With top conference facilities, gourmet appeal, and golfing greens as far as the eye can see, Ireland’s draw for the business market is well assured. But with new investment pouring in, the Emerald Isle is set to increase its attractions even further.
In particular her lovely cities have proven alluring to leisure and business travellers alike, and while Dublin alone once drew the visitors, now Belfast and Cork have a growing share of the trade. With each of Ireland’s major conurbations offering their own unique appeal, Ireland has never been more popular. So whether you’re looking for gourmet food and drink in Dublin, top hotels in Belfast, or arts and culture in Cork, there’s more than enough to keep Irish eyes smiling.
Dublin
Dublin has undoubtedly been the darling of the Irish tourist scene to date, boasting sky-high visitor ratings and traditional Gallic charm. The city’s popularity is such that Dublin’s entire airport is currently undergoing extensive redevelopment and expansion, with the building of a second terminal and improved transport links to the city. The €600m project is due for final completion in 2010 where the new terminal will be able to accommodate an additional 15 million passengers a year on both long and short haul flights. In addition, transport links to and from the airport will finally include a metro system – a relief for many frequent visitors who can currently only access the city by bus or car.
For the time being road is still the gateway to Dublin, but once inside the city proper, visitors will soon forgive the clogged roadways. Wandering through the centre is a perfect way to enjoy the scenic charms, and most visitors head for the picturesque Temple Bar area. This lovely area of historic buildings is also home to some of Dublin’s most iconic bars and is the ideal locale for newcomers keen to sample a pint of native stout after a long day’s business proceedings.
Temple Bar is also within easy walking distance of the beautiful Trinity College, which draws daily crowds to gaze at the famous Book of Kells. This sacred artefact is one of the most venerated religious tomes in the world and its contents are seen as a cornerstone to modern Christianity.
Like many European cities Dublin has also benefited from various EU cash boosts, which has allowed the previously run down shipping areas to be regenerated. The Grand Canal Square is the centrepiece of the current project which has seen new nightlife, restaurants and art projects breathe life into the Docklands area.
If it’s gourmet appeal you’re searching for, Dublin is ahead of the game when it comes to showcasing Ireland’s great culinary heritage in a beguiling fusion of modern and traditional dishes. With provenance featuring high on the agenda of most chefs in the city, good restaurants are easy pickings.
Capitalising on its gourmet reputation, Ireland is also enticing increasing numbers of incentive parties to try their hand in a traditional kitchen. Just north of the city, newcomer Howth Castle has already gained considerable corporate acclaim, catering to small parties of between six and twelve. Housed in an atmospheric 15th century building with a highly flexible range of menu options for guests, the castle surrounds present an idyllic setting for cooking up a storm. It’s certainly one way to cater to fussy eaters, as guests cook their own meal under the watchful eye of an expert chef, and enjoy the fruits of their labour at the end of the session.
If you’re looking for a food incentive with a difference, however, then the Westin Dublin’s ‘sensory dining’ offers a new spin on the standard dinner out. Billed as perfect for team-bonding events, blindfolded guests fumble and savour their way through a number of gourmet bites with the aim of educating their palate to be more responsive to the sensory aspect of the cuisine. The dining phenomenon is currently available for companies who can hire the Exchange Restaurant exclusively for the experience.
Of course the most immediate way to engage with Dublin’s local cuisine is to head into a bar and savour a pint of Guinness with locally farmed Loch Fyne oysters. But for those who’d like to appreciate the native delicacy in more upscale surroundings Bentley’s Oyster Bar opened its Dublin branch of the legendary London seafood restaurant this year.
The premises include the main Bentley Bar and Grill which can be hired exclusively for lunch, whilst the adjoining Aviator Lounge with views over St Stephens Green is more deliberately set up for corporates and can be hired for both lunch and dinner.
If you’ve filled up on gourmet cuisine, then it’s time to enjoy the stout-fuelled nightlife for which Dublin is so justly famed. And if Guinness is at the heart of the city then music must be its soul. There’s hardly a spot in the city without a musical local, and minstrels throng the streets in daytime, and pack the bars at night. Folk tunes are very much alive and well and the classic Irish fiddle player is by no-means relegated to tourist traps. The city is also a hub of traditional instruments, ranging from the traditional Irish drum to goat bones – the oldest known instrument in the world. Although you’ll still find plenty of “traditional” Celtic drums emblazoned with the Guinness symbol.
Despite new bands and popular music, Irish folk has managed to remain part of the underground Dublin nightlife scene, kept alive by bands like The Pogues and The Dubliners. Those heading to a local pub to enjoy the tunes should bear in mind that the etiquette of listening to Irish music is distinct from most other cultures. Here the musicians are playing for themselves, and dancing and clapping is not generally a form of appreciation. Instead, guests are encouraged to sit back, sup their pint and soak up the ambiance.
