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.

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 ;)

The fares are the same as a normal taxi except its a 7-seater van with screens in the headrests and…read more2 mics! I dont need to tell you how awesome this is. I have called the Karaoke Taxi Man to get to the airport twice--he is a really nice guy. His name is David. First time it was to take a friend to the airport to move out of the country. Pretty sad--but karaoke taxi made it not so sad. Last time it was singing Tom Jones on the way to the airport with my in-laws at 5am. Made a horribly early flight much better. Waaaay better than the aircoach--and cheaper too! €26 from the quays to the airport. We got in about 6 songs. Holla.

The revamp of the Docklands has been one of the better things to come from the economic fortunes,…read morealthough I worry that socially it may become a ghetto type scenario with the lack of buyers for the apartments or people defaulting. For now it is still a busy part of the city, especially amongst the workers there as there are many multinationals and design firms in the area. So as a result it has a very modern feel with a lot of upwardly mobile eateries. I am a fan of the sculptures in the area, they really make the quay a pleasant place to amble through or to sit and relax. Worth the walk to this side of town.

It's hard for me to diss the Docklands because I live here and I have to be proud of my…read moreneighbourhood. I know that this area is going to get better and better and in one year it will be unrecognizable. Most of it is still under construction. With the extension of the Luas and the new apartment blocks that are being built, the neighbourhood will soon become the next Smithfield, meaning that it will be filled with young professionals and become an international ghetto. Right now, there are some amazing sights from the top of the existing apartment complexes. I can see all of Dublin from my roof: Howth Head, the Dublin Mountains, Croke Park, Lansdowne Park, the Spire, Clontarf and East Wall. The boardwalk along the Liffey also has some historical sights too. Walking along the river, you can see the Jeanie Johnson, a replica of a Famine boat, and these haunting statues of Famine victims. There are a number of mobile cafes and restaurant a long the river too. The boardwalk is also a way to avoid some of the rough people who live behind the IFSC. But even the rude children who shout abuse at you add charm to the Docklands.

Was really pleasantly surprised by Fratelli's. Had seen vouchers for it on the various different…read moreusual sites and hadn't given it much thought tbh. Got invited along to an occasion here last weekend and used said voucher. The menu really impressed me, seemed very authentic with many options not often seen at your usual run of the mill Italian. I went for the venison sausage with berry and red onion reduction for starter and wild boar bolognese with papardelle fresh egg pasta topped with parmesan cheese. Both were top notch and I'd recommend both for sure. We finished by sharing the homemade tiramisu and a chocolate cherry cake, both didn't last long, the tiramisu in particular was bloody fantastic. Nice as I've had :)

Fratelli's fills a spot in Swords village that has long been left open - a decent Italian…read morerestaurant. At one stage there were three in the village but they all closed their doors in recent years. They serve authentic Italian food, with an emphasis on freshly made items like pasta and tiramisu (one of the best I've had). The service is fantastic and there is value to be had in the Early bird or voucher offers to be found on the usual discount sites, though the ala carte menu is definitely on the pricier side. No better (or other!) place to look for a good feed of Italian fare in Swords; you'll get a warm welcome and be looked after very well if our experience was anything to go by!