May Santa Bring You Something Nice!

­Wishing you a M­erry Christmas ­­

and ­a ­­Happy New Year ­

from the Loughran family

and all at Sandymount Hotel.

The Festive Season at Sandymount Hotel Dublin

Have a Magical Christmas Party at Sandymount Hotel Dublin

Sandymount Hotel is returning to tradition this festive season with our magical Christmas Parties. Come along with friends, family and colleagues and warm up with a mulled wine before sitting down to a fabulous 4 course lunch or dinner in our Cordyline Restaurant. Relax in a beautiful candle-lit setting with background music and party novelties to set the ambience for your yuletide celebration. All Sandymount Hotel Christmas Party guests can avail of discounted accommodation rates and complimentary secure parking.

Call us on 01 614 2000 for more details or to make a booking.

Enjoy a Festive Stay in Dublin

Stay with us this festive season and be just a snowball's throw from Christmas shopping in the city centre, 'White Christmas', 'Handel's Messiah', and 'The Snowman Christmas Special' at Grand Canal Theatre, concerts at The O2, 'Taste of Christmas' and 'The ToyShow Experience' at The CCD and 'Funderland' and 'The Toy Show' at the RDS.

Enjoy a 2 night stay in one of our stylish rooms, full Irish breakfast each morning, and a 3 course dinner on the evening of your choice in our Tritonville Bar & Terrace. Relax after dinner with Irish coffee and mince pies.

From €104 per person sharing. Offer Subject to Availability. Terms & Conditions Apply. Call us on 01 614 2000 for more details or to make a booking.

National Lottery Dublin Marathon 2011

Internationally known as "the Friendly Marathon" because of the thousands of specators that show their support on the day, The National Lottery Dublin Marathon takes place on Monday 31st October this year, with a record 14,000 entrants set to take part.

Here are just a few reasons why Sandymount Hotel is the ideal place to stay if you are taking part in this year's Dublin Marathon or coming to cheer someone on.

1. You can park your car for free at Sandymount Hotel and get to the Marathon start and finish line quickly and hassle-free with the DART. We are only a few steps from Lansdowne Rd DART Station which is just two stops from Pearse Station.

2. Our Tritonville Bar & Terrace will have a delicious energy-boosting pasta dish on the menu the evening before the event.

3. On the morning of the Marathon you can enjoy a light breakfast or a hearty full Irish in our Cordyline Restaurant.

4. With our Dublin Marathon Special Offer, you can come back to Sandymount Hotel after the event and freshen up (before making your way home with your medal!).

5. You can relax in one of our stylish rooms the night before the Marathon from just €39.50 per person sharing room only!

Call us on 01 614 2000 for more details or to make a booking.

Good luck to all participants!

Mid-Term Family Breaks in Dublin

Take your pick from our two great family offers, ideal for getting away during this Autumn's mid-term break. Choose from a great value room only rate and enjoy a stay in one of our stylish rooms from just €79 a night, or select our 2 night package with full Irish breakfast each morning in our Cordyline Restaurant and 3 course dinner in our Tritonville Bar & Terrace on the evening of your choice from a total package rate of just €218. Both options include complimentary secure parking and WiFi.

Our exclusive Dublin 4 location makes us the ideal place for a family stay, out of the hustle and bustle at just a stone's throw from beautiful Sandymount Strand and Herbert Park, yet only minutes from Dublin city centre. Call us on 01 614 2000 for more details or to make a booking.

There's plenty to keep both kids and parents entertained in Dublin and we've listed just a few options below to help you get started on deciding what to do and see.

The Viking Splash Tour
A fun and exciting way to see the sights of Dublin from both land and water on board Amphibious World War II DUKWs!

Dublinia
Take a trip back in time at Dublinia, where you can see what life was like onboard a Viking warship, visit a Viking house and a Viking street, experience a busy medieval market, see a rich merchant's house, walk along a noisy medieval steet, and much more.

The Natural History Museum
Explore the wondrous diversity of life on display at The Natural History Museum, which houses species from Ireland and the far corners of the globe, both extinct and still to be seen today.

