If you are hiring a car, you need to know that an automatic will cost half as much again as the identical manual gear box model.

Petrol is currently about 1. 20 euro a litre, that’s about 80 pence sterling and about $1. 50 a litre in USD. That’s about $6 a US gallon. Diesel is a small bit cheaper. Most hire cars will give you 40 miles to the gallon or more.

Visitors are generally surprised by how big Ireland is. It will take you seven hours to drive from one end to the other. The Island of Ireland is actually two countries, Ireland and Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland is part of Britain. From Dublin to Belfast will take you a good two hours motorway driving. Dublin to Cork will take you between four and six hours depending on the time of day.

The only motorways in Ireland are around Dublin. The motorway speed limit is 120 Km/Hr (75mph) The speed limit on National roads, N7, N8, N25, etc is 100Km/Hr (62mph). On Local roads the limit is 80 Km/Hr (50mph). National roads go through all sorts of towns and villages where you will find shoppers double parked, so your average speed off the motorways is 40mph over any distance at all.

Speed limits are enforced by the Gardai (pronounced gardEE). The Guards do not stand silhouetted against the skyline wearing bright orange jackets, as they do in Britain. In Ireland they hide behind lamp posts, crouch behind walls and hide in the bushes. You will not see them before they catch you on camera. Believe me – I drive 30,000 miles a yr in Ireland, I know.

If you are driving a UK registered car, including Northern Ireland, the Guards will not usually stop you. If you have hired a car in Ireland they will stop you, but will probably let you go once they see you are a visitor, driving on a US or UK licence. At the moment only Irish drivers can be given penalty points, though other nationalities can be fined.

Driving in Ireland is extremely hazardous, especially between 11pm and 6am. Drink driving is common, seat belts are rarely worn and drivers are aggressive and totally discourteous. Never expect another driver to give wayif he has the right of way. Drive defensively. Expect the absolutely ridiculous to happen.

From the bright lights of Dublin, Cork, Galway and Limerick in the Republic of Ireland and Belfast in Northern Ireland, to the breathtaking countryside in between – Ireland can deliver a host of activities along the way. So go on, catch a flight or ferry to Ireland and experience the magic for yourself.

By the early 10th century AD, Dublin was the principal city under Viking control. As they became predominately Christian, Christ Church Cathedral was built. In the late 12th century, the city came under the control of the Norman forces, led by Richard FitzGilbert de Clare (popularly nicknamed Strongbow). Two years later Henry II arrived on Irish shores, and proclaimed Dublin to be the capital of Norman held land in Ireland, around which the Anglo/Norman territory revolved. Christ Church was restored in accordance with the Gothic tastes of the time, and the foundations of St Patrick’s Cathedral were laid. In the early 14th century, Robert the Bruce, along with his brother Edward, arrived from Scotland to invade Dublin. Their forces were successfully held back, but at the price of much bloodshed. In the mid 14th century the Black Death decimated much of Dublin’s population.

From the late 14th century to the late 15th century, the control exerted by the Crown over Irish lands gradually loosened until eventually coastal areas and a hinterland on the borders of Dublin, colloquially named the Pale, were the main areas where they made their authority felt. However, in the late 15th century the Tudor crown again sent in their forces, and over the next century Dublin played a major part in the struggle for dominance. In the early 17th century the Earl of Tyrone finally conceded defeat, and the British were now the rulers of all of Ireland. Over the next 50 or so years, the Protestant faith became more and more prevalent as the Crown decided that all its subjects should follow one religion. St Patrick’s and Christ Church Cathedrals were renovated and converted.

The period from the late 17th century to the late 18th century was a peaceful time, with Dublin growing to become the second largest city in the Commonwealth. By the mid 1700s, Dublin had almost 130,000 inhabitants. What is now the splendid Bank of Ireland on College Green, facing Trinity College, was built as a house of parliament in the early 18th century, making the Green the social centre of the city. The much-photographed imposing entranceway and frontage of Trinity College itself was finished in the mid 18th century. After the 1798 Rebellion, the Dublin Parliament was disbanded. As the upper classes left the city, money left with them, and the local economy first stagnated, then declined. During the years of the Great Famine, the city’s population exploded as starving refugees migrated here.

