Grand Canal Hotel Blog

Halloween in Dublin

What’s on in Dublin for Halloween?

As many of you may know Halloween originated in Ireland around 2,000 years ago. 

It is a time of celebration and superstition. It originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, on October the 31st people would light bonfires and wear costumes to scare off ghosts. When Irish people emigrated to America they brought with them their beliefs and thus 'trick or treating' and the modern Halloween as we now know it evolved.  There is no better place to be on Halloween than our capital city, it's deep cultural history and dark past makes it the perfect setting for your spooky Halloween Break.

We have complied a list of things to do over the bank holiday weekend in this buzzing city of ours.

Walking Routes in Dublin

Top walking routes in Dublin

Dublin has many green areas and walking paths and trails throughout the city which is brilliant for you walking enthusiasts. There is no better way to see a city than to walk around it, each park and space tells its own unique story.

Best places to shop in Dublin

Shopping in Dublin

Dublin is a dream to shopping lovers as it is packed with amazing shops, shopping centres and markets. As Dublin is the capital of Ireland you won’t be disappointed with the variety of shops. The usual high street outlets can all be found in the city centre as well as higher end shops and trendy boutiques and outlets. What makes shopping in Dublin a real treat are the talented buskers you’ll see along the way. They are always on Grafton Street and add great atmosphere and vibes to the city. We have compiled a list to make it easy for you to find the best shopping areas and markets in Dublin. 

Upcoming Shows in the Bord Gais Energy Theatre

The Bord Gais Energy Theatre is located in Grand Canal Square in Dublin 2. The theatre is in operation since 2010 and since then it has entertained over half a million people each year. Whether you are a theatre buff or not you will enjoy a show at the Bord Gais Energy Theatre, there is such an array of shows to choose from throughout the year including ballets, comedy, concerts, opera, musicals and much more. The list is endless and there are shows to suit everyone. We are located very close to the theatre, you can reach it in 3 minutes by car or 8 minutes by foot. We have created theatre packages which include tickets to a show, a pre-show meal, an overnight stay and a breakfast buffet so that you can easily book your entire theatre break in an instant. Check out the list of upcoming shows below.

Day Trips from Dublin

Dublin is packed with things to do, especially over summer with festivals and events happening every week. If you're visiting Dublin for a few days and if you're looking to see some nearby places and attractions the choice is endless but we have compiled a list of the top places to go on a day trip. 

Sporty Activities in Dublin

Dublin has some amazing tourist attractions such as many whiskey tours, the Guinness Factory, Phoenix Park and the list goes on.

But we have found that not all tourists want to do the typical ‘attractions’ tours, they seek something different, something a little more adventurous. We have compiled a list of sporty activites for you to check out on your trip to Dublin.

BBQ Season in Dublin

 As the evenings are getting longer and the summer is fast approaching, we have some exciting news! We are now hosting BBQ Parties at Grand Canal Hotel. 

St. Patrick's Day Festival in Dublin

What better place to be than in our buzzing capital for St Patrick’s Day?  There’s a wide variety of events taking place across the city for 4 days – Thursday 16th to Sunday 19th March.
We can’t wait for this year’s festival, there is so much happening from outdoor cinemas, treasure hunts, historic walks, street music and much more. It’s going to be great craic!
We have compiled a list of the best things to do over the course of the festival.