The National Leprechaun Museum
Visit a world of fascinating folklore and echanting stories with this captivating and interactive experience, where you can find out what it's like to live in a leprechaun-sized world.

The National Wax Museum Plus
Four floors of discovery, interaction and exhibition await you at The National Wax Museum Plus, including the Children's Enchanted World where you can visit the magical tunnels and see The Simpsons, Batman and more.

Dublin Zoo
Located in the Phoenix Park, Dublin Zoo is home to some 600 animals in an environment where education and conservation combine for an exciting and unforgettable experience. There are plenty of amazing animals to discover including tigers, hippos, bats, rare monkeys, gorillas, chimpanzees, red pandas and reptiles to name but a few!

The Big Wheel
See Dublin from a whole new perspective with a ride on the Wheel of Dublin at the Point Village, where you can enjoy 360-degree views of the city and its coastline from your own enclosed (weather-proof!) pod.

UCD Marian Basketball Club

Sandymount Hotel has been sponsoring UCD Marian Basketball Club for a number of years and hosts a visiting player each season. Donnie Stith, this season's visiting player, very kindly took time out from training to pose for a few snaps at Sandymount Hotel.

"Donnie is from Virginia Beach, Virginia and after graduating from High School he earned a scholarship to Tulane University in New Orleans. Tulane play in Conference USA, one of the top basketball conferences in America. After completing his studies in Tulane, Donnie was signed by a team in the Austrian League. After a two year stay there he went to play in professional basketball in Malaysia. The 6”8 Stith should give Marian a great low post presence for the season. In his first game, a pre-season game against American School Stony Brook, he scored 16pts, had 12 rebounds but also had 6 blocks."

Herbert Park Centenary Celebrations

Come along this Sunday 21st August and celebrate the Herbert Park Centenary with us! Formally opened in 1911 by Lord Aberdeen, the park will celebrate its 100th birthday with a Family Fun Day from 1 until 5pm.

As well as a model train for kids' rides, face painting, model boats on the pond, a carousel and a climbing wall, there will also be a Tai Chi and yoga sanctuary, chess champions to take on, musical entertainment and more.

Sandymount Hotel will be in the Donnybrook / Ballsbridge Traders Food Tent so be sure to stop by and say hello!

More details can be found here.

Win Tickets to Ireland v France at Aviva Stadium

Win 2 tickets to see Ireland play France at Aviva Stadium on Saturday 20th August, along with an overnight stay in one of our stylish rooms and full Irish breakfast in our Cordyline Restaurant.

To enter, simply

1) Like our Facebook page

2) Email us at competitions@sandymounthotel.ie with the answer to the following question:

What is the name of the sculpture in Sandymount Hotel's front grounds?

(For a hint, see our Exterior Image in our Photo Gallery.)

Entries must be in by Friday 12th August. The winner will be notified by email and on our Facebook Page on Monday 15th August.

The prize is for 2 people and applies to Saturday 20th August only.

Only one entry per person will be accepted.

No part of the prize can be exchanged.

Terms & Conditions Apply.

A Visit to the National Leprechaun Museum

Read about our staff member's recent visit to the National Leprechaun Museum below!

Being American, and growing up with the image of a Lucky Charm’s box for a leprechaun, I decided I had to see the National Leprechaun Museum. Upon my just-in-time arrival of two minutes before closing, I was greeted by a man who claimed he was not a leprechaun, but could certainly pass as one. (he told us this himself, many times.)

For the beginning of the tour we learned quite a bit about Irish folklore, how the leprechaun has evolved through the years and what people around the world actually think of this little creature. After this, we were left on our own to first make our way through the long hallway of mirrors, which are there to make you feel just like a little man yourself. Then, after passing through we got to experience Dublin’s very own mini Giant’s Causeway. My personal favorite was the room with the extremely oversized furniture, also there to make you feel quite small. For the last part of our tour we got to sit in the ‘forest’ and were told a lovely fairytale.

All in all, I would say this is a great little museum. Definitely worth the time, and very inexpensive price. As the Irish would say it was “a great bit of craic!”

