When people imagine Dublin they often envisage a cold destination full of old-fashioned castles and pubs… and they would be right. However this does not, by any means, hinder it from being a great destination for conferences and events, nor should old-fashioned castles and pubs be a bad thing.UK companies often turn straight to London venues when planning conferences and events, and fail to give other destinations a second glance as London is seen as ‘easy’, ‘dynamic’ and cheaper than planning a trip abroad. But is this really the case?
The Big Smoke vs. The Fair City
While London’s 1,572 km² of bustling city holds numerous venues, sights and activities, Dublin’s modest 115km² holds a wide variety of opportunities and a refreshing new culture for delegates to immerse themselves in. Not only that, a flight from the UK to Dublin is often surprisingly much cheaper than travelling to London by train. Dublin will provide delegates with an exciting and novel experience, without breaking the bank.
London Eye vs. The Guinness Factory
Of course, the London Eye is fun the first, second, even fifth time you visit it, but there comes a time for change. The Guinness factory offers a great teambuilding experience, as well as lots of fantastic meeting space. Venture to the top floor of the building and the factory’s Gravity Bar is sure to rival the London Eye with its beautiful 360˚ view of the city.
London Olympia vs. Clontarf Castle
While the Olympia Conference Centre is renowned for its meeting and exhibition space, the modern building doesn’t quite compare to the enchanting architecture of Dublin’s castles, including Clontarf Castle. Not only do they hold fantastic meeting space for parties from as little as 10 to as large as 600, but they often also provide in-house catering, help with production, on-site management and luxurious accommodation.
Ascot vs. Leopardstown
A visit to Ascot horse races is a great go-to corporate event for motivating and engaging employees, but Ireland’s Leopardstown course can provide an equally enjoyable experience with a refreshing twist. Reward your delegates with an exhilarating day out surrounded by Irish culture.
Gordon Ramsey’s Maze vs. The U2 Experience
London serves some exquisite food at Michelin star restaurants, such as Gordon Ramsey’s Maze, but the one thing it is lacking is Dublin’s secret weapon – U2. Surprisingly enough, Dublin’s most famous musical export have a fantastic restaurant in the heart of Dublin. Cleaver East serves delicious food and extremely welcoming staff, with or without the Michelin stars.
The Meal Deal
If the above doesn’t convince you enough, perhaps the ‘Club Sandwich Index’ will. Believe it or not, this is a real, well-known test in the events industry for comparing how far money will stretch in each country. It involves comparing the most common item on any menu – the Club Sandwich. If you wake up one morning hungry for bacon, lettuce and tomato wrapped in granary slices, that craving will set you back £14.59 in London, while in Dublin it will cost £9.65. You may dismiss it, but this price difference will be representative of your whole event, including travel, hotels, venues, restaurants, etc.
We are often blinded by the bright lights of London, but it’s important not to forget about the culturally-rich Ireland and all it has to offer. Whether it be a small team-building exercise or a large corporate conference, Ireland should be high on your list of destinations and is sure to not disappoint.
