Christmas Day

Last few places are available to book for Christmas Dinner in Jacobs Inn.
Book Now
+ 353 (1)-855660
jackie@isaacs.ie

3x course Christmas dinner
Soup
Turkey & Ham with Vegetables and Potato
Christmas Pudding
Tea/ coffee and mince pies
Free glass of wine
20euro

Free Walking Tour @ 11.00am leaving from reception (back in time for dinner)
Dinner @ 13.00
Free Irish Dance Class @ 16.00
Live Music @ 18.00 with Elise le Blanc

Christmas movies playing all day.
Free tea & coffee all day and extra big breakfast until 10.00

Happy Christmas everyone from all the staff in Jacobs Inn

Christmas Week in Jacobs Inn

Happy Christmas to all our guests.

Read below for a full list of events during your stay over Christmas and New Year.
Remember All shops, Restaurants & Bars will be closed Christmas Day 25th December please ensure you have supplies with you for this day.

We will have Christmas Dinner available however you will need to book in advance

Jacobs Inn is open for Christmas and we are serving a 3 Course Traditional Dinner with FREE Glass of Wine on Christmas Day.
Why not come and join the celebrations.

Breakfast will be served until 10am on Christmas Day.

FREE Tea & Coffee all day

Live Music In Jacobs Inn

26th December "Jeff Mason" 21.00

Remember Musicians stay for FREE if they entertain us.
We are offering FREE Christmas Dinner and Accommodation to Musician who can play on the 25th December.

Contact events@isaacs.ie for more information.

FREE Irish Step Dance Classes to anyone staying in Isaacs Hostel & Jacobs Inn.

Tuesday
Time:18:30 in Jacobs Inn

Sunday
Time: 15:30 in Jacobs Inn

Christmas Day 16.00 in Jacobs Inn
Cancelled 27th & 29th December

Isaacs BBQ is now serving up a feast in the garden area of Isaacs Hostel. We will be serving up our famous 6oz Isaacs burgers for Guests.

Only €5 for a Burger & FREE Beer!

Thursday 31st December
Time: 18.00-20.00 In Isaacs Hostel

The New Europe FREE walking tour picks up from Isaacs Hostel & Jacobs Inn every morning and takes you on a 3 hour guided walking tour of Dublin. This great tour leaves every morning from our receptions and is completely FREE (although not for groups). For more details, click here

Every Day

Time: 10:20 @ Reception

Incuding Christmas Day however the tour will be a bit shorter due to places being closed

Every night is Movie Night @ Jacobs Inn. We rent and show some of the latest movies every night on our new 50 inch TV. A nice way to save some money with a night in. And yes, it is FREE

Every Night

Time: 21:00

Christmas Movies all day Christmas Day.

Get your day off to a healthy start by getting up for an Early Morning Run. Meet @ Reception in Jacobs Inn on Tuesday morning. From there you will be brought on a short jog out of the city centre and returning again. Weather permitting!

Tuesday

Time: 07:00 in Jacobs Inn

Jog cancelled 29th December

Happy Christmas Everyone

Christmas in Jacons Inn

Final preparations are on the way in Jacobs Inn for the Christmas Celebrations.
Don’t forget if you are staying in Dublin then come along and join in the celebrations.
We have a 3 course Turkey and Ham dinner with Wine on Christmas day.
€20 per person.
Make sure to book in advance BOOK NOW.

The lineup for Christmas is…..
25th FREE walking tour leaves from reception at 11.00am
You will be back in time for dinner at 1pm.
Free Irish Dance class at 4pm to dance off those extra turkey pounds.
There will be Christmas movies showing all day and free tea & coffee all day.

We have also arranged for you to have breakfast right up until 10am and have bought in extra supplies.

Live music
18th December by “Swanee River “
26th December by “Jett Mason “

Remember there will be NO shops, restaurant or bars open on the 25th December so make sure to buy in enough supplies to cover you.
There will also be very limited transport available so make sure you check your travel plans if you have to travel over the Christmas period.

