The National Gallery of Ireland - A Guest Blog by colleague & artist Ewa Krupa

My name is Ewa Krupa and I am one of the staff at Ariel Guest House where I have been working full-time in the Food and Beverage department since April 2009. Besides working in the hotel I have a huge passion for art, since childhood I have been drawing and painting. My artwork was included in various group exhibitions in Ireland, Bulgaria and Italy. In 2010 I graduated from University College Dublin with a Diploma in History of European Painting. At the moment I am continuing education at the Open University where I am studying towards a BA in Humanities with specialism in Art History. In my free time I am an Information Desk Volunteer at the National Gallery of Ireland. Due to the refurbishment of the gallery the historic building is closed at the moment and the main entrance is through the Millennium Wing, on Clare Street. Even though the gallery space is reduced because of the refurbishment it is still great place to visit. Current exhibitions are Masterpieces from the Collection and ‘The Gift of Knowledge’. The highlights of the exhibition Masterpieces from the Collection among other paintings are ‘The Taking of Christ’ by Caravaggio, Claude Monet’s ‘Argenteuil Basin with a single Sailboat’ or a beautiful painting by Irish artist William Leech ‘A Convent Garden, Brittany’. ‘The Gift of Knowledge’ is a temporary exhibition from the Library and Archives Collection of the National Gallery of Ireland, on a view in the Print Gallery. Items are on display until 15th of December 2011. Admission to the gallery and exhibitions are free.

Recipe for Halloween Tea Brack

Halloween Tea Brack

Ingredients
• 300 ml cold tea
• 4 tsp. Irish whiskey
• 110 g sultanas
• 220 g currants or raisins
• 55 g chopped glacé cherries
• 55 g chopped mixed peel
• 200 g brown sugar
• 225 g self-raising flour
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 tsp. ground Nutmeg

Method
1. Place the cold tea and whiskey in a bowl. Add in the sultanas, currants, glace cherries and mixed peel. Cover and set aside to soak overnight.

2. Preheat the oven to 180°C/gas 4/ 350 F.

3. In a mixing bowl, mix together the sugar, self-raising flour, beaten egg, nutmeg and soaked fruit, with its soaking liquid until well-mixed.

4. Transfer the mixture to a loaf tin lined with baking paper.

5. Bake for 1 hour, 30 minutes until risen and set.

6. Remove from the oven and cool for 10 minutes in its tin, then turn out and cool on a wire rack.

7. Serve in slices with butter

Dublin Living Awards 2011

Ariel House is delighted to be nominated as a finalist in the very first Dublin Living Awards. The Awards are to celebrate the Dublin businesses, organisations and people that make Dublin a great place to live work and visit. The competition organisers have had a brilliant response, the entries have been counted and the finalists have been chosen by the panel of judges. Now it is over to the Dublin public to decide the winners. As a finalist in the Hotel and Guesthouse category Ariel House would really appreciate your support. Please vote for Ariel House in the Dublin Living Awards using the link www.dublinlivingawards.ie/vote/7 or TEXT: Hotel followed by Ariel House to 51500

Fáilte go Áth Cliath agus Beal Féirste! Welcome to Dublin and Belfast!

When I booked my ticket to Dublin I knew very little about the place itself and I had no idea about the hotel I had booked. I arrived and was greeted by the sweetest lady ever and she showed me to my room. From that point I knew that Ariel House was a place I would fall in love with. It’s located close to the brand new Aviva Stadium and the DART station that will bring you in to the city centre within a few minutes.
By staying at Ariel House you will experience a friendly staff, lovely rooms and develop a love for their amazing homemade scones, a typical Irish treat.

After a long day of exploring the city of Dublin.You can relax in the lovely drawing room with a cup of tea, and just let the impressions of the day sink in. Ariel House is one of the best hotels I’ve ever stayed at and I recommend it with all of my heart.

The reason for me coming to Ireland that particular summer was that I was going to move to Belfast, Northern Ireland, in August. I have now lived in Belfast for a year and would like to tell you a bit about Northern Ireland that might interest you and maybe one day you will go there for a holiday?

Let’s be honest, Belfast and Northern Ireland aren’t particularly two words you associate with fun and joy, and maybe not the place you would consider for your holiday. I had the exact same idea of Belfast before I moved there, but I was determined to give it a try and hoped to go home with a new view of Belfast and Northern Ireland.

For you, as a tourist based in Dublin, you might be interested in seeing some more of the beautiful country you are already in. I can strongly recommend visiting Northern Ireland, and I can guarantee you, all your prejudices about Northern Ireland and Belfast will be gone when you return to Dublin.

They are very friendly and open, and also interested in your home country and your language. If you’re lucky you might pick up a cúpla focal (a few words) in the native language Gaelic.

When you’re in Belfast, the easiest way to see the city and learn the history is to go on one of the guided bus tours. Companies such as Allen’s and Belfast City Sightseeing will bring you around the city for a good price. This is a good opportunity to see both the Catholic and the Protestant part of the city, as well as the famous Titanic Quarter and other historical places. The tickets are also valid for 48 hrs and it’s a hop on/hop off bus, so you get great value for your money!
Finding the craic (Gaelic for “having fun”) is very easy in Belfast. Pubs like Robinson’s, Fibber Magee’s, Kelly’s Cellar and Madden’s have Irish music nights on every week. For the younger crowd Belfast is full of clubs and hip places. Have yourself a pint of Guinness and enjoy the craic.

