''The Hitler family's connections to Ireland''

A piece of quirky and interesting trivia is the fact that one of the most famous hotels in Dublin - the Shelbourne hotel, St Stephen's Green - has connections to the family of Adolf Hitler! Around 1910, the brother of ADOLF HITLER - Alois - worked there as a waiter; he had been sent there by an agency in England. It was whilst in Dublin, that he met an Irish lady called Brigid Dowling, at a Travel Fair; she fell in love instantly with this debonair, polished, smooth as teak sophisticate, who was posing as an inveterate traveller/adventurer of the world! From hence began a most interesting story! They duly married after a quickfire, whirwind romance, which would leave any Danielle Steele or Mills and Boons romance in the shade and went to reside in Liverpool, England.

Brigid Dowling herself claimed she met Adolf at their Liverpool home in subsequent years, having partaken in the felicity of a game of cards! From this union between Elizabeth and Alois, a son was born whom they christianed William Patrick Hitler! And this boy went on to lead a very interesting life indeed: first going to Germany, meeting his infamous uncle - whom at first he loved and cherished - then left for the US, having become antagonistic towards Adolf, ending up in the US Navy during the second world war!

So, the reputable Shelbourne Hotel, which has seen many famous personalities stay within its lush and salubrious interiors, was the starting point for a most compelling and little known saga: Ireland - Dublin - and the Hitler connection. Yet another reason why Ireland - and Dublin - are full of surprises waiting like the dropping of a hat around every corner....