Check out our list of things to do in Dublin this Christmas.

Lonely planet review

Read our Lonley Planet review for Isaacs Hostel by Fionn Davenport.......

Lonely planet review

* Fionn Davenport
* Lonely Planet author

The northside's best hostel - hell, for atmosphere alone it's the best in town - is in a 200-year-old wine vault just around the corner from the main bus station. Friendly, secure and well stocked, it generates consistently good reviews from backpackers and other budget travellers.

The buzzing atmosphere is evident as soon as you set foot inside the door of Ireland's first independent hostel; the guests sharing notes and experiences over a breakfast cuppa and muffin is all part of the service. The high quality dorms range in shapes and sizes and cater to pretty much all kind of travellers, from experienced solo wanderers looking for a cheap bunk to school groups and their supervisors. A massive refurbishment in 2005 has seen a host of new facilities in the basement, including additional Internet stations and ports (for laptop carriers), a big TV room and - the best of the lot - a new sauna. On Friday evenings there's live music on the patio, and musical guests score a sweet deal - two hours of entertainment earn you a free bed. Popular? One Aussie traveller has been a guest for two years and refuses to find an apartment.

Isaacs Hostel has also been Voted Best Rated Hostel By Hostelworl.com customers this week.

LUAS DOCKLANDS New Line

LUAS DOCKLANDS

The Luas now goes from outside Isaacs Hostel directly to the O2 Arena. Why not stay with us and take the quick ride down to your concert.

Open 3pm, Tues 8th Dec 2009!

Come and see the new Luas line to the O2 Arena. Hop on and off for free after 3pm on Tuesday 8th December at George’s Dock, Mayor Square-NCI, Spencer Dock or the Point and enjoy the atmosphere.

What’s on

Gospel Choir
Carol Singers
Santa’s Grotto
Street Performers Christmas market sneak preview
Face Painters and much, much more.

For details of all the free entertainment along the new line see www.rpa.ie or www.luas.ie

Isaacs Hostel and Jacobs Inn are getting ready for Christmas.

Isaacs Hostel and Jacobs Inn are getting ready for Christmas.
We are presently putting up our Christmas Decorations to get us all in the festive mood.

If you are wondering what to do this Christmas why not come and join us for Christmas dinner.
Jacobs Inn will be open all over Christmas and New Year.
We have a special Christmas package for you with 3 nights Accommodation and 3 course Traditional Christmas Dinner from €50. (Christmas dinner €20)
Dinner includes a starter, Turkey and Ham Traditional Dinner, Christmas Pudding and Wine. There will also be a vegetarian option available but make sure you BOOK in advance.

Remember all shops, bars, cafes, restaurants and many hostels will be closed on Christmas day so make sure you make your plans in advance.
Many buses and trains will also NOT be running regularly on the 25th.

There is so much to do in Dublin this Christmas find out more by clinking here

Countdown to Christmas

With Halloween behind us the countdown is now well on the way for Christmas.
Time for shopping, mulled wine, mince pies and of course Christmas Parties.
With all this talk about recession a lot of Christmas Parties have taken a back seat! Boo!
We want to change that. Yeaah!
Isaacs Hostel and Jacobs Inn are running a Competition coming up to Christmas with your chance to WIN a FREE Christmas Party for YOU and 9 friends.
We have joined with our good friends at the Irish Greyhound Board to bring you a Fantastic Fun Competition.

Everyone knows “A Dog is Man’s best friend”
We want to see yours.
Send us a photo of your Best Friend and be in with a chance of Winning this Fantastic Prize.

Email your entries to events@isaacs.ie

Get snapping

The Craziest Halloween Party of the Year.

Everyone loves Halloween and it’s easy to understand why, Halloween allows people to show their creativity in a variety of fun and exciting ways.

