A Guide to Bars in the Temple Bar Area of Dublin

A trip to Dublin isn't complete without a visit to the famous Temple Bar area. As the center of Dublin nightlife and entertainment, it's cobblestone streets are always packed. When the sun sets, you can find a mix of tourists and locals of all ages stumbling in and out of the many bars and pubs that reside on this square. Here are some of my favorite Dublin pubs in the Temple Bar area:

The Porterhouse Parliament Street A micro brewery that brews 10 beers on it's premise. And they are good. The Porterhouse officially won best stout in the world in 1998. It features live music and the 2nd and 3rd floors offer a wide range of traditional Irish food.

Quays Bar 11 Temple Bar Great atmosphere. Friendly bartenders. Friendly everyone! As an additional perk, the best looking men in Dublin seem to be regulars at this bar.

Temple Bar 47/48 Temple Bar This place screams fun! Bright red walls are filled with drinking paraphernalia. Good quick service. It's always crowded (sometimes too crowded), but it's a must see during a Dublin trip.

Turk's Head Parliament Street This place is huge. It's much larger than it looks from the outside. There's a dance floor downstairs where the DJ spins pop and chart dance. It's a trendy place full of young professionals. The drinks are a bit expensive, but it's worth the experience.

Mezzanine Eustace Street There is no cover to enjoy the live bands that are featured here. The bands are funky usually blues/jazz. Mezz has a laid back atmosphere and it usually hosts a younger crowd (early to late twenties).

Auld Dubliner Temple Bar Traditional Irish pub featuring live Irish music. It's relaxing and spacious, and a great place to sing and clap along to your favorite Irish pub songs.

Bars stop serving alcohol at 2am, but many places let patrons stay later (Mezzanine is usually open until 3). After the bars close, people tend to hang outside in the square its not uncommon Nike Free Rea to see a group of people sitting in the streets singing along to a drunken guitar player.

Many people peg Dublin's Temple Bar area as a Dublin 'tourist trap', but there are many locals who frequent the place that are more than willing to offer suggestions on the happening spots, the best drinks, the best music etc. Let loose, have fun, drink some Guinness, and in no time you'll feel like a local as well.

Published by Amy Kay

Amy is Nike Free Rea a mental health therapist who recently became certified as a school psychologist. She has traveled around the world, but chooses to Nike Free Run Sverige live and love in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. View profile

Traditional Irish DanceTraditional Irish dancing has been occurring in Ireland for centuries. A great representation of an Irish Pub!McGuires Irish Pub of Pensacola, FloridaThis is a description of McGuires Irish Pub of Pensacola, Fl and the entertaining and grand atmosphere that you will encounter when visiting for a meal.

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A fine Potter farewell

"All the happiness is sucked out of you when you go in there," said 34 year old Sonya Talkington of Denver after visiting the Hall of Reflections at Prophecy 2007, considered the largest Harry Potter conference in the world.

In a dimly lit room tucked at the back of the Sheraton Centre mezzanine, slips of paper were tacked onto boards beside shrines to all those who had fallen through the series. Talkington said it was easy at first when she walked in, having already mourned the deaths of the Potters and Dumbledore in earlier books. But then those who died in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows started appearing one after the other. Hedwig. Dobby.

"I didn't realize how important it was for me to go in there and just cry a whole bunch," said Talkington. Rowling's first book, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, but also on the conclusion of the series a little over two weeks ago. While many cried, many others laughed and smiled while reading the decade of memories.

One group chatted about living vicariously through memories and deepening their connection to the wizards. Another group felt as if they were transported back in time when they remembered a moment in the story they had forgotten.

"I think it's what everyone needed after the seventh book," a tired sounding Vishaya Naidoo said of the Hall at the conclusion of the conference yesterday, after four days of everything Harry. "The spirit was really alive here."

The Hall was the pillar of the pitch by a small Toronto group 20 months ago to host the conference in this city. conference executive chair.

This was the fourth annual Potter conference from HP Education Fanon, Billiga Nike Free Run a non profit corporation founded in 2002 to organize international Harry Potter symposia. About 1,500 fans from all continents except Antarctica attended the conference, which was part academic symposium, part fan convention.