The Rising of Easter Monday 1916 left Dublin’s centre, especially that near the General Post Office, in ruins. When the War of Independence broke out, guerrilla forces waged war on and around the streets. In May of 1921 the Custom House was set alight by the Irish Republican Army. The terms of the Anglo-Irish Treaty, signed in 1921, instructed that Dublin be assigned as the capital of the newly created Irish Free State. Civil war broke out regarding various aspects of the Treaty, during which the army of the Free State attacked key structures around O’Connell Street, and the Four Courts. Up to the mid 1960s, Dublin was a relatively run down city, as it was the capital of a country which was trying to break away from and become independent of the Crown, albeit with a weak economy. However, Ireland’s membership of the EEC heralded a change in the city’s fortunes. It grew exponentially, and in 1979 an audience of over 1,000,000 watched Pope John Paul II celebrate mass in the Phoenix Park. 1988 was Dublin’s Millennium year. In 1991 it was crowned the European Capital of Culture.

Ireland, and Dublin in particular, has managed to maintain a better grasp on its indigenous folk music than other countries in Europe. This is due to its largely agricultural economy, and the fact that during the World Wars Ireland itself was not a geographical battleground. But, though the city has a long heritage of traditional styles of folk music, it also boasts several important modern venues that promote tradition. They are an important aspect in the city’s musical landscape for students to explore, embracing both past and present musical evolutions.

Ceol, The Irish Traditional Music Centre

Located at Smithfield Village, in Dublin, this museum near the heart of the city combines the use of modern technology and a sleek atmosphere with a hands-on approach to the conservation and study of traditional Irish folk music. An educational visit to the museum can guide students around the exhibit, and not only introduce the sounds and styles of the instruments used, but also weave together the historical, political, and economic factors involved in the progress of Ireland’s music scene. In addition, the museum reveals the history of the Ceili and there is a wooden dance floor incorporating projected dancers. Students can join in and give folk dancing a try to get a real taste of Irish history.

The Merry Ploughboy

While many sessions of folk music are still held at the local level in various pubs across the city, an educational visit to the city to learn about traditional music is not complete without students experiencing a proper live show. Consider having tickets booked to an event at The Merry Ploughboy – a pub/small concert hall hybrid that is known for its “Merry Ploughboys Live In Concert” show. Both the venue and the show itself are excellent ways to introduce the traditional song and dance of Ireland. The Merry Ploughboy is located at Rockbrook, Edmondstown Rd, in Dublin.

Irish Traditional Music Archive

While in Dublin, a trip to the Irish Traditional Music Archive (Taisce Cheol Dúchais Éireann) at 73 Merrion Square, will be educational. Visit the archives, which is a ‘national reference archive and resource centre for the traditional song, instrumental music and dance of Ireland’. It was established in 1987 to archive a multimedia collection that centres around traditional Irish music, and it is the largest such reserve in existence. The archive is free to visit and has public rooms for reading and studying; specialist rooms for digitising, conserving, cataloguing, and storing materials; as well as a recording studio. All of this is housed in an 18th century terraced building on Merrion Square, where the houses were built, for the most part, for those wealthy enough to have country estates elsewhere. The house itself once belonged to John Stratford, the third Earl of Aldborough, and over the years has housed various governmental offices before becoming the home of the Irish Traditional Music Archive in 2006.

10 Things to Know About Ireland

An island located close to Britain, Ireland has been in nearly constant conflict with its neighbor. Alas, things have changed dramatically in the last ten years as have Ireland’s fortunes. Religious violence seems to have tapered off and economic growth is some of the strongest in Europe.

Here are ten things to know about the amazing country of Ireland.

1. The island is split between two countries, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

2. Prior to 1921, the entire island was part of and controlled by Britain.

3. In 1921, 26 counties in the south were given independence and became the Republic of Ireland.

4. Northern Ireland is approximately 55 percent Protestant and 44 percent Catholic. This division has led to decades of strife in all aspects of life.

5. Ireland has remained neutral during the two World Wars despite the fact Great Britain played a key role in each.

6. In 1990, Mary Robinson was elected the first female President of the Republic of Ireland.

7. You will find “rag trees” in Ireland. As the name suggests, trees are covered with rags tied to their branches. The rags represent wishes for a variety of things.

8. In some parts of the country, you can go bowling on Sundays. On the public roads! The idea is to roll a heavy ball from the starting point to a finishing point as much as a couple of miles away. The team that does it in the fewest number of throws wins.

9. The ancestors of U. S. Presidents Kennedy and Reagan were Irish.

10. The Patron Saint of Ireland, Saint Patrick, was Scottish!

Ireland has a long and storied history as well as a unique cultural all its own. As you can tell from the above, this is a place you should visit if you get a chance.