Plans are well on the way in Isaacs Hostel for the Party of the year, cobwebs, pumpkins and lots of other spooky decorations will greet you on arrival.
All in preparation for our Fun packed Party on Saturday night.
It’s guaranteed to be a great night with live music, DJ’s, BBQ, alcohol and the coolest people in town.

The weather doesn't look promising but how cares you don’t even have to leave the hostel we have so much going on. Check out our Events page for full information.
Don’t forget its Fancy Dress so get cracking on those costumes. FREE entrance if you come in Fancy Dress otherwise its €3.
We have lots of FREE drinks, prices and games lined up for you.

The Red Line Music Festival comes to Isaacs Hostel

Music, Music, and more Music this week in Isaacs Hostel and the best part is it is all FREE for guests staying in both Isaacs hostel and Jacobs Inn.
The Red Line festival takes place this week from 22nd October to 25th October in Smithfield in Three of the more popular bars in the area the Dice Bar, The Cobblestone and Sin É. Check out The Red Line Roots Festival 2009 for more information.

Saturday night kick starts with live music in reception at 4pm by Serious Sam Barret (UK) he will later be joined by a number of other musicians taking part in The Red Line festival ………. live music, comedy and poetry are all lined up for your enjoyment.
At 5.30/6pm you will be brought on a Historical Walking Tour through the local area and finish up for with even more live music in your choice of the three bars.
Who cares if the sun isn’t shinning this bank holiday weekend there is so much happening in doors.

This is a great opportunity for you to meet some great people, sample the local brew and enjoy some good quality music.

Don’t forget our Halloween party next weekend.
We have added some Live Music to the line up.
“Madra” our popular local band will be performing from 7pm in Isaacs Hostel and as usual we have our famous BBQ with Burger and Beer for only €5.
There will be Live DJ’s till late with Spot Prizes and Party Games.
Remember to come in costume for FREE entrance (otherwise it will be 3euro)

Madra –live in Jacobs Inn


“Madra” are playing live in Jacobs Inn tonight and it’s FREE for all guests staying in both Isaacs Hostel and Jacobs Inn.

Madra (the Irish word for Dog) are Dublin’s hottest three piece rock band with influences from Irish rock legends like Thin Lizzy to the Beatles, Led Zeppelin and the Foofighters you will not be able to resist this bands catchy songs and raw seductive live sound. Check them out at www.Madramusic.com.

Tomorrow night we have even more music lined up for you with the return of Basic’s playing the 16th and 17th October.

Don’t forget to enter our Halloween Competition in connection with Hostels.com and be in with a chance to win FREE Accommodation and Party Passes for the party of the year.

And as always we have our Chili and Sol night tonight in Jacobs Inn with the best meal deal in Dublin. Chili with rice and salad for €5 including a FREE BEER.

The atmosphere will be great tonight with our live band to entertain you as you feast.

October in Isaacs Hostel

October looks like it’s going to be a fun packed month which is just as well because the rain hasn’t stopped since October began.

So what have we to look forward to?

Good news following “Basic” amazing performance on Saturday night they have promised to return for two more dates in October.
16th October in Isaacs hostel and
17th October in Jacobs inn.

Entrance FREE to guests staying in both our hostels.

Basic’s will also be performing in the Academy on the 8th October.
There is a 5euro entrance fee which all goes for a good cause to support the Special Olympics. So do your bit and have a great night out at the same time.
Also confirmed for October is MANDRA
15th October in Isaacs hostel

Every Tuesday there is dog racing in Harold’s Cross and we have lots of FREE tickets to give away. Just keep an eye on out Facebook and twitter pages for updates on competitions.

October would not be complete without a Halloween Party and we intend to do it in style in Isaacs hostel.
Starting October 31st with FREE beer on arrival, we have live music, local DJ’s, party games, fancy dress and the best crowd of party people in the city.
So come and join us. 15euro per person includes accommodation.
Book here.

