Fast approaching is the 2014 Fifa World Cup. While it is heart breaking Ireland will not be taking part in the competition this year we are still interested to see which team will come out victorious in the end. There are 32 countries from around the globe taking part in the 2014 world cup. This year Brazil will host this spectacular event which is sure to bring a great economic boost to the country and thousands of international soccer fans. 

The first ever world cup took place in Uruguay in 1930 with only 13 teams participating. The teams were broken up into 4 groups and the winner from each group would compete in the semi finals. It was the host country that emerged victorious beating Argentina in the final 4-2. This marked the end of the first ever world cup and since then the world cup is played every four years with world class international soccer teams competing.

There are so many other awards up for grabs during the world cup from the adidas golden boot which

awards the top scorer during the tournament, the adidas golden glove which awards the top goalkeeper who has conceded the least amount of goals during the tournament, the adidas golden ball which is given to the player who was deemed the best player during the tournament, the fair play award which is given to the team who are deemed to have had the best disciplinary record during the tournament and finally the Hyundai young player award. 

The opening match of this year’s tournament sees host country Brazil take on Croatia and this is set to be a thrilling match marking the start of the 2014 fifa world cup. What team will emerge victorious on Sunday 13th of July it is hard to predict but what is guaranteed is that there will be surprises along the way, with some underdog teams doing better than anticipated.

Here at Amberley Guesthouse we employ staff from around the globe and while we are sad that we will not be cheering on the Irish soccer team, we will be cheering with our staff and hoping that their soccer team will emerge victorious in the 2014 Fifa world cup.

The Taste of Dublin will be taking place this summer from June 12th to June 15th in The Iveagh Gardens Dublin. This is a four day event that incorporates eating, drinking and entertainment. The aim of the event is to attract national and international chefs, local restaurants and food producers to The Iveagh Gardens to showcase their talents. The Iveagh Gardens will be transformed into a boutique style market with alfresco dining facilities. 20 of Dublin’s finest restaurants will be dishing up some of their signature dishes while over 100 producers will provide food and beverage samples. This event also gives artesian producers the opportunity to showcase their gourmet delights. 

Tickets for this spectacular Dublin City event start at €15 and are available direct from their website. In conjunction with these tickets, attendees will purchase florins either through the website or at any of designated ticket booths located around the gardens. Florins are the official currency of the Taste of Dublin and are required to purchase signature dishes from the restaurants, drink form the bars and products from exhibitors. One florin in equal to one euro and the average dish at the Taste of Dublin is 5 florins. 

Each year the Taste of Dublin brings together not just restaurants, food and drink but other innovative entertainment programmes. The Electrolux Theatre gives chefs from all over Ireland the opportunity to show case their talent and you might even pick up a few tips and tricks at the theatre. The Electrolux Chefs Secrets are an interactive space where you will get the opportunity to see demonstrations from some of Ireland’s finest chefs.  New this year is the salt of the earth test kitchen where food stylist, chef and home economist Johan Van der Merwe will be cooking up some of his signature dishes using some of the finest Irish seafood. Also new to the Taste of Dublin is podology. Podology is a unique dining experience where you can unwind in a private dining area. Each pod can seat up to 6 people, offers a waiter service and 2 glasses of wine from the featured wine partner wines of Rioja. These pods need to be booked in advance prior to attending the event. Some of the other attractions at the taste of Dublin include Electrolux secret ingredients, icing on the cake, the fire pit bbq, the Brazilian carnival outlet and entertainment from some of Ireland’s finest musicians. 

The Taste of Dublin attracts large volumes of food and drink enthusiasts and this is a Dublin City event that we would recommend attending  If you are looking for accommodation in Dublin City Centre during the Taste of Dublin, Amberley Guesthouse is an ideal Dublin City Centre guesthouse. Guests who book direct through the website will receive a free bottle of wine. 

Book your stay now at Amberley Guesthouse Dublin!

The Flora Women’s Mini Marathon will take place on the 2nd of June 2014.  The first mini marathon took place in 1983 attracting around 9,000 participants and 30 years later the marathon has grown in popularity attracting more than 40,000 participants last year. The Flora Women's Mini Marathon is one of the world’s biggest women’s events and participants see it as a great way to raise money for charity. The mini marathon is one of the most successful charity events held in Ireland. While it is optional if you  raise money for charity the vast majority of participants will choose to raise money for a charity of their choice. Last year it was estimated that over €14 million was raise by participants which brought total amount raised since the first  marathon in 1983 to over €137 million. 