“May the Road Rise Up to Meet You…”

A big thank you to our intern who finished up with us last week, for all her hard work (an example of which is our great new video shown here) and enthusiasm - read her last blog post below!



“May the Road Rise Up to Meet You…”

These past couple months working at Sandymount Hotel have gone by faster than the Dublin buses if you don’t put your arm out to hail them.

Words can not even begin to describe what this experience has meant to me. Truth be told when I found out back in April that I would be working at a hotel, I had no idea what to expect. Sure I’ve stayed in hotels before and have enjoyed jumping on the beds, but work in one? It had never come across the “this-is-what-I-want-to-do-with-my-life” radar. But oh boy, how glad I am it did! I could have not gotten any luckier with my job placement and the people I was privileged enough to work alongside. I truly have been welcomed into the Sandymount Hotel family since the first day I arrived, and I only hope I have returned some of the compassion and care they have shown me.

Quickly and directly I would like to address my lovely colleagues & bosses that have enriched my time here in Dublin in more ways than they’ll ever realize:
Firstly, thanks for this opportunity. Seriously. Trusting your company’s livelihood with a fourth year college student can be daunting, especially one who does not have much formal internship experience. You have given me the room to spread my wings and grow as a marketer and as a person. You listened to all my crazy ideas and even let me go through with some of them! From somewhat “cheeky” sidewalk ads all over Sandymount, to Grafton Street hand-outs, and from the face-in-the-hole statue that hopefully one day will happen, to my first ever YouTube upload. You have shown me in the most humble way, how to be good at business, all while staying true to yourself, your product, and to each other. I was able to witness such exquisite minds and personalities through you all! Too many times American businesses can concentrate on just making money, and here at Sandymount Hotel I have been able to observe the art of a sincere business.

To you, most highly regarded guest/blog reader - It’s been a pleasure sharing just a few of my experiences with you. I appreciate your patronage and support. If you ever come to the U.S. and need a tour guide, don’t be hesitant to ask! Also, for the guests I have been lucky enough to come in contact with, whether it be calling to remind you of one of our pre-concert BBQs or speaking to you in our lobby, it has been beyond doubt so enjoyable to get to know you, even in the smallest of ways. I wish you all the best of luck and hope you come back to stay at the hotel one day!

To the future guests and Ireland travellers!
When I say that Sandymount Hotel is the best possible place to stay in Dublin, you should trust me…because I’ve been on the inside of this whole operation. Everyone here truly cares about pleasing our guests; even if it can only be for the quick blip in time that we are lucky enough to have you at the hotel.

So I could sit here and give you pages upon pages of recommendations of things to see and tours to go on, but it’s really much more fun to make your trip your own unique creation.

But I will share with you some of my only suggestions:
-Don’t worry about getting lost, sometimes that can be the most fun.
-Take loads of pictures, but also don’t be afraid to enjoy the view without looking through a lens.
-Talk to the locals, trust me, they want you to.
-Try not to compare everything to the place where you are from.
-Just follow your feet because they’ll help you stumble upon things you might have never seen.
-If you’re a female, say yes to any man over the age of 85 that asks you to dance, it will probably be the best one you’ve ever had.
-Take time and stop on Grafton or O’Connell and listen to local artists, you don’t have to pay them if you don’t want to, just enjoy it!
-Always, always carry some sort of rain gear, and don’t worry the sun will come back out.
-See the sights, stay at Sandymount Hotel, and HAVE A BLAST!

John Loughran, the truly wonderful owner, once gave me an Irish blessing and I shall pass it on:

May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
May the rains fall soft upon your fields,
And, until we meet again,
May God hold you in the hollow of His hand.

All my love, craic, and appreciation!

Yours Truly,
Sylvia
Forever and Always Sandymount Hotel Marketing Intern 2011

The Script at Aviva Stadium

To get the party started before The Script take to the stage at Aviva Stadium this Saturday we'll be having another of our fantastic BBQs! So whether you are staying with us or on your way to the concert, come along and enjoy tasty burgers, delicious salads and a great atmosphere! Keep a look out for the Spinis, who will also be joining us on Saturday!

