Focus on Dublin- Focus on the Docklands

As Dublin’s latest business tourism offering, the Conference Centre Dublin (CCD) is steadily taking shape and due for a grand opening in Autumn 2010. Sitting proudly on the River Liffey in the Dublin Docklands’s area, the CCD will greatly boost Dublin’s conference hosting ability. The landmark building was designed by Pritzker award-winning Irish architect Kevin Roche. Features include a stunning glass fronted atrium running the full height of the building on the waterfront. Benefits of the centre include a city centre location, state of the art inbuilt systems, suitability for small boardroom meetings as well as 8000 person congresses & a professional on site team.

This vicinity beyond the Custom’s House has undergone large scale regeneration in recent affluent years and projects, such as the rebuilding of the O2 concert and sports venue have attracted great attention. Not only should this be of interest to Dubliners, but to visitors alike. In the area architecture varies from old stone harbour facades to large scale contemporary designs housing major financial institutions. Midweek trading reverts to weekend calm, something not always easy to come by in the centre of a bustling city.

On the other side of the Liffey at Grand Canal Dock a 5star deluxe architectural wonder is planned. This will further add to delegate accommodation offerings close to the new conference venue.

Dining offerings in the area are unique with old vaulted warehouse spaces converted to bars and restaurants, an old harbour reused as festival space and sea vessels, moored and active, now available for dinner, drinks and cruising. Worth checking out too are the Irish art installations and sculpture along the quays, including Rowan Gillespie’s Famine Memorial.

We suggest you grab a coffee, seat yourself on a riverside bench and watch the seagulls! You just never know what else you might happen to see!

LC

Time Out at Carton House Hotel

To further discover the amenities at Carton House demesne, Custom Ireland reps set out on Friday 3^rd of April for the hotel and golf resort, located just outside of historic Maynooth in Co. Kildare. 

From start to finish the Carton House team looked after every detail of the visit; from a welcome reception in the stunning Duke’s Suite to perfect dining in the Versaille-like Gold Salon, a tasty breakfast overlooking an expanse of green acres followed by a stroll to the Shell Cottage, before finishing up with active fun at Ireland Xtreme’s onsite woodland base. 

The recently established hotel sits in a centuries old estate, and a million euro make-over has seen the Palladian grandeur of the old house, the seat of the Dukes of Leinster, restored and expanded to welcome guests once again. 17^th century and modern-day contemporary architecture combine to provide the luxury one might expect at the end of such a long avenue!

The venue offers 165 guest bedrooms and provides conference space in the new wing, where built in AV comes as standard, while the old house’s unique high-ceilinged rooms are suitable for meetings as well as dining. On site ‘fresh air’ options include golf, fishing, walking trails and team games that include off-road driving, high rope challenges and more.

Ah yes, a treat awaits… 

LC

 

 

 

 

 

Tourism Workshops, March 2009

Ireland is open for business!
Having attended the Irish Tour Operator’s workshops in both Limerick and Dublin these past two weeks, it was great to see everyone pushing towards the same goal; to make Ireland an enticing and competitively priced visitor destination.  Hotels, activity providers and attractions are working hard at keeping Ireland on the tourism map. Prices are good and Custom Ireland hopes to pass this great value to its clients!

SITE Runs Ireland – Four Marathon Challenge – Spectacular Finale

It has been a wonderful year and a privilege to have undertaken and succeeded with the SITE Runs Ireland Four Marathon Challenge. It all came to a head in Dublin City yesterday as I took part in the 29th Dublin City Marathon. With a record breaking 11,700 participants, the atmosphere was electric at Fitzwilliam Square. Weather conditions could not have been better as we ran the Georgian streets of the city, cheered on by the huge number of spectators and well wishers.

The Dublin City Marathon is truly an international marathon and to speak with so many overseas visitors made yesterday’s race all the sweeter. As the challenge came to an end, I could not have asked for a better finish than by achieving a new Personal Best of 3hours, 37minutes and 02seconds! Crossing that finish line is a memory I will cherish for a long time to come.

So that’s it for the SITE Runs Ireland Four Marathon Challenge 2008. Who knows what challenges lie ahead so watch this space. For anyone thinking of running a marathon in 2009, may I highly recommend being part of Dublin’s 30th City Marathon on October 26th 2009 and being part of this wonderful event.

Thanks to everyone who has wished me all the best throughout the year, shown their support in so many ways and donated generously to Aware, an Irish based charity helping people who suffer from depression and their families.

Instead of Come on Legs it’s now time to say Rest up Legs!

