The Blogger's Guide is based on the premise that local bloggers make for both more entertaining and informative reading than a traditional guidebook writer, and after reading Roy's Dublin Taxi blog I can think of no better day job (or night job in Roy's case) for a blogger to get their finger on the pulse of a city.

Life in the taxi is obviously the focus of the blog, but Roy has resisted the temptation to veer into predictable, and stereotypical rants; generally his offer some additional insight into the happenings, people and culture of Dublin, and occasionally of Ireland as a whole. And occasionally he just offers good, sensible advice applicable the world over.

As well as helpful local taxi tips, he gives us amusing and useful anecdotal stories from the back of the cab - eg read why he got slapped in the face for telling a girl she "looked massive"! Of particular interest to the Bloggers Guide reader will be the Tourism Dublin category and the excellent Stereotypes

Roy clearly knows what makes Dublin tick so I am delighted he agreed to be our Blogger of the Day. Read on for his take on Dublin:

Favourite bar/Cafe?

My favorite Dublin pub is the Porterhouse on Parliament Street, it has a fantastic selection of freshly brewed beers, direct from their own in house micro brewery, along with top quality products imported from similar breweries across the world.
The patrons are a mixed bunch of locals and tourists of all ages and as with all pubs in Dublin you won't be starved of conversation and the craic, a lively atmosphere is guaranteed with bands playing nightly.

Favourite local dish?

I'm very partial to a Steak in Guinness pie, these are available widely but if you want the best, go to Oliver St John Gogartys in Temple Bar (known locally as sindgen gogartys). These pies are slow cooked, the Steak absorbs all the flavors of the Guinness and the acids in the beer tenderises the steak into a melt in your mouth taste sensation!
Gogartys also sell Dublin Coddle, Irish Stew, Dublin Bay Prawns, Pigs bum cabbage and spuds, along with all the other Irish favorites
Favourite restaurant?
The Thai restaurant, "Siam Thai" on South William Street is my personal favorite, really friendly staff, comfortable surroundings, and above all great food, what more can I say?

Favourite shop?

Avoca on Suffolk sreet is a great shop, it keeps everyone happy with exclusive fashion items, great gift ideas, lots of toys for the kids, various gadgets and retro items along with a fantastic food hall, they also support local producers by selling many Irish made products that you wouldn't find elsewhere.

What is best time of year to visit?

You can have the craic all year round, but the week of the St Patricks Festival is when we really let fly! If you want a holiday you'll never forget come any other time of the year, if you want one you may never remember, come for Paddys Day..... it'll be just a blur!

Favourite neighbourhood?

Ballsbridge, a suburb close to the city on the southside, is beautiful, with tree lined streets and fine Georgian houses, a must see. I reccomend staying in one of the Hotels situated here, Four Seasons (top end) Bewleys, D4 hotels (quality budget end)

Favourite building?

Trinity College, it's not just the building which of itself is fantastic, it's the sense of History about the place, the smell of the old library which houses the Book of Kells, walking in the footsteps of giants and the fact that it is still a working University with studends buzzing around, I love the place.

Favorite night out' would be....

A short pub crawl around Baggot street lower, taking in; Toners, O Donoghues, Donnehy and Nesbits, The Baggot inn and Foleys all situated a few yards from each other yet all different, by the end of the evening I'll have sampled some fine food, engaged in political and sporting debate, listened to some fine traditional music as well as a bit of heavy rock and maybe I'll even have sung a tune or two myself!

Favourite walk?

I'll borrow the words of a song for this one;

"For Dublin can be heaven
With coffee at eleven
And a stroll in Stephen's Green
There's no need to hurry
There's no need to worry
You're a king and the lady's a queen
Grafton Street's a wonderland
There's magic in the air
There's diamonds in the lady's eyes
And gold-dust in her hair
And if you don't believe me
Come and meet me there
In Dublin on a sunny Summer morning"

Favourite book about the city?

It has to be Ulysses, by James Joyce, hardly anybody in Dublin has read it, (it's a hefty tome) but every Dubliner knows of it and can recount the adventures of Leopold Bloom on one day; (16th of June another great day to visit Dublin!) as he journeyed through the city visiting many places and Pubs that still exist to this day.

Best Day Trip?

Glenalough in Wicklow is beautiful, it's an ancient monastery set in beautiful countryside, bordered by lakes and mountains, a wonderful peaceful place to stroll around, a must see!

Top Tip for visitors?

Don't be afraid to talk, Dubliners love to chat and will engage in conversation on a whim, the experience is all about the people rather than the place.

Tell us something we don't know about your city?

Architecture - Dublin is the best preserved Georgian city in the world
Scenery - Forget Naples! Dublin bay is the finest bay view on the planet!
Literature - Dean Swift wrote Gullivars travels whilst working as the Dean of St Patricks Cathedral; Bram Stoker, author of Dracula was a Dubliner and his house is open to the public.
Music - George Frederic Handels Messiah was premiered in Dublin and the concert is re-enacted each December