Front Grounds of Sandymount Hotel
­From 5.00pm
­Enjoy homemade 8oz Irish beef burgers with Swiss cheese & Ballymaloe relish on a flour bap­ and drinks from our fast pour bar in the front grounds of the hotel.

Pre-Concert BBQ Buffet in our Cordyline Restaurant & Private Gardens ­
­4.30pm - 6.30pm
­Homemade 8oz Irish beef burger with Swiss cheese & Ballymaloe relish on a flour bap­
Cajun flamed chicken breasts
­Apple and sage pork sausages
Pork belly ribs marinated in BBQ sauce
­With
­New baby potato salad with chives and spring onion
Tomato and cucumber salad with feta cheese, red onion and a basil pesto dressing
Garden baby leaves with parmesan shavings in a light Caesar dressing
Beetroot salad with crème fraiche and crushed almonds
€15 Per Person
­First Come, First Served - Arrive Early to Avoid Disappointment!

Tritonville Bar & Terrace
­Our usual menu will be served from 6.30pm until 10pm, ­
and for hungry fans we will have post-concert sandwiches available from 10pm onwards.

Kissing the Stone and unCORKing Wine Bottles

More adventures from our intern....!

Kissing the Stone and unCORKing Wine Bottles

Hi again! Glad to see you back on the Sandymount Hotel blog!

Another week of my time here in Ireland has gone by and with each passing day new experiences are to be had.

If I didn’t have the “Gift of Gab” before, I definitely have it now…15 of us from the program took a trip to Cork, Blarney and Kinsale last weekend! (I was surprised that the bus ride was over 4 hours, luckily Aircoach is pretty comfortable, but taking the train probably would have been a better idea.)

First on the agenda once we got there was to cross an item off the good ole “Bucket List” and kiss the world famous Blarney Stone. Talk about a rock that gets a lot of action…



After wandering around the Blarney Castle grounds for a while (fortunately we get the best luck with weather when we’re traveling), we finally made our way up the narrow, somewhat daunting stone spiral staircase to the top of the castle where stone is located. At first glance the gap between the main part of the castle and stone is unnerving, especially for such a wee little lassie of 5 feet 2 inches as myself. The stone itself is over 100 feet up, but a while ago they added black metal bars underneath and on the sides so you can hold on while you’re thrusting your puckered lips backwards across the ravine. There is also the sweetest (possibly tipsy) older Irish gentleman that supports and holds on to you while you do the deed. I’ve included some pictures of this very bonding moment. I told him “That was my first kiss!” after kissing the stone but for some reason I don’t think he believed my blarney.



If you do get a chance to go to Blarney Castle I definitely recommend not only kissing the stone, but go exploring around the grounds for a while. There is a lot to discover on your own. There’s a really cool waterfall and “wishing steps” if you search further. Also, we didn’t know it was possible to bring a lunch or picnic items into the grounds, but definitely do that too!



After our afternoon in Blarney we headed back to Cork for the night. If you like dessert and sangria, there is a restaurant called “La Mexicana” that has THE best desserts I have ever had. The pub and club scene is nice in Cork, but honestly it just felt like a lot like Dublin. I loved the people of Cork though, very genuine and kind. They are also completely serious when they say they believe that Cork is the real capital of Ireland.

The next day (Saturday) started off rainy as we headed to Kinsale (a really awesome boat town about 30 minutes away from Cork). We shopped around and did some sight-seeing before our planned boat tour at 2pm. Kinsale Harbour Cruises had such a nice staff and with a full bar on the boat, wine was the perfect touch as we sailed around. They also provide cozy blankets for those on the top deck. Be careful while sailing and drinking red wine though…one of my friend’s sweaters will never be the same again.



We experienced more of Cork nightlife on Saturday night, and then headed back to prepare for the work week on Sunday! It had been a jam packed weekend trip.

Well as things are starting to pick up at the hotel, it’s time to run! My friends and I leave for London TONIGHT! We are all pretty pumped; I have wanted to go to London since I was a little girl. So after work, gotta run home and pack then we head to the airport!