From the bright lights of Dublin, Cork, Galway and Limerick in the Republic of Ireland and Belfast in Northern Ireland, to the breathtaking countryside in between – Ireland can deliver a host of activities along the way. So go on, catch a flight or ferry to Ireland and experience the magic for yourself.

Dublin is really a great destination for a stag/hen weekend and being so close to the UK, it will not break the bank with low fare ferries and airlines like Ryanair bringing you from the UK to the city. It is really easy to get to Dublin hotels from ferryports in Dublin if you take the ferry from the UK to Dublin city. If you fly into Dublin Airport from the UK you can also get to Dublin hotels from the airport with ease.

Dublin city has all the ingredients for a superb hen or stag weekend. It is got lots of restaurants for you to dine in and you can choose anything from a Vietnamese restaurant to a Mexican restaurant with plenty of traditional Irish restaurants as well – you could even wine and dine on a floating restaurant!

For a city of its size, Dublin has one of the best nightlife scenes in Europe and the Temple Bar area is the core of it. Dublin city is brimming with traditional pubs, disco bars and music bars and it is fair to say that the craic in the pubs cannot be beaten with a welcoming and friendly atmosphere you’ll find no where else than in Dublin pubs.

While on a stag or hen weekend in Dublin you’re bound to end your night in one of the city’s nightclubs. You’ll find Dublin nightclubs scattered right across the city, so if clubbing is on the agenda you will not have any problem finding one of these!

Of course, there’s much more to Dublin city than pubs and nightclubs. During the day, there’s plenty to do. If you’re on a hen weekend why not take time out of the hectic socialising to pamper yourself at a spa. Dublin is also renowned as an excellent shopping destination, so make your way to Grafton Street or Henry Street if you want some retail therapy. It would not be a weekend in Dublin if you did not do a bit of sightseeing. If you’ve time to spare then why not take one of the Dublin Bus Sightseeing Tours out to the coast and the wonderful Dublin countryside, or if you’re stuck on time, jump on the ‘Hop On- Hop Off’ city bus tour and be whizzed through the city on a double decker while taking in the sights.

For the lads, there’s paint balling, go karting, horseracing, golfing etc, so an action packed weekend in Dublin is assured with so much to see and do!

Here’s a gorgeous video specially commissioned for the launch of www. DublinTown. Ie showcasing the very best of our town and its people. Filmed April 2012 – Philip White & Albert Hooi. Music by redkite – soundcloud. Com

Here are just a few of suggestions for activities ideal for hen and stag parties in Dublin.

Kart City Limited – Outdoor Go Karting Centre. . .

Experience the thrill and excitement of Dublin and Ireland’s most popular racing tracks located in Santry, just a short distance from Dublin Airport and easily accessible by public transport from Dublin city centre. This is a fantastic entertainment centre and operates from 10am to 10pm, 7 days a week! Catering for all age groups Kart City has a professional track available. You can also avail of Paintballing and take to the battlefield in camouflage gear, goggles and armed with paintballs you can target your friends and opponents. This is a great activity centre and ideal for hen and stag parties.

Dublin City Hop on Hop off Bus Tour. . .

This truly is the best way to catch all the sights and tourist attractions in Dublin. Climb aboard this open top double decker bus and take in some of Dublin’s top tourist attractions from The Old Jameson Distillery, Dublin Castle, The Phoenix Park where you will find Dublin Zoo, and many more, and of course the Guinness Storehouse where you can sample some of the black stuff! Tickets are valid all day and you can get on and off as often as you you wish. This tour comes highly recommended and is a great way to familiarise yourself with the city and it’s many attractions.

Shelbourne Park Greyhound Stadium. . .

Gone to the dogs! Experience the thrill and excitement of greyhound racing at the Shelbourne Park Stadium. This truly is a venue with a difference, offering luxurious standards with an exciting atmosphere and offering great food and drink. Catering for any birthdays, anniversaries, family occasions, hen & stag parties and social functions of every description.

Fingal Sailing And Windsurfing School. . .

Battle the ferocious waves and soar in the Dublin skies at Fingal Sailing and Windsurfing School. Located just 5 minutes from the beautiful seaside village of Malahide and easily accessible by public transport from Dublin city you can partake in windsurfing, canoeing, sailing and power boating. With experienced and trained instructors and first class facilities you’re guaranteed a great day out.

Need somewhere to stay in Dublin?

Please note that not all Dublin hotels accept hen and stag parties. So save yourself some time and hassle and check out our list of hotels that accept hens and stags.

