Built in 1852, The Clarence had last been refurbished during the late Thirties in the Arts & Crafts style originating from when the hotel was first constructed. By the Seventies, while still retaining a sense of Old World charm and dignity, it was past its prime. At the same time, the ranks of the original clientele, once drawn primarily from the clergy, judiciary and vistors from the provinces, were swelled by the artists, musicians, writers and designers who began to make the Temple Bar area their own.

Among the regulars were two members of the rock group U2, Bono and The Edge, whose fond recollections of their youthful haunt led them to assemble a consortium of Irish investors and purchased the hotel in 1992 with a view to restoring it to its former glory.

To realise their vision, the owners ammased a team of professionals from both Ireland and abroad. The result of their collaboration, guided by the owners' directive that the design respect the country's quintessential Irish heritage and character.

A hotel like The Clarence is inevitably a personal vision, and for the owners, The Clarence is where they would choose to stay when visiting Dublin - a hotel that is at once simple but elegant, unpretentious but luxurious, that is modern but also embodies the best of traditional Irish hospitality.

The Clarence offers guests a selection of 49 bedrooms and suites, starting from their standard category Superior Rooms, to the spectacular Penthouse Suite. Each of the hotel's rooms and suites, no two of which are alike, are decorated in a palette of rich cardinal colours, inspired by ecclesiastical raiment: crimson, royal blue, amethyst, gold and chocolate. The sumputous colours are carried through in dyed-to-match cotton velvet drapes, carpets, leather chairs and upholstered headboards. The rich colour scheme is played off against the simplicity of the Shaker-style oak furniture and crisp white linens to create accommodations that are comfortable and refined.

The Tea Room, one of Dublin’s most praised restaurants, offers a friendly and flexible service to local residents and hotel guests alike with sumptuous cuisine served throughout the day and evening. Situated in the original bar of the hotel, the Octagon Bar is the place where Bono and The Edge fell in love with The Clarence and decided to buy the hotel. To this day this is a place they would choose to drink at, when in Dublin.

The Clarence,
6-8 Wellington Quay, Dublin 2, Ireland
T: +353 1 407 0800
F: +353 1 407 0820
E: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
W: http://www.theclarence.ie

Images property of The Clarence