To all the guests I phoned who are staying here this weekend for the Neil Diamond concert, I know you will have a BLAST! Remember we’re having pig-on-a-spit offered in our front grounds and the special Pre-Concert BBQ in our private gardens starting at 4:30pm on Saturday, so bring your appetite! You’ll need that energy for all that “Sweeeet Caroline Da-da-DAA” you’ll be singing!

Have a lovely weekend everyone and feel free to go “Like” the Sandymount Hotel Facebook page! It will help keep you updated on the festivities going on at the hotel.

The Best “Craic” comes from Ireland - Guest Post from our Summer Intern

Follow our summer intern's adventures as she experiences Ireland for the first time and get some great tips on where to go and what to see!

The Best “Craic” comes from Ireland

Hey y’all!

It was exactly 3 weeks and 3 days ago when I first planted my flip-flop wearing feet upon the green, lush earth of Ireland.

I am an Auburn University college student who for all her life has enjoyed the scorching summers of Texas, Alabama and Georgia (what we Americans like to called the Deep South). These summers were always full of diving boards, popsicles, tank tops, sandy beaches, and sometimes sunburns. Majoring in International Business it was only natural that I find a time to leave that behind and spend a summer abroad.

So this summer I decided to take part in my university’s Study Abroad program to Dublin! The program includes some course work, but mainly gaining internship experience in each student’s chosen fields. Luckily, I have found myself placed as the marketing intern at the best possible hotel in all of Dublin, Sandymount Hotel (previously named Mount Herbert Hotel).

Some fellow students and myself chose to arrive a week before our program started, so I have been able to experience so many wonderful things already.

One of my first new experiences was staying in a hostel! We stayed in 2 different hostels for the week prior to moving into our student housing in Santry. I can undeniably that staying a week in bunk beds and small spaces with smelly boys was about as long as the 8 of us could manage; life at the Sandymount is definitely more luxurious!

All in all the first week flew by with a blur of getting lost, staying up until the sunrise, lots of laughs, attending my first European soccer game at the remarkable and massive Aviva Stadium (which is located right beside the Sandymount Hotel), exploring around the city, checking out the pubs, eating lots of garlic cheese fries, spending way too many Euros and getting acquainted with the Irish accent (don’t let them fool you, sometimes it can seem like a whole ‘nother language).

Here are some pictures from the first week!

Since that week we have moved into our apartments along with the other 10 students from Auburn and all the other students from various universities.

The day before the holiday weekend our group went to the Guinness Factory! Which is a MUST do when you come to Dublin! After the self-guided tour, we had an INCREDIBLE dinner and desserts in the Gravity bar, where the views of the entire city were even better than the desserts.

During the holiday weekend the 18 of us took a trip out west to Galway, took an all-day bus tour and saw the Cliffs of Moher! Simply breathtaking (aka I bought at least a dozen postcards), and Galway is such a fabulous city! There was a Havana Festival going on that weekend, so there were lots to see, do and shop.

After such a wonderful trip, our first week of internships started and I have been getting acquainted to the hotel! My favorite new phrases to say are “that’s grand” and “thanks a million!”

We rode the DART, which is the super convenient rail system in Dublin (the Lansdowne Rd Station is only a few minutes’ walk from the Sandymount and just 2 stops away from city centre) and took a day trip during our second weekend to Bray. Another one of my new favorite places! We climbed the mountain there that has a beautiful cross at the top. It was grand to see the beaches of Ireland on a sunny (relatively warm) day! Also, if you ever go to Bray you MUST try the fish and chips and onion rings from this small take-away shop on the beach (especially if you like vinegar and salt!) Ever since I have eaten them, it’s all I can think about when I’m hungry.





There are lots of exciting things going on at the hotel so, I better get back to work :o) but can’t wait to share some more experiences with you about my time in Ireland!