"These books not only have themes that resonate with us living in this piece of history, these also have transcending elements and they answer large human questions, and address them in a wonderful engaging story," said the military academy teacher. "Like Dickens, academics can ignore Harry Potter for 100 years, but these books aren't going out of print."

Hundreds turned out for discussions on how the series is a parallel to the modern war on terror, or how young wizards play into Christianity.

"Harry Potter isn't gateway to the occult, Harry Potter is a gateway to universal literature and what literature means in your life," said Granger. "That's why people are here: Is Snape Dante? Is he Heathcliff? Is he Machiavelli?"

However, Granger added that much of the in depth discussion on the conclusion of the series won't happen till next year's conference in Dallas, entitled Portus.

"We haven't had time to digest the series as a whole," he said. "We haven't had a chance to go back and ask Nike Free Rea how it all goes together."

On the other side of the conference, Steve Vander Ark, creator of the Harry Potter Lexicon, an online encyclopedia of Rowling's world and beyond, said that with the conclusion of the series, it's now up to the fandom to continue the stories through fan fiction, art and music.

"A lot of the fan sites is what kept fan interest going during that break," he said of the three year gap between the fourth and fifth book.

Vander Ark, who has been deeply entrenched in Star Trek and Star Wars fandom, said this group, which is predominantly female, is the most creative group of fans he's encountered.

"They will continue to write, continue to draw and the Nike Free Rea books have enough depth to them that you don't run out of material very quickly with a Harry Potter book," he said.

In addition to the finely crafted costumes you couldn't tell that Snape was actually a female makeup artist these fans have created interesting pieces of work, including explicit gay erotica drawings.

Not to be outdone, Potter rock groups inspired frenzied screaming la the Beatles. Resident heartthrob Alex Carpenter of The Remus Lupins had many suggestive propositions shouted at him.

Other events over the four days included games of Quidditch, movie screening, midnight duels and general wizard tomfoolery. There aren't too many conferences that have competitive seniors challenging university students to become the top wizard through tests both physical and mental.

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Posts for April 12th 2011

La supermodelo Gisele Bnchen acaba de presentar en Estambul la nueva coleccin de las sandalias Ipanema. En este artculo te vamos a mostrar algunos de los modelos que podrs comprar. Esta marca es conocida por llevar el nombre de uno de los barrios ms glamurosos de Brasil. Una cultura tropical que nos atrapa por su gran alegra, vida y colorido. Y es esta la inpiracin que se respira en las chanclas Ipanema. Unos zapatos Ipanema que derrochann un espritu juvenil, extico y alegre como son las playas brasileas.

Por eso las sandalias Ipanema por Gisele Bndhen, que lleva desde 2002 trabajando para esta firma, nos atrapan por la variedad de su colorido y por sus llamativos estampados. Como el modelo de chancla Gisele Bndchen Forest Orange, una sandalia con cua brillante y con divertidos estampados. Sus tiras delanteras se dividen en tres ramas y tiene una piedra brillante en uno de sus laterales. Su precio es de 22 dlares.

Esta sandalia Reef Black, Coral negro en castellano, lleva una joya delantera incrustrada y tanto su planta del pie como sus correas tienen una textura estriada muy elegante. Gracias a su correa para anudar al tobillo andaremos cmodamente. El precio de estas chanclas que te mostramos es de 20 dlares.

La sandalia Octopus, es realmente atractiva. Tiene una estrella de mar de plata en una de sus dobles correas. Un juego de correas curvas de adelante hacia atrs que parecen un tentculo marino. En color rosa chicle es una de las sandalias ms fashion de Billiga Nike Free Run la coleccin. Te costarn 22 dolares.

Gisele Bundchen 3 Pulpo Pink Ladies Sandal. Esta sandalia es de edicin especial, una flip flop modelo "Pulpo" de correa metlica con una estrella de mar incrustada y con estampados de ondas planas doradas. Su precio es de 20 dlares.

