Top 10 things to do in Dublin this summer

TOP 10 things to see and do in Dublin this summer

Dublin is one of the best places to be this summer, with so many things to do! The city is extremely colorful when the sun is out and it is just as exciting on cloudy days too, whatever the weather Dublin won`t disappoint, with an event filled summer ahead.

On a sunny day in Dublin you have so many options to choose from, the best of which are outdoor activities where you can enjoy the sunshine, but don`t forget the sunscreen, as the sun can get really strong if we`re lucky!

1. Dublin Fringe Festival: this event takes place in the city between 5th and 20th September and is all about theatre, comedy, dancing, music and different kinds of spectacles all over Dublin city centre.
During these amazing 16 days we are bringing you some of the most interesting new and innovating artists from Ireland and from other countries too, who will surprise you with their great, fresh vision, besides the audience will also get involved in what is happening on stage, giving everyone a chance to participate in all the fun that the 2014 Dublin Fringe Festival has to offer.

2. Phoenix Park: one of many ways to appreciate Dublin outdoors is spending a few hours in the magnificent Phoenix Park, with its 707 hectares it is one of the biggest parks within a European city where you can spot some beautiful wild animals, like deer. This is the best place for a nice long walk followed by a hearty picnic sitting on a blanket in the grass, accompanied by a bottle of nice wine… how romantic! The park also houses the Dublin Zoo in case you are up to some more wildlife.

3. The seaside town of Bray: if the weather is on your side, then we suggest you to visit the beautiful seaside town of Bray in north County Wicklow, just 20 minutes away from Dublin City Centre. In this small and picturesque city you will be amazed by the Bray Beach, the Bray Head and the work of art Victorian townhouses lining the Bray Promenade. Besides all this beauty, the Bray Summerfest is on this summer with exciting programs every weekend between 4th July and 3rd August. And by the way, attendance is free!

4. Dublin Tour Bus: a comfortable option for a bright day when you just don`t feel like walking but you are keen to see as much of Dublin as possible in a single day, the Dublin Tour Bus is your best choice. Buses operate from 9 am every day and as you can hop on and hop off at any of the 33 stops located at the most popular Dublin sightseeing spots you can make sure not to miss any of the city`s big attractions!

5.The Dublin Horse Show: one of the year’s most spectacular social and sporting events, not only for horse lovers but also for people who would like to get a taste of the exciting arts and crafts exhibitions, shopping stalls, live music and restaurants & bars, apart from the jumping competitions. It takes place in the RDS between 6th and 10thAugust.

6. Airfield in Dundrum: this is a 38-acre urban-farm with a woodlands area that consists of more than 2000 native woodland trees, hedgerows and a farm with sheep, pigs and chicken that provide the eggs for the farms‘restaurant! You can get here easily with the green Luas line.

7. The Little Museum of Dublin: this is a relatively new exhibition located in Dublin City Centre, just five minutes from St Stephens Green. Their aim is to introduce their visitors to the 20th century Dublin, showing more than 5000 artifacts on exposition.

8. National Botanic Gardens: located just a five minutes’ drive from Dublin City Centre, this is the ideal place for a stroll on a sunny day where you will marvel at the most interesting species of exotic plants, apart from the National Herbarium and several glasshouses. And yes, the entry is free here as well!


9. Riverdance: see the icon of Irish Dancing, the famous Michael Flatley with his spectacular show, in Dublin`s Gaiety Theatre between 26th June and 2nd September. The first Riverdance was performed at the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest as the 7-minutes intermission act and it had so much success that it got developed into the full show soon after, and still running!

10. Guinness Storehouse: you cannot leave Dublin without visiting the birthplace of the tasty Irish Stout! Located at St James`s Gate Brewery, in this seven-storey historical building you will be guided through how the most popular Irish beer is being produced, introducing you to the company`s rich history and giving you a chance to pour your own pint of the best Guinness in town. After this you can enjoy your brew in their Gravity Bar, with 360° views of Dublin!

Amberley House is the ideal Dublin City Centre guesthouse, the best choice for Dublin accommodation located right in the heart of the city centre, with a friendly and home-like atmosphere very close to all the attractions that you will visit during your stay. When booking directly on the hotel`s website you will receive a nice bottle of wine complimentary!

Book your stay now at the Amberley Guesthouse Dublin!

IRISH FESTIVALS 2014

Festival season is fast approaching and we are very excited about this. Musical and cultural festivals have hit the island of Ireland by storm. Are you new on the festival scene or are you a yearly reveler? The only major festival in Ireland for so long was The Oxegen music festival held in Punchardstown but now there is such a variety of festivals to choose from that trying to decide what festival to attend this year is going to be a tough decision.

