We have a new website...woo!

I am very happy, excited and relieved to announce that our new website has finally launched!

It has taken months of writing, taking photos, making lists and checking them twice but I have to say that we are all really happy with how it has turned out. Our web designer Pierce is a very patient guy indeed!

We have added some really nice Special Offers to the site such as a couples city getaway which would be perfect for a pre-Christmas jaunt to Dublin city centre and the ever popular O2 Concert Special.
My absolute favorite has to be the Champagne Sunday offer. Buy a bottle of Bollinger Champagne you get your bedroom absolutely free! It's all very Ab Fab, don't you agree?

Check out our Tourist Destinations page where you can view all of the fun things to do in Dublin city centre at the click of a button. We have shopping, restaurants, bars and tourist attractions to choose from, there is plenty to do on your trip to Dublin.

I would love to hear what you think of the new site.

www.hotelisaacsdublin.ie

Attempting to build a Hotel Garden

I come from a long line of green fingered folk who can grow anything from seed and can rhyme off the common name as well as the Latin name's of plants and flowers and all things in the garden. Unfortunately the talent stopped short of me and I have the rare ability to kill even the hardiest of ivy's.

However, I'm thinking of trying again but this time for the hotel. Being a city centre hotel we have a huge roof space which we can't really use for anything useful and after a conversation with the people at the Green Hotels Association I got to thinking about using the space to grow herbs for our hotel restaurant, Il Vignardo.

I've been doing some research and although it is the wrong time of year to start sewing, with some planning I think we could grow all manner of herbs in raised beds on the roof.
As I mentioned earlier, I am not the most green fingered of people so I'll be starting small in case of a major catastrophe!

I am going to grabs a large pot and potting compost and bedding material (who knew that potting compost and bedding material were different things?! Actually, probably most of you.) and I am going to sew the first seeds in the Hotel Isaacs garden. I'm going to grow some garlic. Apparently October/ November is the perfect time for sewing garlic which should be ready to harvest in August next year. I'm not sure that we will be self sufficient any time soon but I really love the idea of using the hotel's dead space to create living plants.

All hints and tips will be gratefully accepted and I'll post a photo of my creation later in the week.
Wish me luck!

Dublin Oktoberfest 2011

Oktoberfest kicked off in Munich last Saturday for the world's most famous beer festival. The Bavarian festival was opened by Munich's mayor who tapped the first keg and shouted "O'zapft is!" meaning "It's tapped!" to start the 17 day celebrations.

Last year over 17 million litres of beer was served as well as thousands of Würstl (sausages), Brezn (pretzel) and of course lebkuchen (ginger bread).

Dublin's Oktoberfest run's from 22nd September to 9th October in George's Dock, IFSC. A marquee similar to the one in Munich will reside in the IFSC and there will be over 30 German beers on offer as well as the German market and German specialty foods.

You can learn to yodel and dance the polka to traditional Bavarian music. This year you can compete for the title of Bavarian Strongman Dublin or, if you are game for a laugh, take part in the Miss Oktoberfest Dublin 2011 where some of the challenges are yodeling and carrying the most steins (beer mugs).

Hotel Isaacs is a three minute walk from George's Dock. Just ask at reception for directions.

Batman Live @The O2 Dublin

The Multimillion pound stage production of Batman Live World Arena Tour hits the O2 Arena Dublin on 28th September until 01st October 2011.

Described as '...a theatrical extravaganza of thrilling stunts, acrobatic acts and illusions', Batman Live is certainly the biggest theatrical event to be staged in Ireland this year. As part of an 11 week tour of the UK and Ireland, this original script brings some of our favorite Batman baddies to life.

Featuring the Penguin, the Riddler, Catwoman, Joker, Poison Ivy, Harley Quinn and Two Face, Batman and Robin will transport the audience from the Batcave to the Arkham Asylum and the Penguins Iceberg Lounge.

The intricate sets and specially designed Batmobile take a convoy of over 17 articulated lorries to move them from arena to arena and the show has 86 people travelling along side comprising of crew, actors, stunt performers and acrobats.

Il Vignardo restaurant is the place to hit for a bite to eat before the show. Just three Luas stops from the O2 Arena, Il Vignardo has great value early bird menus to suit every taste and all pockets. Delight your taste buds with any pizza or Pasta for just €8.90 between 5.30pm and 7.30pm or partake of this mouthwatering 3 course €20 special menu.

Those looking for accommodation for the show, rooms at Hotel Isaacs are selling from €57 room only. This is definitely a stage show not to be missed.

Watch videos from the Batman Live Arena Tour here.

Dublin Fashion Festival 2011

Dublin becomes 'Fabulous Darling' for the Dublin Festival of Fashion from the 9th - 11th September this year with lots of fashion events happening around Dublin city centre for the whole weekend.

Many city centre shops will be showcasing their A/W11 collections at fashion shows in Fashion HQ and at exclusive style events. Special after hours events both on the street and in stores where stylists and fashionistas will be giving advice on the fashions of the coming season.

Hair and beauty salons will be hosting pop up advice centres and there are plenty of catwalk shows all weekend long.

There are lots of special deals on offer too. Il Vignardo is offering a special €20 three course menu with a glass of prosecco for the duration of the festival. Simply quote 'Dublin Festival of Fashion ' to avail of this special offer.

For more information see www.dff.ie

Dolly Parton live at The O2 Dublin

Hairspray and sequins at the ready, the Queen of Country Music Dolly Parton will be playing Dublin's O2 Arena on September 14th.

The 49 date tour coincides with the launch of her new album 'Better Day' and she promises "all new sets, new costumes and new music" as well as some old favorites like "9 to 5", "Jolene", "I will always love you" and "Here you come again".

Tickets for Dolly Parton are still on sale and are available from Ticketmaster.

Hotel Isaacs are just 3 minutes from The O2 Dublin by Luas or 10 minutes on foot. We have a special Room Only rate of €87 for a single, twin or double room. Give us a call on 01 8134700 or email hotel@isaacs.ie for more information.

Ready Steady Go!

The Dublin City Marathon, which is taking place on the 31st of October, is now in it’s 31^st year. It was started back in 1980 by Noel Carroll and since then has become one of the main events on the Dublin calendar.

Dick Hopper was the first Dublin Marathon winner and also the only person to have won the marathon a record three times!

Last year was a year for the record books as over 13,000 people entered and the winning time was a record beating 2.08.58, which was accomplished by Moses Kangogo Kibet from Kenya.

The course is relatively flat throughout and takes you from Fitzwilliam St through the city centre and onto Phoenix Park on the north side of the city. At around the halfway mark you will reach the Walkingstown road where you will continue towards town past UCD and right back into the city centre to the much awaited finish line at Merrion Square.

For more information on the Dublin City Marathon check out the official website.

Dublin Marathon

Dublin City Marathon – Hotel Package

For this great event we have created a special marathon package that Dick Hooper would be proud of!

The package includes:

• One night accommodation
• Marathon Breakfast which features delicious omelettes, fresh fruit salad, smoothies, muesli bars and organic porridge to keep your energy at the perfect level throughout your run
• Late checkout (3pm) on the day of the marathon

Specially designed low fat/carbohydrate rich dinner available at II Vignardo the night before for just €20 for three fat courses.

Isaacs Hotel Dublin