Ireland v Scotland at Aviva Stadium

Ireland will be playing Scotland tomorrow in their last home match of this year's RBS 6 Nations. 98FM will be facepainting and giving out goodies at Sandymount Hotel again and we'll have all our usual ingredients for a great atmosphere including music, a fast pour bar and pig on a spit in our front grounds, the days matches on our big screens in our Tritonville Bar & Terrace and reception lounge, and a range of delicious food indoors for hungry fans pre and post-match.

Here's a preview of tomorrow's match from our guest rugby bloggers Oisin Loughran and Neil Murphy:

Ireland are due to welcome Scotland to the Aviva Stadium on Saturday for their fourth game in this year’s Six Nations Tournament. Ireland has been less than impressive this season without the leadership of legendary captain Brian O’ Driscoll. Vice-Captain Paul O’ Connell is also set to miss the remainder of the season.

With almost no hope of Ireland winning the tournament, and the triple crown already decided, I think Declan Kidney should start allowing his youth players some much needed experience in international rugby. Simon Zebo, Peter O’ Mahoney and Dominic Ryan all deserve a chance to prove themselves at a higher level. Also Ian Madigan deserves a mention. As the out half with the most tries in Europe this season, he must surely be applying pressure to the 35 year old O’ Gara. He has been a fine player for his country but it is time to look to the future.

Scotland have been losing bravely this season and last. They have very few players that seem to be able to inspire confidence in their fellow teammates. However, David Denton is one to look out for. He has tremendous strength and he is more than capable of carrying the ball. He picked up man of the match in the opening game of the season against England. He has also been inspirational for Edinburgh this year in both the RABODirect and the Heineken cup.

Although neither team inspire me with confidence I would still place my money on Ireland to win by 10. Ireland will be lacking serious guidance on the pitch but their home advantage should see off the threat of Scotland.

Mother's Day in Dublin

Looking for somewhere to treat your mum this Mother's Day? Come along to Sandymount Hotel and enjoy a delicious 3 course lunch in our Cordyline Restaurant for just €22 per person with children's menu just €12. Our restaurant overlooks and opens out onto our private gardens - ideal if the weather is good! We'll also have live music on during the day to keep you entertained.

Call us on 01 614 2000 or email us at info@sandymounthotel.ie for more details.

Ireland v Italy at Aviva Stadium

We're looking forward to another great match day at Sandymount Hotel when Ireland play Italy at Aviva Stadium tomorrow.

Join us for a hearty pre-match brunch in our Tritonville Bar & Terrace, or a tasty bite to eat and a pint in our front grounds, where you can enjoy a view of the stadium. Food will be served after the match right up until 9.30pm for hungry fans.

98FM's Thunder Crew will also be along doing face painting and their BIG RED will be broadcasting live from outside the hotel.

And don't forget to get a picture with our "Sandymount Line-Out" sculpture when you're here!

Grand Canal Theatre Packages

Our Grand Canal Theatre packages at Sandymount Hotel include a pre-theatre 2 course dinner in our Tritonville Bar & Terrace, tickets to the show, an overnight stay in one of our stylish rooms, and full Irish breakfast the next morning.

Grand Canal Theatre is just minutes away from Sandymount Hotel by DART or taxi, or you could take a leisurely stroll to this fantastic venue.

Dirty Dancing has received standing ovations since it opened and is almost sold out but there's a few seats left and still time to catch this show at Grand Canal Theatre, which runs until 25th February.

Calendar Girls, based on an inspiring true story of ordinary women doing extraordinary things is coming back to Grand Canal Theatre for the very last time on 27th February.

The award-winning all singing, all dancing romantic comedy Legally Blonde the Musical takes to the stage from 10th to 21st April.

The Phantom of the Opera has won over 60 major theatre awards over its 25 years and became the longest running show in Broadway History in January 2006. See he spectacular new production at Grand Canal Theatre this summer, on from 5th July to 4th August.

