Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year!

From all of us at Mount Herbert Hotel - Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Thank you to all who visited us in 2010 and we look forward to welcoming you to us at Sandymount Hotel in 2011!

Mount Herbert Hotel to be Renamed Sandymount Hotel

In May 1955 George and Rosaleen Loughran came to Dublin from Northern Ireland and founded Mount Herbert Hotel. Sadly, they passed away in recent years, but we are proud to say that their legacy continues with their son, John, and his eldest son, Gerard, directors.

What sets this hotel apart from others in Dublin is the genuine care for and interest shown in guests who stay with us by family and staff.

On 10 January 2011 the hotel will change its name to “Sandymount Hotel”. We are excited about the change as it marks a new direction, following recent enhancements which have given the hotel a new look and feel.

The name change coincides with the reopening of the Aviva Stadium next to the hotel, on the site of the oldest international rugby grounds in the world at Lansdowne Road.

This unique name will make the hotel easy to locate beside Sandymount, perhaps Dublin’s most beautiful village.

• If you have made a reservation with us as Mount Herbert Hotel for dates after 10 January there is no need to take further action in relation to your booking.

• Our telephone and fax number will stay the same.

• Our address will be Sandymount Hotel, Herbert Road, Lansdowne Road, Dublin 4.

• Our new website will be at www.sandymounthotel.ie

We look forward to welcoming you to Sandymount Hotel, where the care and values associated with the “Loughran tradition” will continue to be our cornerstone for the future.

Dublin at Night

Image Copyright Sylvia Taylor

This eye-catching image of Dublin selected from our Dublin Images Flickr Group was taken by Sylvia Taylor.

The picture brings together some of the city's newest additions along the River Liffey in a spectacular way - The Convention Centre Dublin, the Dublin Wheel and the Samuel Beckett Bridge.

Sylvia says of her picture:
"Dublin City is a fantastic place to take great pictures especially at night time. This particular picture was taken on my Nikon D40x on a slow shutter speed of 14 seconds and an ISO of 100. That weekend the Convention Centre and the Dublin Eye were lit up blue to represent National Diabetes Day so it was a great opportunity to capture an image of these two features lit up the same colour."

BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition

The BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition 2011, now in its 47th year, takes place on 12th - 15th January.

The competition has received a record-breaking number of entries this year, with 3,943 students submitting a total of 1,735 projects. 520 projects will be featured at the exhibition, which takes place at the RDS in Ballsbridge, just a few minutes from Mount Herbert Hotel.

We are offering a special rate for people visiting the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition, with an overnight stay and full Irish breakfast from just €37.50 per person sharing.

Call us on 01 6142000 for more details or to make a booking.

National Crafts & Design Fair at RDS Dublin

If there's ever a time to start your Christmas Shopping, it's when the National Crafts & Design Fair comes to the RDS!

Running from the 1st December until the 5th, this annual event brings together 500 designers, artists and crafts people offering everything from chcolate to high fashion.

Entry is €10, with discounts for OAPs and Groups, and if you haven't had a chance to see everything (or buy everything!) you wanted, you can also get a free re-admission ticket on your way out.

Complimentary gift wrapping is available and early birds who get there on the first day of the event will also be treated to a 10% courtesty discount on all purchases.

As well as array of arts & crafts, there is also a Food Emporium offering aselection of food and wine from across the globe, along with free talks, tastings and demonstrations.

The RDS is only a ten minute stroll from Mount Herbert Hotel, making us the ideal place to stay if you're visiting the Fair from further afield. Take a look at our Christmas Shopping Stay, which includes a hot whiskey or Irish coffee with mince pie on arrival, an overnight stay in one of our stylish rooms and a full Irish breakfast the next morning from just €34.50 per person sharing. Call us on 01 6142000 for more details or to make a booking.

We hope you enjoy the 2010 National Crafts & Design Fair and find some great gifts!

Sligo Win 2010 FAI Ford Cup Final

Sligo Rovers won the 2010 FAI Ford Cup Final on Sunday, much to the delight of our Sales & Marketing Manager Michelle Sweeney, who hails from Enniscrone.

Our Tritonville Bar & Terrace was jam-packed full of fans on the day, with Sligo's Ocean FM coming along to broadcast the run-up to the match live from Mount Herbert Hotel. With a sea of supporters, live interviews and great music, the atmosphere was absolutely electric here!

Michelle is pictured above (third from left) with the lucky winner of Ocean FM / Mount Herbert Hotel competition Una Kilgannon of Templeboy, Sligo Mayor Matt Lyons (front row, second from left), and Sligo Rovers supporters.

Christmas in Dublin

Take a peek at a few of the events on offer this festive season in Dublin, just a snowball's throw from Mount Herbert Hotel!

Xpose Xmas Xperience 19th - 21st November
Get ready for the Christmas party season with fashion and beauty inspiration from the Xposé Xmas Xperience at the RDS. The 3 day event will feature catwalk shows & make-up masterclasses hosted by Xposé’s glamorous leading ladies, along with live entertainment by F.Y.D. on Friday's opening night and Jamie Archer on the Saturday.

Taste of Christmas 26th - 28th November
If you haven't had a chance to take a look at the new Convention Centre Dublin yet, what better reason than to go along to the Taste of Christmas! Meet the experts for their top tips on festive food & drink at this three day feast and sample signature dishes from Dublin's top restaurants. Celeb chefs (including Gino D’Acampo, Kevin Dundon, Heston Blumenthal, Catherine Fulvio, Conrad Gallagher and Donal Skehan) will be demonstrating how to create the perfect Christmas feast with live theatre shows in the sate-of-the-art auditorium, so you'll have no excuses!

A Chocolate Christmas in Temple Bar 3rd - 5th December
A fabulous combination of chocolate and winter wonderland, this 3 day festival is choc-a-bloc with festive fun for all the family, including outdoor movies, panto, chcocolate making talks, demonstrations, workshops and most importantly - tastings!

7UP Christmas on Ice
This year you can take your pick of two fantastic venues to take to your skates at. Admire the views from Arnotts rooftop rink or enjoy the festive atmosphere at the RDS, and chase the chills away with hot chocolate, gourmet coffee and treats from the chocolate fountain. 7UP Christmas on Ice opens at Arnotts on 12th November and at the RDS from 3rd December, and runs until mid January 2011.

Stay at Mount Herbert Hotel during the festive season and get an Irish coffee or hot whisky and a mince pie on arrival, an overnight stay in one of our stylish rooms and full Irish breakfast the next morning from just €34.50 per person sharing with our special offer. Call us on 01 6142000 for more details or to make a booking.