With the weather so changeable, I decided on my day off and the weather had been so sunny, To get the bus to +Glasnevin Cemetery Museum and walk around the cemetery before going into the +National Botanic Gardens through the connecting gate. It was so peaceful and warm, that I took out my blanket, laid down and finished reading my book.
As the week progressed, I was so glad to make the most of the sun, as the weather became so changeable. On the upside, the week flew by and before we knew it, it was time for +Fleetwood Mac at +3Arena Dublin on their last European date. After a mad dash from work, all the way to the 3 Arena where +Niamh had been queueing to get in. Luckily as we had a 3 number we were able to get into the arena 30 mins before the rest, so about 50 of us were able to run in and get our spot for the concert. From the onset the band had the crowd in a frenzy, I was so delighted where I was. We were only a few feet from the stage, right in front of +Stevie Nicks mike stand. Unfortunately for poor Niamh, she was getting a tad light headed and needed to move from where we were because of the heat. We talked about it, that I would stay were I was and she could make use of the bar we had access to, Bar Neon and recover before enjoying the rest of the concert. The band played non stop for nearly 2.5 hours, playing all their big hits. It was unreal especially because it was 16 years since +Christine McVie last played with the band. Even more special as the reunion was a result of talks that happened in Dublin last year. After the amazing concert, both Niamh and myself went into the bar for a drink, as the crowd dispersed outside and relaxing chatting with everyone there which was a good laugh, before starting the long walk home as it was after midnight, luckily enough it was dry.
As Niamh was off the weekend, she went into Merrion Square on the Sunday, for the +Dublin Spectacular, as the rain on the Saturday was horrendous. I ended up meeting her there after work, as she was texting me, the fun she was having there. She wanted in particular to show me 2 comedic acts that she really enjoyed. Trampoline Mission 3 are a Belgian trio dressed as super heroes, who use acrobatics, juggling and comedy to entertain the crowd. My highlight was Mario Queen of the Circus who uses his love of Queen and Freddie Mercury and build a show around it, using juggling, duelling and unicycling which for sure entertained me and got the whole audience laughing with his sense of fun and skill. Although the Spectacular this year wasn't as good as previous ones, these 2 acts helped to save it for us.
Niamh met up with her friend +Emma for Afternoon Tea at the +Royal Marine Hotel, as this is the hotel that Emma is having her wedding reception next year. It was funny enough that they met this day, as it was 2 days before +Ed Sheeran concert, when they would be meeting up anyways. From what Niamh was telling me, she was impressed by the hotel and the layout of the afternoon tea.
After a slight scare, I managed to get a swap in work, and got the Friday off for the concert. When Niamh's friends arrived up from Clare for it, we made our way into town for lunch before hand. We finally made our way to +Croke Park where we joined the waiting queues at about 5 pm. All we seemed to be doing as we got closer, was join another queue, after the 3/4/5 queue we were finally escorted, yes escorted by the stewards into the pitch area. Despite all the queueing, we were lucky enough to get quite a decent spot for the concert and just in time for +Gavin James, the first support act to come on at 6 pm. He managed to get the crowd going and really got people screaming when he duetted with Jamie Lawson, who was the support act for the Saturday concert. I just had enough time before the next support act to rush to the toilet which was out by the entrance, I managed to talk to one of the stewards to get back in without having to join the massive queue at this stage for the pitch. I was determined after this, not to drink any more or leave my spot as the crowd on the pitch was getting big. Bell X1 came on stage just after 7 pm, although they weren't as popular with the crowd as Gavin James, they did get people singing with their biggest song, The Great Defector. The crowd totally erupted into chants and screams, the second Ed Sheeran came on stage just before 8.30pm. From the second, he started playing and singing, he had the audience eating out of his hands. A particular highlight for me, was when he brought +Kodaline on stage for a duet singing All I Want, and the 80,000 plus people sang along in unison which was such a surreal moment to be apart of. By the end of the concert, it was the general consensus, it was such an amazing concert, one of the best.
The following Tuesday after the concert, Niamh and myself went to the opening night of +Ill-Advised Theatre Company production of Spring Awakening at +Smock Alley Theatre, the oldest theatre in Dublin. A place I had been looking for an excuse to come and check out, and no better one than a musical I adore. This production of the musical was quite professional, well staged, acted and some of the cast had great voices.
Our Mother came visiting for few days as a favour to bring up a few items, collect few others and most important tailor few items for me. On the Sunday during her visit, my mother and Niamh went on the +CityScape Tours, as they got €10 August special ticket. I met up with them after work in town, where they hopped off at College Green. After some lunch, we made our way to the +Irish Whiskey Museum, where we got a free upgrade to the VIP tour ticket, thanks to the cityscape tour ticket. Our guide Dan from the start of the tour until the end of it, was hilarious, informative and professional. Both my mother and myself were both quite impressed with the tour and especially with the guide. Once leaving the museum, we went on a mini pub crawl, taking in Dawson Lounge Dublin's smallest bar, The Palace Bar an original Victorian pub, next onto the Vat House where we got a free glass of Guinness thanks to the same cityscape tours ticket which was nice and smooth which helped it go down easily. The final stop was the Foggy Dew which is also a Victorian pub with live band and the cost of the drinks was surprisingly not too bad. It was a nice way to finish off a Sunday.
Once our father arrived up, we spent the day enjoying the sun and sights of the city, before getting them discounted tickets to Tuesday nights performance of And Then There Were None at the +bgetheatre, as we were going and wanted them to join us, to enjoy in our fun. It was a good fun night out with a great performance by the cast.
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