All stories about "Dublin"

Flybe, a low cost airline, paid 172 people between £30-40 to fly between England and Ireland in order to claim a rebate from Norwich Airport. The payment was promised to Flybe if they were able to bring at least 15,000 passengers into Norwich in one year. Just before the Monday deadline, the discount carrier was still 172 passengers short of their goal, so they resorted to the bribery. [Reuters]

On January 2, Paris, one of the world's smoking capitals (besides Moscow and Havana of course), implemented a smoking ban that includes all cafes, restaurants, clubs, and bars. The ban caused quite an uproar with the skinny, tobacco-lovin' cafe set, but it looks like this whole nonsmoking movement has reached a tipping point as cities from Dublin to Berlin to Atlantic City to Flagstaff have forced their smokers to take it outside. Every city that passes a ban encounters the usual opposition from a) smokers who don't want to be forced into the cold for a cig, b) libertarians who are sick and tired of nanny states interfering in their personal lives, and c) bar and club owners who fear decreased smoking = decreased business. The proponents (who tend to win these battles) argue that smokers hurt the general public by producing secondhand smoke and stinking up everyone's hair and clothes.

Creepy-cute Irish movie star Jonathan Rhys Meyers was arrested at the Dublin airport yesterday for public drunkenness and "breach of the peace". The star was released on bail and will be arraigned in Dublin on December 5th for his erratic and abusive behavior. It's just another reason why post-rehab over exposed celebs shouldn't be allowed to interact with us normal humans. [via]

For their fall issue, Out Traveler has created their own version of the Grand Tour so popular in the 17th and 18th centuries. It follows the same general concept -- traveling to the major cultural centers of Europe to learn more about the world and in essence oneself -- but it caters to fun-lovin' gay men. There are some interesting highlights in all of the cities, but we particularly like the Dublin piece as it's focused more on debauchery than high culture. We've mapped out their top four picks plus a spot of our own to round out the list.

Recently, citymag The Dubliner published a guide to the city as "an angry reaction to the constant bitching of tourists about the pricey nature of the city." They say it is neither a "Dublin on a budget" guide nor a "bang for your buck" guide. It instead consisted of tips on what locals do to get their money's worth the way only true Dubliners know. We would classify this as "bang for your buck," but who's quibbling. Unfortunately, the guide's no longer online. Lucky for you, we took notes. After the jump, a rundown on the Dubliner's euro-pinching suggestions.

The chief complaint about Solas on Dublin's Wexford Street used to be that the long room was sometimes too narrow for large crowds. However, they recently opened a second-story bar that should bleed off some of the overflow. Arty hipsters make up a good percentage of Solas publicans, and the beer selection is mighty and global. Mediterranean small plates are available for eats, though the focus is definitely on drinking. The place reputedly is pretty chill on less mobbed weeknights, though weekend nights (when a house DJ also appears) get pretty packed. Prices are a little high but are typical for the neighborhood.

Solas [via NYT]

-- Chris Mohney

[Photo: lordhumphreysthefirst]

Bono is perhaps the world's douchiest polymath. The worst part of it is his music isn't that bad, he saves lives and his hotel The Clarence is actually nice which means there's no real reason to dislike the guy and still, we do. As for the hotel, which he co-owns with The Edge in Dublin is one of that city's nicest boutiquiest hotels and home to one of the better bars, the Octagon Bar. The 48-room hotels has all you might expect from a hotel owned by Bono and the Edge: wifi, nice sheets, flat screen, and rooms that start at € 350.00.

The Clarence [Official site]

Previously: James Joyce's Dublin, Bono Probability Positioning System, Mermaid Cafe, Temple Bar Shopping Invasion

"I want to give a picture of Dublin so complete that if the city one day suddenly disappeared from the earth it could be reconstructed out of my book," James Joyce once said as he wrote Ulysses in Zurich. We're keeping it to ten key spots here, but Joyce names over a hundred specific points in his epic Ulysses. He also uses Dublin as the backdrop to Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, Dubliners, and Finnegan's Wake, so it's pretty much impossible to walk around the city without walking in Joyce's characters' footsteps. Ulysses takes place over the single day and evening of June 16th, 1904 and follows the Jewish ad salesman Leopold Bloom and Joyce's alter-ego Stephen Dedalus.

