En garde. Grab the garlic, shine up the armour for a stay at Clontarf Hotel Castle, Dublin, birthplace of Bram StokerThe second best thing to experience when you travel to Ireland is to stay in a genuine Irish castle. Of the course the best thing to experience would be to meet a leprachaun and find his pot of gold, yet there's not many who can boast of this.
Castles began being built in Ireland during the Norman invasions of the 1000s and continued to be built through to the early 20th century. So there are plenty to choose from, to either visit or to feel like a King munching on marmalade toast in a four poster bed in one of these architectural homages to wealth and political power.
One of Dublin's more well known castles with accommodation is Clontarf Castle. Here you will be transported to medieval times in this hotel built around this centuries old castle. Think Robin Hood style, dark timber, heavy curtains and of course no Irish abode is complete without a bar. The Clontarf Hotel Castle boasts the aptly named Knights Bar where you can whet your appetite with a pint of Guinness.
Once you've had your first Guinness, its time for the traditional Irish pub crawl. Next stop drop into the Sheds (Connolly's) in the heart of Clontarf's restaurant district.Then hail a taxi for Dublin's best kept drinking secret, the Central Hotel Library Bar. This lushly furnished bar with couches, lavish armchairs and dog eared books has great views of South George Street and apparently, according to Pol O'Conghaile the author of Bar Secrets Dublin cards from the Deck of Secrets Series, "there isn't a Ralph Lauren shirt in sight." He also suggests that you arrive early for the couches. (1-5 Exchequer Street, Dublin 2)
Clontarf Castle in Dublin has released an exclusive rate for Travelzoo: Stay midweek for $AUD145 (€85) per room, per night, including full Irish breakfast (worth $25 each). This works out less than the regular room-only rate. The offer also includes two of the hotel's trademark Irish coffees (worth $12 each). Stay Sunday-Thursday until 31 November. Book by 21 September. Blackout dates: 10, 20 & 24 September
How to book: Visit www.travelzoo.com.au to book online.
Nicole Lenoir-Jourdan is a freelance writer and publicist. Her client list includes www.travelzoo.com.au