Arthur Guinness after party

Everyone is in recovery after having a blast at the many Guinness parties around the city last Thursday. Jacobs inn celebrations took place from 5.30pm where we had FREE Guinness and live music.
At 5.59 everyone raised a toast to Arthur. We then had some Irish dancing and a dance off were the winners won 2 tickets to the Guinness store house. It was a lot of fun but more than a few sore heads around the hostel the next day. All in the name of fun and culture!
Tonight we have live music by Bex Marshall an exception musician with a powerfull voice and amazing guitar skills.
Come along to Jacobs Inn tonight at 7pm for a preformance not to be missed.

Arthur Guinness 250 years

Dublin is in a buzz getting ready to celebrate Arthur Guinness 250th Birthday.
The home of the black stuff is known for its partying skills and craic and now we have the best reason to throw a party……and that’s exactly what we intend to do.
We are having a Guinness Birthday party in Jacobs inn at 5.30pm tomorrow.
There will be music, dancing, Irish stew and Guinness.
Everyone is welcome so come and join the party.

If you want to warm up your partying skills we have a BBQ tonight in Isaacs with life music from Silvo Marrone at 7pm.
5euro for a burger and FREE beer.
See you all there

Win an ipod

Win an ipod


Congratulations to Aly on winning our Coldplay competition.
It was a great night for an open air concert for once the sun was shining down and Coldplay did not disappoint with an energy fueled concert.
There was great interest in the competition so we decided to committee to bringing you a different competition each month and keeping you informed to any other up and coming competitions that might be of interest to you.

Here is one…….
Win an ipod
Vote for us your favorite hostel and be in with a change to WIN an IPOD.
All you have to do is VOTE.
So what else is on is Dublin this week.
Well the Fringe Festival is running all this week until the 20th September and we recommend you all go to Le Clique.
An amazing show but book your tickets in advance as many of the dates are already fully booked.
I missed the show last year as I didn’t book in time this year I booked online to make sure I got my tickets in time but I think I might go again it was soooo good.
For more culture the Ulster bank Theatre festival is also running this week and until the 11th October.
Check it out.

If you want a cheap cup of coffee and some treats Powers Court shopping centre are running a NO CHARGE coffee morning today just make a donation to the hospice.
All for a good cause.

post-electric picnic

Just in recovery from the electric picnic weekend which can I say was amazing.
Apart from a bit of rain which can always be expected, it’s not a true Irish experience without a bit of rain.
The whole weekend was a muddy, rock n roll circus of pure fun and excitement.
And with only one week to recover before Coldplay take to the stage in Phoenix park on Monday 14th September.
Don’t forget to join us as a friend on facebook and get a free ticket into our Coldplay draw for FREE tickets and FREE accommodation.
You get one entry for every friend you invite to join too.

Don’t forget also our BBQ’s every Wed, Fri and Sat and our Mexican night every Thursday.
the cheapest food in the city all only 5euro with a FREE beer.

Anyone for a bit of culture? The Ulster Bank theatre festival and the Absolute Fringe Festival both start this week, so those og you coming to Dublin will not be short on things to do.

Coldplay competition

There is a lot going on this week.
On Monday and Tuesday we had a very talented musician come in and show us how to play the bodhran a traditional Irish drum. Made from a round wooden frame, with an animal skin stretched over it, the bodhran (pronounced bow-rahn) is the heartbeat of Irish traditional music, and is hugely popular.
Also NEW this Tuesday was our photographic workshop where anyone interested in improving their holiday snaps learned a new new trick.
All FREE for anyone staying in Isaacs hostel and Jacobs inn.
Great news guy's
Coldplay are coming to play in Phoenix park this September and we have 2 FREE tickets and FREE accommodation for 2 lucky people.
All you have to do is make a 2 minute video of why you want to see Coldplay in concert in Dublin and stay in Isaacs.
Post it to YouTube and send us the link with your name and contact details to mailto:events@isaac.ie
So get your cameras out.

