Latest news with #TheLeinster
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Luxury hotel is a hidden gem in city famous for its hospitality
You can fit a lot into a short trip to the city with a stay at The Leinster DUBLIN DOWN Luxury hotel is a hidden gem in city famous for its hospitality YOU can fit a hell of a lot of Dublin into 36 hours. Learn to pour a pint of Guinness and get the certificate to prove it. Make your own jewellery over a glass of prosecco. 10 Bridge over the River Liffey, Dublin Credit: Getty - Contributor 10 The Leinster has lovely rooms, a fabulous restaurant and cracking cocktail bar 10 It also has hi-tech loos Stroll around St Stephen's Green checking out the pavement artists, window shop on Grafton Street serenaded by a festival of buskers. There's a mass of museums and libraries and churches to ogle, a castle to explore, endless green spaces to stroll around and sunbathe in, gigs to see, statues to selfie with. Or, alternatively, you could stay in your room and be captivated by your new favourite toy. An electronic toilet. This was my dilemma on a flying visit to The Leinster, a wonderful, welcoming hotel in the heart of the Irish capital's Georgian district. Because trust me, for all there's a spectacular restaurant on the roof, a top-notch gym in the basement and a stunning cocktail bar in between, you really could get so hooked on this this piece of lavatorial magnificence that next thing half your weekend's disappeared down the U-bend of time. No? Is it just me? Surely not THIRTY SIX HOURS IN DUBLIN GO: DUBLIN For the best rate on rooms at the 4* The Leinster see Actually, I'd judge anyone who DIDN'T get excited, when their first step into a bathroom automatically made the loo's lid swish up, especially when they then spied a remote control on the wall that pre-heats the seat, freshens you up with a little scoosh of water, then wafts warm air to gently dry off one's nether regions. However, let's be honest here. That judgement wouldn't be half as harsh as the one meted out on the visitor who DID sit there all weekend, rather than wringing every bit of enjoyment out of a hotel that is a gem of an addition to one of my favourite cities on earth. From the moment East Kilbride-born general manager Melanie Nocher met us at the front door with smiles and hugs on a sunny Friday morning, it felt like home. Ten minutes later, ordering breakfast in that rooftop Jean-Georges restaurant (with Ireland's deputy prime minister Simon Harris, no less, having his poached eggs at the next table) the feeling of relaxation was all-consuming. 10 Beautiful interiors of the Jean-Georges restaurant 10 Lively Grafton Street in Dublin Credit: Getty And so began a stay that was all too brief but oh so much fun. I love walking in Dublin, so after exploring the room – and, yes, faffing fascinatedly with the lavvy for half an hour – it was off along Fitzwilliam Street, Merrion Square, St Stephen's and down to Grafton, resisting the magnetic temptation of O'Donaghues and Foley's and Bruxelles and so many bars besides in the knowledge that on my return we'd be heading to the Temple Of Stout. First time I went to the Guinness Storehouse, twenty-odd years back, it was pretty much just a working brewery you could tour then get a fresh pint from before leaving. Now, it's this multi-storeyed, multi-coloured, snaking-queued, interactive theme park with two panoramic bars on its roof, a full afternoon out from which we re-emerged into the sunlight clutching proof of our ability to create a masterpiece of the Black Stuff (though, trivia buffs, it's technically ruby red) and just enough of a taste to want some more. 10 Guinness storehouse Dublin Credit: Alamy 10 The Collins Club at the Leinster Cue a visit to The Leinster's pride and joy…The Collins Club. Named in tribute to Dublin-born architect David Collins, it's a classy, relaxed bar and diner, drenched in crimson light, with the grand piano tinkling by day and a DJ on the decks into the small hours. It's also where they have some unique and bafflingly scientific takes on preparing cocktails; let's just say the movie wouldn't so much star Tom Cruise as Professor Brian Cox. A couple of quite extraordinarily good Negronis later, we were back on the rooftop for dinner à la Jean-George, an experience excellent enough for the food alone. 