Ireland Moves Ahead Ireland 2001 Program Schedule Traveller's Advice Maps of Ireland

Traveller's Advice

At the Airport:

In Winnipeg, check your luggage all the way through to Dublin.

In London, you must identify your luggage to the airline or it won't go on to Dublin. You will also go through customs in London.

Weather

Expect the temperatures to range between 10 and 14 Celsius in the day. Do bring an umbrella! You should bring a pair of comfortable walking shoes, which may have to contend with some rain.

Currency

Don't Forget:

• Palm Pilot
• Camera.
• Umbrella
• Walking shoes
• Bank card
• Passport

Accomodations

You will be staying in the heart of Dublin with its better shops, hotels, and restaurants and fine Georgian buildings.

Dunraven Arms

For our visit to the Shannon / Limerick area, you will be staying at the Dunraven Arms in Adare. Adare is a beautiful town a short ride southwest of Limerick. There is no shortage of quaint country shops and things to see in this, the rural side of Ireland.

What's Happening

You will be arriving for the October bank holiday weekend, which is celebrated with music everywhere and the Dublin Marathon. Oysters and Opera are particularly popular in the fall. Halloween is celebrated everywhere but referred to as Shamhana.

If you are looking for some authentic Irish celebration, head a few blocks north from the Fitzwilliam Hotel to the Temple Bar Area. This area was similar to our Exchange district, full of warehouses and old retail space. In 1970, the buildings were rented out cheaply for young artists, musicians, clothing stores and bookshops.

The district became the unofficial "arts district", and it is still an active area for the young with bars and nightclubs, the Irish Film Center, experimental Project Arts, DESIGNyard, applied arts, theatre and cultural activities for children.

Restaurants - Dublin

Bad Ass Café, Crown Alley, Temple Bar - 01 671 2596: Mostly North American fare with hamburgers, pizza and big breakfasts. You don't have to be a bad ass to go but you need a big appetite and attitude. Ladies please note it is bad ass, not big ass café.

The Clarence Hotel, Temple Bar: Owned by Bono and another band member from U2. Hollywood types, and those looking for Hollywood types, are ever present in the hotel lobby. It has a good cocktail bar, which is hard to find in Dublin. The Kitchen is a well-known nightclub at the back of the Clarence Hotel with a very discreet entrance.

Zanzibar Pub and Nightclub, Ormond Quay, close to Temple Bar: A pub that shouldn't be missed! It can seat 1,700 people on the weekends when you must go early to avoid the queue.

Morrison Hotel, North Quay, 01 887 3185 / 887 2400: The essence of what is exciting about Dublin today!

• Halo Restaurant, 01 878 2999 dramatic new food experience, fusion style together with dramatic architectural space
• Lobo Restaurant and late night bar, oriental theme in eclectic surroundings
• Residents' Bar overlooking a calm city garden.

Luigi Malones, Temple Bar, 5-6 Cecilia Street, 01-679 2723: Good Italian and North American food at reasonable prices. Pasta, pizza and hamburgers, etc.

Bewley's Oriental Café 78-79 Grafton Street, open all day, breads, pastries, homemade soups.

The Brazen Head, 20 Lower Bridge Street: The oldest tavern in Ireland: food, drink, and traditional music.

Marrakesh, 28 South Anne St., 01 670 5255: Authentic Morocco, elegant surroundings and exotic fare.

Il Pasticcio, 12 Fownes St., Temple Bar: Italian pastas and pizzas served from a wood-burning oven.

La Cave, 28 South Anne Street, 01 679 4409, just off Grafton Street, a French wine bar, combining cozy atmosphere, gourmet with reasonable prices

Gotham Café 8 Anne St. South, 01 679 5266, American menu with New York gourmet pizzas.

Rajdoot Tandoori, 26-28 Clarendon St., 01 679 4274, spiced curries, tandoori BBQ beef, chicken and lamb.

Dobbin's Wine Bistro, 15 Stephen's Lane, Mount St Upper, 01 676 4679, An intimate, friendly bistro with an innovative menu, and a fine wine list.

Kilkenny Shop Restaurant, 6-10 Nassau St., a busy restaurant overlooking Trinity College playing fields, offering traditional Irish cooking and an extensive cheeseboard.

Restaurants - Adare

Dunraven Arms - Restaurant at our hotel in Adare is super. You can't go wrong taste-wise, but it is expensive.

Wild Geese - Excellent restaurant across the street from the Dunraven Arms. Used to be owned by people who now own the Mustard Seed Restaurant we will be visiting on Saturday evening.

In Between - Supposedly a good restaurant owned by the Dunraven Arms. Directly across the street from the Dunraven Arms. .

Blue Door - Good food especially for lunch.

Shopping

Hundreds of gift and craft shops in Ireland make it easy to find Irish specialties to suit all budgets.

Sales tax is 21%. Look for cash back logos in shop windows. You are exempt from paying if you claim a refund when purchasing. Pick up a "Global Refund" envelope at the shop.

When in the Shannon airport for your departure, the Global Refund gives you a tax refund on the spot. However, with our early morning flight, it may not be open. In this case, keep your Aer Lingus boarding pass (to prove your departure date), and claim a refund by mail when you get home.

Ireland is known for its Waterford Crystal, Irish Linen, Aran sweaters, hand-loomed Donegal Tweed, and cheeses. Also, worth noting are the Irish crafts varying from Celtic brooches, bogwood, bone china, knitwear (shawls, dresses, sweaters), and coats (sheepskin, waxed jackets, duffel).

Shopping - Dublin

Grafton Street - the most prestigious shopping area in Dublin. St. Steven's Green Shopping Centre, next to your hotel, is the largest shopping center in Dublin.

The Temple Bar area - known for pubs and eating establishments, Internet cafes, crafts and trendy items

Shopping - Limerick

Matthew Stephens on Patrick Street for Waterford glass and handcrafted or factory jewelry made of silver, gold, enamel or ceramic.

Browne Thomas - good quality clothing, pricey.

Dunnes - extremely reasonable pricing and good quality, for Aran or Lambwool sweaters, men's dress shirts, beautiful children's clothing, etc.