I went to The National Concert Hall last Sunday. The Culwick Choral Society Verdi's Requiem. It was excellent. I had forgotten my ticket and the staff could not have been more helpful. They were great. I really love going to The Concert Hall...

I have been going to the Concert Hall since I ws a kid. They vary the shows from classical to jazz to modern i.e. something for everyone. They run a series of lunchtime concerts for those who like a bit of culture during the working day. There is parking in the carpark and also across the road in the Conrad. I have never had a bad seat, on the ground level or on the balcony levels.

The National Concert Hall is a place I've always enjoyed going to and every year the events line-up here just get's better and better. While the majority of their events are classical or operatic in nature, they do throw a couple of curve balls into the mix too, like a Glenn Miller tribute band or The Ronan Collins Showband Hits Live - you gotta love it!

It's central location means there's lots of nearby places to go for a bite to eat or drink beforehand - I usually hit the The Terrace Café (located just inside the main door of the NCH) or Alfie Byrne's Pub (located in the Conrad Hotel just across the road). It's also a good idea to get there nice and early as it means you have a much better chance of getting one of the limited (free) car parking spots just inside the gate.

While there's no real acoustic advantage, I like booking my seats up in the balcony as I find you can see the conductors movements and the orchestra that bit better. Stay away from the side balconies though as you'll just end up with a crick in your neck as you're sitting literally at a right angle to the stage - I'd love to pick the architects brain on that one! The other great thing about sitting upstairs is that you can enjoy an interval drink on the upper balcony with it's magnificent chandelier - Tip: Pre-book your interval drinks on the way in so that you can relax during the interval and avoid queuing with the thirsty culture vultures at the bar!

While I like the current set-up (even with it's flawed side balconies!), I'm looking forward to the redevelopment (planned to start in 2010) as I feel it'll attract even bigger orchestras and performers to Dublin - I just hope the big bad R word doesn't do away with it!