Lo que ms nos llama la atencion de estas chanclas de Gisele Bndcehn es la piedra que se asiente en uno de los dedos. Original y llamativa con esta sandalia no pasars desapercibida. Su diseo vanguardista te har brillar donde vayas y tan slo te costarn 19.50 dlares.

La ltima sandalia que te mostramos se inspira en las rocas de mar. Dos crculos adornan las correas como perlas en el fondo marino. Su precio es de 16 dolares.

Al comprar estas sandalias realizadas en colaboracin con Gisele Bndchen colaboramos en el Proyecto Tamar de Brasil que Nike Free Run Sverige ayuda a preservar las cinco especies de tortugas marinas del pas sudamericano.

Todo este conflicto ente estos diseadores se origin cuando la prestigiosa casa de modas relanz en su nueva coleccin de zapatos de mujer Yves Saint Laurent algunos de sus mticos modelos, Tribute y Palais, utilizando suelas rojas. Y ah esta el problema: porque Christian Louboutin registr en 2007 como propiedad intelectual el famoso zapato de suela roja. Por ello, el creador de muchos de los modelos que us Sarah Jessica Parker en Sex the City, exige una compensacin econmica de un milln de dlares. Y si quieres comprar zapatos Louboutin por internet, solo basta con ingresar a su tienda online oficial. Ahora te dejamos una muestra de los suelas rojas Louboutin e YSL, y que gane el mejor zapato!

Haz deporte con las mejores zapatillas del mercado.

Te has planteado empezar a correr de cara al buen tiempo?. Pues tienes que saber que para no daar tus pies necesitas unas buenas zapatillas de correr. Por eso los zapatos Nike jogging sern tu mejor eleccin. Zapatillas cmodas y flexibles para que puedas caminar y correr sin daar tu columna ni tus rodillas. Nike est especializada en zapatillas de calidad y eso te beneficiar contnuamente. Te mostramos una seleccin de los zapatos jogging que podrs comprar en su tienda online.

Este modelo "Nike Free 3.0 v2" tiene un ajuste y un agarre tan adecuado que parecer que vas descalza. Te darn libertad de movimiento y una amortiguacin de la planta del pie. Cuestan 102 euros. Su parte superior est Nike Free Herr elaborada sin costuras para darte mayor transpirabilida.

Las zapatillas "Nike Shox Agent", tienen un precio de 197 euros, y tiennen un diseo funcional y una sujeccin muy buena. Son ideales para carreras de fondo. Adems su tecnologa Flywire te aportan una sujeccin ultraligera y super resistente.

Zapatillas runing "Nike Air Max". Estn diseadas con tecnologa Fuse para ofrecerte transpiracin, comodidad y resistencia. Podrs adquirirlas en varios colores y te costarn 223 euros.

Las "Nike Shox Turbo + Vi iD" sirven para el corredor que busca una inyeccin de energa y una amortiguacin muy eficaz. Tienes la posibilidad de personalizarlas y de comprarte tallas independientes para el pie derecho y el izquierdo. Su precio es de 170 euros

Zapatillas de running "Nike Free". Por 102 euros te llevars a casa unas zapatillas con suela exterior flexible y sofisticados materiales. Parecer que andas descalza.

Las Nike LunarGlide+ 2 valen 120 euros y su amortiguacind e lujo y su marcha dinmica no te defraudarn. Adems su ajuste y su comodida te ayudarn a correr con ligereza.

Las zapatillas de running "Nike Zoom Vomero" por 142 euros, ofrecen un mejorado ajuste para la marcha ms suave. Incorporan espuma en la parte delantera del pie y almohadilla anti impactos. Diseadas especficamente para las mujeres.

A veces comprar zapatos para correr es algo complicado por qu no sabemos muy bien qu clase de zapatillas necesitamos. Pero si accedes a la pgina web de Nike podrs ver que todas sus zapatillas tienen descripciones minuciosas de sus materiales y sus usos para que te decidas a comprar online.

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Portland International Travel

The international Nike Women's Race 7k took place last weekend at Sangam World Cup Stadium in Seoul. The event, sponsored by Nike and the Seoul Metropolitan Government, had the format and purpose of a conference/international festival for 20 something women who don't have a lot of experience in distance running. Countries that have recently hosted this race include Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, Venezuela, and Singapore.