For more information on our Grand Canal Theatre packages for Dirty Dancing, Calendar Girls, Legally Blonde the Musical or The Phantom of the Opera call us on 01 614 2000, email us at info@sandymounthotel.ie or book online.

Madonna Playing Aviva Stadium Dublin This July

The Queen of Pop will be playing right next door to Sandymount Hotel at Aviva Stadium on July 24th!

Tickets will be on sale Friday 17th February.

RBS 6 Nations 2012 - Ireland v Wales at Aviva Stadium

The RBS 6 Nations 2012 kicks off this weekend! Ireland will be playing Wales in their first match of the tournament on Sunday at Aviva Stadium on Lansdowne Road and the excitement is already building at Sandymount Hotel. As the stadium's closest hotel, the match day atmosphere is sure to be unbeatable here. Come along and enjoy a pint and our tasty pig on a spit in our front grounds (with a view of the stadium!) or a bite to eat inside from our carvery before the match, and warm up afterwards with a hot whiskey in our Tritonville Bar & Terrace.

See more pics from last year's Ireland v England match on our Facebook page.

Book accommodation for the 6 Nations matches at Aviva Stadium online or by calling us on +353 1 6142000.

Valentine's Day in Dublin

Romantics looking to treat their special someone this Valentine's Day need look no further!

Celebrate at Sandymount Hotel, in exclusive Dublin 4, just minutes from the city centre, and choose from our fabulous Valentine's Break, which includes a whole list of treats, or book a table at our contemporary Cordyline Restaurant for an evening of fantastic food at our 6 Course Valentine's Dinner. Call us on +353 1 6142000 or email us at info@sandymounthotel.ie for more details.

Valentine's Break - €69 per person sharing

Enjoy a romantic break in exclusive Dublin 4, out of the hustle and bustle yet just minutes from the city centre. Our Valentine's Break includes:

- Overnight stay including complimentary upgrade*

- Chocolates and bubbly in your room

- 6 Course Valentine's Dinner (see the menu below)

- Full Irish breakfast

- 2pm Late Check Out

- Complimentary parking & WiFi

6 Course Valentine's Dinner - €29.95 per person

Enjoy an evening of fantastic food in our contemporary Cordyline Restaurant, overlooking our private gardens. Work up an appetite beforehand with a romantic stroll on Sandymount Strand, just a few minutes away from us!

Amuse Bouche
Wild Mushroom Ravioli finished with a Truffle Foam

Starters
A Warm Goats Cheese and Sundried Tomato Crostini
A Delicate Roasted Butternut Squash and Capsicum Soup served with a Rustic Bread Roll
Asian Duck Salad with a Ginger Soy Sauce Dressing
Scallop, Black Pudding and Pea Puree Salad

Mains
Medallions of Beef
Seared and married with a Madagascar Pepper Sauce
Slow Roasted Belly of Pork
with an Apple Compote
Paupiettes of Sole
Stuffed with a Prawn and Dill Mousse finished with a Lobster Bisque Sauce
Vegetable Pathivier
Roasted Mediterranean Vegetables and Brie Cheese encased in a Puff Pastry Shell

Desserts
A Warm Chocolate and Orange Fondant with a Fresh Vanilla Cream
Heart Shaped Pavlova with Cointreau Glazed Strawberries
A White Chocolate Panacotta with a Passion Fruit Syrup
Apple, Rhubarb and Ginger Crumble with Custard

*******

Freshly Brewed Arabica Coffee and Selection of Teas

*******

Miniature Toffee Ice Cream Cone

And here's a lovely review from a Valentine's Day 2011 Diner:
"Myself and my wife had dinner in the Cordyline Restaurant on St Valentine's night. We had a wonderful experience enhanced by the staff who were very friendly, attentive and efficicent. the food was excellent, the amuse bouches particularly good and the atmosphere very congenial. We will definitely be back and we have recommended this restaurant to all our friends. Price by the way was very good for what we got. Well done."