Is this you’re first time partaking in the Dublin marathon or will you be returning this June in the hope that you can beat your previous finish time? The marathon will start at 2pm on Monday the 2nd of June just off St Stephens Green and will see runners cross the finish line just off Fitzwilliam Square. Participants will run a distance of 10km and they will run past some famous tourist attractions in Dublin. Preparation is key to partaking in the marathon and there are a some key points to note. Whether you are planning on walking, jogging or running the marathon ensuring that you are both physically and mentally ready is vital. There are numerous sports groups and organistaions offering advice to women taking part in the marathon so be sure to check out your local sports facility to see if they can offer you some advice. Along with being fit for the marathon it is vital to have a healthy diet and keep your body hydrated. There are great recipe ideas and dietary tips available on The Flora Women's Mini Marathon  website so be sure to check it out.  

As previously discussed it is not necessary to raise money for charity but most of the marathons participants will choose to individually or as part of a group raise money for a selected charity of their choice. Charities will greatly benefit from this event and they are grateful for all the money that is raised. Runners can be assured that all the money they raise will go directly to their chosen charity. 

The Flora Mini Marathon is a great social event attracting women from every county in Ireland. Each participant has a common goal which is to cross that finish line at Fitzwilliam Square. Looking for a great Dublin City Centre accommodation then Amberley Guesthouse Dublin is located in the heart of Dublin City Centre. Guests who book direct through the website will receive a free bottle of wine.  Best of luck from Amberley Guesthouse Dublin to everybody walking, jogging or running this years Flora Women’s Mini Marathon. 

Book your stay now at Amberley Guesthouse in 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.

Bloom In The Park 2014

Blooming fantastic! 51 days to go until Bloom in the park 2014. Board Bia’s Bloom, Ireland’s leading flower, food and family festival is now in it’s 8th year and attracts over 110,000 visitors. Located over 70 acres of The Phoenix Park visitor’s centre a day at Bloom will be a day well spent. Running from Thursday the 29th of May to Monday the 2nd of June this is an event not to be missed.

Whether you are a gardening enthusiast or you just want a great day out then The Bloom Flower show will not disappoint. Visitors can walk around the botanical and floral art in Bloom exhibition or visit the 2014 supergarden which will be unveiled during the festival or sample national and international cuisine at the food village. Visitors can expect to see flowers from around the globe with feature displays unveiling the best of Irish plants and flowers.

There is such a variety of attractions and activities to choose from that a one day trip to The Bloom Flower Show may not seem long enough. The show offers something for everyone from gardening advice, to cookery demonstrations, live entertainment to fun events for the children. There are a variety of packages available for entry to the show so be sure to check them out before you attend.

If you are looking to incorporate the flower show with an overnight stay in Dublin for the June bank holiday weekend then Amberley Guesthouse Dublin have great offers available. The Bloom festival is only a short distance from the hotel so after a long day out in The Phoenix Park you can relax and unwind in the peaceful surrounding of Amberley Guesthouse. Guests will receive a free bottle of wine with every stay booked direct through the website.

Book your stay now at Amberley Guesthouse Dublin!  

Easter in Ireland

Good Friday is a religious holiday observed primarily by Christians commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary. The holiday is observed during Holy Week as part of the Paschal Triduum on the Friday proceeding Easter Sunday, and may coincide with the Jewish observance of Passover.

Traditions and beliefs are changing and for many the tradition of attending mass and refraining from eating meat are no longer practiced. Extended mass services can be enough to put people off. When something is forbidden we desire it more.  Alcohol and Good Friday were always considered a sin but we appear to be  a changing nation.

Easter Saturday or Bright Saturday, on the Christian calendar is the Saturday following the festival of Easter. Easter Saturday is the day preceding the Octave Day of Easter. What will you be doing this Easter Saturday? Will you be observing tradition and attending mass, spending it with family or attending local events in your area?

Easter Sunday is a Christian festival celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ on the third day after his crucifixion at Calvary as described in the New Testament. Easter is the culmination of the Passion of Christ, preceded by Lent, a forty-day period of fasting, prayer, and penance. After a lengthy 40 day period on the run up to Easter what will you be doing to mark the resurrection of Christ?

Why not take a relaxing break away over Easter and come stay with us here at Amberley Guesthouse

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.