When you see experienced skaters gliding around nonchalantly it's easy to fall into the trap of…read morethinking that something that looks so easy must actually be easy. Naturally enough, all sense of romance is immediately abandoned upon stepping onto the ice in your fairly uncomfortable skates, and thoughts quickly turn to matters of a more survival-based nature. It would be great not to fall. Still having ten fingers at the end of this would be a result. And when you inevitably fall and release yourself to the rush of shame: it would be great not to have broken anything. And even if you have broken something, you suspect that you won't know till later as the sheer adrenaline-rush fuelled will not to be seen to have broken anything may actually carry you still skating off the rink. It's a wonder all things considered we return year on year to put ourselves through it again. I'm a survivor though and I still haven't broken a bone. And every year shows a small but definite improvement such that I haven't lost hope that one day, when I'm old, I'll be able to do that backward glide thing. or that knee bent spin thing. That's romance for you. And somehow the fiction mixed with the reality all amount to plain good fun. I've heard tell that the rink at the Point Depot (yeah I know it's not called that still, but it keeps changing its name a la corporate every five minutes so I'm reverting and I encourage you to do the same) has special things adults can hold on to (and I'm not talking about the sides of the rink) - the RDS only provides these for small kids - which make the risk of falling a whole lot less, so this might be a better option for those new to it. On the plus side, here you have outdoor rides, Funderland a few paces away (so rob a bank first), and all the junk food you can shake a pretzel at within easy reach. Book online to save queueing, come early to get skates, and be first off the rink if you don't want to wait 20 minutes to get your shoes at the end of the session.

It's a bittersweet moment, walking into the RDS when it's all dolled up for Christmas on Ice. I've…read moregot my own memories of learning to ice skate, and believe you me, none of them involved cafes, chocolate fountains or discos. Of course with those additions ice skating transforms from a right of passage (who hasn't compared skating bruises like fishing stories?) into a real event. Just the struggle to get a pair of those chunky hockey skates on is a great story. Toss in a mug of cocoa, Top 40 pop and REAL SNOW and that's a tradition in the making. Of course, financing a grand day out can be steep...prices for peak hours (all day Friday, weekends and holidays) start at €14 per adult. Also, much to my disappointment, sessions last only an hour -barely enough time to get those ankles straight and triple lutzes polished. Note: dress in layers. Sure it's cold when you first walk in, but after a few circuits you'll be sweating like Apollo Ohno.

Great to see the ice rink back in Liffey Valley! Good sized rink located where Pirates Village used…read moreto be. Helpful staff and not crowded so the ideal way to start Christmas with the kids

The ice rink in Smithfield Square is back for the Christmas period and while it isn't exactly the…read moreRockefeller Center in New York, it does the job. (This year it is fully enclosed, so there is no chance of valuting over the safety barrier to the cobbles beyond.) Bear in mind that it can get packed as the big day draws closer, so if you are in charge of small children you may prefer to try it out on a weekday. An hour session costs 12 euro for adults and 8 euro for kids. If you don't fancy risking your fingers when you inevitably fall down on the rink, you can also visit Santa or sit things out with a hot chocolate - or a combination of the two...

I used to live in Smithfield and unfortunately the sound of the fans keeping the ice up and running…read moreused to keep me awake some nights, but as retribution for my sleepless nights all residents of Smithfield were given free tickets to the rink. The rink itself is quite small and is often very crowded, so if you are planning on going I suggest you pick a time that would be less crowded, i.e. 3PM on a Saturday afternoon would be less than ideal. In order to combat overcrowding, they do request that you reserve a space on the ice. For a list of available times and prices you can visit their website. The rink is very convenient as it is literally a two minutes walk from the Smithfield luas stop, which is only a short ride in from city centre and actually is quite a reasonable walk from O'Connell street as well. If you're feeling a bit peckish after your skating there's always the concessions offered at the rink, but may I also suggest that Fresh market is literally a few steps from their entrance and there you can find tables and pastries and hot drinks at more of a value.

In the shadow of the interesting Imaginosity building is a small ice rink that has been set up…read moreespecially for the Christmas season. There is an indoor tent type area where you can get your skates on and prepare yourself for scary slippy ice (okay it's probably not scary for most people but not being stable no my feet terrifies me!). The actual ice itself is made up of two sections a big one for big people and the kids who are really good at skating, much better than me. And then there is a small section for small children who want to give skating a go, I think I would have been better off in this section, there are none of those expert skater kids whizzing around in the small bit so there is no fear of someone knocking you over. It's a fairly simple set up, just somewhere to try out your winter sporting skills that most Irish people don't have. I wonder where they got the staffs who work here; they are expert skaters and are ready to pick you up when you fall down! Where did they learn how to skate?

Nice rink! Awesome ice for great skating, amazing staff, very friendly. Don't be afraid to ask for…read moredifferent skates to find the most comfortable pair.

My son and his girlfriend went and asked when paying for the Student rate only to be told there was…read morenone. Yet it is advertised online that you can get the student rate once you pay at the ticket desk. They even had IDs with them to show they were students. Staff member was also rude to them

This is relatively new and therefore quite popular at the moment. The state rink is not huge but…read morebig enough to get around especially if you're only an amateur! The day I was here I brought 10 children. Never again!! If they are falling over a lot I recommend knee pads and elbow pads although they had a couple staff going around helping people up. I was brave enough to try myself and if I could skate back in the 80's why nit now!? I'm certainly not afraid of looking daft.