Belfast
Belfast has seen high-paced growth in the last decade to the extent that even the locals hardly recognise it. With a new transport hub, burgeoning hotel scene, and even its own millennium-style wheel from which to view the latest improvements, it’s become Ireland’s secret weapon when it comes to business trade.
In fact interest in the city as the ‘next big thing’ is such that it’s won numerous travel awards and accolades, from ‘Top City Break’ in The Guardian to ‘Most Liveable City’ by the BBC. And whilst Dublin has historically stolen the show for its quirky charm and character, it looks as though Belfast is a hot contender for the crown.
Highlighting the rapid expansion of the city is the incredible development of the hotel industry of late, which has seen all the big names decamp to the city with many facilities on hand for business travellers. Hilton, Malmaison and numerous other hotel chains have now opened their doors here in force, and a boutique offering is beginning to blossom.
Meanwhile the established residences have seen fit to expand their offerings to cater to the extra demand, with a £10m expansion of the city’s Ramada Hotel including a new bar, restaurant and fitness centre along with 90 new bedrooms. Premier Inn is also opening another hotel in the Cathedral Quarter late this year. The 171 bedroom hotel will include five meeting rooms and also represents a handy break-out option from nearby larger hotels. Whilst following a £7m investment, Belfast’s Europa opened an impressive new exhibition centre in March this year. The state of the art development is one of the largest conference and exhibition centres in Northern Ireland, and is a flagship venue for the hotel.
Outside of the ever-expanding hotel scene, the city has many other attractions for those looking to stretch their legs away from the conference rooms. The lovely cathedral is a favourite with visitors, whilst the parliament buildings of Stormont are an attraction for both architectural and political enthusiasts. By the same token Belfast has a number of ways to explore her less salubrious past, even offering ‘terror tours’ to spots of previous terrorist activity and execution.
Those looking for a less weighty take on Irish history might prefer to indulge in the country’s famed production of quality malts. With the Irish well known for enjoying a drop, a whiskey distillery is a great choice if you’re looking for an incentive trip to fit into a half day. With the Bushmills Distillery celebrating its 400 year anniversary last year, the brewery are pulling out all the stops for a good craic. Visitors should be warned, however that as the tour and tasting includes generous samples of the company products, corporates hoping to keep some of the day productive might be better advised to make an afternoon visit.
If you’ve a bit more time on your hands to get further out still, Belfast is also perfectly placed for a day-trip to The Giant’s Causeway. This breathtaking natural spot is home to one of Ireland’s greatest legends, and is a fine way to enjoy a tall tale amongst some of the country’s justly famed landscape.
Cork
Lovely Cork has begun to attract a lot of attention on the events and meetings market, as a smart new airport has made it more accessible than ever. Since winning European City of Culture in 2005, Cork has received investment of nearly €300m, leading to attractive new openings and key regenerative programmes.
In particular, Cork has managed to carve her own niche as a capital of artistic talent, showcasing the work of historic residents as well as celebrating upcoming talent. Predominantly the Crawford Municipal Art Gallery is universally applauded as one of the city’s ‘must-sees’. This striking building has recently been extended to properly house its mammouth collection, and from these works of local artist James Barry take pride of place. The contentious painter managed to have himself expelled from London’s Royal Academy during his lifetime for his strongly held nationalistic views, the results of which are exhibited throughout this modern gallery.
For more picturesque scenes of the local countryside the attached Gibson Gallery is also a favourite for art lovers, and includes potraits of literary greats such as Yeats and Joyce as part of the collection.
Fans of more contemporary stylings will also enjoy the Glucksman Gallery, on the west side of the city. This striking construction came close to scooping an architectural award for the innovation of its structure, which includes rotating exhibitions as part of its design. Nearby, a wander in Fitzgerald Park encompasses both outdoor sculture and landscaped grounds in a popular meeting spot for local residents.
If you’d prefer to experience the artistic charms of this attracive city outside the art galleries, there is also plenty of local talent showcased on Oliver Plunkett Street – a traditional stroll past many small shops and restaurants. Whilst the ironically titled English Market is the best place to shop for local Irish food amongst nineteenth-century archways. Here the brave can buy a portion of ‘disheen’ – a local sausage made from sheep’s blood.
St Fin Barre’s Cathedral is also a popular visit for its attractive French Gothic façade, whilst outside of the town, rugged Blarney Castle sets the scene for kissing the legendary Blarney Stone – not as easy as one might assume given its place of situ.
For many visitors, however, the charms of Cork are best enjoyed on foot, within the compact centre, and wandering the streets is a genuinely Irish experience, with plenty of historic thoroughfares and buildings on hand. Not to be left behind Dublin and Belfast, however, the city has recently won a unique new regeneration project for its Atlantic Quarter, which promises a new event and conference centre, capable of hosting over 5,300 people. But while modern developments might revamp Cork’s outer limits, there’s no doubt that this is a city well prepared to preserve and celebrate her heritage.