Is it August in Dublin

Is it August in Dublin?
It is difficult to know what time of year it is here with the rain once more ensuring we grow and keeping our countryside nice and green.
However it is not for the weather that you come to Ireland.
The reason our pubs are so good is because our weather is so bad.
Many writers, musicians and artists have created and been inspired in many of the local bars and pubs, and there are lots to choose from.
When visiting Dublin you are sure to find a pub or bar that meets you preference.
No matter what night of the week you go out you are always guaranteed to meet some great people and have the craic (Irish for fun)

So what’s on this week.
The hostels as always have lots going on.

Tuesday: early morning jog through the city, just meet us in Jacobs inn reception.

Wednesday: BBQ in Isaacs hostel garden (and yes we have a canopy just encase:)

Thursday: Chillie and sol night kicks off at 6.30 in Jacobs Inn cafe. The cheapest place to eat in the city for only 5euro you get chillie, rice, tacos and a bottle of beer.

Friday: BBQ In Isaacs Garden, 5euro for a burger and beer. Great value and good craic too.

Saturday: BBQ in Isaacs at 7pm and FREE Irish dancing lesson in Jacobs at 3.30pm all welcome.

Sunday: time to brush up on those steps as we have our second night of FREE Irish dancing.

EVERYDAY: don’t for get every morning we have a FREE walking tour of the city leaving reception at 10.30am and every night we show movies on our large screen in both hostels 9pm (be sure to let us know if you have any special requests)

Dublin
If there is not enough happening in the hostel for you then venture down to Temple bar for a bit of culture
Culture
Exchange Dublin and Temple Bar Cultural Trust are calling on citizens, funders, public representatives, artists and more to join us on Meeting House Square, Temple Bar tomorrow evening at 6.30pm for ‘Culture and the City – The Debate’
All audience members, invited guests and crew will be required to wear a white upper face mask upon passing a screen at the entrance to Meeting House Square and all will remain anonymous throughout. This theatrical experiment aims to break down some of the barriers that exist to real discussion and debate, using anonymity to encourage people to give their truthful opinions.

Gates open at 6pm and Meeting House Square will be equipped with a marquee roof covering. Please note: This is a free event and no tickets are required – just come along! Masks will be provided as you enter the venue.
Temple Bar Cultural Trust (TBCT) and Lord Mayor Cllr Emer Costello today (Tuesday 18th August) unveiled an immense programme for Culture Night 2009 at the National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks, which takes place on Friday 25th September. TBCT expect half a million visitors to attend Culture Night across the 11 participating towns, cities and counties.

Renowned for its free mix of events, street activity and ‘All Sorts’ of talent, Culture Night 2009 will transform the participating areas of – Dublin, Cork, Galway, Letterkenny, Limerick, Mayo, Roscommon, Sligo, Tralee, Waterford, Wexford - into an accessible cultural wonderland offering people of all ages the chance to experience culture in various and unusual forms including visual art, architecture, dancing, family fun, music, poetry, street performance, painting, talks, theatre and traditional forms of culture. Culture Night will also take place in the Cathedral Quarter of Belfast this year on Friday September 25th.

The Culture Night National initiative is co-ordinated by Temple Bar Cultural Trust and supported by the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism in partnership with the regional arts offices and local authorities.

A full programme of events and participating venues for Culture Night 2009 is now available online at www.culturenight.ie or pick up a copy of the Dublin programme by calling into the Temple Bar Cultural Information Centre at 12 East Essex Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2. All participating venues in Dublin will carry Culture Night programmes from Tuesday 25th August.

Isaacs Hostel's 25th Birthday

Isaacs Hostel is celebrating 25 years since opening the first independent hostel in Dublin in 1984. The building which was originally a wine warehouse has some wonderfully quirky architectural features now fully refurbished.

