This was really cool!…read more They have a huge archive of classic English surnames. Mine, Saunders is an English/Welsh name derivative of Anderson. I was able tot get a plaque with my last name, which had history and other cool information and our family crest. I also got a pin for my brother with the coat of Arms. If you have a surname of English lineage, this shop is really cool!

Amazing service, nothing was too much trouble for the Team. I was absolutely delighted with the…read morerefurbished plaque and the amazing painting of the armorials by the heraldic artist. The attention to detail was incredible. I also have to mention the kindness and consideration shown to me when I discovered my wallet was missing from my handbag as I went to pay going so far as to call the Resturant I had recently left to enquire if it had been found. I cannot recommend House of Names highly enough for their professional service/ attention to detail and a "caring" attutide towards their customers.

So glad that we ended up being in Dublin during the night market, and that we happened to see a…read moreflyer about the night market. Although it's very small and not so many vendors, I thought it was great, and the vendors that were there were really nice. I ended up buying something from 3 vendors, and as a bonus, knocked out some souvenirs. Personally, I'd rather support the local vendors rather than the shops around Temple bar.

Thought I would check this out last Thursday, as I had been looking for some cheaper things to do…read morethat could get me out of the apartment during the week. I have to say this was a lot of fun! There was loads of booths selling everything you could think of, from picture frames, to statues, to scarves! Live painting (which was REALLY interesting to watch) and live music. Definitely great craic for a thursday night. Can't wait to check out the next one!

Dublin Tourist Guide: Trinity College - the Long Room…read more If you're traveling to Dublin you must make a few hours to walk Trinity College. I'll share more about the college itself on that yelp page but this review is strictly for the library at Trinity college with an emphasis on the Long Room (one of the most famous views on the campus). Built in the 1700s this library has been used in reference in so many movies and many people will recognize these photos from social media, as it's a highly photographed spot from the college. I was extremely lucky that despite coming in the summer we came on a weekday and it wasn't as packed as most people's own pictures seem to reflect. So my pro tip of course would be to come off season, but if you can't - even us coming in peak tourist season a weekday mid afternoon was a great time to come. The library is literally stunning. I'll honestly never forget it and for as simple as a library may seem, it was one of my favorite historical spots (indoors) that I had seen. The library is roped off on the sides so you don't have full access which makes sense as they don't want people touching the books. Being in the center though you still got great views and I was also lucky to come when they weren't doing maintenance on the library. Something to keep in mind as I've seen they sometimes remove the books for cleaning and maintenance, so something to look up before coming. 5/5 would recommend coming to the long room at the library, a great spot to check out.

Must-visit part of Trinity College in Dublin - we stopped by after The Book of Kells…read more The long room is a library with tens of thousands of books and busts of famous men and women (like Socrates and Shakespeare) lining both sides. It also houses the Brian Boru Harp, which is the oldest surviving Irish harp and a symbol of Ireland. Other notable artifacts include The Irish Proclamation of 1916, and various books and letters of scientific and cultural significance - from botanical drawings to world maps to metal coins. Wish I had taken more time to browse - will be back!

Still as evocative today as it was when they laid the last tile in 1974, Desmond Kinney's "The…read moreTáin" is a brilliant piece of Dublin art tying in Setanta House with its mythic namesake. Often read left to right (as you come in at the end of the story and the entrance of the small car park), the wall is a highlight reel of Irish hero Cuchulainn's exploits -cows, queens and bloody battles. As a piece of durable street art, the mural is alive with colour and motion -pulling the observer along its story telling track with fluid bodies and jewel coloured tesserae. I first met this statue at 13 and was awestruck -art existed everywhere in Dublin. That first long picture I snapped would be one of many as I made return trips to the city and this mosaic again and again. Walking past it today feels as if an old friend is just around the corner.

Jeebus... where to start on this one!? Newgrange is a 5000 year old tombe and religious site...erm…read morewe think! As with all such sites (the pyrimids in Egypt and Stonehenge in the UK are comprable examples) we can only guess at what the builders had in mind. To say we are lucky to have a site as impressive and important as this on our doorstep (about an hour and a bit from Dublin) is a huge understatement, it looks as impressive is it should be after a reconstruction some 30 years ago by a bunch of very very clever archaeologists. the results can be viewed by booking in advance and putting your name down for the 3 year waiting lists to be there at the summer and winter solstices. Opening times February - April: Daily 09.30 - 17.30. May: Daily 09.00 - 18.30. June - Mid September: Daily 09.00 - 19.00. Mid - End September: Daily 09.00 - 18.30. October: Daily 09.30 - 17.30. November - January: Daily 09.00 - 17.00.

If you come to Dublin this UNESCO world heritage site is a "must see". Everything I want to say…read morewill just be repeating the many good reasons to come here so read beyond my post and I'll keep mine short. - 5,000 year old tombs (New Grange, Knowth & Dowth) that are older than the pyramids and you can actually go inside New Grange. - 60% of Western Europe's neolithic art is found in the area. - inside the New Grange tomb is like going back in time, keep in mind these tombs were built with no modern tools at all and yet they knew how to build them and align the entrance on some, so they light up during the solstice. - friendly, knowledgeable guides. - well organised, small groups are taken in by bus rather than a mob of people overrunning the place so you can actually see and take it all in. - buy your tickets online and go early - a great Visitors Center gives you the backstory of the tomb's history before your tour.

