Every time we're lucky enough to visit Dublin, it keeps uncovering more and more experiences. It was certainly the case a few weeks back with Amplified Hotels, O'Callaghan Collection and Wallace Travel Group DMC.
O'Callaghan Hotels (represented by Amplified Hotels in the UK) is a well-known Irish hotel group with a selection of luxury and boutique hotels in Dublin. They offer a mix of modern amenities and historic charm, often located in prime areas of the city. We were lucky enough to stay and visit some of the prominent O'Callaghan Hotels in Dublin:
The Davenport: Our base for the trip and a fantastic place to stay! This hotel combines historic elegance with modern comfort. Situated in a Georgian building near Merrion Square, The Davenport offers a more classic and refined experience. It’s ideal for those looking for a sophisticated stay with easy access to the city's main sights. Real classic and classy style hotel that would be ideal for senior and VIP members to stay.
The Alex: Located near Merrion Square, The Alex is a stylish, modern hotel that blends contemporary design with a warm, welcoming atmosphere. It’s popular for its spacious rooms, vibrant bar, and close proximity to cultural attractions like Trinity College and the National Gallery. It has an amazing Secret Garden space for private dining, receptions or even something different for your round table or network events. It has a real Shoreditch feel for those who love this sort of style and vibe!
The Mont: Also near Merrion Square, The Mont is known for its trendy vibe, with modern, colourful decor and a relaxed atmosphere. It’s a great choice for travellers who want a lively, contemporary hotel experience. We had our Irish music experience in the amazing Sin Bin Bar here. This with an Irish Pub type night would work so well for groups!
These hotels are ideal for groups who want to experience Dublin’s vibrant city life while enjoying the comfort and service of a boutique hotel. The fact that all three are literally minutes walk from each other is great for group events. It mean for large groups you can mix and match your delegates across each hotel. But you can also from an F&B perspective change up each lunch or dinner to give a new experience each time. Rather than the same space for breakfast, lunch and dinner each day.
We also had the privilege to see and experience The Green. Located just steps from St. Stephen's Green, this hotel offers a balance of modern style and historic charm. We had an evening within Pen and Player, the newest cocktail bar in Dublin, located inside the hotel. Think speakeasy's, funky vibes topped with an amazing and creative cocktail menu and outstanding tapas style menu. It's absolutely one to put on your list to visit and would be a great event option.
Group Activities and Experiences:
Pearse Lyons Distillery is a boutique whiskey and gin distillery located in the heart of Dublin, specifically in the historic Liberties area, known for its rich distilling heritage. The distillery is housed in a renovated church, St. James' Church, which dates back to the 12th century, making it one of the most unique distillery experiences in Ireland.
We did a tour which in itself is amazing. Full of stories, history and being a church, it has very quirky event space. Who can say they held their event in a distillery from a converted church!
Separate from the church building there is the tasting rooms. Here we had not only a fascinating gin tasting. But we also had the opportunity to make our own gin. This of course is a slightly longer experience, but in 2 hours, you have learned and experienced lots, tried a good amount of gin and then walk away with your own bottle of personalised gin.
Key Features:
Historic Setting: The distillery is set within St. James' Church, which has been beautifully restored. The church’s original features, such as stained glass windows and the iconic spire, have been preserved, adding a unique atmosphere to the whiskey-making experience.
Gin Making Experience: Pearse Lyons Distillery produces a range of premium Irish whiskeys, including blends and single malts. The distillery emphasizes small-batch production, with a focus on quality and craftsmanship.
Guided Tours: Visitors can take guided tours of the distillery, where they learn about the history of the site, the distilling process, and the life of Pearse Lyons, the founder. Tours typically conclude with a tasting session of Pearse Lyons whiskeys.
Events and Private Functions: The distillery's unique setting makes it a popular venue for private events, including corporate functions, weddings, and other celebrations.
The Gaelic Games Experience in Dublin offers visitors a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in traditional Irish sports like Gaelic football, hurling, and camogie. These sports are deeply rooted in Irish culture and history, and the experience allows both locals and tourists to learn, participate, and enjoy them in a fun and engaging way.
Now we have to be honest. We generally have tended to steer away from these sorts of activities. Mainly because not everyone is sporty and it can be perceived as being too competitive. How wrong we were...! It's not just about the sports you can learn and play. Learning about it's origins back to tribal days and it's importance even today in communities across Ireland is incredible to learn about.
Taking part even on very basic pick ups on games and drill is good fun, active and competitive enough. We will certainly be discussing this with our client groups moving forward.