View A bouquet of celebrities actress Park Hanbyul, SECRET, soccer player Ki Sungyueng, and the boyband TVXQ's members Jung Yunho and Changmin (Who are so cute!) advertised the race via YouTube. Various Nike products were also simultaneously advertised in conjunction with the event, such as the Nike Free Run+2 and Nike+ iPhone GPS app. While many critics accuse the race of being one big advertisement for Seoul tourism, Nike, and whatever other product or personality, Nike and the Seoul government celebrated the event as a promotion of health and community building for the upcoming generation of young Korean women. Either way, it was fun and lord knows these Korean girls need to build some muscle!

I fit the criteria for the race, and I like running, so I participated (with my Nike+iPhone app). Upon entering Pyounghwa (Peace) Square, I encountered a scene that looked like an Asian prison mixed with a school carnival. A sea of girls in identical orange t shirts. Several lines had been neatly formed as race participants waited eagerly to take their pictures by a simple white banner that read "NIKE WOMEN'S RACE 7k." A man asked to take a picture of us for the Hi!Seoul Facebook page. (We never showed up, so I guess we didn't make the cut).

There were dozens of girls' bathrooms that had been brilliantly arranged for the event. 6000 girl participants in a relatively small space and there was, at most, one or two girls in each line. I Nike Free Rea call that a job well done, planning committee. We walked past that miracle to get closer to the starting line.

Unlike most races, there were no warm up jogs going on, but instead random bustling around an array of attractions such as an exhibition center for the new Nike Free Run+2 and more lines of girls waiting to take pictures in front of various bizarre props: a handsome boy dressed like a reggae star boasted a line of about 25 girls. There was even a tent that offered to print your pictures out immediately.

In another corner, a screaming mob had gathered (I assume due to the appearance of a celebrity) and arms shot up, like an army of Xuanfeng catapults stopping short of throwing their iPhones at whoever was causing the excitement.

Many women celebrities participated in the event including Go Uri from the band Rainbow, actress Yoon Seungah (who looked especially grumpy at the beginning of the race), actress and broadcaster Lee Yuneun, actress Bak Boyoung, beautiful actress and beauty pageant winner Bak Shiyun, drama actress Gang Yewon and some others.

Growling out a pep talk at the starting line as the marching band played was comedian No Hongchul, the host of the variety show Infinity Challenge, and formerly on the cast of One Night Two Days.

I was in group B, the non competitive group. Group A commenced with not a starting gun but colorful fireworks and flares. 5 minutes later, the lazy group went off. The race was incredibly crowded, but the course was beautiful (Pyounghwa Square to Haneul Park to Hangang Park to Gureumdari and back again). Nike Free Herr All along the way there were random groups of guys cheering and giving high fives and two Powerade stops. I trotted in at 173rd place (ahem out of 6000) but saw that, ahead, the first 50 finishers were escorted past the finish line by HBIBTs. Upon finishing I turned in my tracking sensor, was branded with a Nike stamp, and handed a huge bag filled with food, water and women community announcements. Everyone who completed the race was also given a necklace that, they say, was designed by Kim Yuna! Also, as much Powerade as our hearts desired.

After cooling down, we wandered to the stage where the visual art and ceremonies were Nike Free Dam scheduled to take place. Mr. No was also the MC for the After Party festivities in which HBIBTs passed out champagne. Not only were the HBIBT waiters handsome but extremely attentive; there were arms popping out of nowhere to pass new champagne glasses before my glass was even empty. The champagne glasses were another free gift. Half full Powerade bottles were littering the venue. Such a gloriously indulgent sight will never exist again as it did that day.

Mr. No started growling like a pirate monkey again to congratulate all the participants and introduced the first place winner. Finally, he presented us with the Seoul Symphony Orchestra to start the post race concert. They played some swing and some kind of delightful gypsy ish piece.