Sometimes you just need to get away. Get away from the 'man'. Get away from the city noise. Get…read moreaway from your anxious irrational thoughts. Come here. I know that you have walked by the potted plants several times on the concrete steps. Next time walk in. It is 'Silent Space'. It's not religious, it's just somewhere for people to relax in silence and gather their thoughts. A sanctuary within the city-scape. You can stay as long as you want, sit, lay down whatever rocks your boat. Also it's handy if you have a steaming hangover and need a power lunch-time nap... Yes you can sleep in there too, trust me ;)

This is the type of place you see spring up in New York, where a load of amazing and quirky and…read morecreative people get off their amazing and quirky and creative asses and do something amazing and quirky and creative. Nestled away just off Queen St and Benburb St, with buildings all around, and the Luas running right next to it, is the Art Tunnel Smithfield. A 70m long narrow strip of garden slash art gallery slash park slash community area. It's truly amazing what's been done here in I believe about 10 months. A narrow, derelict site has been changed into something truly wonderful for the community to own and be part of and use to enrich their lives. The space is divided into a few sections - 1) A wild section out the back that hasn't been leveled or 'done' in anyway - just allowed to grow and be a home for local flora and fauna 2) A community art section that will soon be encased by gorgeous creepers, making it feel nearly like a secret garden art gallery. Any member of the community can ask to put something up here - at the moment it's full of small canvasses made by eight year olds, and they are fab! 3) A small seating area where you can sit with your book, or chat to others who are using the space 4) A curated arts section for more large scale pieces by emerging artists. You will need to come down to really see what these wonderful pieces are about This is all housed amongst flowers and greenery not normally seen in areas like this. Anyone can become a key holder - just contact the guys through the Facebook page, or get down there yourself and have a chat. I'm delighted I've found it and will certainly be making the most of it!

Stumbled across this place the other day on my way somewhere else…read more It's like finding a Narnia-like garden in the middle of the city. It is there for any local residents to use. You can go in and garden, create art, or just admire what's already there. This is the type of place that makes Dublin the unique city it is.

History buffs, grab your note books; it's time for a lesson on Ye Olde Dvblin…read more Part Viking deterrent, part medieval boundary, today pieces of the wall can be found in basements and streets of the most central parts of the City Centre. As the pictures here attest, a cleaned-up and polished piece today stands on Cornmarket and Lamb Alley. Less plainly a large chunk makes up some of nearby St. Aodoen's church outer wall along Cook Street (as well as one of the last surviving city gates). Throughout the local area excavators have uncovered signs of life spanning hundreds of years and several layers of this fascinating piece of history. Some of these examples can be found in neighbouring museums, but when you can walk right up to a piece of history and run your hands along the stones ...well, it doesn't get much better. For an up close look along with a plate of pasta, Luigi Malones in Temple Bar is home to another section in their basement dining area.

Outdoor art along the River Liffie…read more Horror and loss is defined in the faces We are great fans of outdoor statues Irish potato famine is not clearly understood in US We recommend a visit to nearby EPIC

The famine memorial on the Customs House Quay is in remembrance of the Great Famine of 1845-1849,…read morewhich saw the population of Ireland cut in half through death and emigration. (It's very near the EPIC Museum, which tells the story of some of those migrants.) The memorial shows emigrants leaving Ireland for a new life and is worth a visit if you're in the area.

Tonight off I went to one more event, part of the "Dublin Food Porn" theme. It was a 1h or so quick…read moreset up in the basement of the trendy Platform 61 in D2. The crew had their masks and leathers on and there were leaflets of lube of different flavours and tingling things... The place itself is very small and there were many people so got a bit overcrowded and warm. There was a queue of at least 20 girls waiting for a bit of make-up so I preferred to look at the products, chat and try the cocktails and nibbles. My stars go to the delicious mint and vodka drinks and to the absolutely delish creme brûlée! The event itself didn't have much interaction though. The goodie bag had a discount voucher, 2 condoms and a few small samples of lube.

Finally, I feel connected to the world and my own nationality. I don't drink alcohol, never had a…read moretaste for it, probably because I've a maaaaaajor sweet tooth hehe! Good food is my only buzz. I was on a Youth Exchange with Italian folk and swore I was meant to be Italian because of their love of fine foods. I am a food enthusiast and am always eating in the City Centre. I look up reviews like these ones sussing out new little places. I really love to hear independent cafes/restaurants opening up because they take their own way on serving up a dish, with unique recipes and a different approach to the same old, same old that you'd get in the likes of Starbucks, Costa etc. I've chosen to share a few photos here that when I look at, still make my mouth water. Pitt Bros is a must-try for anyone who likes MEAT. And, if you like authentic American style BBQ! The meat is cooked low 'n' slow with some of the tastiest sides such as Mac 'n' Cheese. N.B. This is the only Mac 'n' Cheese I've found that I like! Sweet Republic is a must-try for sweet lovers. It's in the name, it's a republic for sweet things! They've got surreal combinations, such as overloaded milkshakes with muffin tops! Thinking of the nutella milkshake with the donut top is giving me a head rush.. Aungier Danger is a little hub for creatively filled donuts. It's got all sorts of donuts such as a red velvet and banana and carmel. They stay open until all the fresh donuts have been sold! I popped in late one evening, and as expected all the lovely donuts were gone. However, the lad on the counter prompted me with a donut style ice cream cone filled with vanilla ice cream. I was hesitant at first, but after my first bite of that doughy cone I was very pleased with my choice! The dough was so tasty and the ice cream complemented the sweetness!