AC/DC will play a concert at Croke Park on August 17th, it has been confirmed. The band, who celebrated their 50th anniversary last year, will finish a 21-date European tour in Dublin. The Power Up European tour is named after the band’s last studio album which was released in November 2020. Only lead guitarist Angus Young remains from the original line-up, but singer Brian Johnson is back following surgery to correct hearing loss which saw him replaced on the 2016 Rock or Bust tour by Guns N’ Roses singer Axl Rose. The band for the Croke Park date will consist of Johnson, Angus Young, Stevie Young, who replaced the late Malcolm Young in 2017, new drummer Matt Laug and a yet to be named bass player who will replace Cliff Williams. AC/DC last played Ireland in 2015 with a sold-out show in the Aviva Stadium. Many feared they would never tour again following the death of Malcolm Young, but they surprised their fans with their appearance at the Power Trip festival in California on October 7th last year. AC/DC have the top selling rock album of any band in history with their 1980 record Back in Black. Their popularity has endured into the digital age, with the official Back in Black video viewed a billion times on YouTube. Tickets from €86.50 plus booking fee are on sale this Friday at 9am through Ticketmaster.

Ireland has again scored strongly in the Oscar nominations. Cillian Murphy is mentioned in the best actor race – and feels like favourite – for his turn as father of the atomic bomb in Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer. Poor Things, produced by Dublin’s Element Pictures, and directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, scored a huge 11 nominations. Only Oppenheimer, with 13, was more successful. That put Oppenheimer just one behind the nomination record, jointly held by La La Land, Titanic and All About Eve. Robbie Ryan, one of Ireland’s most celebrated film professionals, gets a nomination in best cinematography for the Lanthimos film. “Delighre and excited. Very very happy for all the team behind Poor Things:)):” the Dubliner told The Irish Times. Ed Guiney – his name pronounced correctly during the nominations live broadcast after a “Gweeney” at the Golden Globes) and Andrew Lowe, co-founders of Element, were, alongside Lanthimos and Emma Stone, among the nominated producers for Poor Things. “It’s an incredible day out,” Guiney said. “Eleven nominations was, honestly, more than we ever thought we’d get when we started this journey. We are particularly delighted that Yorgos landed a nomination in best director. Because it’s a very, very tough category.” Poor Things is now the most nominated Irish-produced film, beating Martin McDonagh’s The Banshees of Inisherin, which received nine nominations last year. There was some disappointment for Irish actors. Andrew Scott seemed to have a decent chance – like Paul Mescal last year – of sneaking into best actor. His performance in Andrew Haigh’s All of Us Strangers has been much fancied throughout awards season. But, when Zazie Beetz and Jack Quaid announced that list on Tuesday at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills, his name was not among the number. Paul Giamatti, for The Holdovers; Bradley Cooper, for Maestro; Jeffrey Wright, for American Fiction, and Colman Domingo, will compete against Murphy in the best actor race. Barry Keoghan was also seen as having an outside chance in the category for Emerald Fennell’s buzzy Saltburn. Neither that film nor All of Us Strangers, after both scored well at Bafta, picked up a single nomination from their American counterparts. [ Oscars 2024 nominations as they happened: best actor frontrunner Cillian Murphy secures first nomination ] [ Oscars 2024: full list of nominations ] Murphy now stands an excellent chance of becoming the first person born in Ireland to win the best actor Oscar (though Daniel Day-Lewis, born in London, won two of this three as a proud Irish citizen). Initially it seemed as if his main competition was Cooper, but Giamatti, a popular character actor who is felt “overdue”, has come up on the inside rail after victory at the Critics Choice Awards. Eyes now turn to the Screen Actors Guild Awards on February 24th. If Giamatti wins there, we have a real race on our hands. Best actress now looks like a three-way contest. Lily Gladstone was deemed a dead cert for Killers of the Flower Moon, but, after missing out on a Bafta nomination, the Native American actor, though safely mentioned here, has lost a tiny bit of steam. Emma Stone, for Poor Things, and Sandra Hüller, for Anatomy of a Fall, now look like decent bets. That list is completed by Annette Bening for Nyad and Carey Mulligan for Maestro. Elsewhere there were few enormous surprises, but the team behind Greta Gerwig’s Barbie, highest grossing film of 2023, will be sad to lag five nominations behind their great rivals in the Barbenheimer Wars. It will particularly smart that Gerwig didn’t make it into best director and Margot Robbie, Barbie herself, failed in best actress. The academy will have enjoyed a collective sigh of relief on seeing Justine Triet make it into best director for the French drama Anatomy of A Fall. They were thus spared the embarrassment of no women directors in the pack. The success of Anatomy of a Fall – five nominations including best picture – again emphasised the French selection committee’s eccentricity in not putting it forward for best international picture. The Taste of Things, the French pick, is not even among the nominees in that category. The 10 films selected for best picture will have surprised nobody who was paying attention. The list is identical to the Producers Guild of America’s 10 finalists for the Darryl F Zanuck Award for Outstanding Producer. The 10 is Bafta’s best picture longlist with All of Us Strangers (a British film) swapped for Cord Jefferson’s satirical American Fiction. However, there are some noteworthy aspects. For the first time three films by women are up for that prize: Barbie, Anatomy of a Fall and Celine Song’s Past Lives. Three of the list are largely in a language other than English: Anatomy of a Fall, Past Lives and Jonathan Glazer’s Holocaust drama The Zone of Interest. The Oscars feel less stuffy than they once were. As is customary, the awards were announced at the break of dawn in Los Angeles to catch the morning news shows on the east coast. Jimmy Kimmel will host the ceremony at the Dolby Theatre on March 10th.