10 Bill and pals dine outdoors at the rooftop restaurant at The Leinster 10 Gorgeous food at hotel's Jean- Georges Rooftop Restaurant My octopus starter followed by paccheri pasta with meatballs were outstanding – but one which goes to a whole new level on an evening when the sun bleeds into the horizon beyond your table as if the maitre d' himself had ordered it. Nightcap back in the Collins anyone? Don't mind if we do. Next morning, after an hour on a bike in the gym followed by breakfast back on the roof, we went down to Silver Works, a craft studio where we did something I never thought would be added to my CV - we made our own rings! Apart from the soldering, done by an in-house grown-up, you do the lot, from measuring your finger to cutting a strip of silver to fit, bending it into a C-shape, knocking it into something close to a circle ready for the ends to be welded together, then rinsing and cooling and hammering until it's the right size and you're ready to add a final pattern that makes you think "I might have a wee side hustle going here". 10 The ring Bill made There's a real joy in creating something you can keep forever, in doing something you never thought you'd be able to, a proper sense of achievement. So much that you really do owe yourself a celebratory Guinness on the way back to base, followed by a cocktail or two in the Collins Club before uber-grudgingly jumping in a cab to the airport for the last flight home. Though not before one last play with your very own robot toilet from the future. Santa, if you're reading this…
Extra.ie
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Extra.ie
PICS: Sky F1 pundit team thrill Irish F1 fans with exclusive event
Formula 1 fans were out in force this week as the Sky Sports F1 pundit team were in town for a special event ahead of the Miami Grand Prix. Fan favourites Bernie Collins, David 'Crofty' Crofy and Simon Lazenby joined Irish F1 fans in The Leinster Hotel on April 24, and took part in a panel hosted by Conor Moore, and a Q&A session with those in attendance. From chatting about their fond memories of Eddie Jordan, to the importance of gear boxes, and who they think is going to win the 2025 Drivers Championship, the trio were in flying form and delighted the audience with their tales. David Croft, Bernie Collins and Simon Lazenby at the Sky Sports Formula 1 lunch at The Leinster. Pic: Brian McEvoy Ireland's own Bernie Collins at the Sky Sports Formula 1 lunch at The Leinster. Pic: Brian McEvoy Conor Moore at the Sky Sports Formula 1 lunch at The Leinster. Pic: Brian McEvoy Carl Mullan at the Sky Sports Formula 1 lunch at The Leinster. Pic: Brian McEvoy David Fitzpatrick and Terrie McEvoy at the Sky Sports Formula 1 lunch at The Leinster. Pic: Brian McEvoy Benny Bracken at the Sky Sports Formula 1 lunch at The Leinster. Pic: Brian McEvoy Rebecca Handley and Megan O'Connor at the Sky Sports Formula 1 lunch at The Leinster. Pic: Brian McEvoy Cara Louise McAllister at the Sky Sports Formula 1 lunch at The Leinster. Pic: Brian McEvoy Andy Asco, Kyman Power and Ben Gavin at the Sky Sports Formula 1 lunch at The Leinster. Pic: Brian McEvoy Tolü Makay at the Sky Sports Formula 1 lunch at The Leinster. Pic: Brian McEvoy Donegal Daddy at the Sky Sports Formula 1 lunch at The Leinster. Pic: Brian McEvoy Michael Hingston and Sinead Hingston Green at the Sky Sports Formula 1 lunch at The Leinster. Pic: Brian McEvoy Paul Ryder at the Sky Sports Formula 1 lunch at The Leinster. Pic: Brian McEvoy Marty Hernandez at the Sky Sports Formula 1 lunch at The Leinster. Pic: Brian McEvoy Daniel Humphreys and Rebecca Nolan at the Sky Sports Formula 1 lunch at The Leinster. Pic: Brian McEvoy Daragh Curran and Adrian Martin at the Sky Sports Formula 1 lunch at The Leinster. Pic: Brian McEvoy Nadia El Ferdaoussi at the Sky Sports Formula 1 lunch at The Leinster. Pic: Brian McEvoy Mary-Claire Fitzpatrick at the Sky Sports Formula 1 lunch at The Leinster. Pic: Brian McEvoy The Godfrey Twins at the Sky Sports Formula 1 lunch at The Leinster. Pic: Brian McEvoy Bill Oshafi at the Sky Sports Formula 1 lunch at The Leinster. Pic: Brian McEvoy Simon Lazenby, Bernie Collins and David Croft at the Sky Sports Formula 1 lunch at The Leinster. Pic: Brian McEvoy
