There is something rather appealing about having Dublin to yourself for 24 hours. For those of us who live outside the capital, a trip to Dublin can often mean a day of appointments, shopping, a concert or a family occasion before heading home again. But with autumn and winter approaching, there is another option: make a proper night of it.
Dublin in the autumn and winter months has its own particular atmosphere. The evenings arrive earlier, Georgian streets glow beneath the street lights and the city’s museums, galleries, theatres, restaurants, cafes and bars become destinations in themselves. It is a time of year when Dublin feels less hurried and more suited to wandering.
For a short city break, The College Green Hotel has the capital on its doorstep. Trinity College is directly opposite the hotel, while Grafton Street, St Stephen’s Green, Dublin Castle, the National Gallery and the city’s cultural quarter are all close by. It means you can arrive, leave the car behind and spend the next 24 hours simply exploring.
Start with breakfast at the hotel before heading out into the city. From College Green, there is plenty to see without needing to plan every minute. Walk across to Trinity College, take a stroll towards Grafton Street and St Stephen’s Green or spend some time in the National Gallery. For those who know Dublin well, it can be surprisingly enjoyable to see the city again without the pressure of having to be somewhere.
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And if the weather turns, there are plenty of places to duck into. Dublin’s galleries, museums, cafes and shops provide an easy excuse to take things at a slower pace.
Come evening, the city’s cultural life comes into its own. Theatre remains an important part of Dublin’s identity, with the Abbey Theatre, Gate Theatre and Bord Gáis Energy Theatre offering an eclectic programme throughout autumn and winter.
The College Green Hotel building has more than 200 years of history behind it, beginning as the Royal Irish Institution before later becoming the headquarters of the Bank of Ireland. Its past is still evident in the architecture and character of the hotel.
The former Banking Hall remains one of the most impressive spaces, while the old bank vault has been transformed into The Mint Bar, a hidden speakeasy serving award-winning cocktails and dining in an intimate setting.
Then there is the Atrium Lounge, the hotel’s striking five-storey space beneath a glass roof. It has long been at the heart of the building, bringing natural light into its centre and providing a setting for breakfast, afternoon tea or simply taking a break from the city outside.
This November, the Atrium Lounge will begin a new chapter following a complete transformation and renovation. The aim of the reimagined space is to retain the character and heritage of the building while elevating it as a destination for afternoon tea.
This September marks 25 years of The College Green Hotel. That silver anniversary sits within the building’s much longer history and offers an opportunity to celebrate both the hotel and its connection with Dublin. To mark the occasion, the hotel partnered with Irish silversmiths Silverworks to create A Silver Legacy, an experience centred on Irish craftsmanship and creativity.
Guests taking part can visit the Silverworks Atelier and choose between a private ring-forging workshop or a Claddagh ring-forging experience. Working alongside an Irish silversmith, guests create their own piece to take home. The experience also includes Champagne on arrival and a curated guide to Hidden Dublin.
There is something particularly appropriate about celebrating 25 years through the tradition of making something by hand. Silver may mark the anniversary, but the idea of Irish craftsmanship goes back much further to generations of makers creating objects with meaning and stories of their own.
Book your stay at thecollegegreenhotel.com