Neil Diamond at Aviva Stadium

If you're going to see Neil Diamond next door to us at Aviva Stadium this month (along with special guest X Factor star Mary Byrne!) then take a look at our cracklin' pre concert line-up below. As always on event days, the atmosphere at Sandymount Hotel should be fantastic, so there's no better place to get your night off to a great start!

Front Grounds of Sandymount Hotel from 4.30pm­
Delicious suckling pig on a spit served in a flour bap with sautéed onions and an assortment of sauces. ­­We will also be serving drinks here from our quick pour bar.

Pre-Concert 2 Course BBQ in our Private Gardens & Cordyline Restaurant ­
­4.30pm - 8.30pm­
­Homemade 8oz Irish beef burger with Swiss cheese & Ballymaloe relish on a flour bap­
Cajun flamed chicken breasts
­Apple and sage pork sausages
Asian spiced marinated rib eye steak kebabs with peppers, mushrooms and onions
Pork belly ribs marinated in BBQ sauce
­With
­New baby potato salad with chives and spring onion
Tomato and cucumber salad with feta cheese, red onion and a basil pesto dressing
Garden baby leaves with parmesan shavings in a light Caesar dressing
Beetroot salad with crème fraiche and crushed almonds
***
Selection of Desserts­
€19.95 Per Person

Tritonville Bar & Terrace
­Our usual menu will be served from 8pm until 10pm, ­and for hungry fans we will have post-concert sandwiches available from 10pm onwards.

No booking is necessary but if you would like to reserve a table for the BBQ, ­
­please call us on +353 1 6142000 or email us on info@sandymounthotel.ie.­

Temple Bar

Image Copyright Michael John's Images

This lovely picture of bustling and lively Temple Bar was selected from our Flickr Group of Dublin images. If you are visiting Dublin you won't want to miss this popular spot, with its great pubs, restaurants, shops, buskers, and markets. To get to Temple Bar from Sandymount Hotel just hop on the DART at Lansdowne Rd, get off at either Pearse Street or Tara Street Station, and it's just a short stroll away.

The photographer gives us some background to this image and his photography below.

"I took this picture when I was shopping with my wife one Sunday afternoon in Feb 2011. I always have my camera with me and the street was bright and buzzing so I wanted to caputre the atmosphere. I also like the architecture of Dublin city and try to photograph it from unusual angles. I also photograph landscape and nature subjects and hope my images tell a story."

To see more of this photographer's images go to www.flickr.com/photos/michaeljohnsimages

Certificate of Excellence from Tripadvisor

We are delighted to have received a Certificate of Excellence from Tripadvisor!

In the words of Tripadvisor themselves, receiving this means that "Travellers have shared their opinions on TripAdvisor and they are impressed with the quality of your business".

It is always great to get feedback, whether face to face at the hotel, over email, or online. Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to let us know about their stay at Sandymount Hotel and we look forward to welcoming you back in the near future!

• Sandymount Hotel

Bloomsday Festival Literary Lunch

"Am I walking into eternity along Sandymount Strand? Crush, crack, crick, crick. Wild sea money."

To celebrate this year's Bloomsday Festival, Sandymount Hotel will be hosting a literary lunch on Saturday 11th June between one and three o'clock.

Come along and enjoy delicious Irish fayre and a selection of afternoon tea desserts with tea or coffee while being entertained with readings from Ulysses. Afterwards, walk off your lunch with a stroll along Sandymount Strand (featured in Ulysses) which is just down the road from us.

Just 15 Euro per person.

Bloomsday Period Dress Optional!

To make a booking call 01 6142000, or come along on the day.

Flora Women's Mini Marathon

The Flora Mini Marathon takes place in Dublin this June bank holiday and we have come up with two great packages for participants and their supporters, below. For more information or to make a booking, call us on 01 6142000 or email us at info@sandymounthotel.ie.

Good luck to all participants!

