Bagpipers strolling the streets of Historic Dublin, Irish cooking classes and tea tastings, Irish storytelling and book signings, an Irish dinner with music and dancers, and an Irish New Year’s Eve package – these are just a few of the new Irish Experiences available in the City of Dublin in the coming months.
The Dublin Convention and Visitors Bureau recently announced the first-ever recipients for the Bureau’s new Irish Experience Grant Program. The program was developed to create more Irish product and entertainment in the City of Dublin to further build upon the City’s destination brand, thus enhancing the visitor and resident experience and, ultimately, attracting more visitors and their travel dollars to Dublin.
The grant program was created in response to a recent study conducted by North Star Destination Strategies, which found that visitors want more Irish product and entertainment to enjoy separately from the Dublin Irish Festival and St. Patrick’s Day events. Another new program launched based on these results is the Irish Approved Business Program, which you can learn more about at www.IrishApproved.com.
The grant program, which is administered through the Bureau, awards funds to local restaurants, attractions, shops, hotels and businesses for offering Irish-inspired entertainment. The City of Dublin also provided financial support for the program through a bed tax grant.
Inaugural recipients of the grant program include Embassy Suites Dublin, the Historic Dublin Business Association, Tehku Tea Company and Mezzo.
Embassy Suites will be creating an Irish New Year’s Eve Package that includes children’s events, arts and crafts, entertainment, Irish dancers and live music.
Historic Dublin’s Jig Thursdays, held the first Thursday of every month, feature bagpipers throughout Historic Dublin as a result of the grant program. The popular Jig Thursdays also include music, entertainment, drink and food specials, food trucks and much more.
Tehku Tea Company is hosting several new Irish experiences, including Irish music performances in August and October; an Irish cooking class with tea tasting in September; and a workshop series of Irish storytelling and book signings in July and September.
Mezzo is featuring Irish themed dinners to be held on the third Sunday of each month that will include Irish fare, music, dancers and magicians. Dinners will be held from 5-7 p.m. on June 16, July 21 and Aug. 18.
Local businesses may apply for a grant by contacting the Bureau at 792-7666 or visiting www.IrishisanAttitude.com.
Scott Dring is a contributing writer and executive edirector of the Dublin Convention and Visitors Bureau. Feedback welcome at laurand@cityscenemediagroup.com.
