Dublin here we come!!!!

[Skribble]

Well booked the flights now where to stay. Got good prices for these hotels any recommendations?
Days Hotel- Rathmines,
Grand Hotel,
Clarion,
Jurys Croke park,
Mespil,
Days apartments,
Phoenix Park,
Gate Lodge
Dergval Hotel,
Travel Lodge,

Just for th Girls no kids or DH to worry about.

PS Whats the easist way from the airport into the centre of Dublin?

skinnycow, that maternity hospital is the Rotunda, so-named because all the ladies who enter it are very rotund!

LGJ - were you about to tell Northener that the Shelbourne is closed???

I used to work there!!!

chipmoney thats the one!

Budababe, its only closed for restoration, not forever!

Ohh, skinnycow let me know what your sis thinks of the Gresham - I've booked a weekend there for me and DH's 10th wedd anniversary in Feb. Only paid a deposit so it could be changed

Brown Thomas is the best department store ever. There are loads of nice individual clothes and interiors-y shops in the back streets running parallel to Grafton St between St Stephen's Green and Temple Bar.

For posh nice brunch or lunch the Mermaid Cafe.

(Me and DH used to go to Dublin lots as only £15 on seacat from Liverpool)

Budababe.

Yes,I was going to tell Northener, but I was interested in whether she had booked it through a travel agent, who may have been keeping that pearl of wisdom re the Shelbourne, until it was too late for her to cancel. Very trusting me.

we went over to Ireland in the summer but only passed through Dublin in the end. We did try to stop off at the Dundrum Centre but couldnt park as our car is over 2m high . So would love to go back to spend a weekend in Dublin. Is Dundrum far from Grafton Street area?

I stayed in Jury's Inn Christchurch. Really nice hotel, but not cheap! Can't believe its classed as a budget hotel!

The best way to get from the Airport to City Centre is bus. 5 Euro each and takes about half an hour. We were there 2 weeks ago..... hope you've got plenty cash coz its about £5 a drink!!!!

skinnycow, its a good way away, but the new Luas light rail would take you there. Have yet to visit it myself!

ah thanks chipmonkey we were actually there on bank holiday Monday and it wasnt running from Dun Laoghaire.

Hotels are REALLY expensive here though, Sackache, as are a lot of things. Even in LIDL, we pay more for our groceries than you would in LIDL in Northern Ireland. Maddening!

Bewleys hotel in Leopardstown is only 69 euro per room - the one in Ballsbridge is 99 euro

Chipmonkey - I know! What a fright we got. I was paying £6 Sterling for a single Gin & Tonic in some places.

I was there 7 yrs ago before the Euro. Everything was so cheap!!!

How did the weekend go, otherwise, Sackache? Did you rekindle the spark?

Not really Chipmonkey. We didn't argue, but it wasn't exactly mind blowing. Ho hum.

Looks like I am going to have to go back to carying the half bottle in my handbag and topping up in the loos .

I really must decide and book something tonight.

sackache, thats a shame. Marriage is a lot of hard work, isn't it?
Skribble, hope you get somewhere nice!

How far is it from croke park to the temple bar bit?

Too far to walk, but a cab wouldn't bankrupt you either. Probably 15 minutes or so by car.

Thanks the hotel description said short walk, but I think they meant to the top of O'Connel street. Where is good for shopping, not wanting the typical highstreet shops I can do that here love markets and unusual shops.

Skribble, about halfway down Grafton ST there's a little St called Johnson's Court, very narrow street, almost more like a path! Anyway, if you go down that, at the end you come to a little shopping centre called Powerscourt town house. Its got loads of cute little shops and has loads of fashion designers, some just up and coming, others more established.
Now if you go through the back door of this shopping centre and take a left then an immediate right and walk on you come to the Georges St arcade which has lots of shops and stalls. Will try to think of more places!

Great chipmonkey thats just the kind of thing we are looking for .

Can you remind me stupid question I know but the sockets are 3 pin aren't they. I can't remember as last time I didn't bother with the straightners as I had a riding hat on the whole time . I know many things are more european than the UK. TIA