It is always a good idea to keep a list of romantic restaurants in Dublin on hand, you never know when the time may come for you to plan a date night away for a special occasion. From delicious meals to luxurious hotels, Dublin has no shortage of options for a memorable date. Here are our top 10 romantic restaurants in Dublin so you can spend less time worrying about if the restaurant is romantic enough and more time planning the perfect date night. Il Vicoletto, Temple Bar This self-proclaimed “heart of Italy in Dublin” is a great place to bring a date who appreciates Italian food. They have creatively combined the flavours of Italy and Ireland in their curated menu. They offer traditional Italian dishes that have been infused with the unique flavours of Ireland, using local ingredients such as Irish cheeses, vegetables, fish and Angus beef. For example, their Linguine cozze e pomodirini is a twist on a specialty dish from central Italy, featuring spaghetti served with plump and flavourful Kerry muscles. They also serve a mouthwatering Risotto made with succulent Glemar scallops. Experience the best of both worlds at this restaurant, where Italian and Irish flavors come together in delicious harmony. They also pride themselves in bringing Dublin the finest Italian wines that won’t be found anywhere else in the city. Their staff are well educated in the wines offered so be sure to ask them for recommendations.  La Maison, Castle Market  French restaurants can be a fun and exciting place for couples to try new and unfamiliar dishes. Since it opened over 20 years ago, La Maison has earned its place among Dublin’s top dining experiences for foodies. This French brasserie offers a range of traditional French classics, as well as some innovative and modern cooking using locally sourced fresh ingredients. Share a romantic experience together in a chic and classy setting paired with fabulous French wine and classic French dishes like coq au vin and risotto. You will instantly be transported to the city of love.  Vintage Cocktail Club, Temple Bar You may have to search a little harder for this one, but it is definitely worth it. This speakeasy type bar is accessed through a near missable, almost invisible black door on Temple Bar, marked by the lettering VCC. When you ring the doorbell, a hostess will step out to welcome you both into a gorgeous speakeasy-style vintage cocktail club. In keeping with the prohibition era and secret drinking establishments of the 1920s, the venue features plush seating areas, curtains on the walls, and candlelit tables. Their food menu offers sharing platters and small bites to accompany their extensive drinks menu. Take a look at their cocktail menu to learn about prohibition times and the origins of some well-known mixed drinks. The Blind Pig Speakeasy, Suffolk St  At this restaurant, you and your date will get an experience you’ll both never forget. Once you make a reservation, you will be given instructions on how to find the entrance and get in. Keeping with the speakeasy style, gaining entry involves a hidden sliding door disguised as a bookshelf and a pig’s head as a button to reveal the restaurant. Once inside, you both can sit back and enjoy the authentic prohibition bar’s live music. The live entertainment is usually classic jazz or blues in keeping with the music of the 1920s. This small intimate venue is a quirky gem and a real find in Dublin – your date is bound to be happy with your choice. A delicious menu of food and drinks completes the unique experience this bar has to offer. Pichet, Trinity St  If your date is a foodie, treat them to a trip to this Parisian-style, Michelin-awarded bistro. Within six months of opening, they received a Bib Gourmand from Michelin’s coveted guide, which they have retained for eight consecutive years. The Dubliner Magazine also named Pichet the number one restaurant in Dublin in 2012. Pichet serves many traditional French dishes with an Irish twist. They use in-season, fresh ingredients only, all to be paired with an extensive list of French wines. To keep the romance going, stay after your meal but move to the restaurant’s marble-top cocktail bar for classy cocktails like a Negroni or a Kir Royale.   Delahunt, Camden St This is a good option for a cosy date night as the mid-century furniture and architecture create a warm, homely atmosphere. In their cocktail bar, located in the “Sitting Room”, you can both indulge in their carefully crafted cocktail list before entering their restaurant.  There is a five-course tasting menu available here, that takes the pressure off of trying to decide what to eat for both of you. You and your date will also be able to try dishes that you may not have tried before like purple sprouting broccoli and barbecue peach.  Etto, Merrion Row Take your date to this Italian-inspired restaurant that is popular in the Dublin food scene. Their menu offers unique dishes at reasonable prices, earning them the Bib Gourmand award, given only to restaurants that provide the best value for money.  Discover a variety of modern food, from delectable appetisers and snacks to a stunning à la carte menu. Etto offers a well-curated wine collection that is always changing and focuses on intriguing grape varieties from small producers. Their unique food and wine menu is topped with a warm, romantic atmosphere, perfect for an anniversary or special occasion. Uno Mas, Aungier St This sister restaurant to the much-loved Etto opened to a landslide of great reviews in 2018. The name of this restaurant is in Spanish and it translates to one more, which is what you and your date will be saying when you try the dishes offered here. Their wine list breaks down the unique offers of each of the famous wine regions in Spain. If you find there are too many to choose from, their staff are well informed on the list and would be happy to share their knowledge.  Mama Yo, Camden Street With its unique aesthetic and beautifully designed interior, this Camden Street restaurant has earned its place on the list of best romantic restaurants in Dublin. This enormous restaurant is styled in rich red tones and soft wood panelling, with intimate booths perfect for romantic dates. Don’t be shocked when you step inside and see two large trees amongst the interior decor. Be transported to the exotic world of the far east with low hanging lanterns, colourful art pieces and bespoke silk hanging lights. You and your date must try their dumplings which are made from scratch by their kitchen staff. NoLita Dublin, South Great George’s St You are destined for a great night in NoLita, you’ll both be blown away by a unique New York inspired bar and restaurant.  The food offered here is Italian and they’re famous in Dublin for their signature cocktail menu. If you are in the mood for dancing, NoLita could be the place for your date, as there’s usually a DJ after table service has stopped.

