IRISH FESTIVALS 2014

Festival season is fast approaching and we are very excited about this. Musical and cultural festivals have hit the island of Ireland by storm. Are you new on the festival scene or are you a yearly reveler? The only major festival in Ireland for so long was The Oxegen music festival held in Punchardstown but now there is such a variety of festivals to choose from that trying to decide what festival to attend this year is going to be a tough decision.

The Fleadh Cheoil Na hEireann is the world’s largest traditional musical festival and is running from the 10th to the 17th of August 2014 in Sligo.  The Fleadh offers visitor the chance to experience music sessions on the street and music competitors giving it their all. This festival has daily musical sessions from national and international musicians. Visitors to the Fleadh Cheoil will get ingrossed in the traditional music of Ireland. A trip to Sligo for The Fleadh Cheoil is an event that you should definitely mark in your diary for summer 2014 in Ireland.

Longitude 2014 running from Friday the 18th to Sunday the 20th of July is a festival not to be missed. Held in Marley Park Rathfarnham Dublin this festival offers a variety of musical talent from all over. The line up this year is spectacular with artists ranging from Massive Attack, Bastille, Ben Howard to Roosevelt. Longitude 2014 is definitely a festival to mark in your diary.

Castle Palooza Music and Arts Festival is running from Friday the 1st to Sunday the 3rd of August and is being held on the grounds of Charlaville Castle in Tullamore Co Offaly. Spread out over 2,000 acres this festival offers something for everyone. The festival attracts a host of artists from acts like The Charlantans to The Brad Pitt Light Orchestra to Kenny Bogan and Katie Kim. While most festival goers will camp out in tents this year the festival is offering boutique camping. Boutique camping allows you to rent out 1 and 2 tier bell tents for the duration of the festival. These tents have an additional charge. The Castle Palooza Music and Arts Festival is a festival not to miss.

Body and Soul is a festival of surprise. The festival is held in Ballinlough Co Meath and is running from Friday the 20th to Tuesday the 24th of  June. The organisers of the festival say that is  “about atmospheric engineering rather than main attractions and hype. We want our festival-goers to enjoy an “experience” rather than just a gig – we’re sustainability conscious, without being too-in-your-face; unique rather than boutique. We’re an independent festival with a heart-shaped mind and a cutting-edge soul." What makes this festival very appealing is that it offers more than just music. You can dance under the stars, relax in the hot tub, treat yourself to a massage, listen to acoustic sounds or just soak up the atmosphere of the festival. Relatively new on the festival scene Body and Soul has gone from strength to strength and we tip this as one of the hottest festivals in Ireland for summer 2014.

Electric Picnic 2014 is shaping up to be one of the hottest festivals to hit Ireland this summer.  Now in its 10th year the festival located in Stradbally Co Laois is running from Friday the 29th to Sunday the 31st of August and it attracts festival goers from all walks of life. The line up this year is spectacular with artists from Lilly Allen to Paolo Nutini to The Pet Shop Boys. Rock out and dance along to your favourite songs and artists at Electric Picnic 2014.






All the staff at The George Fredric Handel Hotel are very excited for summer 2014.

Bloom In The Park 2014


Blooming fantastic! 51 days to go until Bloom in the park 2014. Board Bia’s Bloom, Ireland’s leading flower, food and family festival is now in it’s 8th year and attracts over 110,000 visitors. Located over 70 acres of The Phoenix Park visitor’s center a day at Bloom will be a day well spent. Running from Thursday the 29th of May to Monday the 2nd of June this is an event not to be missed.

Whether you are a gardening enthusiast or you just want a great day out then The Bloom Flower show will not disappoint. Visitors can walk around the botanical and floral art in bloom exhibition or visit the 2014 supergarden which will be unveiled during the festival or sample some national and international cuisine at the food village. Visitors can expect to see flowers from around the globe with feature displays unveiling the best of Irish plants and flowers.

There is such a variety of attractions and activities to choose from that a one day trip to The Bloom Flower Show may not seem long enough. The show offers something for everyone from gardening advice, to cookery demonstrations, live entertainment to fun events for the children. There are a variety of packages available for entry to the show so be sure to check them out before you attend.

If you are looking to incorporate the flower show with an overnight stay in Dublin for the June bank holiday weekend then The George Frederic Handel has great offers available. The Bloom festival is only a short distance from the hotel so after a long day out in The Phoenix Park you can relax and unwind in the peaceful surrounding of the George Frederic Handel Hotel. Guests will receive a free bottle of wine with every stay booked direct through the website.

Book your stay now at The George Frederic Handel Hotel!

Easter in Ireland 

Good Friday is a religious holiday observed primarily by Christians commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary. The holiday is observed during Holy Week as part of the Paschal Triduum on the Friday proceeding Easter Sunday, and may coincide with the Jewish observance of Passover.