7 Eccles Street: This is the home of our hero and his family. The actual address was the home of Joyce's good friend John Francis Byrne. All of the residences on this side of the street were torn down to build the Master Private Hospital, so it's impossible to see the original house. However a replica house sits at number 78 Eccles Street, directly across the street from where Bloom's house would have been.

The Westland Row Post Office: This is where Bloom picks up a love letter from Martha Clifford and takes it behind the post office to the railway bridge to secretly read it. The post office here no longer exists but the old doorway has been incorporated into the Dublin Pearse (once called the Westland Row) Railroad station. Later, in chapter 7, Bloom walks by the General Post Office, which is still standing and is a sacred landmark in Dublin.

Rather than paraphrase the purpose of the aptly named Bono Probability Positioning System, let us turn to the FAQ:

The Bono Probability Positioning System version 2 Google Bono (beta) utilises Dublin's extensive surveillance camera network in conjunction with facial recognition software, Google Maps and advanced probability techniques to allow visitors to determine the probability of seeing Bono in any of the most probable locations in Dublin's city centre in real time.

Google Maps + Bono = Google Bono [Google Maps Mania]
Bono Probability Positioning System [Official site]

Previously: ProperPint Google Map, MapEire for Drinking & Driving, Dennis Hopper Might've Slept Here, Rough Guide PodScrolls, Mermaid Cafe

Rough Guides has culled restaurant and bar profiles from their Directions guidebooks and distilled 'em into free downloadable guides for iPods. Ten such PodScrolls are available so far, each one complete with a scattering of photos as well. No idea how comprehensive they are since I don't have a color iPod, but whaddaya want, it's free.

Free iPod Travel Guides [PimpWiz]
PodScrolls [Rough Guides]

Previously: Zurnet iPod Subway Guide, Zoom and Go, TuneBuckle, PodDater, Cute iPod Nano Sarcophagus

The Roundup Roundup collects recent "roundup" articles or general material about cities and city travel worldwide.

Bologna
In Bologna (Thanks to a Cheap Flight) on My Trip Around the World [NYT]

Chattanooga
Let's make tracks to Chattaboogie [Telegraph]

Cologne
A historic brew [Guardian]

Dublin
Going To: Dublin [NYT]

London
Drinking London: What Londoners Drink, and Where... [LondonNet]
Art Alert [Urban Junkies]

Los Angeles
My kind of town: Hollywood [Telegraph]

$499 4-Night Paris Air+Hotel: This cheapo package send you to Paree on one of several unappealing dates from November through February. Hard to beat the price, but I heartily recommend you upgrade the hotel as always (and bring a sweater or three). Price is based on New York departure; other cities available for more cash.

$109 Boston to Denver: Seats on this American Airlines sale are available August through April 2007, but availability will likely choke off quickly. The fare works on various midweek days, so hunt around on AA's website to find it.

$599 4-Night Ireland Pub Tour: I'm not sure what kind of traveler needs help finding and making use of a pub, but if that's you, so be it. Aer Lingus will schlep you around Dublin and Galway on a pub crawl rudely interrupted with occasional sightseeing and meals. Price is based on a New York or Boston departure, with other cities available for price bumps. Departure dates work November through February.

$138 NYC to Chicago: Last is another American Airlines sale, this time a $69 one-way deal between Chicago and New York. Travel works on various dates through November 8.

$499 -- Paris: 4 Nights & Air [Travelzoo]
$109 -- Denver to/from Boston (Roundtrip!) [Travelzoo]
$599 -- Ireland "Pub Tour" Package w/Air [Travelzoo]
$69 -- Between Chicago & New York (each way) [Travelzoo]
Top 20 [Travelzoo]

The extremely popular Mermaid Cafe on Temple Bar has a lot going for it -- excellent location, corner address with glass on two sides, and an unusual cuisine for Dublin or most anywhere else. The restaurant serves fusion dishes that mix and match ingredients and influences from France and the Mid-Atlantic United States (haddock and gruyere soufflé, mussel-fish chowder, roast pork belly, veal T-bone with maltaise sauce, etc.). The wine list is also stellar. Despite its reputation and critical acclaim, the restaurant maintains a more relaxed attitude than you might expect. Expect a considerable wait if you arrive unbooked.