Ken

SITE Run the World – Final Stage of Ken’s Four Marathon Challenge

It’s been an incredible year so far. I have had the pure joy of running in some of Ireland’s finest cities and rural areas, made new friends along the way as well as getting competitive with the Clarion Hotel Cork as Custom Ireland went head to head in a relay event back in June. These seem like distant memories now as I look to the weekend ahead and my final challenge of the year; the Dublin City Marathon on Monday 27th October 2008. This marathon means so much to me not only because it represents the last marathon in the Four Marathon Challenge but it was also the location for my very first marathon back in 2007. Dublin, the capital city of Ireland and my hometown, means so much to me and the marathon course shows what a beautiful, diverse city I live and work in.

As the 11,000+ participants line the streets of Dublin on Monday, I will be thinking of all the support I have been given throughout the year from colleagues, friends and family. I will also think positively of the SITE Run the World Initiative, which has managed to get people out and active on a global scale. I am also delighted to use this challenge as a way of generating awareness of mental health and the great work being carried out by Aware, an Irish based charity helping those who suffer from depression. For more about Aware, visit www.aware.ie and for donations, visit http://sponsorme.aware.ie/event/dublin-city-marathon/klyons/.

With no times in mind, I am relishing the opportunity to simply run the streets of Dublin on Monday, enjoy the atmosphere and support from the huge numbers of spectators and to share stories with fellow runners. This is an event not to be missed for those in or around Dublin and for those from further afield and into running, you should earmark this marathon as a must participate event.

Here’s to pounding the pavements on Monday and to hopefully achieving my four marathon goal. Best of luck to all participants in the Dublin City Marathon.

Over and out.

Ken

Top Gear Live

Top Gear Live, Dublin – Custom Ireland Packages

Top Gear Live makes its Dublin debut at the RDS this November.

The action packed event will feature a live version of the popular TV show and a Prestige & Performance car exhibition. Join the excitement as the infamous trio; Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond & James May, present a series of 75 minute shows throughout the event.

Custom Ireland is offering combined hotel and ticket packages to two of the weekend shows – Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th November.

Click here for more information

Go “Wilde” at the Westbury Hotel, Dublin, Ireland

On a day that brought us sunshine, rain and rainbows, the Custom Ireland Team made their way up Dublin’s main shopping street, Grafton Street, to the Westbury Hotel. This 5star hotel has an ideal location in Dublin city centre with Grafton Street acting as its very own front garden!  Much loved by the Irish as well as overseas visitors, the Westbury has a strong reputation for old world charm and luxury. With this in mind recent refurbishments had to be carried out with the utmost of care and thought. After inspection, I can safely say they passed that test! The Westbury Hotel is now fresher than ever; soft colours and designer lighting give the corridors and public spaces a new airy feel. The bedrooms are pure luxury; from 300 count frette linen to Aqua di Parma toiletries, every room in this hotel is special with each room having its own Nespresso coffee machine. Don’t even get me started on the luxury suites….

There has been much talk about “Wilde” the Restaurant at the Westbury recently, and with good reason. This dining room has undergone a massive transformation and now offers high end dining in plush surroundings. The layout affords guests a sense of privacy and the fresh flowers on every table add an extra touch of class. Enough of all that. What about the food you may ask…. The lunchtime menu offers two courses at €25 and three courses at €35 so lunch at Wilde would definitely be seen as a treat. As far as treats go, I am confident you will not be disappointed.

Before ordering, the service staff had shown us the selection of raw meats available to order; something not seen too often in Dublin but a very nice touch. From the efficient and friendly service staff to what was served on our plates, I would be hard pushed to find fault with Wilde. Some recommendations; the Cashel Blue cheese and fig tart served as a starter was a real treat, the hake as a main course was a popular choice, and those with enough room left opted for the apple and cinnamon crumble for dessert, which hit the spot just nicely. Rounded off with a good black coffee, this lunch demonstrated that Wilde the Restaurant and the Westbury are serious about luxury and the finer things in life!

Before I forget, if it’s simply a catch up over a cocktail you’re after, the Marble Bar at the Westbury is “luxurious cool” rolled up in one (try the “Wilde” signature cocktail) so sit back, relax and raise a glass to the rejuvenated 5star Westbury Hotel.

KL

A Taste of Dublin, Iveagh Gardens, 13th June

Mid-June already and the Taste Festivals are in swing, this year adding Cork to the mix. A balmy Friday took Custom Ireland to the Iveagh Gardens in Dublin’s heart for what promised to be an evening of foodie leisure.

This summer event, now in its third year, has expanded since it’s origins at Dublin Castle to include a wide array of food and drink suppliers showing and selling their ‘wares’ from white stalls lined throughout the picture-perfect gardens. Tasty bites and beverages are acquired only using florins, the currency of the festival, which can be bought throughout the grounds or on first buying your entrance ticket.

