The Shelbourne

Almost two centuries ago, the 5 star luxury Shelbourne started as three townhouses overlooking St. Stephen’s Green.  Over the years the rich, famous, colourful (including some skeletons in the closet) have crossed the threshold(s).

The Shelbourne

Among these were Princess Grace of Monaco, Luciano Pavarotti, John F and Jackie Kennedy, Harold Wilson, Stan Laurel, Rock Hudson, James Cagney, Richard Burton, Rita Hayworth, John Hurt, Maureen O’ Hara, Julia Roberts and Pierce Brosnan.  

To start.

One colourful story surrounds Peter O’ Toole who it is rumoured to have bathed in champagne when he stayed at The Shelbourne. Hic

Years before, a young Mr Hitler (not THE Mr Hitler) is believed to have worked for a spell at the hotel long before ‘the brother’ rose to infamy.  

Poets and politicians have mingled in the bars and corridors of the hotel including a flurry of activity in room 112 in 1922 when the Irish Constitution was being drafted by Collins and Griffith.

Brendan Behan, Patrick Kavanagh and Seamus Heaney followed in the footsteps of the uncrowned king of Ireland, Charles Stuart Parnell through the front door of The Shelbourne.

Stepping outside the hotel and into the very heart of Dublin, you won’t have to wander far to stroll (or cycle in Beyonce style) through a backdrop to one of the many movies shot in and around the city.

Just around the corner you can traipse through the grounds of Trinity where Julie Waters and Michael Caine starred in Educating Rita (snow machines creating a winter wonderland in high summer).  Some of the scenes from Maeve Binchy’s  Circle of Friends (Minnie Driver and Chris O’Donnell) were also shot on Trinity grounds. Nearby Temple Bar saw scenes from “Far and Away” (Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman) transform into 19^th century Boston.

As you stroll around the city you may notice some of the many backdrops used in the Michael Collins movie starring Liam Neeson, Julia Roberts and Aidan Quinn.

Some of My Left Foot directed by Jim Sheridan which featured Daniel Day Lewis alongside Brenda Fricker as his mother was shot in Dublin as was The Spy who Came in From the Cold, a John Le Caree thriller which was made near the Old Jameson Whiskey Distillery just across the Liffey. Nearby Collins Barracks was the backdrop for some of the scenes in Angela’s Ashes, the film of the book by Limerickman Frank McCourt.

“Leap Year a romcom (Amy Adams, Matthew Goode) was shot at Dublin Castle.

Dublin’s streets were also the setting for Alan Parker’s wonderful  The Commitments, from the novel by Roddy Doyle. I’m black and I’m proud. Great line.

Or you could live it up a little by stepping across the road to one of Dublin’s institutions (you do need to be prepared for the bathrooms though!) with a few points of porter and some live trad music in O’Donoghues. Just as  Rihanna did on a night out in Dublin. Though renting the entire pub may not be within everyone’s budget.

The Shelbourne

A nightcap in the 5star luxury Shelbourne is considerably cheaper.