Irish Blog Awards – and the winners are…

Attended the Blog Awards last night – and I have to say it is the best awards ceremony I have attended to date….. fantastic night, great crowd and a mighty venue.

Well done to Damien for creating a night that brought a very talented bunch of people together to celebrate their own successes, acknowledge their contributions and party on down. 

Congrats to all – winners and shortlisters and nominees.  I have been inspired to blog a LOT more…

Best Popculture Blog

* rapture ponies

Best Blog from a Journalist – Sponsored by Mamut

* Markham Nolan – expad.ie

Best Food/Drink Blog – Sponsored by Bord Bia

* the daily spud

Best Fashion Blog – Sponsored by Spinnakerpro

beaut.ie

Best Arts and Culture Blog – Sponsored by Poetry Ireland

* pursued by a bear

Best Political Blog – Sponsored by Digital Revolutionaries

* cedar lounge

Best Group Blog – Sponsored by DineToMeet.ie

dublinblog.ie

Best Use of the Irish Language in a Blog – Sponsored by Edgecast Media

* igaeilge

Best Technology Blog/Blogger – Sponsored by Bitbuzz

* Justin Mason – taint.org

Best Sport and Recreation Blog – Sponsored by Boards.ie

* The kop blog

Best News/Current Affairs Blog – Sponsored by IGO People

* Suzy Byrne mamanpoulet

Best Specialist Blog – Sponsored by iQ Content

* irisheconomy.ie

Best Newcomer – Sponsored by Teamworkpm.net

* Trust Tommy

Best Blog of a Business – Sponsored by RedCardinal.ie

* The blacknight blog

Best Music Blog – Sponsored by DownloadMusic.ie

* nialler9

Best Personal Blog – Sponsored by Microsoft Ireland’s Developer and Platform Group

* annie rhiannon.

Best Humour Blog – Sponsored by Beecher Networks

* The Swearing Lady

Best Photo Blog – Sponsored by Pix.ie

* Ryan Whalley glasseyalley.com

Best Blog Post – Sponsored by KRO IT Solutions

* K8 the GR8: “The Secret Fire”

Grand Prix Prize – Best Blog sponsored by McConnells

Suzy Byrne – Mamanpoulet.com

The Cork International Airport Hotel proved to be the perfect venue for the event, they went all out.  It is a hotel with a difference, not your average conference venue hotel – quite funky with eye catching art deco detail all around.  Service is great too, Carmel in the events office is great to work with and I recommend them a lot to my clients.  Located just at Cork Airport it is a great place to meet in Cork.   I am delighted to be the Venue Finder for Damien and need to begin my quest for next years venue.  It will be a tough one to beat though!

“Wedding Ciara” launch Party – weddingdates.ie

 

Mr and MrsCork Vision Centre

Attended the launch party of Ciara Crossan’s Weddingdates.ie last Friday night.  What a party!  Mighty venue in the Cork City Vision Center (delighted to say I did suggest it), which is itself an excellent alternative wedding venue right in the middle of Cork City.  Ciara pulled off an excellent night and one to be most proud of.  The Marvels were marvelous – a wedding band that booked 10 weddings for themselves on the night.  They did rock and had me out dancing.   Wines were delicious and lovingly supplied by Curiouswines.ie of Bandon, Cork.

Ciara beaming like a bride

Well done to Ciara – her site that helps you find the perfect wedding venue is going to go far.

Curious wines is a winner!

Well done to Mike and Matt  of Curious Wines, Bandon, Cork on their Oscar for “Best Commercial Website”  last night at the Digital Media Awards.  Sabrina Dentthe genious behind the creation of the site must be most proud!  Well done to all.  I am part of their BNI network and am most proud of what they have achived in the last 4 months since opening!  Fabulous wines sold with passionand a story behind each wine!  Tastings are a very special occasion when done with the pozzazzzzzzzzzz of Mike.  Great idea for networking and getting a few top clients together.  Well done Sabrina, Mike and Matt!

A quick recession reflection –

It doesn’t matter where you go in life,
What you do, or how much you have,
It’s who you have beside you,
…. and how much they have ….. H€€! H€€!

This is brought to you by Edward Conroy – posting on Realboyle.com

Venue Review – The Fabulous Radisson Royal Hotel Dublin

A Fantastic Dublin City Centre Hotel -

Sky Suite Party Venue

You know not all brand hotels get it right in terms of service levels, atmosphere and level of luxury, but the Radisson Royal Dublin City Centre  have ticked off most of the boxes for me. I consistently get great feedback from clients who have held an event there and I very much enjoy attending events there myself! The most recent one I attended was the blog awards held Oct 11th – arranged by — Damien Mulley – creator of the Irish Web Awards…

Feedback -

While a free bar for the first hour or so is always a fantastic start to an event, I was there from set up time to ensure everything was going according to plan. I was pleased to see that the hotel staff were on hand to assist with the organisation and supervise set up and of course make sure the client is happy which he was. They also had a consistent presence through-out the event.  The Organiser Damien was delighted with service and how the event went.  The cocktails in particular kept everyone smiling!