Make some beautiful memories in Dublin with your better half. Whether you are an adventure seeker or enjoy a relaxed laid-back weekend, Dublin has everything in store for you. Here is the list of 6 things that you choose from on your next visit to Dublin. Howth Cliff Walk If you are a couple who loves a little bit of adventure and nature, a walk-up to Howth cliff is the perfect date for you. You can choose from 5 trails depending on how much time you have in hand and all those paths lead to Howth Summit. The perfect spot to just sit, relax and enjoy the mesmerizing view. 50 minutes drive from the hotel Escape Rooms Do you and your other half enjoy mystery and puzzles? If your answer is yes, then an Escape Room is the perfect date night activity in Dublin for you. An Escape Room is a popular activity that can be played by several participants. Locked in a room symbolizing a closed place (a castle, a pirate ship, an Egyptian pyramid, a prison, a distant planet, etc.), the participants must work together to investigate and solve the puzzles that will allow them to escape in a limited time.Reflection, cooperation, imagination, and fun, the Escape Room allows everyone to share an amazing and unforgettable moment.This experience can turn out to be an effective bonding activity for both of you.There are various escape rooms for you to choose from Incognito Escape Room, Endgame Escape Rooms, Escape Dublin, Adventure Rooms. All these options are 20 minutes to 30 minutes drive from the hotel Botanic Gardens If you are looking to spend a calm day surrounded by nature, the National Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin is the spot for you, and entry to the gardens is FREE. The National Botanic Gardens are noted for a fine plant collection holding over 15,000 plant species and cultivars from a variety of habitats from all around the world making it the ideal spot for a romantic for a summer stroll or picnic. Located at Glasnevin, Dublin 9, D09 VY63 10 minutes walk from the hotel Guinness Storehouse Guinness Storehouse is the home to Ireland’s most iconic stout. Experience the history of Guinness across the 7 floors and soak into the views of the whole city at the Gravity Bar on the 8th floor with a perfectly poured pint of Guinness. You can even pour your own pint & get a picture of you both on top. Located at the St James’ Gate, Dublin 820 minutes drive from the Hotel EPIC Museum Are you and your partner a history buffs? If yes, then you will get a hands-on experience of Irish Culture and its past with this fully interactive museum consisting of video galleries, dance through motion sensor quizzes, listen to remastered audio from 100 years ago, and watch videos that bring Irish history to Life. Located at The Chq Building, Custom House Quay, North Dock, Dublin11 minute to drive from the Hotel Malahide Castel and Gardens A blend of history and nature, Malahide Castle and Gardens will take you 800 years back. It consists of a butterfly house, walled garden, west lawn, and an interactive fairy trail. On special occasions, they also organize light shows, whisky tasting, and light shows at night. A perfect spot to spend an entire day with your better half. Located at Back Rd, Broomfield, Dublin40 minute drive from the Hotel

