Olympics 2012

The Countdown Has Begun

All eyes will be on London as the countdown has begun with the final preparations being put in place. From archery to wrestling there are 54 Irish athletes that have managed to represent their country at the highest level. A total of 15,000 athletes from 204 countries have entered the elite club of becoming Olympic participant. 

For many of these athletes it has been years of dedication and sacrifice to achieve their lifelong dream of winning a gold medal and carrying the flag for their country, an estimated 4 billion people will watch the games over the 3 weeks.Thousands of Irish supporters along with Chef de Mission Sonia O’Sullivan will flying over the pond to soak up a once in a lifetime opportunity of experiencing the Olympic atmosphere.

The Opening Ceremony will kick off at 9pm on Friday 27th July to the sound of the largest harmonically bell in Europe. Then all 15,000 athletes will parade around the stadium flying their nations flag, athletes will enter in alphabetical order except for Greece who will enter first. Once all countries have entered the stadium the Olympic flag will be raised and the Olympic touch lit to represent the official opening of the Olympic Games.

The very best to the Irish Team and lets hope there will be a few gold medals coming home with you!!

Bruce Springteen

Yes, the BOSS is back in Dublin!!! 

Bruce Springsteen is back to play the RDS this 17th & 18th July for two unforgettable shows. He arrives in Dublin after the end of his 49th European show of his “Wrecking Ball” world tour, then it’s back home to finish off his 68th show in New Jersey in September.

 Bruce Springsteen has certainly developed strong loyal fans from his first concert 27 years ago in Slane Castle and playing numerous concerts in Dublin since then and selling over 120 million albums worldwide. I doubt fans will be disappointed if it is anything like his Madrid concert on 17th June 2012 were he sang for near 4 hours straight singing some of is classics “ dancing in the dark” and “the rising” while also singing some of the songs from his latest album. 

Why not grab a bite to eat from one of our most popular specials “Burger Night” and then take a leisurely stroll up to the concert. 

"Burger Night"

8oz Beef or Chicken Fillet Burger 

with spicy coleslaw crispy bacon & Fries

 Plus a Glass of Wine or Pint of Beer 

€12.95 

Call us on : 01 6142000 / info@sandymounthotel.ie 

Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence 2012

We are delighted to have been awarded a Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence again for 2012. Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to give us their feedback!

• Sandymount Hotel

Sweny's Pharmacy & Bloomsday 2012

 
Our intern visited the charming Sweny's Pharmacy recently and found out what they will be doing for Bloomsday 2012.

James Joyce fan or not, Sweny’s is a must for everyone visiting or living in the Dublin. Without trying to sound too cliché, walking into this historic pharmacy is truly stepping into the past. From the moment I pushed open the old, wooden door I instantly fell in love with this tiny place that you literally sometimes have to step sideways to fit in. James Joyce wrote about Sweny’s in Ulysses after he himself paid the pharmacy a visit. Mr. Bloom, Joyce’s main character, visits Sweny’s in search of cream for his wife but he leaves with only one thing: a bar of lemon soap.

“Mr. Bloom raised a cake to his nostrils. Sweet lemony wax. - I’ll take this one, he said”
                                    Ulysses, J.Joyce (1922)

Since then, Sweny’s has not changed a bit. Old prescription bottles and packages abandoned by their almost owners remain lining the walls of the store. Bits and pieces of times past which have been donated by various supporters are on sale. I for one fell in love with an old wooden jewelry box that I was sure was full of wonderful stories. If it weren’t for my having no room in either of my suitcases I would have bought it before anyone else could lay their eyes on it. Instead I opted for a €5 second-hand book.

Glass jars with enticing, homemade boiled sweets have made their way among the books and you can even get a bar of the famous lemon soap for just €3.50; a perfect gift for those literature lovers at home.

Sweny’s is completely run by dedicated volunteers but go in on any day and you’ll find at least one of them dressed to perfection as a chemist; coat, bow tie and all. I was lucky to speak with a volunteer and what a wonderful encounter it was. He shared with me a wealth of knowledge about Sweny’s and Joyce and there wasn’t a question I asked that he could not answer. I was told that this year for Bloomsday the shop will be renting out old time costumes for those truly dedicated to the time and works of Joyce, or for those who just want to have a bit of fun! The volunteers will dress for the occasion as well.