“Start Right Over Night” Package - €68 Per Person Sharing

• Enjoy an overnight stay in one of our stylish bedrooms
• Dinner in our Tritonville Bar & Terrace, with the choice of a specially designed pasta dish to ensure an energetic start on race day
• Full Irish or continental breakfast the morning of the race
• Complimentary parking
• Shuttle bus collection from the hotel to the city centre
• Single occupancy rates available

“Park And Stay On The Day” Package - €35 Per Person Sharing

• Complimentary parking
  
• Shuttle bus collection from the hotel to the city centre
• Shower and changing facilities in one of our stylish bedrooms
• Once refreshed, enjoy a 2 course meal in our Tritonville Bar & Terrace and if the sun is shining relax and enjoy al fresco dining in our private gardens
  

New Shuttle Bus at Sandymount Hotel

Event-goers will be delighted to hear that Sandymount Hotel now has a shuttle bus going to and from The O2 and Grand Canal Theatre! The hotel is very close to both of these Dublin venues but we wanted to make it even easier for our guests to get to and from events when staying with us. A return ticket to the Grand Canal Theatre is €4 and a return ticket to The O2 is €7, and bookings can be made at our Reception.

Heineken Cup at Sandymount Hotel

Guest Post from our Resident Rugby Fan, Eoin

The Heineken Cup knockout stage weekends are among the most eagerly anticipated dates in the rugby fan’s diary. Last weekend was no exception. The pick of the ties on this blockbuster weekend was the Anglo-Irish clash between Leinster and Leicester Tigers at the Aviva Stadium; a replay of the 2005 competition’s quarter-final which took place in the same venue, albeit then trading as Lansdowne Road.

The Aviva Stadium isn’t the only establishment in the vicinity welcoming old friends under a new moniker; only a stone’s throw away, the Sandymount Hotel, which rugby fans from these shores and beyond will recognise as the Mount Herbert Hotel, a focal point for rugby fans on match day, was gearing up for it’s first quarter final weekend since rebranding.

Rugby fans from all over the world agree that there’s no place like Dublin on game day. On Saturday afternoon I, along with many supporters, began the day in the shadow of the Aviva Stadium’s South Terrace - in the Sandymount Hotel. The place was bustling with fans from both sides of the Irish Sea, grabbing a pint and a burger, and whetting their appetite for the afternoon ahead by taking in the action between Perpignan and Toulon in the bar. With the pre-match atmosphere soaked up and only a short stroll down Herbert Road ahead of them to the stadium, the anticipation of this eagerly awaited clash began to build. The stadium came alive at 5pm, easily the most fire-up crowd I’ve experienced since the stadium reopened its doors.

If the crowd was fired up, the players were at fever pitch. An open, expansive game of rugby this was never destined to be, but what it lacked in width, it more than compensated for in physicality. It was a cagey but bruising affair and no quarter was asked nor given by either side. Shades of the 2009 final were appearing and the Tigers, while clearly lacking the creative spark of times gone by, proved they had the character and work ethic to push a more talented Leinster side all the way. You got the feeling that one try would do it for either team, and it did. We had to wait 46 minutes but it was worth the wait. A poor clearance from Ben Youngs gave Leinster the chance to counter attack. These days every time Isa Nacewa gets the ball you expect something special and when Shane Horgan fed him the ball he duly delivered. A breathtaking solo effort deserving of the decisive score, it ultimately gave Leinster the breathing space they needed to get them home, in spite of a late Tigers onslaught.

Back in the courtyard of the hotel, under the gaze of the “Sandymount Lineout”, supporters from both sides reminisced on the evening’s result into the small hours. We watched Rory McIllroy extend his lead in the US Masters - the harsh reality of his final round at that stage still 12 hours away.

Leinster fans will now be looking ahead to the visit of Toulouse in two weeks time, another huge day for Leinster rugby and another mouth-watering weekend of Heineken Cup rugby in Dublin.

Mother's Day at Sandymount Hotel

We are offering a lovely treat for mums this Sunday that the whole family can enjoy, with our Mother's Day Family Banquet!

Share an appetizer platter to start, a banquet style roast with all the trimmings, and choose from a variety of delicious desserts. Our Mother's Day Family Banquet is just €23.95 per person and we also have a kid's menu available for €8.50.

Call us on 01 6142000 to make a booking.

