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!

Hmmm... not sure you can actually call this place a village - there are too many main roads parting…read moreit at various angles but none the less the place manages to maintain a nice atmosphere and it really is down to the shops and pubs and (most noteworthy of all) the restaurants. There are really very few places within the realm of Dublin where you will find such a large and varied collection of eateries and indeed a more noteworthy one - overall the quality offered is spectacular and I really think it is to do with a collective effort to bring trade to the area and also I guess an element of competition. The area is clean and well kept and with a dart station close by and several bus routes in and out it really is an ideal spot for a night out (without the kids if you can help it!). Yeaah...I'm a fan!

Come here to dine, walk or enjoy. its Dublin best kept secret.read more

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!

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.

A hidden little gem of Swords only the few will find this. Beside Airside retail park it is what…read morethe local apartments and houses were named after (i think) holywell. Somebody has carefully put up some prayers and a little shrine and little stones around the little well. The thing missing is a bench to sit on and relax and pray if you like that kind of thing.

I found this on yelp thought I would give it a shot since my hotel is withing walking distance of…read moreit. It was a cute little walk and a nice little set up. Although there was a lot of trash there such as beer cans and stuff. Other than the trash it was a nice little hidden gem to walk to and explore.

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.

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 ;)

As Dolmens go, this is a pretty good one!…read more I might have been overawed a bit because the setting was so lovely - it was surrounded by a field of bright yellow rapeseed flowers. With the sun out and the sky blue, it was a sight to behold. And it was the first proper summers day in about two months! There is a handy purpose made carpark on the side of the road and there is a proper path to lead you to the Dolmen. If you do happen to be in Carlow, take a look. It's not too far out the Hacketstown Road.

this dolmen is about 4000 years old and is holding up well. to get to it you walk up a little…read morefenced path and then you will find the dolmen in a clearing in the middle of a field. surrounded by fields its really peaceful and a bit of history on your doorstep. they have a big sign full of information for the tourist or for the interested. beneath the dolmen apparently has never been excavated so it may be interesting to wonder what is down there among the rocks and soil. the dolmen is made up of two stones which are the entrance to a tomb, possibly the buriel place of many people. its amazing to wonder how they managed to get such large stones in place and to remain that way for so long.