Even though I’m telling you about the good things of staying in Belfast, I will have to warn you about a few things for your own safety.
Also bear in mind that Belfast is a divided society, and please do not wear either British or Irish flags or symbols on your backpack or clothes. But again, as mentioned they are not interested in harming their tourists, but this is just a little something called common sense.

Northern Ireland is such a beautiful country and deserves more positive attention. If you’re planning on going to Northern Ireland you have to visit the famous Giant’s Causeway in the very north of Co. Antrim. The coastal route is mind blowing and the scenery changes every 10 minutes. While you’re first up in the very north, pay a visit to the historical city of Londonderry or Derry. (The name will change depending on where in the country you are, but to avoid any confusion simply call it Stroke City!). Allen’s Tours will take you to Giant’s Causeway and the famous Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge in a day, but if you want to go to Londonderry/Derry you will need to book with the Paddywagon Tours, since they are the only company going to this particular city.

Good news for those of you staying in Dublin, you can book the Paddywagon from Dublin and it’ll drive you all the way up to Belfast and further north to the locations I’ve just mentioned.

I can also recommend cities such as Donegal, Coleraine, Portrush and Portstewart. They are all easy to get to. You simply take the bus from Europa Bus Station in Belfast or jump on a train from Great Victoria Station.

I really hope that you would find this helpful and also tempted to explore the beautiful Northern Ireland.

For more info visit www.discovernorthernireland.com

I reassure you, there’s nothing dangerous about going to Belfast and Northern Ireland. They love their tourists and are constantly working on improving their cities just for you. Just keep in mind the little thing called common sense, and have fun!

Some handy information

What to do in Belfast and Northern Ireland

 Experience live Irish music in a pub
 Go on a city tour
 Visit Giant’s Causeway
 Eat an Ulster fry for breakfast
 Learn a few words in Gaelic
 Visit the Ulster Museum www.nmni.com/um
 Visit Ulster Folk and Transport Museum www.nmni.com/uftm

Accomodation in Belfast/N.Ireland
 The Europa Hotel www.hastingshotels.com/europa-belfast
 The Merchant Hotel www.themerchanthotel.com
 Radisson Blu Hotel www.radissonblu.co.uk/hotel-belfast
 The Fitzwilliam Hotel www.fitzwilliamhotelbelfast.com
 Jury’s Inn www.jurysinns.com

City tours and bus tour companies
 Allen’s Tours www.allensbelfastbustours.com
 Belfast City Sightseeing www.belfastcitysightseeing.co.uk
 Paddywagon Tours www.paddywagontours.com


Enjoy your stay in Ireland!

Cheers,
Nadia
www.therockabillygirlnextdoor.blogspot.com

The Ariel House Winners Enclosure Dublin Horse Show 2011

We are delighted to announce that some of our guests competing at the Discover Ireland Horse Show 2011 at the RDS had great success this week.

Congratulations to Making Waves aka Splash ridden by Niamh Spurr (Pictured here). Making Waves a seven year old mare by Boden Park out of a Grange Blue Surf mare was the smallest Connemara pony in the ridden classes. Standing at 13.2hh she was placed 5th out of fifteen ponies in class 75. Owned by Norma Spurr from Ballygowan in Co. Down and ridden and produced by Niamh Spurr. Norma says " We are thrilled for Splash and that she did so well as she was up against stiff competition".

We had another winner in the Lightweight Cobb class. Toy Boy, a Cobb owned by our guest Colleen Lowry from Blessingbourne and produced in Co. Wicklow won a purple ribbon, coming 5th in his class. Well done and congratulations to Toy Boy also.

Dublin Horse Show

The Dublin Horse Show will be held between the 3rd and the 7th August at the RDS stadium in the heart of Dublin. It promises to attract local, national and international horse shows, show jumpers and equestrian exhibitors including the world-famous Ukrainian Cossacks. The buzz of horse show week brings an unmatched atmosphere to the Ballsbridge area.


There will also be over 300 shopping stands with art, books and fashion equestrian items on sale to all visitors.

This year’s blossom hill ladies day will take place on Thursday 4th August and the winner will win a fantastic trip for two to California and Napa Valley, the home of Blossom Hill, worth €10,000.