Key Highlights:
Interactive Sessions: This organization offers hands-on experiences where visitors can learn the basics of Gaelic football, hurling, and camogie. Sessions typically include a brief history of the sports, demonstrations by skilled players, and plenty of time to practice and play under the guidance of experienced coaches.
Cultural Insight: Besides the physical aspect of the games, the experience also delves into the cultural and community significance of Gaelic games in Ireland, helping participants understand why these sports are so important to Irish identity.
Active Participation: Visitors get to actively participate in the games, making it a fun and energetic experience. It’s suitable for all ages and fitness levels.
Cultural Experience: It’s not just about the sport; participants gain insight into the role these games play in Irish culture, community, and history.
Expert Guidance: Coaches and guides are usually passionate about the games and provide expert instruction, making the experience enjoyable and educational.
The Irish Music Experience offers visitors a chance to dive deep into the rich and vibrant world of traditional Irish music. This experience can be found across various locations in Dublin, where you can listen to live performances, learn about the history of Irish music, and even try your hand at playing traditional instruments.
Our experience was in The Sin Bin pub (part of The Mont Hotel). It was a great afternoon of Guinness, storytelling, sing along's and chance to learn about the origins of Irish music and how it has transformed across the years to influence modern culture, even today. It's not all about diddley diddley tunes..!
Key Highlights:
Live Performances: Whether in a pub, a concert, or a dedicated music venue, live traditional Irish music is central to the experience.
Cultural Insight: The experiences often include storytelling and historical context, helping visitors understand the role of music in Irish culture.
Interactive Opportunities: From pub crawls to music lessons, there are plenty of opportunities to actively participate in the Irish music tradition.
The Book of Kells Experience in Dublin is one of the city’s most iconic cultural attractions, offering visitors a chance to see one of the world’s most famous medieval manuscripts up close. The experience is centered around the Book of Kells exhibition at Trinity College Dublin, which provides a deep dive into the history, artistry, and significance of this ancient book.
The Old Library is a stunning space and can be hired for events. This would certainly add wow to any drinks reception or networking event. For those wanting something more modern. Then take the immersive experience outside of the main building. It's an amazing interactive walkthrough of time and history. The tour itself is fantastic, but to host an event here with this as a feature would simply be amazing for those attending.
The experience is more than the Book of Kells. Trinity College’s historic campus is worth exploring. Visitors can stroll through its cobbled courtyards, take in the Georgian architecture, and enjoy the vibrant student atmosphere. Guided tours of the campus are also available, offering additional historical context and stories about Ireland’s oldest university.
Key Features:
Experience: The Book of Kells exhibition is housed within the Old Library, one of Dublin’s most historic and picturesque buildings. The exhibition starts with a detailed introduction to the history of the Book of Kells, including its creation around 800 AD by monks, its intricate artwork, and its role in preserving Christian theology and iconography during the medieval period.
Interactive Displays: The exhibition features multimedia displays that explore the techniques used to create the book, including the pigments, inks, and vellum, as well as the cultural and religious context of the time. Visitors can also learn about the symbolism and themes within the illuminated pages.
The Manuscript: The highlight of the experience is the opportunity to view actual pages of the Book of Kells. The manuscript is displayed in a secure, climate-controlled case, with pages turned periodically to showcase different sections of the book. Visitors can admire the intricate illuminations and Latin text, which are considered masterpieces of medieval art.
Conservation Efforts: The exhibition also includes information on the ongoing conservation efforts to preserve the Book of Kells for future generations, ensuring its delicate pages remain intact.
Library Tour: After viewing the Book of Kells, visitors continue to the Long Room, the main chamber of the Old Library. This stunning room is nearly 65 meters long and houses around 200,000 of Trinity College’s oldest books. The Long Room’s dark oak shelves, high arched ceiling, and rows of marble busts of famous philosophers and writers create an awe-inspiring atmosphere.
Historic Artefacts: In addition to its impressive collection of books, the Long Room also displays other historic artefacts, including the Trinity College Harp (the oldest surviving harp in Ireland) and an original copy of the 1916 Proclamation of the Irish Republic.
Summary:
History and culture with the Book of Kells, Trinity College, learning about Irish music and Gaelic heritage. Team activities with a first class Gin School experience and trying our hand at hurling and handball. Topped with staying and exploring the fantastic portfolio of hotels through the O'Callaghan Collection.
Dublin never disappoints as a destination for events. Not only that as we found this time, it continues to offer new experiences, insights and creative event spaces for those looking for something extra with their event.
Let's discuss your next event in Dublin, get in touch. We’d be more than happy to talk through it.
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