Enjoy a relaxing weekend in the capital

Baby red panda at Dublin Zoo.

When people say they are going to Dublin for the weekend it is usually for shopping, a match, or a gig. While these are all worthwhile reasons to venture east, sometimes our time spent in the capital can be a bit hectic, rushing around from train station to hotel, then from Henry Street to Grafton Street, and all the time failing to really take in all the great activities and restaurants on offer.

Along with the many great art galleries, museums, and tours, Dublin is also home to the zoo, which has had an influx of new animal arrivals over the last couple of months, including its newest arrivals, two baby red pandas and a hippo calf. This year also saw the arrival of a baby gorilla, giraffe calf, mangabeys, macaques, and a host of newborns in the Family Farm.

Dublin Zoo is Ireland’s number one visitor attraction. With its family friendly, relaxed, atmosphere, plenty of animals to see, highlights including the African Savannah and sea lion feeding, you can easily spend hours exploring all on offer.

Dublin Zoo has introduced an online ticket purchasing facility at www.dublinzoo.ie The launch of online ticketing allows visitors to pre-pay for their tickets and reduce their queuing time at the front gate.

Dining out in Dublin

There is no end to the number of great places to eat out in town, but when you are away for the weekend it is nice to seek out the best on offer. Manifesto in Rathmines has to be one such restaurant. The Italian eatery is located in a picturesque part of the city. The restaurant offers customers amazing, authentic, Italian cuisine, extremely friendly and likeable staff, and a generally charming atmosphere that will have you coming back for more.

Here you will find the best pizza in town as well as delicious pasta dishes (try the paccheri di Gragnano gratinati con provola); mouthwatering baked seabass roulade, stuffed with prawns and scallops and cooked in orange sauce; and breast of duck pan-fried in a red wine and fig compote, served with sweet potatoes and roast vegetables.

If nothing else try the chocolate fondant, and do not be surprised if you find yourself travelling up to Rathmines just to get another.

If you are lucky you might get a glimpse of the waiter’s fantastic pizza dough throwing skills as you eat.

Manifesto, 208 Lower Rathmines Road, Rathmines, Dublin 6, is open seven days a week, Monday to Thursday 5pm to 11pm, Friday to Saturday 5pm to 11.30pm, and Sunday 4pm to 10pm. For bookings call

(01) 4968096 or

visit www.manife storestaurant.ie

Where to stay

Bewley’s Hotels group always has great offers on, and with brilliant locations across the city you are bound to find one that suits you.

The Leopardstown hotel off the M50 is a great choice if you are driving to Dublin but intend leaving the car parked at the hotel during your stay.

Offering bright and spacious rooms with the best breakfast in town, it is situated on the south side of the city with a Luas stop less than five minutes walk away, and it offers customers easy access to the city centre and other areas of the city including Dundrum Shopping Centre.

All bedrooms are soundproofed, offering you a great night’s sleep; rooms also boast ‘dive into beds’ and complimentary wifi is available in all public areas.

Enjoy one night’s accommodation in a family room at a Bewley’s Hotel for two adults and two children under 12, including family entrance to one of the following Dublin family attractions: Dublin Zoo, Aqua Zone, and Dublin Bus Tour.

This offer is available from €99. For more information visit www.bewleyshotels.com