Tickets for one of Taylor Swift’s concerts in Dublin this summer sold out within minutes, as more than 60,000 people joined the wait-list for ticket access. With the singer set to perform at the Aviva Stadium on Friday 28th, Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th of June next year, Irish fans queued in their tens of thousands online for a chance to snag a ticket. Swift was initially set to perform for two nights in Dublin, but the reaction of Irish music fans saw her add a further show, meaning that well over 100,000 fans will get the chance to experience her live next summer in the capital. Given Swift’s global popularity, there have been issues regarding the selling of tickets to other tour dates recently, with online ticketing site Ticketmaster crashing last week as tickets for the UK leg of her tour went on sale. To avoid a repeat of these events, Ticketmaster announced prior to this morning’s sale that tickets for the three nights would be sold at staggered slots throughout Thursday. Tickets were also only made available to those fans who had preregistered with Ticketmaster before the general sale, with people receiving a unique access to allow them to attempt to purchase tickets. Prices for the concerts began €86 for a general admission seating ticket, while the lowest-priced standing ticket was €126. Providing an update to those still trying to purchase tickets half an hour after their initial release, Ticketmaster said: “Ticket availability is now extremely limited. Best availability remains for VIP packages.” VIP packages were all that were remaining for many disappointed fans who missed out on tickets to the first show. However, prices for the five tiers of VIP packages ranged from €371.28 to €743.62. Despite Ticketmaster’s attempts at preventing tickets ending up in the hands of touts by creating a wait-list for fans to purchase unwanted tickets, many appeared on online resale sites within minutes of the initial release. One site had tickets beginning at €1,100 for the seated section, just 30 minutes after the 11am release, with floor tickets in front of the stage listed at €4,000. The practice of reselling tickets above face value has been illegal in Ireland since 2021, after the Sale of Tickets Act was brought into force by then Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Leo Varadkar.

The 2 Johnnies Podcast Live The 2 Johnnies have rescheduled their forthcoming show and will now play 3Arena on 30th April 2022.  Johnny B and Johnny Smacks’ rise to fame began with their comedy sketches which capture the uniquely funny side of all things Irish. They launched ‘The 2 Johnnies’ podcast in 2018, which has since gone on to become Ireland’s fastest-growing podcast with over half a million listeners each week.  Together, they have had ten number-one singles and have just released their latest track Noel’s Creamy Pints listen HERE. They have sold over 40,000 concert tickets including the Marquee in Cork and sold-out tours visiting UK, USA and Australia. This will be the biggest ever live podcast show in Ireland and is going to be wild!

