Kevconn

We are going to Ireland in June. We will spend our 1st 2 days at the Harcourt Hotel. We will then meet up a large group of family and stay at the Westbury for 2 more days. Then we will head to the southwest for 4 days @ the Sheen Falls Lodge before returning to Dublin for one night.

What are some nice places to eat near any of these places? Some pubs w/ traditional irish music? Any other info would be appreciated. Thanks

Powell

Last September, we dined at Browne's, right across from St. Stephen's Green. It is a bistro. Nice service; reasonable. In the same Georgian mansion is La Mere Zou, a Provencal type restaurant that was excellent.

When we return in May we plan to dine at Shanahan's a steak house near the Harcourt. We could not get a reservation last year.

Just a note: try and get a room in the back of the Harcourt as there is endless construction on the trolley line in front of the hotel. Service at hotel is excellent. Irish music at night is grand.

Have a great trip

Anthony

cailin

Both hotels you are staying in are very central, and within walking distance of a lot of good restaurants. Shanahans on Stephens Green is a fantastic restaurant that specialises in Steaks, but it is quite expensive. Other expensive (but v good) restaurants are Thorntons (also on the Green), Patrick Guilbauds on Merrion Square, the Unicorn on Baggot Street and Freres Jacques on Dame Street.

Cheaper options are: Bang Cafe on Baggot Street, Cafe Bar Deli on Georges Street, Pasta Fresca on Chatham Street, the Chili Club on South Anne Street, Eden in Meeting House Square in Temple Bar.

For traditional Irish music in pubs, your best bet is the touristy area of Temple Bar - the Oliver St John Gogarty does live music, as do a few other places. You won't find many locals around there though!! Some good traditional pubs that you will find locals in (although no live music) are Kehoes on Duke Street, the Long Hall on South Great Georges Street and Mulligans on Poolbeg Street. If you want to see more modern pubs, try the Bailey on Duke Street, SamSara, Cafe en Seine or Ron Blacks (all on Dawson Street), 4 Dame Lane (on Dame Lane!!).

That should be plenty to keep you going!

Kevconn

Thanks to both for your replies. My girlfriend and I are arriving 2 days before a slew of relatives. So I have been given the tough duty to find some good pubs. Your imput will be helpful. One thing we all look forward to is visiting w/ locals.

PS. would you suggest taking the bus around town to get orientated? Or would it be best to just walk it? The Viking splash tour looks like fun...

cailin

the open top bus tours are supposed to be very good - a friend of mine (a Dubliner) brought a South African friend of hers on it and she said it was excellent - the guides are very well informed and her particular guide was very witty apparently! That said, Dublin is a very easy city to walk - the city centre is small and it's a nice easy way to find your way around. The Viking Splash tour does look like fun - it passes my office window every so often and everyone looks like they're having a great time!! Must try it myself one of these days!

Finding a pub with locals in it won't be too hard a task for you either! We do like the occasional drink here

SiobhanP

I posted a bunch of places earlier today but they did not take!

for restaurants Good Value not expensive:
Wagamama - side of Stephens Green Shopping Cetre

Cafe Bar Deli - Pasta piszza dsalads Georges Street

Indigo Yard - Steaks, pasta tc Georges street

Kittys Kaboodle Merrion Street off Stephens Green. Steak chicken pasta etc.

Mid priced

Odessa - Off dam lane Great cocktails has Varied selection

La Mere Zou - Stephens Green French Belgian

Bang - Merrion Street(Row?) Steaks, Bangers & Mash more upmarket versions excellent.

Tante Zoe - Templebar - cajun style food

Jaipur - Modern Indian - Angier Street
Expensive:

Les Freres Jacques - Real french food and service
Patrick Guillbauls's (Michelin Star)
Shanahans - American style steaks VERY expensive.