In just over two whirlwind days in late October 2011, ASSOCIATIONPLANNER.eu and a group of its readers visited Dublin’s abundant offering of meeting and event venues. As one of the participants put it: “Great city, interesting locations and hotels ... what more do you want?” Here are the highlights:

Croke Park Conference Centre. Winner of the Best Conference Events Venue award, Croke Park’s facilities are world-class. With 87 meeting rooms and 8 conference suites, can accommodate events of any size.

Convention Centre Dublin
‘Prepare to be inspired’ – the CCD is Ireland's new purpose-built international conference and event venue. Right in the heart of Dublin, dedicated to delivering inspiring events.

Royal Dublin Society. Founded in 1731 to promote excellence and advancement in the arts and sciences, the RDS is a flexible space with facilities to hold conferences for up to 6,500 people.

D4 Berkley Hotel. An elegant 4-star hotel comprising 183 spacious guest rooms – conveniently located across the road from Aviva Stadium, a stone’s throw from the RDS, and a short stroll from just about everything else.

Royal College of Physicians. A distinctive business and conference venue, restored and modernised to seamlessly blend a wealth of historic detail with state-of-the-art facilities and services.

The Shelbourne Hotel. Built in 1824, overlooking St. Stephen's Green, the historic, magnificently restored 5-star Shelbourne is a national treasure in Dublin city centre.

The Westbury Hotel. Renowned worldwide, the 5-star luxury Westbury connects you with the city centre. The Gallery bar provides a street-side seat looking onto the real-life Dublin pageantry.

Old Jameson Distillery. 'There are no such things as strangers, only friends we haven't met yet.' Dinner venue, museum and distillery tour – one of the great Irish friendship facilitators!

Trinity College. Located on a historic 40 acre campus in the centre of Dublin, 400 year-old Trinity College hosts meetings, conferences and symposia for 20 to 1,200 delegates.

Fallon & Byrne - Coffee & Treats Good food and fine wine. Offered as take-away, served on-premises, or catered for an event. As they say at Fallon & Byrne: ‘The answer is yes. Now what’s the question?’

Pat Liddy Walking Tour . Well-known Dublin historian Pat Liddy has developed a unique animated walking tour service for Dublin: covering the inner city and, by advance request, the coastal villages.

Dublin Castle. In continuous occupation since its construction in 1204, Dublin Castle offers state-of-the-art conference and dining facilities.

Radisson Blu Royal Hotel. 15 professionally designed, comfortable conference rooms – including 6 contemporary meeting rooms, 2 dedicated boardrooms and an elegant ballroom.

Guinness Storehouse. Located in the legendary St. James's Gate Brewery – home of Guinness since 1759 – Ireland's No. 1 international visitor attraction and an excellent event destination.

Fire Restaurant. Rated among the top 10 restaurants in Dublin, the current structure – with vaulted ceilings and stained-glass windows – was built in 1891 as the Lord Mayor’s Supper Room.

Viking Splash Tours. Sightseeing in downtown Dublin with a Viking slant: by land and water, on board a reconditioned amphibious vehicle of WW II vintage.