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At Calder Conference we take your privacy seriously and will only use your personal information to provide the services you have requested from us. However, from time to time we would like to contact you with details of other services we provide and/or information which we believe may be of interest to you.

At Calder Conference we take your privacy seriously and will only use your personal information to provide the services you have requested from us. However, from time to time we would like to contact you with details of other services we provide and/or information which we believe may be of interest to you.

SLAKE AND INSPIRE THE TEAM WITH DESTINATION DUBLIN

Written by: Sue - 26th March 2019

Irish writer Brendan Behan famously confessed: "I'm a drinker with writing problems." Love of words, music, flowing liquid - the River Liffey as much as the Guinness or whiskey - seems to define Dublin. It is one of the oldest cities in Europe and one of its smallest capitals, so a full but manageable experience for guests - with much to slake and inspire.

The journey from Dublin International Airport takes around 30 minutes by road and, post arrival, visitors find it simple and convenient to navigate the city by foot, bus, Luas tram/light rail system or DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transit) which stretches from the centre out to County Wicklow, Howth and Malahide beyond and reveals majestic scenery in contrast to the city frenzy.

When In Dublin, Take Everybody ... To College

If tackling the city by foot, you get a lot for your shoe leather by heading for the College Green three-sided plaza. Once everybody has caught up on important business issues, there is so much historical and cultural learning to be done beyond the conference room.

Trinity College - it is a pleasing experience just to amble around the campus of Ireland's oldest university in the footsteps of alumni Bram Stoker, Oscar Wilde and satirist Jonathan Swift, soaking up the statues and architecture until you feel erudite yourself. A visit to the library and its Long Room is a must, where many thousands of antiquated books are stacked from floor to the barrel-vaulted ceiling. A dramatic site indeed and explains why the setting inspired The Hogwart's Library in the Harry Potter films. Believe me, the smell of all that ancient paper and wisdom is unique and, as if bottled, belts you powerfully like a magic potion!

Here you can also view the historic Brian Boru harp and one of Ireland's greatest treasures the Book of Kells - a ninth-century hand-embellished manuscript of the four gospels.

The queues at Trinity College can be tortuous, so it's worth a visit to the nearby Tourist Office College Green to seek advice on all the combined, advanced tickets available. For groups, it makes sense to book such tickets before boarding the aeroplane.

... To The Castle

History-lovers in the group will also enjoy a tour of the complex around Dublin Castle near Dame Street. A castle site since the thirteenth century, developed and reconstructed in the eighteenth century, it was the seat of the British government administration in Ireland until 1922. Delve deep into all layers of Dublin's history through the museums, towers, Chapel Royal and State Apartments. Reflect on the convoluted times - ancient and modern - in the Dubhlinn Gardens, dating to 1680.

... To The Black Stuff

Many visitors to Dublin will urge you to share one of their most surprising discoveries: just how interesting the tour of the Guinness Storehouse is at St Jame's Gate Brewery. Sure you get to taste the Black Stuff but this is a multi-sensory, interactive adventure spanning seven floors of brewing and city history - rewarded by magnificent panoramic views in the rooftop Gravity Bar. There's a choice of eateries, cafés and bars from bottom to top and enhanced experiences such as Guinness Academy which are ideal for groups as you'll enjoy a private space for more intensive learning, bonding, taste sensations and elbow-bending. This is Ireland's most popular tourist attraction, so research, plan and reserve tickets ahead.

Dublin Literary Pub Crawl

A taste of the Black Stuff - a brush with "the blonde with the black dress" - is also very likely on this unique experience. A handful of Dublin actors huddle the group in a cosy upper room of The Duke Pub off Grafton Street then they lead you through the streets, to Trinity College, past Molly Malone's statue, via many old drinking haunts of famous Irish writers such as Behan, Beckett, Yeats, Joyce and Oscar Wilde. Their works and history are brought to life - in character, with peculiar voices, jokes, funny stances, walks and song - both cheery and mournful. Guests won't even know education is taking place! This is best for small groups, so arrange ahead with the helpful hosts.