Whether you're enjoying a long weekend taking in the sights and sounds or coming for one of the many concerts or festivals taking place around the city, then along with Jacobs Inn, Isaacs is the perfect central location for a visit to Dublin.

To get a taste of Dublin before you travel take a look at 'Truly, Madly, Deeply, Dublin' the tourist boards promotional video. Enjoy images of a young vibrant city interspersed with glimpses of our ancient civilisation and stunning scenery all set to the background music of U2s 'Beautiful Day'. Visit www.visitdublin.com or google 'Truly, Madly, Deeply, Dublin'. Also visit www.youtube.com to see a selection of amateur and more professional videos of the capital and surrounding areas.

Art in Dublin

13th July 2009
This year marks the centenary of the birth of Irish figurative artist Francis Bacon who was born in Dublin in, no prizes for guessing, 1909! His work was known for it's bold, austere and often violent imagery. The Hugh Lane Gallery in nearby Parnell Square (a 5 minute stroll from the hostels) houses the studio where Bacon worked in South Kensington, London.

After his death, John Edwards, close friend and confident, donated the contents of the studio to the gallery. Over 7,000 items were carefully catalogued, moved and repositioned in the gallery studio. With speculation that Bacon had been locked in a cupboard as a child the small studio was a place where he felt comfortable. He once explained that 'chaos suggests images to me'.

The Hugh Lane also has a wonderful exhibition of over 2,000 artworks from Impressionist to contemporary pieces. With a great cafe and gift shop it's perfect for whiling away a few hours if you should have a damp day on your visit to Dublin!
Www.hughlane.ie – admission free.

Live postcards from Dublin

Smile, You're on Candid Camera!

Send a live postcard to all your friends back home. World Link house have cameras on the streets of Dublin. The cameras are located just around thecorner from the Jacobs Inn and Isaacs hostels in Lower Gardiner Street between Talbot Street and Lower Abbey Street. Send the link (www.nci.ie/ipsy) to your family and friends.

Tell them when you'll be out and about and they can see you live and in action. Don't forget about the time difference - we're GMT = 0 hours. Remember the picture updates every 15 seconds so have lots of fun – send messages making letters with your body or have people pop in and out of the picture! Visit www.hidden-dublin.com/card for more ideas and maps of the cameras exact locations.

Europe's No. 1 Rock 'N' Roll Festival

Pack up your tent, hop on a bus and make your way to Oxegen at Punchestown Racecourse in Naas. One of the biggest music festivals on the calender takes place next weekend from 10th to 12th July. You can pitch your tent from Thursday 9th until Monday 13th. Blur will headline along with a fantastic lineup of groups and performers including Snow Patrol, Lily Allen, Katy Perry, Pet Shop Boys and The Killers to name but a few. For the full lowdown visit www.oxegen.ie.

There's more than fabulous live music on offer at this 3 day event. Three large funfairs will provide entertainment for all. Located in the Main Arena and the Red and Blue carparks a travelling slingshot will catapult the bravest partygoers at over 160 kp or chill out in the Moroccan Marquee and listen to beat poetry.

For travel information check out the festival website and www.buseireann.ie & www.dublinbus.ie

"These feet are made for walking"

Walking is the best way to explore any city and when you stay at Isaacs Hostel or Jacobs Inn you're perfectly positioned to see all the best Dublin has to offer. You can even take a guided 3 hour walking tour right from the front door of your hostel every day.

To set off on your own walking tour just arm yourself with a good map, a raincoat and a pair of sunglasses (to cover every eventuality!). Dublin is a compact city ideal for covering on foot.

Around the corner from the hostel is the new boardwalk which runs along the river Liffey. You can stroll towards O'Connell Street for a perfect view of the Spire. After visiting the G.P.O. (General Post Office) site of the 1916 Rising you can turn left onto Henry Street home of great shopping. Pop into Wolfe Tone Square to see the Oxfam exhibition.(http://www.oxfam.ie/) Then head over the hal'penny bridge to Temple Bar, centre of Dublin's night life with restaurants, pubs and nightclubs for everyone.