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For RDS accommodation around the event visit Ariel House

Leinster Vs Toulouse - A Guest Blog by Rebecca Warrington

Lansdowne Road is the same on a match day no matter if it’s the old stadium with is banked terraces or the Aviva with its sweeping roof and Perspex outer shell. The atmosphere builds as fans from both sides pour out of the surrounding pubs on to the road itself. Different nationalities and languages mixing together down the tree lined road bathed in April sunshine passed the beautiful terraces of Lansdowne Road. The match kicked off a fan fair of cheering and song that is so customary at Leinster matches. Even if you don’t know the words at the start you will by the end with the help of the friendly and welcoming Irish fans. Toulouse kicked of the better team with a flurry of activity that put Leinster very much on the back foot. A quick Florian Fritz try and David Skvella conversion put Leinster in the doldrums. In true Leinster style they slowly crept back into it with some penalties from the boot of Sexton. A drop goal put Toulouse ahead but after much deliberation from referee Dave Perarson he finally awarded a try on thirty minutes to Jamie, who as always sent Leinster fans into rapturous song. Disaster struck on 35 mins when Irish Golden boy and my hero and idol, Brian O’Driscoll was sent to the bin to have a think about his actions. It was a decision widely deliberated amongst Leinster fans which meant the resulting penalty was not taken in customary respectful silence. A late Jonny Sexton penalty made for what was a nervous 16-13 half time lead for Toulouse. Leinster fans still debating O’Driscolls binning for coming in from the side were in confident buoyant mood. They began the second half with song but that was soon silenced with a Toulouse try and conversation which meant 4 points had been conceded with talisman O’Driscoll in the bin. A penalty on 48 brought Leinster back to within a point of Toulouse. The atmosphere was electric with a new sense of belief in the crowd (and a new song). O’Driscoll soon made up for his spell in the bin with an excellent try which was certainly celebrated by every Leinster fan in the ground with myself whooping like a banshee from the Gods that took the score to 29-20 to Leinster - they never looked back from this. The French top 14 leaders and four time Heineken Cup Champions looked decidedly lost and confused and lacked inspiration with a flurry of substations on the hour mark. This did seem to rally the French champions who had a period of sustained pressure between 70 and 73 minutes making the crowd glittery. I lost count of how many times I looked at the clock over the last 10 minutes with 5 minutes to go a late Toulouse penalty brought the score to 29-23 but the 50,073 fans needn’t have worried as Leinster finished with a flourish as Sexton slotted the final kick of the match to send the crowd into raptures and on to the final in Cardiff with a score of 32-29. As always the craic is phenomenal between Leinster fans and the French. As an English fan of Leinster and a lover of all things Irish the fans are welcoming and friendly and always happy to help and encourage you to sample the local delicacies in many of the surrounding pubs or bars within the ground, where festivities and songs continue well into the night, many sore heads in the morning.

St. Patricks Day Festival 2011

St. Patricks Day is a worldwide celebration with all eyes on Ireland through global coverage of the day’s celebrations. In Ariel House our celebration will begin before breakfast on the morning of the 17th where each guest will receive complimentary shamrock to wear in their lapel. Irish Coffees will then be served as our guests leave for the parade.
In Dublin the St Patricks Day Festival 2011 began today with The Céilí Mor which took place at St. Stephens Green and by all standards has brought the city to a standstill. The event ran from 4.30pm-7.30pm offering a unique and fun filled way to spend an afternoon dancing your heart away. Expert callers took those who attended through the Siege of Ennis, the Walls of Limerick and lots more.The Céilí was open to all - young and old, beginners and self-proclaimed pro’s. It’s a great opportunity for friends and family to get together and join award-winning musicians and dancers. Watch, learn and dance; you’ll be doing jigs and reels in no time!
The Parade
In honour of Dublin’s UNESCO City of Literature designation the festival parade will bring specially commissioned short story “Brilliant” by Roddy Doyle, to life on the streets of Dublin, in spectacular fashion.
Inspired by the outrageously whimsical story; Ireland’s finest performance companies will present the chapters in their own inimitable style. Marching bands from Ireland and across the globe will animate the streets with their magnificent musical mastery as they march through the heart of Dublin city.
Ireland’s leading Pageant Companies will interpret different chapters of the story using their own performance style. Follow each company to see how they approach the story in a different way.

Parade Route
The Parade begins on Parnell Square and continues on to O’Connell Street and over O’Connell Bridge to Westmoreland Street. It then winds its way down Dame Street and Lord Edward Street passes by Christchurch Cathedral and along Patrick Street where it finishes just past St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

DublinSwell –Words and Voices for the City of Literature In a new and exciting move for the festival, DublinSwell –Words and Voices from the City of Literature, offers the public a cultural evening celebrating Dublin as UNESCO’s new ‘City of Literature’. This unique ticketed event will bring together a star studded line up of Irish faces from literature, music, film and theatre. Sebastian Barry, Roddy Doyle, Paul Durcan, Glen Hansard, Paul Howard ( Ross O’Carroll Kelly), Declan Hughes, Paula Meehan, Joseph O’Connor and many more will make the city come alive in an evening of imagination and inspiration. The event will take place in the Dublin Convention Centre and promises to be a fitting and inspiring tribute to literary Dublin.

Sharon Shannon
Sharon Shannon, one of Ireland’s most accomplished musicians will present an evening of traditional music at the National Concert Hall. Her unique style of accordion playing is celebrated worldwide, and her home-coming is sure to be a heartening musical experience.
This is just the St. Patricks Day Festival 2011 at a glance; A snippet of events that will take place in the city over the next few days. For Full information see the Festival website 2011.