... To "Culture"

The choice of galleries, theatres and museums here is truly impressive. Some famous favourites include:

The National Gallery of Ireland

Irish Museum of Modern Art

National Museum of Ireland

Abbey Theatre

Some alternative, but equally rich experiences await at:

Little Museum of Dublin - a quirky trawl of everything from history, politics and art to a special U2 exhibition.

Author James Joyce fans can visit his statue, his tower in Sandycove or a dedicated visitor centre.

The Dublin Writers' Museum - for quite serious literature buffs in the group! It's compact and of a traditional format, but if audio guides and the prospect of your hero's spectacles or pipe thrill you - not to be missed.

EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum

Smock Alley Theatre - in a converted church building overlooking the River Liffey, a hub of contemporary dramatic approach and emerging artists.

... To Temple

Temple Bar, of course; you may have been warned it's "touristy" but it's a travesty to leave without a meander through cobbled streets, nooks, passages, independent art galleries, makers' workshops, vintage clothes shops, stalls and bistros. Traditional Irish music will begin floating from some hostelries around lunchtime and continue into the night every day of the week.

For traditional music outside Temple Bar, the "informed" might recommend Darkey Kellys, The Celt, O'Donoghue's, The Brazen Head and The Hairy Lemon to name a few.

... To Church

The thirteenth-century St Patrick's Cathedral is one of the city's most popular attractions (recommended before a tour of Temple Bar - or perhaps after it for some of the group?)

Venue Profile: InterContinental, Ballsbridge

* Location - elegant urban resort, nestled on two acres in the exclusive Ballsbridge neighbourhood. The city centre is just a stroll away. Dublin International Airport is 30 minutes away by road and there is car parking available at the hotel.

* Meetings, Conferences and Events - two ballrooms offer a maximum capacity for 600 guests. A further eight spaces span a maximum 15,112 square feet. An exhibition space is available, along with teambuilding experiences.

* Accommodation - 208 luxurious Rooms and Suites.

* Additional Services - Spa sauna and heated pool.

* Dining - Seasons Restaurant, The Reading Room, The Lobby Lounge.

This five-star hotel, from the portfolio of our partner IHG, has some recent news and developments to share. The team is thrilled to have been awarded membership to Virtuoso, a leading global network of travel partners specialising in luxury and experiential travel, comprised of more than 1,700 preferred suppliers in 100 countries.

InterContinental Dublin is the fifth hotel in Dublin, and one of only 19 in Ireland, to secure membership within this prestigious luxury travel network. Inclusion in Virtuoso will expand new opportunities to the network’s 17,500 luxury travel advisors and their clientele.

The announcement follows the completion of a multimillion euro refurbishment of the property since The MHL Collection took over ownership in May 2015. The hotel boasts 50 of Dublin’s largest and most luxurious suites, which were recently completely refurbished, with the top three suites renamed after famous local literary legends James Joyce, WB Yeats and Lady Gregory, embracing the fascinating literary history of Ballsbridge. 

Virtuoso membership is a prestigious hallmark as Ciara Hanley, Director of Sales & Marketing at InterContinental Dublin, explains: “It is a great honour and a privilege to be accepted by this invitation only, luxury network. Being invited into this prestigious network of luxury advisors acknowledges our placement as a leading Five Star brand both in Ireland and to the International luxury traveller. Virtuoso has always maintained exceptional high standards when selecting properties to be part of its luxury travel network, I was thrilled to receive the news we have been accepted onto their programme.”

James Joyce Suite

So from a luxurious and well-facilitated events base such as the InterContinental, the opportunities for group bonding and exploring - in the city or by the coast in Malahide for instance - provide considerable scope for event planners. The approach might be to allow delegates to manage and fill downtime by themselves, so adding to the above, urge them to visit Glasnevin Cemetery; while some time away in picturesque St Stephen's Park; wander up to Grafton Street where the talented buskers are worth catching (in December you might even happen upon Bono, Imelda May, Hozier or Glen Hansard). Certainly, before you leave, encourage them to walk over the iconic Ha'Penny Bridge; because that's what you do here if someone takes you to the river.