Dublin, Ireland Suggestions? [Flyertalk]
Mermaid Cafe [Official site]

Previously: Porterhouse Brewpub, That Perfect Irish Green Countryside, The Day After St. Pat's: For The Hungover Vegetarian In Dublin, Temple Bar Shopping Invasion, Marathon Vacations

Refinery 29 offers up one of their typically in-depth safaris through a major shopping district, this time focusing on Dublin's burgeoning Temple Bar. Lots of options, from thrift scrounging to bleeding- (or bleedin'-) edge design. A few eats and drinks suggestions also allow for mid-retail fortification as needed.

On Location: Dublin [Refinery 29]

Previously: Irish Sex Trade Boom, iTravel iShop iDebuts, Marathon Vacations, Europe for Tightwads, Porterhouse Brewpub

The Roundup Roundup collects recent "roundup" articles or general material about cities and city travel worldwide.

Bangkok
A literary tour of Bangkok [Times]

Beijing
No longer forbidden [Houston Chronicle]
Beijing's must-sees [Houston Chronicle]

Deals
Unlike Priceline, these sites name names [LAT]

Dresden
Dresden's Fin de Siècle Party Scene [NYT]

Dublin
My kind of town [Telegraph]

Flights
Strategies for Upgrading Airline Tickets [NYT]
Frequent-Flier Miles: Harder to Redeem? [WP]
Hints on Turning Your Miles Into a Free Ride [WP]
Airlines figure out how to double-dip [CT]

Florence
Places, Everyone [Pology]

Gear
New Audio Books Pack a Lot More Prose [NYT]

Las Vegas
The Other Casino Wynn, in a Hard City for Women [NYT]

New York
Ask a New Yorker [Official site]
Tracing the Revolution Across Staten Island [NYT]

Riyadh
Fully covered [Telegraph]

Sarajevo
A Tenuous Equilibrium [Pology]

Tokyo
In Tokyo, the New Trend Is 'Media Immersion Pods' [NYT]

Washington DC
A Deluxe Penthouse in the Sky? [Going Out Gurus]

While still a niche market of urban travel (we admit with pounding heart and burning lungs, for good reason), marathon vacations seem to be growing increasingly popular. Saturday's Times tackled marathon travel to Chicago -- and eight other cities -- while Fodor's Travel Wire recently featured an interview with Elise Allen, the author of The Traveling Marathoner. And not long before, Hunter Schimpff, manager of RunningVacation.com, pitched us a story on his trips to Buenos Aires (and, hey, three stories makes a trend, right?). When you think about it, running travel is a good way to both see a place and warm up for some serious eating: You go to a city for the weekend, get to know the entire place on foot, and afterwards have about 10 lost pounds to replace. As Allen says:

I love planning my post-race meals. I'm a foodie by nature, and I firmly believe that one of the joys of burning approximately 2,620 calories running a marathon is replenishing them with good food ... It's gastronomic sightseeing.

A marathon trip to Chicago [Times]
A Bible for the Traveling Marathoner [Fodor's Travel Wire]
RunningVacation.com [Official site]

[Ian Mount]

Previously: Paris for Cheapskates, Nakata.net Cafe, New Jersey vs. Bloggers, Amateur Boxing in NYC, Seeing Soccer Matches in London

I didn't even know they still made convicts wear them stripey shirts. Actually he's no jailbird, but rather a discount gondolier in Venice, as noted in the New York Times' 16-city colossus of budget Europe tips. Not to be left out, the Chicago Tribune rehashes a similar Paris-Rome-London article from a March Los Angeles Times, throwing in a very general Europe primer and some suggested places to go on the Internets. There, you're all set! Whoops, too bad you waited to buy your plane tickets -- so much for the cheap vacation. Maybe consider Branson?

