Taste some authentic Irish cuisine

How would you like to have a concierge in a major hotel spend time with you to answer your questions about a new city? Sean Lally of the prestigious Merrion Hotel in Dublins is happy to tell you the best local restaurant to give you an introduction to Irish food (The Pig’s Ear on Nassau Street or the Cellar Bar in The Merrion), and is there any etiquette around dining, tipping, and service that you should definitely know before eating out in Dublin? (FYI, Sean says, "there are no hard and fast rules about tipping in restaurants in Ireland. Generally speaking, if you were very happy with your experience 10 - 15% is considered to be an international guideline"). 

If you are wondering which if the old traditional pubs will give you a real sense of Dublin pub life, he suggests strolling the Golden Mile of bars and restaurants on Baggot Street and Merrion Row, which happens to be right on The Merrion’s doorstep. Try O’Donoghue’s and Doheny & Nesbitt for a traditional experience.

For something offbeat, Glasnevin Cemetery offers a fascinating insight into the macabre past of Dublin. It’s true: creep among the heavy tombstones, and you’ll find that Glasnevin reads like a who’s who of Irish political history. There’s Charles Stewart Parnell (the founder and leader of the Irish Parliamentary Party, who was sent to an early grave by a scandalous adultery case); Michael Collins (Irish revolutionary leader); and even Maud Gonne (rebel leader and muse of poet, WB Yeats).

The cemetery opened in 1832 and the meticulously kept records of its 1.5 million burials are a boon to historians and genealogists – in fact, you could say a visit here will give you an intriguing look into the birth of the nation.

The Guinness Storehouse is the place to come if you love the “Black Stuff”. Now famous the world over, this slow-settling porter started off life in St James’s Gate at the heart of old Dublin. Back in 1759, an enterprising brewer by the name of Arthur Guinness took out a 9,000-year lease on the brewery here for an annual rent of £45. A couple of centuries later, the Storehouse was born. Built in the style of the Chicago School of Architecture 1904, it was originally used as a fermentation house. Today it’s Ireland’s number one visitor attraction – a gleaming, multimedia exhibition on everything from retro advertising to the craft of brewing, topped off with a pint in the 360-degree Gravity Bar. When you get there, don’t forget to raise your glass to Arthur’s wonderful creation!

The Book of Kells has a backstory that includes monks, Vikings and remote Scottish islands that will make the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end. This glorious Early Christian illuminated manuscript is quite simply a masterpiece. Located within Trinity College’s Treasury, the tour here includes a visit to the Long Room library, one of Europe’s most magnificent libraries housing over 200,000 of Trinity’s oldest books. 

Afterwards, wander around the charming campus of Trinity, which dates back to 1592 and boasts an impressive list of alumni including Bram Stoker, Oscar Wilde and Jonathan Swift. The Front Square and Campanile are a delight, while the college also houses the modern Science Gallery, and the Douglas Hyde Gallery, with changing contemporary art exhibitions. 

St Patrick's and Christ Church Cathedrals. Ancient, dramatic and intriguing, Dublin’s two cathedrals make a striking pair. Built beside a well where Ireland’s patron saint baptised converts, St Patrick’s dates back to 1220 and is filled with monuments, 19th-century stained-glass and a beautiful Lady Chapel. 

Just a 10-minute walk away, Christ Church has attracted pilgrims for almost 1,000 years, and today one of its biggest attractions is its medieval crypt. There are plenty of other reasons to visit, but some may be fascinated by the Chapel of St Laurence O’Toole, where a heart-shaped shrine contains the saint’s embalmed heart.

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Exploring Galway

You KNOW you should visit Galway city, but do you know what you should do there? Rather than what to see, the heardest decision will be to decide WHICH things to see first! Always a good tip is to ask the locals, so let's ask the concierge team at the city’s iconic Hotel Meyrick.

Is there a walking or cycling tour that locals recommend? 

Galway is the oldest and largest city on the Wild Atlantic Way, a 2500km fully defined coastal touring route along the entire west coast of Ireland. We regularly receive glowing reports from guests who go out on our Traditional Fishing Boats or Galway Hookers with Wild Atlantic Adventures.

If you had to recommend the best day trip out of the city, what would it be?

The Burren is just one hour from Galway and, as part of the Burren Slow Food Trail, the friendly folks at Hazel Mountain Chocolatiers are great for a family tour and some chocolate tasting. If you are worried about your waistline, they will also take you on a guided walk of the UNESCO-listed Burren. Whilst in the area, Doolin is a pretty village to explore and from there you can take a fantastic day trip out to Inis Oírr, one of the Aran Islands. The eastern shore has a shipwreck for postcard photos and breathtaking views of the Cliffs of Moher (above).

What is your own very favourite thing about Galway?

Galway is a thriving city with festivals and events all year round bringing daily energy to our medieval streets. We love that it feels like a village with visitors and locals interacting like neighbours.

On a bright evening, there is nothing better than strolling along the Claddagh – an old fishing village in the city – enjoying views of the colourful Long Walk terraced houses and sometimes feeding the famous Claddagh swans. You can walk out to Salthill very easily whilst breathing in the fresh clean air of Galway Bay. For a less energetic option, Eyre Square, in front of Hotel Meyrick and the official centre of Galway city, has green areas for relaxing. It’s also a perfect viewing spot for the Galway International Arts Festival events each July.

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