Following the phenomenal success of ABBA Orchestral in February 2020, pre-pandemic, a February 2021 show, for the 3Arena Dublin, was announced which will now take place on 9th April 2022.  Don’t miss the greatest celebration of ABBA’s chart topping hits with this ABBA extravaganza. Even more surprises are planned for the 2022 show, including new songs from ABBA themselves. Commenting today on the date change, Carla Winters, ABBA Orchestral’s very own Agneta said “We expect new material to be released by ABBA sometime in 2021 which we will of course, include in our performance, showcasing the greatest hits of ABBA, old and new. We were so disappointed to postpone but everyone’s safety is too important. It will be worth the wait for our ABBA Orchestral Fans! I hope you all stay safe and I look forward to raising the roof with you again next February.”  Miranda Richards, who performs as Frida, added, “The 2020 show was exceptional, the Irish audience really made it so special for us and energised our performance. It was an honour to perform with the Waterloo Concert Orchestra, the amazing girls on backing vocals plus our wonderful conductor, Andy, who will again appear as Napoleon. The atmosphere in Dublin was electric. Stay safe until we can do it all again!”

Stormzy's shows at 3Arena have been rescheduled to 1st and 2nd April 2022 "Unfortunately, due to the ongoing Coronavirus Pandemic and restrictions on live concerts we need to consider everyone’s welfare and therefore have no choice but to reschedule the record breaking Stormzy H.I.T.H UK & Ireland Tour from Autumn 2020 to April 2022.As you can imagine, with the numerous other artists tours already booked and many more wanting to reschedule their tours in that period, the dates available at the venues were limited and this meant that, in some cases, the equivalent day of the week to the original date wasn’t always free. Friday 2nd April 2021 date is now moving to Friday 1st April 2022 Saturday 3rd april 2021 date is now moving to Saturday 2nd April 2022 Tickets remain valid for the new dates. If you have any queries please contact your point of purchase."

Counting Crows Counting Crows have enchanted listeners worldwide for more than two decades with their intensely soulful and intricate take on timeless rock & roll and will now bring their Counting Crows: Butter Miracle Tour 2022 to 3Arena on Sunday, 27 March 2022.  Returning to Europe for the first time since 2018, lead singer Adam Duritz and Counting Crows will be performing in Israel for the first time and will also be returning to the stage in several cities including London, Dublin, Milan, and Barcelona. Adam Duritz said, “It’s great to be back out on the road in the States after all this time off but we’re over the moon about touring Europe in the Spring. We look forward to seeing everyone at the shows in 2022!”

Sam Fender Sam Fender Announces 2022 Spring Arena Tour Sam Fender is very pleased to announce details of a new UK and Ireland arena tour for Spring 2022. The nine shows, Sam and his band’s biggest to date, kick off at the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham on 20th March, and ends with a homecoming show at Utilita Arena, Newcastle on 5th April.. The run includes a night at 3Arena on 24th March 2022. Sam will also play a Summer open air show at Castlefield Bowl in Manchester on 6th July. All tickets available from www.ticketmaster.ie

You won't go lonely - Full Concert in Aid of Focus Ireland & Pieta The Dublin shows at  3Arena on December 13 and 14 will go ahead but in order to comply with new capacity restrictions there will be two separate Dermot Kennedy shows per night.   Early show doors will be 5pm.   Late show doors will be 9pmAll tickets will be valid for the original day of purchase December 13 or December 14 and all ticket holders will be notified directly from their point of purchase of which show (Early or Late) their tickets will access.   We thank everyone for their patience  These shows will see all profits split between two charitable causes close to Dermot’s heart; with Pieta providing a free, therapeutic approach to people who are in suicidal distress and those who engage in self-harm and Focus Ireland who provideservices for people who are homeless and people at risk of homelessness in Ireland. On confirming the shows, Dermot said; “I’m so grateful to be playing two shows in Dublin this December in aid of Pieta and Focus Ireland, two incredible charities. Suicide andhomelessness are two issues that are sadly so prevalent in Ireland today. There are so many people that badly need our help, especially at this time of year. Please think of them and let’s come together and raise as much money as we can for these extremely importantcauses.“

