Issue 034
February 2008
Where the Craic is good…
Dublin conjures up many images – traditional pubs with live Irish folk music, people with a charm and wit you’re hard pressed to match and more history than you can shake a stick at.
Fights
Dublin is lucky enough to host fairly regular events, though none are quite as large as the major events in Europe. Cage Rage Contenders, which took place May 2007, was the first major event in Dublin and drew a more-than-respectable 3000 spectators, and since then smaller events have become a regularity. The feeder event Cage of Truth features lots of local fighters hungry to prove themselves, and Dublin has plenty of eager lads waiting to get out there. Finding a fight isn’t hard, although timing is crucial – they come around roughly every eight to ten weeks or so. For up to date info on Dublin events check www.ringoftruth.info.
Training
Even though MMA took off relatively slowly in the South, it caught up quick thanks to the hard work of a number of individuals, meaning the city has three top gyms to train at, including one run by Ireland’s first BJJ black belt, John Kavanagh.
Straight Blast Gym Ireland
(Unit P10, Greenogue Business Park, Rathcoole, Co. Dublin. Phone: +353 87 6768 911. Web: www.sbgireland.com)
Housing many of Ireland’s best BJJ and MMA fighters, Straight Blast Gym Ireland is run by John Kavanagh, a former MMA fighter and holder of a BJJ black belt. A generous matted area and commitment to quality training is the name of the game in this new gym, which was recently upgraded following a move from smaller premises.
Fianna Gym
(St. Olafs National School, Ballaly Estate, Sandyford, Dublin. Phone: +353 85 7290 855. Web: www.fiannagym.com)
Located around five miles south of the centre of Dublin, the Fianna Gym is run by fighters for beginners and those more experienced in MMA alike. Classes are a blend of boxing, Muay Thai and grappling, and emphasis is placed upon physical fitness as well as technique.
Straight Blast Gym Northside
(Unit 88, Baldoyle Industrial Estate, Dublin 13. Phone: +353 87 9096 253. Web: www.sbgnorthside.com)
Sister-gym to the SBG HQ, Northside is an impressive facility headed by Andy Ryan, a former MMA fighter and Irish judo champion. With a cage, boxing ring and large matted area, the gym has many active fighters training there but is equally suitable for recreational athletes.
Where to stay
From high-class hotels to guest houses and hostels, Dublin’s got it all.
The Merrion Hotel
(Upper Merrion Street, Dublin 2, Tel: +353 1 603 0600. Web: www.merrionhotel.com)
Dublin’s most luxurious place to stay, this stunning five-star hotel describes itself as having a ‘relaxed grandeur’ and has won multiple awards. Located in four beautifully-restored Georgian townhouses, the hotel is on the same street as the National Gallery and Natural History Museum.
Park Inn
(Smithfield Village, Dublin 7, Tel: +353 1 817 3800. Web: www.rezidorparkinn.com)
Located in Dublin’s cultural quarter, this boutique hotel is a ten minute walk (or two minute tram ride) from the city centre. Combining a modern and funky approach with contemporary design, this trendy spot is perfect for travellers on business or leisure. The hotel has a unique 185ft chimney viewing tower with panoramic views of the city.
Maple Guest house
(74/75 Lower Gardiner Street, Dublin, Tel: + 353 1 874 0225. Web: www.maple-guesthouse.com)
A traditional guest house with ensuite rooms, this guest house is minutes from the buzing Temple Bar area and the main tourist attractions in Dublin. With traditional music and dancing seven nights a week in the hotel next door, this is a place to get the true Dublin experience. Located only five minutes walk from O’Connell Bridge.
Where to eat
Finding somewhere to eat in Dublin isn’t difficult, with many pubs serving hearty traditional Irish meals.
Fitzer's Restaurant
(40/42 Temple Bar Sq, Dublin 2, Tel: +353 1 679 0440. Web: www.fitzers.ie)
An award-winning restaurant with varied menus and a lively atmosphere. Right in the heart of Temple Bar, it offers a eclectic and elegant menu with superb cuisine.
Eliza Blues
(23-24 Wellington Quay, Temple Bar, Dublin, Tel: +353 1 671 9114. Web: www.elizablues.com)
Next to the Millennium footbridge on Wellington Quay and overlooking the River Liffey, Eliza Blues is a family-run Dublin restaurant with a modern take on traditional cuisine. A stone’s throw from O’Connell bridge, Eliza Blues has an informal but elegant atmosphere.
Boxty House
(20-21 Temple Bar, Dublin 2, Tel: + 353 1 677 2762. Web: www.boxtyhouse.ie)
A modern take on the more traditional Irish pub-grub, The Boxty House is named after their specialty, the famous Irish boxty pancake, but they also serve stews, steaks, seafood and vegetarian dishes.
Nightlife
The central area known as Temple Bar is full of traditional Irish pubs, as well as craft shops and other attractions, and is in itself one of the biggest attractions in the city. You’ll find dozens of pubs, clubs and more in this area, which gets pretty hectic on weekend nights. If you fancy a different but entertaining night out Dublin is great for stand-up comedy, and venues on Vicar Street have seen some of the biggest names in comedy.
The Vault
(Harbourmaster Place, Dublin 1, Tel +353 1 605 4700. Web: www.thevaults.ie)
A modestly-sized thriving underground night club, the Vaults is set in a series of restored underground arches. With a funky playlist, reasonably priced drinks and a trendy atmosphere, the Vaults is one of Dublin’s hottest night clubs.
Redz
(Corner of College and Fleet Street, Dublin. Web: www.redzbar.ie)
A late-licensed venue with an extensive cocktail list and party atmosphere, Redz is an institution for those in the MMA community, with many an after-party finding it’s way there.
Sights
Walking around Dublin is a sight in itself, the city is full of history and being relatively small it is easy to get around and stroll from one area to the next. The areas around Trinity College and St Stephen’s Green are more sedate compared to the bustling Grafton Street or Temple Bar areas.
Shopping
The main shopping area in Dublin is Grafton Street, which has plenty of high-end shops to spend your hard-earned cash in. O’Connell Street is known as one of the widest shopping streets in Europe, while Henry Street is more ‘high street’ with many mainstream outlets. For those wishing to get everything in one spot, the Jervis Street shopping centre is worth a look. Be warned, the cost of shopping in Dublin compared to the rest of Europe is quite high.
How to get around
The new Luas, Dublin's Light Rail Tram System, has made navigating the city much easier, although walking is still very easy. The improved Dublin bus service takes away the strain of driving around the centre, which has long been notorious. Walking is still the preferred way of getting around for most visitors, who prefer to soak up the city as they go.
How to get there
Dublin has one international airport, which is small and can be extremely busy. Many visitors from outside Europe connect via London. The airport is approximately 10km north of the city, and is served by buses and taxis.
When to go
July and August are warmest, though Dublin, like the United Kingdom, suffers from a maritime climate meaning the weather is very changeable and generally wet outside of the summer months. Tourism is encouraged all-year-round.
Dublin Tips
· Dublin is smoke free indoors in all public buildings.
· Generally a safe city, crime against visitors is low but be wary of pick pocketing or muggers. Stay in well-lit areas and avoid walking alone at night.
· Avoid talking about either religion or politics. Dubliners are a fiery breed and verbal arguments can easily escalate.
· Temple Bar is popular with tourists but can get rowdy at nights thanks to the alcohol from the many bars and pubs. Stag and hen parties are common sights.
· The Guinness Storehouse on St James’s Gate tells the story of the famous drink and is a must-see, and entry includes a free pint in the bar upstairs.
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