1916, The Easter Rising and the Making of Ireland with The Merrion
As Ireland marks the centenary of the Easter Rising on 23 April 2016, The Merrion Hotel, Dublin is giving its guests the opportunity to discover the history of the landmark event. During a deeply comfortable two-night stay at the hotel, guests will enjoy a private, tailor-made walking tour with Context Travel, shedding light on the remarkable events that lead to the 1916 Easter Rising and how it sparked the founding of the Dublin we know today.
Led by one of Context Travel’s expert docents, the tour will begin at the former Houses of Parliament with an introduction to the complex history of World War One in Ireland. On to Dublin Castle, in the heart of medieval Dublin, which operated as a place of recuperation, and the Grattan Bridge where military engagements took place. The tour will finish at the General Post Office, exploring the effects of the rebellion and its role as the catalyst for Irish Independence.
Guests will return to The Merrion to reflect on the tour and enjoy a delicious Centenary Dinner in The Cellar Restaurant. This specially created four-course dinner by Executive Chef Ed Cooney is inspired by indigenous produce. It will start with an Irish country terrine followed by a modern take on Dublin coddle – a dish cooked in every Dublin household – with vanilla buttermilk panna cotta with wild Irish blackberries to finish. After dinner, guests can sip on a new cocktail inspired by the Irish revolutionary leader, Michael Collins in The Cellar Bar or No.23. Entitled The Big Fellow, the cocktail is made using Michael Collins whisky, hazelnut syrup, port and dark chocolate bitters, served on the rocks with twist of orange and mint.
Guests can continue their discovery of Dublin’s history with a visit to the National Museum of Ireland’s new exhibition, Proclaiming a Republic: The 1916 Rising, and make the most of The Merrion’s setting at the heart of the city. Created from four magnificently restored Grade I listed Georgian townhouses, The Merrion is perfectly placed for guests to explore the best of Dublin’s history, as well as unwinding in the comfort of the hotel.
1916, The Easter Rising and the Making of Ireland with The Merrion
From €510 (approx. £397) per person based on two people sharing a Standard Room in The Garden Wing, including:
• Two-night stay at The Merrion hotel
• Full Irish breakfast each morning
• Four-course dinner in The Cellar Restaurant on one evening, excluding beverages
• Private three-hour Easter Rising walking tour, led by Context Travel – ‘1916, The Easter Rising and the Making of Ireland’
Bookable 1 April – 31 August 2016, subject to availability. Must be booked at least five days in advance.
