With the festive season now firmly upon us why not embrace the Christmas spirit with an old-fashioned shopping spree. Now coming into it’s third week, The Christ Church Cathedral Christmas Market has proven a very popular attraction since its inaugural launch in November last year. Running over four consecutive Saturdays (Nov. 26th, Dec. 3rd, 10th, and 17th), the market boasts a wide range of  Arts & Crafts and Jewelery stalls from some of Ireland’s most exciting up and coming designers. What will really attract visitors however is the market’s spectacular setting in one of Dublin’s most celebrated medieval landmarks. Contained within the depths of the famous 12th Century crypt, the market creates a uniquely intimate and memorable festive shopping experience, enticing visitors with its delightfully archaic atmosphere. Easily accessed via public transport or on foot from Dublin’s main shopping areas, the Christmas Market will also feature various food stalls featuring cuisine from around the world, as well as choir and even a Santa’s grotto for younger children. Shoppers will also be glad to know that, unlike last year, entry to the Christmas Market is now totally free of charge. And if that is not enough, it’s all for a good cause too, with all the proceeds received over the four days going towards the upkeep of the Cathedral as part of a major fundraising campaign to raise up to 2 million Euro worth of funds to assist some urgent repair and restoration work to the Cathedral’s iconic belfry. Market trading times are from 11am to 4pm and with only two Saturdays remaining before its closure we urge you all to pay a visit to Dublin city’s medieval heartland before the Christmas rush really kicks in.

Dublin Council is considering adding new street trading locations around the city. Most are food stalls but there would be several Arts and Crafts spots around the city. The full list is available here but some highlights include

• Books and/or paintings under Merchants Arch
• Jewellery/Crafts on Capel Street Bridge
• Art and Photography in St Patricks Park

I think some high quality trader spots around the city would be good, so long as they encourage Irish crafts and artists. I do wonder about the need for more flower stalls on Grafton St and a food kart on the traffic island opposite college green seems like a good way to get drunk people to wander into traffic while eating a kebab, but in general the new spots could be good additions to the city.

With all the media attention on the upcoming General Election for 2011 it appears that Dublin Bus have managed to get approval for a 2% fare increase. 2% may not seem much but somehow it adds up to 10c on some fares. A quote from their website:

Dublin Bus wishes to advise customers that from Sunday 6th February 2011, adult cash fares will increase.  For journeys of 13 stages and under, the fares will increase by 5 cent. Over 13 stages, outer suburban and Xpresso fares will increase by 10 cent. There will be no increase to child fares.

So next week expect to pay more if you take a bus.

Just a quick post to wish all readers of the Dublin Blog a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

An eerie looking video by Mike Kacperski, showing photos of places around Dublin (and in Wicklow) in a time lapse. A bit too much color for my taste, but atmospheric nonetheless.

PLACES AROUND DUBLIN from Mike Kacperski on Vimeo.

Just a quick idea if you are going out tonight, and a free one on top. Rock Candy!

Back once again, with “something to get your teeth into” taking place in both Shebeen Chic and Sweeney’s Bar in city centre!

Friday the 19th November

2 Venues
5 Stages
20 Live Acts
All for FREE!

You’ll find more info and a complete line-up over at their Facebook-page.

A good thing, and maybe someone wants to send the IMF-representatives there to show them there’s still life and culture and art in this insolvent country, despite all gloom…

Last week, the good guys from Simply Zesty had invited me to attend the launch of the next stage of Vodafone’s World of Difference initiative, but I could however not make it. I do however like to provide some information about this programme (which I really think is an initiative that’s worth supporting, never minding the brand that’s behind it). What you do is basically donate yourself instead of money. Here’s a statement from the official press release:

Vodafone Ireland Foundation’s World of Difference programme is offering 30 people the opportunity to take a 3-month paid placement with an Irish charity of their choice. This is the chance to donate more than money; it’s the chance to donate yourself.

The programme opens for entries today and the winners will take up their position with their chosen charity next February. Interested applicants are encouraged to find a charity that they want to work with, agree on a position they can fulfil and then apply online at www.vodafone.ie/foundation or the ‘World of Difference’ Facebook site. Likewise, charities are advised to find their own applicants for the programme if they have a specific project in mind but just need the right person. Charities can even seek like-minded souls and advertise for suitable applicants on the Facebook site to find their perfect match.

So if you really want to support and help a charity (and got 3 months to spare), why not think about applying? You’ll find all details over on their website, and you can apply until November 21st.

Here’s also a short video, showing what I missed on the night of the launch and featuring some tips from a successful applicant for the programme:

If you are up for entertainment that has nothing to do with people dressing up as sl**ty nurses or Dracula this weekend, maybe you should visit this year’s edition of the Darklight Festival.

Welcome to Darklight, Ireland’s premier festival celebrating independent, DIY and artist films. Now in its eleventh year, Darklight 2010 promises to be an exciting weekend of film, animation, art, music and workshops. It began in 1999, as an opportunity for artists and filmmakers to share their work and experiment with new technologies and has emerged as one of the most important art events of the year.

This year, the festival motto is “The Heroes Edition”, as the festival planners asked contributors of the past festivals to invite their personal heroes to come and exhibit & perform at the festival. After the launch tonight, the festival takes place in various venues like IFI, Filmbase or the Grand Social over the next three days.

Congratulations to Moses Kibet who won the mens race in 2.08.58 and Tatiana Aryasova who won the womens race in 2.26.12 both of which were course record times. Paul Hannon was the wheelchair winner in a time of 2:20:38 and of course congratulations to all those who took part in this years race. The results list can be found on the Dublin Marathon site.

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!