3Arena Presents (with thanks to Department of Culture, Tourism, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sports & Media) Féile Classical goes indoors to 3Arena this October! A very special gathering of some of the best Irish artists that sound tracked a generation goes indoors this October. Féile Classical comes to 3Arena Dublin, Thursday 28th October 2021. In 2018 something wonderful happened at Semple Stadium in Thurles. The most seminal Irish bands of 90’s got together with the Irish Chamber Orchestra for a very special show – Féile Classical. Now the ultimate line up of the bands that were the music of a generation, are getting together one more time as Féile Classical comes to 3Arena. Artists include An Emotional Fish, Something Happens, The Frank and Walters, Hot House Flowers and The Four Of Us plus special guests to be announced. Féile Classical will be curated and hosted by broadcaster and musician, Tom Dunne with all performances accompanied by the Irish Chamber Orchestra.                                                                                               €34.90 including booking fees buy online: www.ticketmaster.ie.

Did you know it takes 119.5 seconds to pour the perfect pint of Guinness There are six official steps to pouring a pint of Guinness, including waiting nearly two minutes for the beer to settle between the first and second pour. Guinness brewery is very easily reachable from Egans Guesthouse.

Did you know, The thermal station chimneys or Poolbeg Chimneys are among the tallest structures in Ireland and are visible from most of Dublin city. Number 1 chimney is 207.48m (680 ft 9in) high. Number 2 chimney is 207.8m (681 ft 9in) high. The chimneys are featured prominently in the video for the song "Pride (In The Name Of Love)" by U2.  #EgansGuesthouse #Dublin

Did you know, The Phoenix Park occupies 1,752 acres (707 hectares) which makes it the largest city park in all Europe. Not only this ! UNESCO has designated Dublin’s Phoenix Park as a world heritage site, due to its international importance and as one of the biggest designed landscapes in all Europe. Phoenix park is rich in history, that dates back more that 350 years. Easily accessible from #EgansGuesthouse

Did you know that the authors of Dracula or Gulliver’s Travels were students at Trinity College? Now you do! These people have changed the world in their own way and proves how much of a brilliant university Trinity College is. More recently, Jack Gleeson, better known for his role as King Joffrey in Games of Thrones, graduated from Trinity College. He was also named a scholar. Only few bus stops away from #EgansGuesthouse #Dublin

Piercing Dublin's skyline is this unmissable silver shard of stainless steel standing proudly on a bronze base symbolising Ireland's past. Rising 120m, the hollow structure is almost twice as high as Liberty Hall, Dublin’s original seven storey 'skyscraper'. Its 3m-wide base tapers to a 15cm point, the last 12m of which provide an illuminated beacon for the city's night sky. That's Dublin's very own Spire  Easily accessible from #EgansGuesthouse #Dublin #Ireland

Malahide Castle and gardens are the perfect place to enjoy a lovely afternoon with family

Stephen's Green Shopping Centre is a large indoor shopping centre located at the top of Grafton Street on the Southside of Dublin. It is named after St. Stephen's Green, a major city park situated across the road from its main entrance. #WhenWeCanTravelBack #Dublin #StephensGreen #BeautifulLocations only 10 mins drive from #EgansGuesthouse

Dublin Castle is one of the Top Dublin attractions Dublin castle has made its appearance in many of the films and music videos. Such films include The Medallion, Becoming Jane and Michael Collins and many more. Also, the TV series The Tudors has also featured the Dublin castle. #Dublin #DublinCastle #Ireland #Staycastion Easily accessible from #Egansguesthouse #Bedandbreakfast

Killiney is truly Dublin's hidden gem It has been compared to Italy’s Bay of Naples for its beauty. Enjoy panoramic vistas of Dublin Bay to the north; the Wicklow mountains to the south. On a clear day, you might even spy Wales across the Irish Sea!

