Friday, August 26, 2011



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

Saturday, August 6, 2011

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.

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

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