One of my favorite layovers is Dublin Ireland. The city is filled with entertainment options and some of the most friendly people in the world. It is a short eight hour flight from Atlanta and, once at the Dublin airport, it is easy to find transportation into the city.

In this update, I will highlight some of the recent places that I found interesting and enjoyable.

The Abbey Theater  on 26 Lower Abbey Street is the National Theater of Ireland. The Abbey opened to the public in 1904 and has remained active to the present day. It was the first state-subsidized theatre in the English-speaking world; it has served as a nursery for many Irish playwrights and actors since its opening, including William Butler Yeats, Lady Gregory Augusta, Sean O'Casey and John Millington Synge. On my recent visit, I saw Conor McPherson's original play "The Seafarer".

Across from the Abbey is Lanigan's Plough, and Irish pub that is both comfortable and convenient for dinner before the show. You can't go wrong with a Guinness and a big bowl of Irish stew served by very friendly bartenders.

If you are looking for a nice quiet spot for a drink or an excellent meal, try The Cellar at the Merrion Hotel (it is closed during January unfortunately). It is one of my favorite getaways in this normally bustling city. Eloquent and polished, it is a place where you can relax and read the Irish Times, eat great salmon, or just enjoy the conversation at the bar.

For a pleasant dinner, The Barge is also recommended. It is very close to the Hilton Hotel and the Canal. The food and service are always excellent and the Fish and Chips or lamb are top-notch.

Another place for lunch or dinner that I highly recommend is the steakhouse Marco Pierre White at 51 Dawson Street. This restaurant is another place that pays attention to detail in their food preparation and service. I like to try new things and one of the meals that I last tried here was Ham Hock and cabbage. It was surprisingly good and tender; it was served with a potato soap and salad. As I ate, I sat at a table in the front overlooking the street on a day where rain, snow, and a combination of both in heavy winds played havoc with people as they walked by the restaurant. The food, service, and people watching made the experience unforgettable.

As always, as an endurance athlete, I am looking for places to run or swim while overseas. Dublin offers a great place to run along the Grand Canal. Out of the Hilton, the preferred route is to the right. It provides a scenic and mostly flat path. If you go left, there are a lot of stop-and-goes until you reach the River Liffy. Unfortunately the Hilton does not have a workout facility in the hotel, but offers complimentary day passes to several local gyms.