Social pub goers may be interested to know that Dublin Tourism are currently running a ‘Pint Pursuit’ competition in order to find the best value pint in the city. Yes, believe it or not, the Tourist Board, no doubt in association with the Vinters Association of Ireland, have set up a ‘drinker’s forum’ if you will, wherein visitors are encouraged to share their intimate knowledge of the urban social scene by posting information on the venue that they feel offers the best alcohol prices in the city. As a reward for their efforts, contributors are then entered into a competition prize draw which would see the winner take home tickets to a special ‘VIP Night Out’ for themselves and 3 of their friends at one of Dublin’s more up market social hubs, The Church Bar & Nightclub on Jervis Street. The prize itself includes a complimentary 4 course Dinner for 4 people at the Gallery Restaurant, followed by a reserved VIP table in The NightClub including champagne, and no doubt, your photo taken for some people’s celebrity magazine.  Essentially, for any of you who are fond of a few scoops, it is practically a win/win situation. Sampling a wide range of alcoholic drinks in fancy bars around the city in order to win a VIP ticket which allows you to sample even more alcoholic drinks in a fancy bar in the city!

As a true sceptic I would be slightly wary of any competition promoted by comedian Daire O’Briain in aid of the publicans of Dublin.  Also, taking into consideration my own nightlife experiences in town, I find it very hard to believe some of the low prices quoted for drinks currently on display on the website. However, if you are planning to go out this weekend, then why not put your frugal knowledge to the test afterwards. If nothing else, the information you provide could prove a useful reference point for all those eager night owls on the lookout for discount drinks prices in the city. To enter the competition, or to merely scout out some deals for the weekend, just log onto http://www.visitdublin.com/competitions/joindublinspintpursuit/listing.aspx?id=360&page=1

Just remember, drink sensibly!

Here’s a nice video (with a Johnny Cash-soundtrack, as in Dawn of the Dead) from this year’s Dublin Zombie Walk in aid of the Irish Cancer Society. Freshly animated zombies though, not much decay to be seen

Yay, the long-awaited long May weekend is almost upon us. And if you’re still looking for something to do over the weekend, we are here to help. You could try these things:

First of all there’s the SoGo Arts Festival in and around South Great George’s Street all weekend. This 3 day bonanza kicked of today, but there are loads of activities and things to see over the next 2 days as well, like “The Best of Busking” featuring the Mighty Steph, a screening of “Once” in Walton’s music store and a flea market on Sunday.

Next on the list is the recently opened Glasnevin Museum – a museum on Dublin’s most famous graveyard, dedicated to Irish heritage & genealogy, and the history of the graveyard itself.

If a proper Indie rock festival is more of your liking, you could also head to Balbriggan on Saturday, where the Sibin Festival officially opens the Irish open air-festival season. For those of you who prefer electronic tunes, you can either keep on partying or start your own festival season on Sunday with the Yes Festival down in Clontarf.

And if this is too much activity for you, you can always relax in one of Dublin’s beer gardens – the weather permitting…

Image via

It seems the cold weather came quite suddenly earlier in the week. So why not embrace the chill in the air and celebrate winter with a little ice skating? You wouldn’t know it from the online promotional buzz (or complete lack thereof), but an ice rink is now open in Sandyford’s Beacon South Quarter (PDF). Last year’s Dublin on Ice site has yet to be updated (as of this post anyway) and I can’t confirm that the rink is opened in Smithfield. (If YOU can, please let us know in the comments.)

The lack of information on the rink(s) is a bit odd, begging the question, why spend money and other resources on something like an ice rink without getting the word out? Where are the models in Santa outfits? (Maybe we’ll see the advertising ramp up a bit the closer we get to Christmas.)

For now, here’s last year’s promo video from City Channel.

The free Mind the Gap Operetta will be running again next Friday night, as will a few other public art exhibitions in conjunction with Fringe Fest. And yes, there will also be plenty of buskers and stag do/hen party folks around next weekend. Can’t guarantee that we’ll see another group of Austin Powers look-a-likes running around (anybody else see Elvis suddenly appear in that video?), but in Temple Bar, you just never know.

After the brilliant Street Performance Festival one week ago the next interesting festival in this year’s event calendar will start next week – the Temple Bar Circus Festival.

For four action-packed summer days Dublin’s Cultural Quarter will echo with peals of laughter and gasps of amazement as the streets and spaces spring to life, offering you the chance to experience a full and exciting spectrum of circus skills; from dazzling acrobatics and aerial shows, daring Chinese pole and contortion, to outdoor movies and musical mayhem!

An colourfull mixture of acrobatics, dance acts and even outdoor movies will be on display in Temple Bar from July 9th to July 12th – and the best thing about it is that’s everything for free! You will find the complete programme (PDF) here.

Big thanks to Matt from The Expeditioner for directing our attention to a video travel guide that he did recently here in Dublin. It’s a well produced mini-documentary with some great iconic shots of our beloved city. (Not to mention some great background tunes from The Walkmen, Bell X1, etc.)

However, our Irish readers will have to forgive a line in “Part II” about Christchurch Cathedral having the largest crypt “in all the UK.” (Ooooo, oh no he did NOT.) Matt, we’ve posted a DVD to your Brooklyn address entitled, Michael Collins, compliments of The Dublin Community Blog. (No worries, mate. You’re not the first to make that mistake.)

Below is Matt’s Dublin travel guide. CLICK HERE for Part II.

Might be worth a look if you’re looking for something to do this weekend! Weather forecasts are looking good, and I’d love to have a poke around some of the tall ships along with the Le Aoife.

http://www.dublindocklands.ie/maritimefestival/

There’s an outdoor market, along with some street entertainment. Pat Liddy will be holding walking tours of the Docklands area over the weekend.

I love markets and its so exciting to see a new market start up.  May 3rd next sees the launch of the Art & Crafts Market in Newmarket Sq, Dublin 8 – 5 minutes walk from St. Patrick’s Cathedral. It is held on the first Sunday of every month from 11am to 5pm.

In these tough economic times, the market also encourages people to embrace their creative side and make some extra money doing it. So if you think you have a great idea that will sell or think that you can make some money from your favourite hobby then why not take a stall?

On the first Sunday of each month, 35 stall holders will set out their wares and with stalls priced at just €30, the ethos is low rent equals low price and haggling is encouraged!

With free parking on a Sunday and an ideal indoor location, come rain or shine the Art & Crafts Market is a great, fun day out for all the family with entertainment and a cafe offering delicious home made treats.

And if that wasn’t enough we also will be giving away two artworks absolutely free to a lucky winner each month!

Further information including location directions, stall booking and featured stall holders can be found on the Arts & Crafts Market website.

Happy shopping and selling!