As an example of a possible menu to be sampled, I enjoyed a starter of exquisite black pudding in a tart tatin with apple and leek (Locks Restaurant), a main course of the most succulent lamb kebab and mint yogurt from Venu, followed by dessert on the double courtesy of Bon Apetit(raspberry bavarois) and the King Sitric (chocolate, meringue & almonds).

A regular entrance ticket allows you to float throughout, picking and choosing as you go. The more ‘elite’ might be found in a specially imported two storey marquee, where even the toilets are plush. On Friday, for example, chef Derry Clarke was catering to the VIP tables throughout the evening.

It’s not just about eating, but about seeing ‘real’ chefs in action too. Demonstrations run throughout the day; some for participating, others simply for observing. It is an atmospheric experience where people, food & drink, trees, sky and music fuse. And then there’s all the free ‘stuff’… a Magnum ice cream here, a yogurt there, a sliver of Lindt chocolate, a shot of espresso, a flute of bubbly. Quite delish!

LC

SITE Run the World / SITE Runs Ireland – The Latest!

Cork City Marathon, 2nd June 2008

In the beautiful city of Cork in the south of Ireland, the scene was set for the third event in the SITE Runs Ireland challenge. This time, however, things heated up a little and a new challenge was set. The result; a relay team from Custom Ireland went head to head with a relay team from the Clarion Hotel Cork! The relay event proved to be a great way to get staff out training together and working toward this challenge. An early start to the day saw up to 8,000 participants throng the streets of Cork and the atmosphere was incredible. A solid performance from the Clarion team secured their victory over the Custom Ireland team but all was not lost… In his third marathon, Ken from Custom Ireland, achieved a new PB of 3hours, 46minutes and 9seconds, pipping the Clarion relay team by 1 minute!

 So adorned with medals and souvenir t-shirts, members of both teams decided to find out what Cork city had to offer and they were not disappointed. From quality restaurants to narrow side streets full of character and traditional bars with friendly service and a genuinely open and welcoming atmosphere wherever we went, we settled back into our rooms at the Clarion Hotel Cork with smiles on our faces and many a story to be told…..

This is an event that definitely warrants a return visit and a city that warrants further investigation!

A break is now in order for Ken as he reflects on his first three events and plots new goals for his final marathon in Dublin on the 27th October. Could he be persuaded to run at an overseas event….. there is only one way to find out and that’s to challenge him.

A big thanks to both the Clarion Hotel Cork and the Custom Ireland crew for being fantastic sports and taking on this challenge and making this first experience of the Cork City Marathon such a memorable one.

KL

SITE RTW / SITE Runs Ireland – The Challenge Continues!

Belfast City Marathon, 5th May 2008

The sun was shining on Belfast upon arrival and I couldn’t help but get excited about the task at hand. It had been a year since my last visit to Belfast and so much has changed since then. The architectural wonder that is Victoria Square has opened and is home to some of the biggest names in retail and although not full finished, is a welcome addition to the city of Belfast. Monday morning, the 5th May and with the weather looking good for the day it was time to make my way to the iconic City Hall building on Donegall Square, which was the race starting point. Joined by thousands of fellow runners the atmosphere was incredible if not a little tense as many runners were taking on the marathon challenge for the first time!

9am and we were on our way, taken out of the city in a loop to re-enter the city 6miles later. Beautiful stretches along the Lagan, running through historic districts, I could not help but feel that I was experiencing all elements of Belfast both past, present and future. As the race neared it’s end, a lap of Ormeau park was on the cards and spectators were out in full force showing their support. 3Hours, 52minutes and 23seconds later, I crossed the finish line and with the adrenaline pumping, everyone became my new best friend as the adventure was relived, sore muscles were stretched out and some serious “carb” and H2O loading was done!

The rest of my Monday consisted of eating tasty food at the Grill Room and Bar to the back of City Hall, taking a drive through Stranmillis and seeing the beautiful Queens University before unwinding in the ueber-funky Mal Maison Hotel on Victoria Street, my HQ for my stay in Belfast. This hotel exudes understated coolness with friendly, casual service throughout. With emphasis on minimal lighting and plush decor, the hotel is the ideal choice for a Belfast break with a dollop of luxury. I experienced Mal life and I know I’ll be back for more!

With two races down and two to go, all attention now turns to Cork City in the south of Ireland, where I will attempt my third marathon on the 2nd June. To make things a little more interesting, there will also be a Custom Ireland relay team entered who will go head to head with a relay team from the Clarion Hotel Cork. Watch this space for the outcome of the “It’s a Corker” relay challenge!

Big hello to Lee from Portadown running on behalf of Tiny Life and all those who participated on Monday the 5th May making this a must attend marathon event. Well done Belfast.

KL