Clarion claims two top
industry awards

Best Practice & Excellence Through People

The Clarion Hotel IFSC has just been awarded with two of the top awards in the Hotel and Catering industry, Best Practice and Excellence Through People.

Worldwide party June 3rd

L'Aperitif a la Francaise is a celebration of French gastronomy and it's going to take place every year on the first Thursday in June.

This year 16 cities are taking part, next year the number is set to rise to 33.
In Dublin the party will happen from 4.00 pm - 7.00 pm in the heart of the city, in the Round Room of the Mansion House.
Guests will be able to enjoy a stroll around a variety of stalls, sampling various French food and drink products available in Ireland. Confirmed participants include: B&G Wines, Pernod and Fyffes. In addition there will be loads of holidays in France to be won courtesy of Air France.
Tickets for the event, at 15 EUR each, will be on sale (to over 18s only) from 10th May in selected Dublin off-licences and directly from The Dubliner magazine, supporters of the event. To register for further information email: aperitif@thedubliner.ie
"The French concept of l'aperitif goes beyond a mere drink before a meal. It's a time to relax with friends and appreciate the good things in life. It's convivial, elegant, fun and reflects a cultural approach to both appreciating good food and sharing a meal with family and friends. L'Aperitif a la Francaise is an event designed to remind us of these elements and to demonstrate how easy it is for everyone to bring these positive French traits into their everyday lives", said Dominique Geary, Chief Executive, Sopexa Ireland (the French food and drink marketing body), organiser of the event.

NEW TRENDY BAR FOR D1

Dublin 1 has a New Trendy Bar, Grand Central! The A List were out in force to welcome the gorgeous Jennifer Ellison Brookeside Babe turned Pop Star and Dishy Dev, aka Jimmy Harkishin from Coronation St.

Jennifer pulled herself a pint of Guinness, but shrieked at the bitter taste. Dev, on the other hand, pulled a pint and lowered it, in double quick time!
The party spread throughout the variety of areas in Grand Central. “Level 2” downstairs, is just amazing. The original Bank Vault serves as a backdrop to the VIP area which was suitably packed, on the night. The central oval bar gives a real night feel with the hottest sounds resounding through the even hotter sound system.

CORPORATE
FUNCTIONS
This entire basement is so perfect for Corporate functions, celebrations and parties. It can be reserved, early in the week. Don’t forget Christmas is sneaking in, so Book Now and be sure of a great venue, super night.
By Day, Grand Central is a hive of activity with a unique mouth watering Tapas Menu, Bar Bites & Full Menu served all day every day.
Early evening we are into Cocktail Time, (maybe a NY State of Mind?) a Melody of Wines, Speciality Coffees and smooth music, perfect for that wind down after a rough day. Or maybe you are revving up for a great night out. “All aboard” for Grand Central, make it your first and last “Stop”!

PUB TRAIL
Sunday is a Jazz Day with Grand Central hosting The Cotton Club, Live Jazz, Black & White Movies, Cocktails and Brunch or Tapas.
A complete days entertainment and if you want to begin earlier, drop into the Gin Palace in Lr. Abbey St., where the best Traditional Music Session is on between 1pm – 3pm. Why not start there, move on to Grand Central and you are now embarking on the Fitzgerald Pub Trail.
When you hit The Quays in Temple Bar and Kehoes in South Anne St. you will receive your fourth pint with our compliments. Just pick up a Pub Trail leaflet when ordering and get it stamped in each of the hostelries!

LISTED BUILDING
This magnificent listed building, a former AIB Bank, has been restored with great care, retaining a lot of original features. Coupled with stylish complimentary interior design, and sexy lighting, over two floors, Grand Central will now become a renowned social cornerstone in the Plaza of O’ Connell St.
This is the latest addition to the ever expanding Louis Fitzgerald chain of pubs, with The Lotts on Liffey St. and the infamous Baggot Inn coming on stream in Autumn 2004..

FAMOUS NAMESAKE
Grand Central derived its name from the famous namesake in New York. Cosmopolitan style meets traditional elegance. It is a fine monument and meeting place, to enhance the revitalisation plan for the area.
Louis Fitzgerald “crept” towards O’Connell St, with the Gin Palace and now has proudly opened the doors of Grand Central, on the main thoroughfare of our capital city.
Grand Central, 10/11 O’Connell St. hosted the “Grande Opening” on Thursday 25th March. 600 guests partied and revelled into the night, while Dev and Jennifer pulled pints and entertained the happy punters.

New Fish Bar

Chris Bailie and Cian Mooney of D.ONE Restaurant have opened a new eatery “The Fish Bar” beside their existing restaurant and opposite the Clarion Hotel, IFSC.

Chris tells us they are open seven days a week until 8pm., serving fresh fish, and a selection of open sea-food sandwiches. There is also a good selection of wine and beer to go along with this.

They stay open late on concert night at the Point.

IFSCOnline.ie Traffic Rises By 139%

IFSCOnline.ie, the IFSC’s online information partner of choice, has released its latest website traffic figures. Over the last 16 months traffic to the
IFSC website (www.ifsconline.ie) has increased by 139%.
“Through heavy marketing investment to date we continue to deliver the strongest traffic performance over any other market player in Ireland. Our March ’04 site audit figures show that our traffic has grown to 480,623+ page impressions equating to 9,143 unique users”, said Gerard Kennedy, Managing Director of IFSCOnline Ltd.