Monday, June 29, 2009

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

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

"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!

Monday, June 15, 2009


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.

Monday, June 8, 2009

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.

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

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).