Then head for Trinity College with a quick detour to see the Book of Kells and on up to Grafton Street to enjoy the street performers. Finish up in St. Stephens Green, feed the ducks or just enjoy the summer sunshine!

On Your Bike

Ireland's 1st National Bike Week starts today and runs till 21st June 2009 (http://www.bikeweek.ie/). Cycling is a wonderful way to see Dublin city and to travel all over the country. Whether you want to explore the Capital's main tourist spots or enjoy quiet trips on country lanes Ireland has tonnes to offer the amateur or avid cyclist. As part of the week on Wednesday evening there is a Dublin City cycle which starts at Merrion Square at 7.00pm.The route will travel across the River Liffey, up O'Connell Street to Parnell Square and back to Merrion Square again.You can also take advantage of the free bike checkups on offer.

For visitors with bikes who are arriving at Isaacs Hostel or Jacobs Inn we have free parking at the hostel. To download cycle maps of the Dublin area visit www.dto.ie/ctbl. Otherwise you can rent bikes from Neills Wheels Rent A Bike & Bicycle Tours. You can have a bike delivered to the hostel from EUR 20.00 per day or EUR 80.00 per week. Phone (085) 1530648 or http://www.goireland.com/ and search 'bike rentals'. Neills also organise a tour which meets at Essex St. Bridge in Temple Bar each evening at 18.30.

Phoenix Park Bike hire has a great selection of bikes for all the family including tandems. Prices start at EUR 5.00 per hour or EUR 20.00 for a whole day. (http://www.phoenixparkbikehire.com/) One of their most famous customers was Beyonce Knowles who was seen cycling in the Phoenix Park while enjoying some 'down' time on her recent world tour.

Food for thought

Food for Thought

'Me stomach thinks me throat's been cut' is just one of the entertaining ways an Irish person can let you know they're ready to eat! Good hearty fare can be as simple as a burger and beer enjoyed right here in the hostel every Friday and Saturday evening or try your hand at preparing a full Irish breakfast in our self catering kitchen.

On your visit to Dublin the more adventurous visitor will want to sample some of our more traditional dishes including coddle, Irish stew, colcannon and corned beef and cabbage which can all be found in the great selection of restaurants around the city. Try Gallaghers Boxty House in Temple Bar (http://www.boxtyhouse.ie/) or the Shack (http://www.shackrestaurant.ie/). Why not visit Hotel Isaacs Il Vignardo restaurant, where Italian food with an Irish slant is served in attractive surroundings which will make you feel you've entered a Tuscan vineyard. With early bird and lunch specials at €9.90, the value is hard to beat.

For the serious foodies among you a trip to the 'Taste of Dublin' festival (http://www.tastefestivals.ie/) will be just the ticket. Running from the 11th to 14th June and now in it's fouth year with over 30,000 visitors the idea behind this festival is to allow everyone to taste food prepared by the best Irish chefs. Prestigious restaurants such as L'Ecrivan, Diep Le Shaker Chapter One and King Sitric to name but a few prepare 3 signature dishes each. It all takes place is the beautiful surroundings of the Iveagh gardens off Stephens Green just a 15 minute walk from the hostel.

Party time in Dublin

2nd June 2009
Dublin city is famous for it's live music venues and there's nothing we like more than a good hooley (party)! So whether you're here for one of the big Summer concerts or to enjoy some more low key shindigs then you'll be perfectly placed in Isaacs Hostel or Jacobs Inn.

Our Irish Dance Parties take place right here in the hostels so learn a few steps to impress your friends with. The 'Live @' series features some of the best Irish music around with regular gigs in both hostels. If you're a musician and would like to perform your stay could be free!