Traditions and beliefs are changing and for many the tradition of attending mass and refraining from eating meat are no longer practiced. Extended mass services can be enough to put people off. When something is forbidden we desire it more.  Alcohol and Good Friday were always considered a sin but we seem to be a changing nation.

Easter Saturday or Bright Saturday, on the Christian calendar is the Saturday following the festival of Easter. Easter Saturday is the day preceding the Octave Day of Easter. What will you be doing this Easter Saturday? Will you be observing tradition and attending mass, spending it with family or attending local events in your area?

Easter Sunday is a Christian festival celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ on the third day after his crucifixion at Calvary as described in the New Testament. Easter is the culmination of the Passion of Christ, preceded by Lent, a forty-day period of fasting, prayer, and penance. After a lengthy 40 day period on the run up to Easter what will you be doing to mark the resurrection of Christ?

Looking to relax and spend time with family and friends then why not book a stay here at The George Frederic Handel Hotel in the heart of Dublin

St. Patrick's Day Dublin Parade 2014

It’s a national holiday that’s celebrated in more countries than any other. It’s the day that gets the whole world to think green and go green. But if you really want to get a piece of the party, you’ve got to come to Ireland on the 17th of March. Ireland on St Patrick’s Day is unlike anywhere else in the world!

Ireland celebrates its patron saint St. Patrick on the 17th of March each year. Dublin stages the biggest and most extravagant St. Patrick's Day Parade outside New York. Literally half of Dublin's one million population plus more than a hundred thousand visitors from all over Ireland and from abroad line the parade and turn it into Ireland's largest street carnival. Traditionally, on St. Patrick's Day Dubliners wear something green, a t-shirt, sweatshirt or even an odd scarf will do, and watch the parade before drowning the shamrock, that is having a pint or two in one of the many pubs lining the route of the parade. More than 675,000 revellers watched the 2009 parade through Dublin's streets. Marching bands from Ireland, Europe and the USA partake in the parade. The music played at the parade ranges from Irish pipe and drum marches to current chart hits and bands compete with each other in costumes and dance routines. The award for Best Marching Band in 2009 went to a German carnival band from the Black Forest. A typical Dublin St. Patrick's Day Parade also features a dozen or more floats and pageants, all extravagantly decorated. Every year, the Dublin parade is traditionally closed by the roar of engines of the city's motor bikers on their Harley Davidsons and Honda Gold Wings.

                  

Over the years, an ever increasing number of events have been launched to warm up Dubliners and tourists alike for the parade day. Comedy, theatre, music, arts and sports events now form part of the official St. Patrick's Day Festival which lasts for up to a week before the parade takes place on the 17th of March.

While 5.5 million pints of Guinness are consumed daily around the world, on St Patrick's Day that number rises to 13 million. This celebratory day actually evolved into a national holiday by chance. It was originally just like any other religious feast day, but it just happened to fall during Lent. Lent meant abstaining from many personal indulgences, and St Patrick’s Day in between gave everyone a little break. U2 front-man Bono explained it all during a televised St Patrick’s Day Special on Channel 4 a few years ago: “The whole thing about Lent – as any Irishman will tell you – is that it stops on St Patrick’s Day.”

St. Patrick's Day 2014 will again bring visitors from all over the globe to Ireland's shores. While there will be big events in all the major cities and town's, many will be drawn to Dublin for the 3 days festival, running from 14th to 17th, with the 17th being the official bank holiday in Ireland.

There are a glorious array of events this year. The suite of entertainment are based around the history of St. Patrick himself, live music and street entertainment, greening the city, beer festivals and of course the parades that are hosted all over Ireland on 17th of March. You can read in detail about all these events on the official St. Patricks Day festival website. There will be funfairs at 3 locations across Dublin - Merrion Square, Wolfe Tone Park and Custom House Quay.

The George Frederic Handel Hotel is an excellent place to base yourself for the St. Patrick's Day festivities in Dublin. Located in the heart of Temple Bar, you will be right in the middle of all the action! 

Book one of our exclusive Dublin Packages for St. Patrick's Day 2014

Lá Fhéile Pádraig Sona Duit!!!

Mothers Day in Dublin

Mothers Day Sunday 30th March 2014

Here in Ireland Mother’s Day (or Mothering Sunday) is celebrated on the fourth Sunday of Lent. This custom started when hundreds of years ago, Christians used this mid-Lent Sunday to honour their “Mother Chruch” (the church in their hometown) and the Virgin Mary. Servants and apprentices would be getting this Sunday off to travel to their hometown to attend church there and afterwards they’d be visiting their mothers and bring gifts of food, flowers which were blessed in church first and they’d be taking on some of their mothers’ chores. Nowadays on Mother's Day here in Ireland, Mum's are being spoiled (we hope!) with flowers and presents and kids and husbands are showing Mum's just how much they are appreciated. 