Here’s a list of Dublin city hotels in and around the O’Connell Street area:

The Belvedere Hotel, the Best Western Academy Hotel, the Comfort Inn Granby Row, the Castle Hotel, the Gate Hotel, the Abbey Hotel, Jurys Inn Parnell Street and Waltons Hotel.

Dublin city hotels near Temple Bar:

The Harding Hotel, the Leeson Court Hotel, the Camden Delux Hotel, the Kildare Street Hotel and the Comfort Inn Smithfield Hotel.

Destination Review from Travel Today

Ireland casinos in Dublin include the 76 Club, the Amusement City Casino, and the two locations of Atari Expo, the Mayfair Casino Club, the Merrion Casino Club, the Silks Club, and The Fitzwilliam Card Club.

The 76 Casino has gaming similar to the Colossus, except it only has 6 table games. The Amusement City Casino offers slots, table games, and poker. It is larger than the previously mentioned casinos. This Ireland casino has 250 slots for the customer’s pleasure.

The two Atari Expo gaming centers offer a large selection of slot gaming. The Mayfair Casino Club has two poker tables and nine table games. Like the other casinos, it is a small but friendly casino. The Merrion Casino Club offers 10 poker tables and six table games. Like the other casinos, there is no racebook or sportsbook. The Merrion is currently being refurbished.

The Silks Club has one poker table and 10 game tables. The Fitzwilliam Card Club is one of the larger Ireland casinos with 7 poker tables and 8 game tables.

When visiting the Isle of Green, while in Dublin, if you have the urge to partake of a gaming excursion, you are in luck. All the casinos are close to fine places to stay and eat. While none of the Ireland casinos are close to the size of most American casinos, there is an ambience within their elegant settings.

There are many reasons to visit Ireland, but if you want to include gaming as part of your vacation, Ireland casinos will fill the bill. You can go fishing in Ireland for trout and money in the same day. You can visit an authentic Irish pub and an Ireland casino at the same time. May the luck of the Irish be with you when you try gaming at an Ireland casino.

Www. Kamilfilms. Com – more about us and our projects. “One Town, 50 different People, One very difficult Question” ‘Fifty People One Question’ Short video which connected people from the furthest parts of the world. . . Its popularity, impact on the audience, inspirational content, media coverage it is receiving on different continents, and popularity all over the globe – is shocking to the makers of this short production. But we are delighted we gave you the opportunity to watch it and experience it in many different ways. Thank you for watching it and sharing it with your close ones. I made this short movie few months ago, with the help of my friends and college mates. It is based on the original one made by fiftypeopleonequestion. Com It is based in Galway and it was shot in November 2010. Shot in High Quality on Cannon 550D. Fifty People One Question. . . Hope ye will all enjoy it. I appreciate any comments and suggestions so if anyone would like to contact the creator of this movie – you can do so by following Phone number: (00353) 868910692 FaceBook: KamilFilms – www. Facebook. Com Email: kamilfilms@gmail. Com Songs used in the production and iTune links where you can buy them: 1)Wilson Phillips – Go Your Own Way [bit. Ly 2)Hans Zimmer – You’re So Cool (‘True Romance’ soundtrack) [bit. Ly 3)Buffalo Springfield – For What It’s Worth [bit. Ly 4)John Powell, Pete Anthony, Don Harper, Blake Nelly & The Hollywood Studio Symphony – The Moon And The Superhero (Hancock Soundtrack) [bit . . .

In spite of the first-rate water pipe fittings, errors tend to occur. This may even cause massive damage to property and may add up to the water bill. Therefore, water leak detection service has turned out be a proven method of the investigation which analyzes factors those causing the loss of water from the operative plumbing fixtures, the defective water pipe, the fitting materials, the inoperative valves, the fracture, high pressure conditions, the settlement and neglect. Due to all of these things, you may require to pay several hundreds of dollars on the water bills. If routine or preventive maintenance is carried out on time then this may not be the result. In fact in any case of emergency, plumbers Dublin provide immediate services.

Nowadays, plumbers Dublin carry out a range of additional services like gas boiler service, gas boiler repair, oil boiler servicing and more. Since you may not be aware of the diverse mechanical problems of spare and taps parts, it will always be better to take professional assistance. The sewage problems, frozen pipes, choked drains are some of the most common frequent problems which needs to be sorted out. However, don’t worry. Emergency plumber Dublin are skilled professionals who will assist you will all sorts of professional assistance at any point of the day. They are also available 24/7 and you may contact for any sort of professional service.

