Christmas Day hotel dining

Fitzwilliam Hotel used to do this. We chose it last minute during the Celtic Tiger years when baby arrived unexpectedly early.

It was a bit strange, mostly tourists, and a few Irish families who didn’t seem to want to talk to each other.

Maybe you could hire a function room in a hotel? With pubs/restaurants being closed, it greatly reduces the available place to eat out.

Op. Let us know how you get on in the search because I plan on booking somewhere for lunch on Christmas Day for my Mum and Dad.

Does that include a Santa pressie????

Go down the country for a friendly welcome and keep away from Dublin. I wouldn’t touch Dublin with a barge pole. Try Mullingar or Athlone, less than an hour away and you’ll have a lovely time.

Just have Christmas dinner at home.

Most caterers do prepared Christmas dinner food which is excellent quality - it just has to be heated and served. I know a family who hired a small marquee for the garden last Christmas with heaters. Everyone fitted in and had a great time.

I think hotels and restaurants that open for Christmas day should be avoided - they are just cashing in. They charge huge amounts that doesn't get passed onto staff. The staff work anti social hours all year and then find they have no choice but to also work bloody Christmas day!

Stay at home and allow all the staff in these establishments to have a good Christmas with their families too!

For takeaway dinner in Dublin to avoid all the hassle of cooking can anybody recommend somewhere to get it?

We did the Gresham last year - food was okay but atmosphere was lovely.

They explained that they don't have the space to accomodate a family dinner. Maybe you think everyone lives in a house with a dining room?

I have an idea

What about rent an Airbnb house in countryside for 2 nights

and you can cook

and accommodate like 20 people

hotels will be open… people stay there over Christmas…some by choice, some due to necessity, work etc…

I’m guessing there will be eighty to ninety airline staff, long and medium haul pilots and cabin crew dotted around Dublin City in hotels..arriving from US, Middle East & Asia.. they need to layover.

St Stephens day everything is back in action so they’ve no choice, get their legal rest… and back to work…..

receptionists, concierges, security, chefs, bar staff, waiters, cleaners…just need to be there. Same the world over.. Aer Lingus guys will be in New York etc.

its not cashing in, they just figure they need to provide a service to people who NEED to be there..so presumably see it as ok to have the general public just come too…

I work Christmas Day every year…really enjoy the atmosphere and the double pay…….I’d hate to be stuck at home…