Built in 1883 when the previous glasshouse was damaged in a storm, the ironwork was fabricated in Glasgow, Scotland and transported to Glasnevin. A faithful restoration by the Office of Public Works was begun in 2002. The restored house was opened by an Taoiseach in 2004. Located within walking distance from #EgansGuesthouse #Dublin

The umbrellas of Anne’s Lane, Dublin City. This particular scene is a very iconic one for Instagramers and photographers.

Giant’s Causeway may look like it was carved by human hands, but Mother Nature is entirely responsible.The sight is surreal, to say the least. Some 40000 basalt rock columns step out of the icy sea and on to the coast of Antrim, Northern Ireland. Several of the columns protrude almost 12 metres (39 feet) into the air. They also span an incredible distance of 6km (four miles).

Dublin is one of the friendliest cities in the world, according to regular tourist polls. One of the main votes is carried out by the legendary Rough Guides, which jokes, Dublin is famous for some sights, but mainly building sites as the city has undergone some considerable redevelopment in recent years. A lot of stylish new glass and steel sit alongside terraces of the Georgian townhouses, famous ancient buildings and of course a seemingly infinite number of pubs. More than a third of Ireland’s 4.5 million population lives in or close to Dublin, which makes the capital the beating heart of the nation. They may poke fun at the ‘culchies’ who follow a more laid-back rural life but are just as likely to laugh at themselves and their city.   Spotting the ‘eyeful tower’ The local nicknames for some of the better-known landmarks, such as the ‘stiffy on the Liffey’ or ‘eyeful tower’ for the Millennium Spire. For visitors who flock to the city in their tens of thousands, Dublin has a style, laying an Irish slant on international trends from America and Europe. You will tramp a few miles visiting Dublin’s museums, monuments and attractions, but they are thankfully grouped close together mainly on the banks of the Liffey, which is crisscrossed by bridges. And there’s always a pub, bar or café within easy reach if you need rest and refreshment – which typically means a Guinness or Irish whisky, whatever the time of day. Dublin’s proud past dates to Viking times, when a safe harbour and trading post was founded on Dublin Bay by the warlike raisers. Dark beginnings The city’s name comes from the original settlement Dubh Linn or the dark pool. Few non-Irish visitors realise the city joined with another older settlement – Baile Atha Cliath – which is the Irish name for the capital. The British came to Ireland in force in the 12thcentury, when King Henry II sent a contingent of knights to add the deposed King of Leinster. The British stayed until the Irish Free State was formed in 1921. Throughout, the Irish have been known for the welcoming attitude to visitors, gentle sense of humour and fighting disposition.

Don’t let a limited budget stop you visiting the Irish capital of Dublin because there’s plenty of things to do for free. In fact, a lot of the best attractions for all the family are free. So, keep your cash in your pocket and see what you can do for nothing: Take a stroll in Phoenix Park One of Europe’s biggest urban green spaces, the park has loads of tranquil spots where you can enjoy some peace and quiet away from the madding crowds. If you’re lucky, you could nuzzle up close to some of the deer that roam the park. Take the time to stop and look at Aras an Uachtaráin, the official home of the Irish President. A green oasis if you are a green-fingered gardener, you will love The National Botanic Gardens, an oasis of calm with thousands of rare plants, trees and flowers nestling in an oasis among the busy streets to the north of the city. Check out a museum or gallery Most of Dublin’s public galleries and museums are free. The National Museum has a hoard of beautiful Celtic and Medieval treasures. The National Gallery features many works by Old Masters, while the Dublin City Gallery is more contemporary. All these museums offer online tours during the lockdown, you can be part of many programmes and you can still check out exhibitions virtually.  Admire the architecture Dublin is famous for its striking buildings and one of the best places to see the city in all its glory is Henrietta Street, where a row of iconic Georgian mansions still stand with almost untouched exteriors. Beat the bikes A great game for the family. Dublin bikes are a healthy treat for a nice day and free to use – providing you return your cycle to one of the 100 racks scattered across the city within 30 minutes. If you work out your trip in advance, it’s possible to pedal around the city all day without paying a penny in rent. Walking through history Take a walk which includes a tour of Easter Rising locations and the most fashionable stores in the city.  Post navigation