The Fleadh Cheoil Na hEireann is the world’s largest traditional musical festival and is running from the 10th to the 17th of August 2014 in Sligo.  The Fleadh offers visitor the chance to experience music sessions on the street and music competitors giving it their all. This festival has daily musical sessions from national and international musicians. Visitors to the Fleadh Cheoil will get ingrossed in the traditional music of Ireland. A trip to Sligo for The Fleadh Cheoil is an event that you should definitely mark in your diary for summer 2014 in Ireland.

Longitude 2014 running from Friday the 18th to Sunday the 20th of July is a festival not to be missed. Held in Marley Park Rathfarnham Dublin this festival offers a variety of musical talent from all over. The line up this year is spectacular with artists ranging from Massive Attack, Bastille, Ben Howard to Roosevelt. Longitude 2014 is definitely a festival to mark in your diary.

Castle Palooza Music and Arts Festival is running from Friday the 1st to Sunday the 3rd of August and is being held on the grounds of Charlaville Castle in Tullamore Co Offaly. Spread out over 2,000 acres this festival offers something for everyone. The festival attracts a host of artists from acts like The Charlantans to The Brad Pitt Light Orchestra to Kenny Bogan and Katie Kim. While most festival goers will camp out in tents this year the festival is offering boutique camping. Boutique camping allows you to rent out 1 and 2 tier bell tents for the duration of the festival. These tents have an additional charge. The Castle Palooza Music and Arts Festival is a festival not to miss.

Body and Soul is a festival of surprise. The festival is held in Ballinlough Co Meath and is running from Friday the 20th to Tuesday the 24th of  June. The organisers of the festival say that is  “about atmospheric engineering rather than main attractions and hype. We want our festival-goers to enjoy an “experience” rather than just a gig – we’re sustainability conscious, without being too-in-your-face; unique rather than boutique. We’re an independent festival with a heart-shaped mind and a cutting-edge soul." What makes this festival very appealing is that it offers more than just music. You can dance under the stars, relax in the hot tub, treat yourself to a massage, listen to acoustic sounds or just soak up the atmosphere of the festival. Relatively new on the festival scene Body and Soul has gone from strength to strength and we tip this as one of the hottest festivals in Ireland for summer 2014.

Electric Picnic 2014 is shaping up to be one of the hottest festivals to hit Ireland this summer.  Now in its 10th year the festival located in Stradbally Co Laois is running from Friday the 29th to Sunday the 31st of August and it attracts festival goers from all walks of life. The line up this year is spectacular with artists from Lilly Allen to Paolo Nutini to The Pet Shop Boys. Rock out and dance along to your favourite songs and artists at Electric Picnic 2014.






All the staff at Amberley House Dublin are very excited for summer 2014 in Ireland.

Garth Brooks announces a fifth date in Dublin!

Country music superstar Garth Brooks has added a fifth Irish date – making him the first music act to play five nights in a row at the Croke Park!
Thousands queued overnight around the country in the hope of getting their hands on tickets for the fourth night of Garth's show when it went on sale at 9am this morning – it sold out in just 29 minutes.
However fans who were still in the queue when all the tickets were gone for July 28 were thrilled to hear Garth had announced a fifth date on July 29 and tickets were going on sale immediately – meaning their long wait was not in vain.
Ticketmaster Ireland once again reported a high demand for tickets today as it's expected to be Garth's last Irish date - but then again, you never know!!
Croke Park is the fourth largest stadium in Europe and has a capacity of 82,300. The five nights in Croke Park is equivalent to forty (yes forty!) nights in the O2 Dublin!

Book your accommodation for Garth Brooks Dublin Concert Today!

Croke Park is easily accessible from Amberley House Dublin central location, either on foot, by bus or a 5 minute taxi ride away.
Our reception team will be delighted to assist with any directions you require on the day.

WIN Tickets to the X Factor Live Tour 2014 in the O2 Dublin

Amberley House Facebook Competition 

You’ve followed your favourite act from their first audition, seen them make it through the dreaded chairs at Bootcamp, triumph at Judges Houses. Finally you have watched them as they have been transformed in the live studio shows. Now you have the chance to see your favourite X Factor acts live in person on The X Factor 2014 Live Tour, which comes to the O2 Dublin on 17 February and due to demand, an extra show has been added on the 18 February!

The top eight acts taking to the stage on this year’s live arena tour are, Abi Alton, Sam Bailey, Hannah Barrett, Sam Callahan, Rough Copy, Tamera Foster, Luke Friend and Nicholas McDonald.

And here at Amberley House Dublin we are giving you the chance to WIN tickets to see them LIVE in the O2 Dublin on Monday 17th of February! 

Just like our Facebook Page and share the post to enter. Winner will be announced on Friday the 31st of January.

GOOD LUCK!!!