Sandymount Line Out

An exciting new addition to Sandymount Hotel has just been unveiled by two very special guests, Donncha O'Callaghan and Denis Leamy. Come along and see our "Sandymount Line-Out" sculpture for yourselves and put your pictures up on our Facebook page!

Ireland v England at Aviva Stadium

Ireland are playing England in their last match of this year's RBS 6 Nations on Saturday, right next door to us at Aviva Stadium! The atmosphere here at the hotel is sure to be absolutely amazing on the day.

Enjoy a bite to eat or a drink before or after the match, and if you don't have tickets come along and watch it here! We'll be showing the day's 6 Nations matches on 2 large screens in a marquee in our front grounds, where you also have a view of the stadium itself!

We'll be serving a range of food throughout the day from 12pm and will have live music playing from 9.30pm in our Tritonville Bar & Terrace.

Come on Ireland!

St Patrick's Day Dublin

The 2010 Festival highlights above will give you a taste of what to expect if you're going to be celebrating St Patrick's Day in Dublin!

Our St Patrick's Day Offer includes a complimentary Guinness in our Tritonville Bar & Terrace, an overnight stay in one of our stylish rooms, full Irish breakfast in our Cordyline Restaurant and complimentary secure parking. And we are just a few minutes by DART to the city centre and the Parade! Call us on 01 6142000 for more information or to make a booking.

Valentine's Day at Sandymount Hotel Dublin

Valentine's Day is less than a week away and love will definitely be in the air at Sandymount Hotel with our fabulous Valentine Break and Sumptuous 6 Course Valentine Dinner! We still have places available if you're looking for last minute ideas on how to treat your special someone.

Our Valentine Break is €59.50 per person sharing and includes chocolate-dipped strawberries and a glass of bubbly, romantic six course Valentine Dinner in our Cordyline Restaurant, overnight stay with complimentary upgrade to an Executive Room (subject to availability), and full Irish breakfast the next day.

Our Valentine Dinner will be served in our Cordyline Restaurant, with six sumptuous courses (including a miniature Maraschino cherry ice cream cone to finish your meal off) for just €29.50 per person. Options for Coeliac and Vegetarian Diners will also be available.

See our Facebook page for ideas on other romantic things to do in Dublin.

To book our Valentine Break or Dinner call us on +353 1 6142000.

Dublin's White Winter

Image Copyright David Soanes

What with all the snow in Dublin this winter, this great image from our Flickr Group was an obvious choice for us to feature on our blog!

Photographer David Soanes says:

"This picture was taken during December 2010 when there was more snow than I have ever seen before in my lifetime. I made sure to take as many photos of the snow as possible as it is not something that I have had the chance to document too often in the past. It was taken in Tallaght Village in Dublin and I was just trying to capture some pictures that showed off our White Christmas in all its glory. It was taken on a Canon 5d camera with a Canon 17-35mm L lens.

Lately I do a lot of street photography and architecture photography in Dublin. My first photography exhibition "Exploring Dublin" was held in the County Library, Tallaght in October 2010 and the photos can be seen here.

In Summer 2011 I hope to have another exhibition of my work - possibly an exhibition of photos I have taken of architecturally interesting and historic buildings in Dublin."

Welcome to Sandymount Hotel

In May 1955 George and Rosaleen Loughran came to Dublin from Northern Ireland and founded Mount Herbert Hotel. Sadly, they passed away in recent years, but we are proud to say that their legacy continues with their son, John, and his eldest son, Gerard, directors.

What sets this hotel apart from others in Dublin is the genuine care for and interest shown in guests who stay with us by family and staff.

In 2011 the hotel will change its name to "Sandymount Hotel". We are excited about the change as it marks a new direction, following recent enhancements which have given the hotel a new look and feel.

The name change coincides with the reopening of the Aviva Stadium next to the hotel, on the site of the oldest international rugby grounds in the world at Lansdowne Road.

This unique name will make the hotel easy to locate beside Sandymount, perhaps Dublin’s most beautiful village.

We look forward to welcoming you to Sandymount Hotel, where the care and values associated with the “Loughran tradition” will continue to be our cornerstone for the future.