U2 are performing 3 already sold out concerts in Croke Park on July 24, 25 and 27th. If you'd like to see the band on their home ground then enter our competition. Visit www.isaacs.ie for a chance to win. Also performing in Croke Park on the 13th of this month is Take That.

Dublin's O2 arena is hosting a series of concerts over the summer including Beyonce 3/6 & 4/6, Britney Spears 18/6 and 19/6 (www.theO2.ie) and Ireland's internationally renowned music and dance spectacular Riverdance is on in one of our oldest theatres from 22/6 to 29/8 (www.gaietytheatre.com).

Blooming Marvellous

Blooming Marvellous!

Dublin's Phoenix Park is 1752 acres of beautiful unspoiled woodland locatedonly 2 kms from O'Connell Street in the city centre. In fact the PhoenixPark is the largest city enclosed park in Europe and is home to the zoological gardens which opened here in 1830.It's well worth a visit with fantastic walking, running, cycling and rollerblading paths. You'll probably see a herd of fallow deer wandering around in the wooded areas. The residence of Ireland's President Mary McAleese (Arasan Uachtarain) is located in the park as is the US Ambassador's residenceand a state of the art visitors centre with activites throughout the year.

This weekend sees the now annual Bloom festival taking place in the park running from 28th May to 1st June. With over 50,000 visitors last year the festival will feature the best of Irish plants and flowers and gardens designed especially for the occasion.

Access to the park from Jacobs Inn or Isaacs hostel couldn't be easier. Just hop on the Red Luas Line around the corner at Connelly Station. This weekend because the Bloom festival is on you can pick up free shuttle buses at Heuston Station which will take you to the centre of the action. Bring along a picnic and make the most of the wide open spaces.

Summer in Dublin

Welcome to Summer in Dublin. Not noticably different from Spring or Autumn and sightly warmer than Winter, but let's face it you're not coming for the weather!

Dublin is one of Europe's most vibrant capital cities and when you come to stay then Jacobs Inn and Isaacs Hostel are the perfect locations for a terrific Dublin experience. Right in the heart of the city you'll be close to everything you need for a good time. With free Wifi and continental breakfast, not to mention the sauna and in house entertainment you won't have to go outside the door to find the hospitality and good times that the Irish are famed for. Unless you want to..........

If you're in town why not catch some of the 3rd annual Dublin City Soul Festival, running from 21st to 24th May. With events celebrating peace and unity taking place throughout the city streets Ceol, (music) caint (chat) agus craic (and good times) will be the order of the day. The festivities culminate in the Soul Picnic which takes place in the picturesque surroundings of Merrion Square on Sunday 24th so get out and enjoy some serious Irish entertainment.

Free U2 tickets

We here at Jacobs Inn are giving away 2 tickets and accommodation to see U2 in Dublin!

Have you ever wanted to see U2 play live in their hometown? Well this is your chance. On the July 25th, U2 will playing to packed 80,000 fans in the historic Croke Park Stadium in Dublin as part of their innovative new 360 degrees tour.

We are giving away 2 tickets to see the guys, as well as 3 nights free accommodation in one of our private rooms, for you and a friend.

To be in with a chance of winning, all you have to do is just answer one simple question. ave a look at our competition page here: http://bit.ly/1aeL6P

Good Luck!

Videos

Hello again everyone.

We are now putting together a number of videos to try and demonstrate to people how great the locations of our hostels really are. Both Isaacs Hostel and Jacobs Inn are located right beside the Central Bus Station, Connolly train (DART) station, Connolly tram (LUAS) station and the Aiport Express 747 bus stop. Making us the perfect stop for any traveller. As well as this we are only a short walk from all the main attractions in Dublin such as Trinity College, O'Connell Street and Temple Bar.

Why not have a look at the videos on our youtube site here to see for yourself! Click on the 'How to get to the hostel' playlist. Why not check out some of our 'Live @ Jacobs' acts under that playlist section also while you are there.

Reception