If the drainage system is congested, it is highly difficult to utilize the toilet. In worst scenario, the entire drainage system comes to a stop and as result; you have to face the lot of trouble. The only reason to come out from this sort of ugly situation is to either break the old pipes or opt for an entire renovation of the place. You may also go for the shower pumps installation in order to prevent water wastage and to have a proper sewage facility.

The significant thing is to find the reputable plumbing serving company in Dublin. Plumbers Dublin can place the water leaks, repair, and replace the water lines, extract water from the flooding and reinstate the customers properly that is incredibly difficult. The early water leak detection is essential in order to prevent the major damage during initial stage of the water leak.

Emergency plumber Dublin uses the state of the art equipment with several years of experience in repairing the water lines, locating leaks, gas fitting services and the boiler repair services. Emergency plumber Dublin comes with a wide stock of the spare parts. This also means that you will not have to purchase the stuff from wholesaler. Hence this will assist you in saving your money and time. Hence, plumbers Dublin always strive to make life less stressful and complicated and offer more value for your money. If you face any kind of emergency, it will be helpful to count on a team of the dedicated professionals who believe in best customer satisfaction at any point.

Destination Review from Travel Today

The city is divided in two equal pieces by the river Liffey. The southern part is the medieval city. And the northern half has a special atmosphere, and a lot of shops.

There a so many buildings in Dublin with columns, you begin to wonder if it has been built by ancient Romans or Greeks. Of course, this is not true. The Dubliners just like columns, we think.

This building was once the House of Parliament, but since 1800 it houses the Bank of Ireland.

A lot of buildings in Dublin are quite nice, but the first floor is usually spoilt with enormous windows and advertisement. When you risk a sore neck and look above constantly, you’ll find out there are a lot of beautiful buildings here.

Just across the street from the Bank of Ireland is Trinity College, the old university buildings in the city. Here are more tourists than students for two reasons: 1: you just have to see the book of Kells and the Old Library, and 2: it’s the tourist season.

This is a combination that is not unusual in Ireland: an antique-shop where you can have some food. Or, is it a restaurant that wants to get rid of the old furniture .

Though there are not many splendid buildings in Dublin, there is one thing special: the colourful doors. Most doors are painted in bright colors and some have extra features: pillars, a circular window above the door, a big doorknob

Today Dublin is a mixture of the old and the new Metro and they merge nicely from the downtown area out into the suburbs.

Dublin has a sizable number of immigrants, coming from Great Britain, the US, Australia, New Zealand, and continental Europe. More recently, Nigerian, Indian, and Eastern European populations have also migrated into the city, largely attracted by Ireland’s economic success since the mid-1990′s. Old and once run-down streets have rapidly become busy ‘ethnic districts’, such as Moore Street’s transformation into ‘Little Africa’ and Parnell Street East into the city’s de-facto ‘Chinatown’ and ‘Asian Village’. These villages are a good way for tourists to spend the afternoon, casually walking the cobblestone streets, shopping and having lunch!

There is plenty to do in Dublin if you are on vacation or sightseeing.

- The National Print Museum of Ireland
- The Irish Museum of Modern Art
- The National Gallery of Ireland
- The Hugh Lane Municipal Gallery
- The Chester Beatty Library
- And three centers of the National Museum of Ireland are all located in Dublin.

These cultural museums would make an informative and pretty tour around the city of Dublin. And Dublin has an superb bus system that will carry you around the town with very little effort or expense. Or if you prefer a more energetic afternoon, renting a bicycle and touring on a bike is a popular way to see the city “up close and personal. “

The river Liffey separates Dublin, the North from the South, with typically the working class on the North and the middle and upper class on the South. In more recent years the city has also been divided socio-economically between East and Westside too. But not to worry! There are plenty of restaurants and nightlife anywhere you want to go, from the friendly outdoor pubs to the Temple Bar, which is “The Place” for nightlife and often people from Britain and beyond visit for the weekend.

Whatever you prefer, you are sure to find in Dublin. And don’t forget to catch a football or a rugby game at Croke Park, which seats 82,300 fans! There are other sports arenas scattered around the city for soccer, horse and greyhound racing, baseball, and other athletic events which are held at Morton Stadium in Santry.

So, from fine dining to eating in your hotel and the superb restaurants, to cultural exhibits around town, and seasonal sports events across the country to ending a superb day with a night of dancing or walking along the beach, there is sure to be something for everyone to enjoy while in Dublin.

And don’t forget the week-long celebrations for St Patrick’s Day, which culminate in the good parade on 17 March.

Destination Review from Travel Today