Mespil Hotel

Sitting on the busy Mespil Road, this hotel is in a really nice part of Dublin overlooking the Grand Canal. The area is classed as both residential and commercial so you'll spot office staff on their way to work in the nearby Baggot Street.

On the other hand there are some beautiful Georgian houses opposite the Mespil Hotel with authentic arches and there is an original canal lock directly across from the hotel. Also, the iconic statue of the writer Patrick Kavanagh is on the other side of the canal - great photo opportunity.

Train - Your best bet would be to make your way from either Heuston or Connolly Station to St. Stephens Green and catch the Luas Tram (see below). From Connolly Station you can catch the DART to Grand Canal Dock Station but to be honest the Mespil Hotel is still a good 10 minute walk away along the canal.

Bus - The most convenient Dublin Bus to use is bus no. 10, which runs from Upper O'Connell Street in Dublin city centre. There is a bus stop about 50 metres away from the Mespil Hotel at Baggot Street Bridge, just head for Mespil Road and you'll find the hotel on your left.

LUAS Tram - Catch the Luas Tram from St. Stephens Green (green line) and get off at the Charlemont stop, which is two stops away. When you get off the Luas, head onto Grand Parade and then Mespil Road, following the canal. After about a 5-minute walk, you'll see the Mespil Hotel on your left.

From Dublin Airport you can catch the Aircoach from a departure point directly opposite the exit of the arrivals hall, just go over the pedestrian crossing. The fare is roughly EUR7.00 one-way and about EUR12.00 return fare.

Tell the driver you want to get off at the Mespil Hotel stop - this'll drop you at Leeson Street Bridge and you then walk along Mespil Road with the canal to your right and you'll reach the Mespil Hotel after roughly a 2-minute walk.

There's also the Air Link Bus, again it leaves from just outside the arrivals hall and runs into O'Connell Street - grab the Dublin Bus no. 10 from here (see above).

Taxis are an even easier option and could cost you anything between EUR20.00 and EUR30.00, depending on traffic and so on.

If you use St. Stephens Green (see Luas Tram directions above) as your central point you'll easily get around the main sights of Dublin from the Mespil Hotel.

Apart from the retail outlets of this area (Grafton Street and St. Stephens Green Shopping Centre), there's Trinity College and the amazing Book of Kells at the bottom of Grafton Street while the pubs and clubs of Temple Bar are only a couple of minutes walk away.

O'Connell Street and the towering Spire are just across the river and along the quays you'll find the Ha'penny Bridge to your left and the imposing Custom House to your left as you cross O'Connell Bridge. A walk along College Green, Dame Street and Lord Edward Street will take you past Dublin Castle, City Hall and up to Christchurch Cathedral.

If you fancy a stroll through Georgian Dublin you can walk from the Mespil Hotel to Baggot Street Bridge and follow Baggot Street all the way to Merrion Row. A turn down to the right will take you to attractions within the Merrion Square part of Dublin such as the National Museum, the National Gallery and Leinster House, home of the Irish government.