At the George Frederic Handel Hotel, we are running an amazing competition, that gives you the perfect opportunity to spoil your Mum this Mother's Day! Just like our facebook page or our Handel Hotel Group facebook page and share the post to be in with a chance to win!
Just one entry per person is necessary. 

Garth Brooks Dublin Concerts

Country music superstar Garth Brooks has added a fifth Irish date – making him the first music act to play five nights in a row at the Croke Park!

Thousands queued overnight around the country in the hope of getting their hands on tickets for the fourth night of Garth's show when it went on sale at 9am this morning – it sold out in just 29 minutes.
However fans who were still in the queue when all the tickets were gone for July 28 were thrilled to hear Garth had announced a fifth date on July 29 and tickets were going on sale immediately – meaning their long wait was not in vain.

Ticketmaster Ireland once again reported a high demand for tickets today as it's expected to be Garth's last Irish date - but then again, you never know!!
Croke Park is the fourth largest stadium in Europe and has a capacity of 82,300. The five nights in Croke Park is equivalent to forty (yes forty!) nights in the O2 Dublin!

Book your accommodation for Garth Brooks Dublin Concert Today!

Croke Park is easily accessible from our The George Frederic Handel Hotel central location, either on foot, by bus or a short taxi ride.
Our reception team will be delighted to assist with any directions you require on the day.

Valentines Day in Dublin

Things to do in Dublin on Valentine's Day

Valentine’s Day…all the singletons resent it and lovers love it! Regardless of how you feel about it though, there’s no denying it’s the perfect excuse for a little bit of romance in our otherwise unromantic lives. A time to show you’re better half just how much they mean to you. And I don’t mean by just buying a box of chocolates, a few roses and a card – anybody can do that. I mean by giving them something special, something for the two of you to enjoy, something you can look back on and remember the date. Dublin offers so many wonderful ways to say "Be my Valentine" and maybe to even pop the question if the mood takes you!
Why not spend this Valentine’s Day in the City? Be romantic and spontaneous and make this day one to remember for your sweetheart! We’ve put together some suggestions on things you can do in Dublin this Valentine’s Day…take note!

1. A Date with Dublin

The Temple Bar Cultural Trust is running twelve hours of events on Valentine’s Day, from noon to midnight. They’ve come up with lots of interesting ideas, from a tour of the National Gallery of Art to look at the most romantic paintings, to musical performances at the Shrine of St. Valentine
For more information visit here

2. Vintage Valentine’s Day Dress Dance at the Workman’s Club. 

Put on your best vintage outfit and go back in time to an era where quiffs, fire engine liptsick, slow sets and Tom Collin’s cocktails are the order of the day. It’s the perfect Valentines shindig for lovers and potential suitors, foxy fellas and swingin’ gals!
For more information visit here

3. Guinness Storehouse Tour for Two

Visit Dublin’s top visitor attraction and relax after the tour with a taste of the “black stuff” and take in the panoramic views of Dublin from the Gravity Bar.
Book our Guinness Storehouse package at The George Frederic Handel Hotel, which includes overnight accommodation and tickets to the Guinness Storehouse for two.

4. Woo at the Zoo

We love the name of the Zoo’s celebration on Valentine’s Day! On Saturday and Sunday, February 16th and 17th, the Zoo will be hosting a Valentine’s weekend for couples looking for that extra special experience. On their special date, couples will experience one of the city’s most unique Valentine’s Day destinations, as it is waking up for the day. Ticket holders will gain special entry to the Zoo from 8am where they will collect a romantic breakfast picnic from Haughton House then experience the early morning sights and sounds of the Zoo.
Tickets for this special Valentine’s date can be purchased online at www.dublinzoo.ie.www.Dublinzoo.ie.

5. Wine Appreciation Course in Dublin

Do you want to know everything about wine? Learn how to taste wines, judge price and quality and how they are made. This Wine Appreciation Course in Dublin makes you familiar with the world of wines. The course will have practical tasting sessions and tutorials to learn about the differences between wines.
For more information visit here

6. The Tea Room 

The Clarence Hotel is most famous for being owned by U2.
Dress to impress when you dine at The Tea Room, especially on weekends (or more importantly, Valentine’s day!) you might even spot a celeb or two at a nearby table.

7. Les Freres Jacques

Established in 1986 and situated in the heart of the City beside the Olympia theatre on Dublin's bustling Dame Street, expect traditional french food with the emphasis on a wide choice of Irish fish and shellfish selected daily from our local markets. Markedly romantic any night of the week, but live piano music adds an extra something special on both Friday and Saturday nights.