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A sordid tale of two mob bosses

James "Whitey" Bulger, murderous boss of the Irish American organized crime gang in South Boston, will spend the rest of his life behind bars.Lenine "Lenny" Strollo, murderous boss of the La Cosa Nostra in the Mahoning Valley, is spending his twilight years in the comfort of his suburban home.Bulger, who viewed the killing of rivals and others who displeased him as just another day in the office, will die with only his demons at his bedside.Strollo, who publicly acknowledged that murder was an integral part of his business, will die surrounded by family and perhaps friends (those he didn't betray.)And then there's the issue of their ill gotten gains, their blood money.Bulger, who was convicted a month ago of a slew of organized crime related charges, including 11 murders, had $800,000 in cash confiscated by the federal government.Strollo, who pleaded guilty to organized crime related charges but then struck a deal with the feds to become a government witness, was permitted to not only keep his Canfield home, but did not have to give up any of the wealth he accumulated over the many decades that he plied his trade of death and destruction.There is a common denominator in this tale of two mobsters: The Federal Bureau of Investigation.Both men had a close relationship with the FBI, but while Strollo benefited from it, Bulger is paying the price for it.What Omerta?When the Valley's Mafia boss was arrested as part of a wide ranging federal investigation into government corruption and organized crime in the area, his blood oath of Omerta was quickly forgotten.Facing the prospect of a life sentence in the federal penitentiary, the man who was merciless in dealing Nike Free Herr with his enemies and rivals begged for mercy.His offer to tell all about the Mafia in the Mahoning Valley Nike Free Rea and in Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Chicago and even New York City was too good for the feds to pass up. The deal that was ultimately struck resulted in Strollo spending 12 years of easy time (for a cold hearted criminal), during Nike Free Rea which time he testified in trials of individuals directly or indirectly involved in organized crime activities. He also provided the FBI and federal prosecutors with inside information about the mob.The federal government showed its appreciation by letting Strollo leave prison as rich as he was the day he went in.Bulger, on the other hand, was on the FBI's Most Wanted list from 1994, when he disappeared after being tipped off that federal charges of racketeering were imminent, until 2011, when he was arrested in California.The feds threw the book at him. Not only had Bulger made fools of them by being on the lam for so long, but he publicly discussed a dirty little secret about the FBI.The boss of the Irish American mob for two decades plus was able to stay in business so long because he was one of the biggest informants for the FBI. He provided information about the Italian Mafia, which was the federal government's main focus. In return, Bulger was permitted to conduct his business of murder and mayhem without fear of arrest.In fact, it was his FBI handler, Special Agent John Connolly, who tipped off the crime boss to the racketeering charges that were about to be filed.Connolly is serving 50 years in the federal pen for crimes linked to the Irish mob, including murder.Given its unclean hands, the agency is under pressure to prove that the deals it makes with unsavory characters result in bigger fish being caught.Tap on the wristFor instance, what information did Strollo provide that justified his being given a tap on the wrist for the crimes he committed for more than a quarter century?Or, what information is former Mahoning County Treasurer Lisa Antonini providing to the feds that justifies her being given a pass on her sentencing for taking money from a businessman and not declaring it?Antonini will receive a reduced sentence if she fully cooperates with any federal, state or local investigations or prosecutions.

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A Samsung smartphone running BB10

With the launch of BlackBerry 10 OS imminent, there has been a lot Nike Free Run Sverige of buzz surrounding the latest punt at a smartphone by Research In Motion. Initial reception for BB10 and the alpha devices running it has been fairly good. But recently, RIM CEO Thorsten Heins said that the company might consider selling the company hardware division after the launch of BB10. Even though this is not a firm yes, RIM is said to be mulling at options ahead of them. Heins didn rule out the possibility of licensing the new OS to other OEMs. However, he also pointed out Nike Free Dam that there was no decision being taken before the official launch of BB10 devices. BlackBerry 10 is still relative unknown, of course. But we do know that RIM has been the subject of constant speculation with regards to acquisitions. Only last week, Lenovo CFO was reported as saying that the Chinese company is looking at options to acquire or enter into a strategic alliance with RIM. While there is no dearth of OEMs in the market, very few can match the manufacturing capability, rate Billiga Nike Free Run of production and core hardware strength that Samsung brings to the table. So, will a Samsung made BB10 device work?

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