You're not going to believe this, I stayed at the Shelbourne back in 2000 when I went to Ireland with family members. Nice place.
There is a Catholic church within walking distance that we went to Sunday mass at, beautiful old church but sort of down a narrow street. We talked to the priest after mass and he said that back when this church was built the English didn't allow Catholics to build churches that were on a main road. Also I noted that they must have had 10 or 12 confessionals, he said that for some reason American catholics liked to unburden themselves of their sins in Ireland so that they were needed! I gave him the "sins"? Not me father!
He's the US Ambassador to Ireland. (although someone thought it was the Navy strength and conditioning coach )