Affordable Europe [NYT]
Paris London Rome [Chicago Tribune]
$weet dreams in the big 3 [LAT]
Be prepared: How to cope with Europe [Chicago Tribune]
Some new help for travelers bound for Europe [Chicago Tribune]

Previously: The Northern Paris Colette, Pigalle Club, Athens & Rome Guardian Podcasts, Amsterdam Audiotours, The World's Newest Skyscrapers

Ok, so the Guinness in Dublin is really, really incredible. But if you want to fight the man with some independently-produced beers in the pub capital of the world, head to the Porterhouse Pub in outer Temple Bar. Open since 1996, this bar set the stage for more Dublin bars to producing their own microbrews to stand up against big stout. The Porterhouse is not a cheesy themed pub, like many you see in Temple Bar, but rather a modern take on the classic Dublin pub. They offer 10 of their own brews, from a traditional Irish Red Ale to a not-so-traditional Oyster Stout. I'm not sure how, but oysters are somehow involved in the brewing process, seriously. You can also get a sampler tray with all ten of their selections, but it's likely you'll just want a full pint of each. On weekends, the multiple levels get beyond packed, so you'll likely have to shove some Dubliners out of the way to get to the bar. They feature live music much of the week, and apparently they serve food as well. This is a great place to get away from the touristy center of Temple Bar and enjoy the real modern Irish pub.

Porterhouse Brewing Co.

[Aaron May]
[Photo: Porterhouse Brewing Co]

Previously: That Perfect Green Irish Countryside, ProperPint Google Map, Roundup Roundup #20, Spy & Wax, Roundup Roundup #19, Bicykills<

Air to Top US Cities: $44+ OW through Fall: Until the end of today, April 4, o/w flights from Chicago to Minneapolis are at $44, Dallas/Fort Worth to Las Vegas $129 and Memphis to New York $124. Prices valid through October 4.

Springtime in Europe: 3-Night Trips From Just $592: Want to visit France, Italy or Ireland before the peak season? Hotel/flight combos are dirt cheap.

Hula for Less Moolah: Hwaii Fares from $373+ RT: United is offering a special promotion with tickets from New York to Honolulu at just $596 RT.

[Neal Ungerleider]

If your stay in Dublin isn't satisfying your need to see the bountiful green countryside of Ireland, hop on the DART for a day trip to Howth (rhymes with "both"). Just a 30-minute ride outside the city, this affluent fishing suburb offers you rolling hills, large green pastures, fish 'n' chips, and spectacular views up the island. The best thing to do in town is turn left as you exit the train, towards the cove. Near the end of the harbor road is Beshoffs, a fish 'n' chippery. This is the perfect place to grab a bite to bring out on the pier, realizing that the cod you're eating was most likely brought it from that same pier. A portion of fish 'n' chips is enough to split, mind you -- no need to be sluggish for Howth's next attraction. From the pier, just walk uphill, and you'll eventually hit a trail and posted map. Hiking along the cliff path for about a half-hour (depending on how often you stop to admire the jaw-dropping views) will bring you to the summit, where you overlook the lighthouse where Salman Rushdie reportedly hid out during part of the fatwah against him. On a clear day, you can see straight through to the mountains of Northern Ireland. From here, you can continue on various paths, take the road down, or wait for the bus. You can return to Dublin proper and a few celebratory pints of Guinness, well stuffed with fried fish, potatoes, and rolling Irish country views.

Howth [Wikipedia]
DART [Official site]
Beshoffs [Official site]

[Aaron May]

Previously: ProperPint Google Map, Roundup Roundup #20, Spy & Wax, Roundup Roundup #19, Bicykills

$268 NYC to London: Travelocity extends the Europe faresale from last week that expired today; the $268 New York to London round trip is part of a larger sale covering most European departures on British Airways. The vast majority of the bargain sets have already been bought up, but you can still squeak out a few cheaper fares if you hunt around. Book by March 30 for travel April 3 through May 28.

$127 NYC to Chicago: Now that the Windy City is emerging from its wintry blasted hellscape season, there's a decent Priceline sale on regional-hub flights in. The $127 round trip from New York is a lowball representative sample, though West Coast fares ($221 from LA) are not as proportionately good, even considering the added distance. Fares don't have a listed expiration, but I'm guessing you'll need to book in the next week for travel through the end of April.