REINFORCING CONFIDENCE IN THE TOURISM SECTOR Egans House has been awarded the Failte Ireland Safety Charter for compliance with the health and safety measures implemented across the guesthouse for our customers and team. The COVID-19 Safety Charter is an initiative endorsed by the Irish Government to provide confidence for domestic and overseas visitors in tourism businesses. The COVID-19 Safety Charter is designed to give comfort and reassurance to employers, employees and customers that our Egans Guesthouse is safe to welcome our guests.   HOW DOES THE COVID-19 SAFETY CHARTER WORK? Having applied for the COVID-19 Safety Charter, Egans House has appointed a COVID-19 Lead Worker Representative (COVID-19 co-ordinator/lead) who has completed the Fáilte Ireland Covid-19 Safety & Hygiene Control Training. Every employee at our House has been requested to complete the appropriate COVID-19 hygiene and safety control training as set out in the Terms & Conditions of the Charter. Any employees who have not completed such training they will be required to complete the Fáilte Ireland COVID-19 Fáilte Ireland Infection Prevention Control for Tourism Businesses Course. Once Fáilte Ireland approved Egans Guesthouse as eligible for the COVID-19 Safety Charter, Egans House can now display this status throughout the hotel premises and digital platforms. The Safety Charter reassures customers and employees that the guesthouse is operating in line with current Government public health advice and with safety and cleaning protocols in place.

Stay & Spend at Egans House GOVERNMENT STAY AND SPEND SCHEME CERTIFICATE   Egans Guesthouse is pleased to announce that it has received its exclusive Government Stay and Spend Scheme Certificate. Guests can avail of this scheme from 1st October 2020 – 30th April 2021. Our guests can spend up to €625 or €1250 as a couple and earn a tax credit equal to 20% of qualifying expenditure on accommodation, food and non-alcoholic beverages up to a maximum of €125. This amount will be doubled for jointly assessed couples who can receive a credit of up to €250.   BOOK YOUR STAY & SPEND BREAK   To avail of this scheme, or for further information, please download the new Revenue Receipts tracker app.

Visitors to Dublin more often than not go to the city to experience the Two C’s – culture and craic. The famous streets of the Irish capital have plenty of both, with the culture coming from a plethora of museums and art galleries to browse during the day and hundreds of pubs and bars to relax in during the night. Surprisingly, despite a boozy reputation, Dublin is not open 24/7. The official closing times are 23.30 pm Monday to Thursday; an hour extra to 00.30 am on Friday and Saturday, and 23.00 pm on Sunday. Don’t cry into your Guinness too much, though, because clubs have later hours. Lots of guide books list Dublin’s best 10 or 20 bars, but most drinkers are unlikely to have the stamina to visit so many. A night out at Temple Bar Arguably the most famous pub is Temple Bar on a street of the same name. The bright red painted pub was founded in 1840 and claims to have the largest collection of rare whiskeys in the country. The name comes from a nautical term for a sandbank – a ‘bar’. A sea wall was built along the street to hold back the Liffey, followed by a customs house that triggered a host of bars, brothels and theatres. The neighbourhood fell into disrepair when the customs house was moved to the other side of the river a century later. Now, the smart set have moved in with chic bars, galleries, shops and restaurants. By the way – the 450 whiskeys at Temple Bar are not all Irish. They originate from all over the world. Culture starts with the Book of Kells If you are looking for a culture top-up, the leading attraction in Dublin is the Book of Kells, at Trinity College. The book is a stunning illuminated manuscript of the four gospels lovingly created by monks on the Scottish island Iona around 800 AD. The Book of Kells is a must-see on any trip to Dublin. But don’t forget the thousands of other rare volumes in the college library. Around 200,000 are sitting on shelves in the library’s 65 metre Long Room. Another bit of history in the library is the Proclamation of the Irish Republic read out at the start of Easter Rising in 1916. Post navigation Dublin – A Cheerful Buy Not Always Cheap City

May we take this opportunity to wish you all a very happy Christmas from all the staff at Eganshouse! We hope to see you in the near future but until then, keep safe & healthy! Warm Regards The Eganshouse Team