the castle ghosts (it has five !) .

Malahide Castle was both a fortress and a private home for Talbot family for nearly eight hundred years (the last Lord Talbot who lived in the castle, died there in 1973).

More about history, facilities, tours and banquets at Malahide Castle on www.malahidecastle.com.

Merry Christmas !

I don't have a photo with Christmas in Dublin so I'll make an exception and post this one because I want to wish you a Merry Christmas !

Irish Dance

At Oliver St John Gogarty 58-59 Fleet Street, Temple Bar we've learnt our first Irish Dance steps from two Riverdance members.

Swords (3) - The Plaza Shopping Centre

3 Ways to enjoy Jameson

St Patrick's Cathedral (3) - Choristers

Dublin Streets (1)

This is the end of well-known Grafton Street.

In the background you can see some of old Dublin buildings and people waiting to take a photo at Molly Malone Statue.

Phoenix Park (1)

A walk through Phoenix Park - the largest urban park in Europe - will "recharge your batteries" .

The park is 3 km far from Dublin City Centre (bus number 10/a from O'Conell Street will take you there) and includes many atractions for visitors as Dublin Zoo, Peoples Garden, Sports Grounds, Ashtown Castle & Phoenix Park Visitor Centre, Aras an Uachtaráin - the residence of the Irish president and many more.

Swords (2) - Irish College of English

When you go to Dublin you can mix pleasure with learning. For example attending English courses in the morning at Swords branch of Irish College of English and then visiting Dublin and the surroundings.

Malahide (2) - Beach Code

Old Dublin (2)

St Stephen's Green (3) - Green Paradise

Dublin Castle (2) - Drawing Room

12 Year Old Jameson Whiskey

When in Dublin don't hesitate to visit the famous Jameson Distillery - the tour (more about it on www.jamesonwhiskey.com) is a pleasant an instructive one - you can taste, your Irish Taster Diploma and buy original whiskey (like that in the picture - the best 12 year old triple distilled Jameson Whiskey).
And if you're lucky enough (as I've been) you will hear an U2 tune while you're waiting to begin your visit.

James Jyoce Bridge

James Joce bridge - opened 2003 - designed by Santiago Calatrava.

St Patrick's Cathedral (2)

An Irish Dance Party

In the last afternoon of my visit to Dublin, I decided it is time for An Irish Dance Party.
So, with the flyer in my hand, I looked for Oliver St John Gogarty 58-59 Fleet Street, Temple Bar.
When I found it, I must admit that I couldn't make up my mind - to enter or not and try a little Irish Dance. I have to thank a young man satnding at the door and giving tourists information about the party, who told me: "if you really want to do something, just do it without thinking too much". And I didn't regret it.
On their site - www.irishdanceparty.com - you can see 2 videos made by me at this party (they are posted on You Tube too).
So, if you visit Dublin, you can attend a "real Irish party, learn a few steps with two Riverdance dancers and ejoy a sing-along with the best known Irish songs and ballads"
Every day from 3 to 5 o"clock. Only 12 Euro at the door .

The Shelbourne Hotel

In Dublin City Centre, on the North side of St Stephen's Green, your eyes are attracted by a red-brick majestic -19th century building

It's the Shelbourne Hotel - a Dublin Landmark, built in 1824 and recently restored and refurbished .

The Shelbourne is a lxury 5 star hotel -located close to the main city attractions.

St Stephen's Green (2) - Lunch Time