$318+ Ireland & Amsterdam Sale: For the month of May, this Aer Lingus sale takes you to Dublin or Shannon from Philadelphia or Pittsburgh ($318), New York or Washington DC ($350), Boston ($370), or Chicago ($440); the same sale also takes you to tulip-crazed Amsterdam from Baltimore, Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, or Washington DC ($398), or Chicago ($438). Book by April 14, and expect about $80 in additional taxes and fees.

Low Fares to Europe and Beyond [Travelocity]
Chicago Travel Deals [Priceline]
Spring Fares [Aer Lingus]
Top 25 [Shermans Travel]

A more comprehensive booze companion to MapEire, ProperPint is a finely done Google Map mashup that plots Dublin pubs with decent pints. Pubs on the map link to user reviews, along with ratings, cost info, and a wee photo obscured by a heinous watermark. Delirium tremens leprechauns not included.

Big pile of Google Maps Mashups 2/2 [Google Maps Mania]
ProperPint [Official site]

Previously: Spy & Wax, Irish Sex Trade Boom, MapEire for Drinking & Driving, Get It On, Bang a Bodhrán, The Day After St. Pat’s: For The Hungover Vegetarian In Dublin

The Roundup Roundup collects recent "roundup" articles or general material about cities and city travel worldwide.

Buenos Aires
Bargains in Buenos Aires [Houston Chronicle]

Dublin
A ding-dong old time in Dublin [Times]
Guided around Dublin the podcast way [Times]

Flights
Making sure your bag arrives, too [IHT]
Seat Upgrades Can Be Big Part of Preflight Prep [Chicago Tribune]
If it's Tuesday, this must be Bangkok [Chicago Tribune]

Hotels
Budapest has cheapest sleeps, survey finds [Guardian]
Web fuels cuts in hotel room prices [Telegraph]

Los Angeles
Going To: Palm Springs [NYT]

Manaus
In Brazil, an Exotic Buffet for the Adventurous Set [NYT]

Orlando
Orlando for Adults [NYT]

Paris
An Englishwoman abroad [Telegraph]

Sarajevo
Peace Signs in Sarajevo [Washington Post]

Seville
Seville unpeeled [Guardian]
Seville's Holy Week Rituals Draw In an Outsider [NYT]

Singapore
Culture shocks [Guardian]

Venice
Venetian masquerade [Guardian]

Vienna
Joining the dots [Guardian]

Zagreb
Central Europe by way of the Med [Times]

Brought to you by the same people behind Pod (one of Dublin's oldest and most popular DJ clubs), Spy & Wax are two separate but connected venues in the renovated Powerscourt Townhouse. Upstairs, Spy is divided into four different rooms, each with its own bar and distinct look and vibe (the Monkey Bar, Lobby Bar, Black Room, and Club Room). Downstairs, the dark and sultry Wax is a nominally distinct DJ lounge with a predilection for bluesier, rootier house and garage tracks. All are subject to crowds of punters flooding in from the surrounding shops, so be advised that early or late are best.

A ding-dong old time in Dublin [Times]
Spy & Wax [Official site]

Previously: Irish Sex Trade Boom, MapEire for Drinking & Driving, Get It On, Bang a Bodhrán, The Day After St. Pat’s: For The Hungover Vegetarian In Dublin, Euro, Shmuro: Cheap Beer Lives in Dublin

The Roundup Roundup collects recent "roundup" articles or general material about cities and city travel worldwide.