Pop in for daily readings of Joyce which take place Monday-Saturday all year round but be sure to get there early because there are very few seats and even fewer places to stand! Sweny’s is by far the most charming place I have been to in Dublin and after visiting I felt a true connection to the city’s past.

Flora Women's Mini Marathon Dublin

The Flora Women's Mini Marathon is less than a month away and we hope that all participants are getting on well with their training and looking forward to the event.

We are just 2 quick DART stops from the start line, and our Special Offer includes an overnight stay in one of our stylish rooms with breakfast the next morning and complimentary parking for the full day of the event from just €49.50 per person sharing. Call us on 01 614 2000 or email info@sandymounthotel.ie for more details.

After reaching the finish line, relax at our Tritonville Bar & Terrace or in our gardens and treat yourself to one of our specially created (alcoholic or non-alcoholic) celebration cocktails!

Dublin Hop On, Hop Off Tour

Read about our intern's trip around Dublin on the Hop On - Hop Off Bus Tour.

Exploring all there is to see in a new city can sometimes seem daunting, especially if you’re visiting for just a short period of time, but in Dublin it’s not a problem at all with the City Sightseeing Dublin Hop On – Hop Off Bus Tour. This affordable tour (2 kids under 14 free with every fare paying adult!) allows you two days of sightseeing to Dublin’s biggest attractions! The tour is guided by the driver who provides helpful information, tips and laughs. The greatest part of it all is that as soon as you come across something you would like to explore you can get off at your leisure, do what you want and catch the next tour bus coming by. With a new bus every fifteen minutes it’s a breeze! Imagine, “front door service” to Trinity College, Grafton Street, Christ Church, Guinness Storehouse, Kilmainham Gaol, Dublin Zoo, the Jameson Distillery and more! No paying for taxis or figuring out what buses to take. Hop on the tour at any of its 24 stops at any time that suits you. It is completely at your convenience! And to top it off your tour ticket will also get you discounts at certain attractions.

For my tour I chose a seat in the lower level of the bus since it was early and still a little cold. However, any warmer and I would have been in the open-air top level basking in the sun. The driver was exceptionally kind and helpful (even at 9:30am!) and during the tour I was particularly intrigued by the deer we spotted in Phoenix Park, the Dublin Zoo (also in Phoenix Park) and Kilmainham Gaol, all amazing ways to spend a day or two in Dublin. Overall the Dublin Hop On-Hop Off tour offers you the biggest bang for your buck and is the best and only way to see all that Dublin City has to offer.

Tickets for the tour can be purchased at Sandymount Hotel's Reception, where we can also give you advice on tourist sights to visit and things to do during your stay.

Viking Splash Tour

Our intern has been out and about seeing the sights of Dublin again, this time with Viking Splash Tours.

Learn To Roar Like A Viking!

Having been on a few walking tours of Dublin I found the Viking Splash Tour to be a refreshing take on touring the city. I climbed aboard the big yellow boat on wheels and was sure to put on a signature Viking helmet, horns and all! A group of children celebrating a tenth birthday anxiously awaited the start of the tour, the parents accompanying them just as happy and excited to be there. Our tour guide, dressed in his Viking costume, immediately started in with plenty of humour and kept it coming throughout the entire tour. For the full hour and fifteen minutes I did not stop laughing and the best part was that I walked away with new knowledge too! For instance, did you know that the Dawson Lounge is the smallest pub in Dublin and it can only hold 36 people? Or that the “urban forest” in front of the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre cost 8 million dollars to complete? Plenty more bits of information about the city were shared throughout the journey but you’ll have to take the tour yourself to find out!

The absolute best part of the tour was roaring at people on the streets. Before departing, your tour guide is sure to teach you the best and loudest way to do it. The goal is to get the most unsuspecting travellers. Only until you do so will you understand the real fun of it! The length of the tour (one hour and fifteen minutes) was perfect, not too long, not too short and worth every cent! And yes, the boat on wheels does actually go into the water. After the boat is transformed by yellow floats and you make a quick switch into life jackets it’s time for the switch from land to water. Explore the Docklands and even see U2’s recording studio! Circle the water and make the climb back on land for the trip back. The humour, sights and sounds make this adventure enjoyable for adults and children alike.