Outside shot Radisson Royal Hotel, GoldenLane

First Impressions and Location -

Very Central – In general my review of a hotel starts from the first time I see it, approach to the hotel and the sense of arrival. The location of the Radisson Royal is very central and is indeed great, it is built in an area that is changing fast and will undergo more regeneration over the next few years, there are some nosey neighbours across the street but I have not heard of them bothering guests. South Great George St is less than a 2 minute walk where you are right into the hustle and bustle of Dublin City Centre; Grafton Street is about a 5 minute walk and location wise for corporate travellers they love the buzz of the city centre. The IFSC would be a nice 15 minute walk in the morning or indeed a short taxi drive, but the south city business district around Stephens Green is about a 5-10 minute walk. A perfect Dublin City Centre Hotel.

On walking into the lobby, decor is modern, funky but not over done. You immediately get a great vibe from the hotel and know you are in a popular Dublin Venue. Reception staff have always been very accommodating and responsive to my needs.

Sky bar private corporate party venue

Hang out areas -

The lobby has some great space to hang out in- either to catch up on email or have a bite to eat or wander casually into the bar. The SURE Bar serves some serious cocktails…..

Dublin City Centre Meeting Space -  Comfortably accommodates up to 300.

Conference room off main lobby area

The meeting space – - is functional, well equipped and well laid out. The main conference or event room is located right off the lobby area, featuring a great reception area with bar and counter space. Ideal for a casual lunch or tea/coffee area. It also has access out to a great patio area so it is very easy to get some fresh air while at an all day Conference in Dublin. The room divides in 3 and comfortably fits up to 300. The remainder of the hotel conference facilities is on the first level – it is a great mix of light filled rooms accommodating from 10 – 60 again, well laid out, equipped with modern AV and overall has a feeling of a successful meeting.

Dublin City Centre BBQ and outdoor space -

ourdoor corporate party event space

 Summer BBQs, Corporate Parties and Team building events…. For corporate BBQs or team building events there is a fantastic urban oasis… a large patio area, that is sheltered and a great spot of a summer party. It would be very unique to the city as very few hotels have such outdoor space.

Outdoor BBQ area, party options

A good nights sleep -

Fresh, comfortable rooms

Dublin City Centre Accommodation – while I can’t say that I have stayed there, rooms look great, are very functional and equipped for both the business and leisure traveller. Overall, the hotel gets top marks from me.

Overall Attitude -

I find the sales staff excellent to deal with, very responsive and up for a laugh. Which is always a great attitude to have in this business.

French Irish Fusion Cuisine

If found this article of interest, you should check out the following articles –

Portmarnock Hotel and Golf Links

> For tips and advice on venues in Ireland, feel free to contact me – Ciara

 Ciara Feely –Venue Finder –www.FindaConferenceVenue.com

 Ciara  at Find a conference venue dot com. 353 (0) 26 21015

5 more ways to save money when arranging a conference or event in Ireland

 

Crowne Plaza Northwood Hotel Dublin

As part of our corporate event services, we have put together valuable tips on how to get the best value for money when arranging an event in Dublin, Cork, Galway or Belfast, Ireland – infact all throughout Ireland.

Carton House Maynooth

One factor that you must always remember when negotiating rates for a conference venue or meeting place is that cheapest isn’t always best.  It must work for both parties, venues must be making some money on this in order to ensure their service standards are kept.
The most important thing to do is Ask!!   You won’t know until you ask, if rates can’t be reduced anymore, do ask for  valuable free upgrades…..
1. Think about ways of negotiating that does not involve getting a reduction on the price – look at ways the hotel can add value to your event – for example free upgrades in accommodation to a suite or executive floor, a welcome note with perhaps a fruit bowl to be placed in the guest  bedrooms.
2. Chose the room that you like, often hotels will not commit to giving you a particular room as they may be holding it to secure other business.  Negotiate that you want to book a particular room (perhaps with a view) that will add to your event and give the impression that you are spending more on your event.

Carton House

3. Ask for upgrades on your tea/coffee breaks – perhaps pastries or fresh fruit with one instead of the standard biscuits.
4. Put all your negotiations and concessions in writing to avoid confusion and indeed frustration when settling the bill.
5. Join any loyalty programmes available – Sheraton, Hilton, InterContinental all have very strong meeting reward programmes.  Independent hotels are starting to offer points towards your next meeting or stay.  We at FindaConferenceVenue.com also offer points towards hotel stays around Ireland in return for booking through us.

Great advice given by Inanyevent-uk.com  is that it is best to negotiate once the hotel knows you want to book with them and that you are not just playing one hotel off against the other.   If you are serious about doing business with them, they will appreciate that and try to ensure your business.
If  found this article of interest, you should check out the following articles –

Planning tools for events – how to calculate what size room you need

Check list for arranging a conference, meeting or event
For tips and advice on venues in Ireland, feel free to contact me -
Ciara
www.FindaConferenceVenue.com
353 (0) 26 21015