Bratislava
Bratislava Weekend [NYT]

Cartagena
Going To: Cartagena [NYT]

Dublin
Near a Main Artery in Dublin, a New City [NYT]

Fes
Morocco [Washington Times]

Hotels
Limited-service hotels gain a foothold [Chicago Tribune]

Jaipur
Royal Treatment [Daily Candy]

Gear
Totally Mobile [NYT]

Kyoto
Tales from Kyoto [NYT]

Las Vegas
Vacation In Las Vegas For Cheap [AskMen]

Melbourne
Mellow Out In Melbourne [AskMen]

New Orleans
New Orleans Now [Out Traveler]
In the footsteps of Katrina -- Tent City [Travel Weekly]

New York
36 Hours: Lower Manhattan [NYT]

Rome
Rome's Top 10 Luxury Hotels [Luxury Hotels]

Seoul
Lost Seoul [NYT]

Vienna
Vacationing In Vienna [AskMen]

Way ahead of the abandoned bicycle meme curve, Dublin artiste Seán Hillen has his own gallery of same -- the aptly titled Bicykills. Seems to be more flattened bikes in this sampling, plus lots of bikes tossed into the river. Still lots of dismembered frames and lonely wheels, remaining faithfully chained up with all their parts long burgled. Also check out Hillen's similar broken umbrella project.

Bicykills [Official site]

Previously: Irish Sex Trade Boom, Metblogs Expand, Get Pretty, Roundup Roundup #16, MapEire for Drinking & Driving, iTravel iShop iDebuts

After years of subsisting on downmarket massage parlors and saunas, Dublin has moved to the center of the European sex scene with the advent of laws that legally allow people from the new accession states to live and work in Ireland. With the arrival of thousands of new workers -- especially from Poland and the Baltic States -- in construction, retail, and hospitality, there has also occurred a complete revamping of the Irish sex industry. Hundreds of stunningly beautiful women from Eastern Europe have decided it is safer and better to live and work in Dublin, where they can be legally resident rather than risk being �trafficked� somewhere else. These women consider being �legal� migrants better than risking criminal traffickers taking them somewhere were they can be easily abused and exploited due to �illegal� immigrant status. Therefore, Dublin is attracting some of the best and most affordable women in Europe.

Time to rundown accumulated news from the Metroblogging universe. In addition to launching five new cityblogs since last time I made the rounds -- Dublin, Mumbai, Paris, and Singapore, respectively -- they've also rolled out a vastly improved network-wide redesign. (I know our institutional-blue color scheme around here doesn't give me much room to criticize, but that never stopped me before.) Visually, the old design had the serviceable, workaday look of a delivery truck, with about as much aesthetic appeal. The new design is still pretty open, but it cuts down on clutter and cleans up the bloggish elements, while offering more space and focus for images. Usability tweaks on the posts and sidebar enhancements also make the sites look much more "pro" than in the past. Looks like their working on integrating Flickr into all the blogs as well, which should add even more welcome eyeball kick.

Metroblogging visits the plastic surgeon [Blogebrity]
Metroblogging Redesigned [Bode Media]
Metblog Dublin [Official site]
Metblog Mumbai [Official site]
Metblog Paris [Official site]
Metblog Singapore [Official site]

Previously: Urban Socialite Fashion Blog, Havana on the Down Low, Bloggers in Amsterdam: Not All for Free, Vegas Lists, Delirious China Photoblog

The Roundup Roundup collects recent "roundup" articles or general material about cities and city travel worldwide.

Bangalore
City Guide: Bangalore [Wallpaper*]

Buenos Aires
It's time for a tango or two in Argentina [LAT]

Dublin
Browsing Avoca [NYT]

Events
Party On! [New York Post]
The World's Most Romantic Spots Go All-American [Washington Post]

Gay Travel
Cities in red states play ball with gay travelers [USA Today]

Guides
Site Scene [Washington Post]
New Web sites for travel research [Chicago Tribune]

London
London on a Budget [About.com]

Los Angeles
Cupid Valentino [Daily Candy]

Miami
Book 'Em [New York post]

Minneapolis
In the Frozen North, an Increasingly Cool City [NYT]

New Orleans
Expect Big Things from the Big Easy: This Year's Mardi Gras Won't Disappoint [Frommer's]
New Orleans hoping Mardi Gras brings back the tourists, revenue [Travel Weekly]

New York
My Bloody Valentine [Daily Candy]

Photos
Picture Perfect Travel Writing [Mediabistro]

St. Petersburg
All that glistens is gold [Guardian]

Taipei
Going To: Taipei [NYT]

Turin
The complete guide to Turin [Times]

Washington DC
A Perfect Ten [Daily Candy]