Festive Seasonal Fun 2015

After a last minute invite by my workmate Carol, I ended up going to the Jameson Cult Film Club event  at the Round Room in the Mansion House who were hosting a Ghostbusters themed night Thursday November 5th. Myself, Carol and I think nearly everyone there, were acting like such big kids. Everyone got complimentary Jameson and ginger ale and burgers, even I got a veggie one or two. The whole event was quite well laid out and the turnout was bigger than I had imagined.

 

That weekend, I got the first train home at 7am on the Saturday to Clare to visit the family. It had been months since my last visit home with one thing and another. The train journey home itself was uneventful which was ideal with the bad weather and how early it was. The weekend home as is always the way, flew by way too quick. It ended with visiting my Gran which was the main purpose for the visit home as she celebrating her 93rd birthday that week and I wasn't able to be there for the day itself due to work. It was great to see her as always. The bus journey back seems to take forever but at least went by smoothly. Although I couldn't get down for the birthday, Niamh had a few days off and made the journey down to be there for it. I still can't believe that she is 93 years of age though.

 I met +Niamh after work on Sunday 15th for brunch before heading towards Grafton Street and the turning on of the Christmas lights ceremony. The ceremony was preceded by a minute silence as a mark of respect to those who lost their lives in the Paris attacks. The lineup consisted of Hallelujah Gospel Choir, +ZENA Donnelly, Gaiety Panto cast, and The High Kings. After the lights were turned on, Hallelujah Gospel Choir and Zena closed proceedings with 'All I want for Christmas'. There was a large crowd for the event from St Stephen Green area down Grafton Street. Once the event was over, both Niamh and myself finally made our way down Grafton, which finally gave Niamh a chance to have a look at the Brown Thomas Christmas window display. And low and behold, what did she notice in one of the windows but her name on Santa's good list. We both laughed as its such a rare thing to see her name anywhere.      

 The following week, I received an invite from Arnotts for their Christmas Shopping Night. We both went after a day shopping in town and checking out the decorations in the GPO and on Henry st, so it felt like a good way to finish off the day. The event had cooking demonstrations, discounts off across the store, entertainment with Hallelujah Gospel Choir and David Kennedy and the refreshments in the form of Presecco with me drinking for the both of us, the bubbles were going to my head. On the whole was a fun way to spend an evening.

 

After work on the following Thursday, I made my way towards the I Believe Tree Lighting Ceremony located down by CHQ Building. I thought I might miss it, but due to a technical glitch I was there in plenty of time in the end. The 50ft Irish Christmas Tree in the water, was donated by Coillte and as it was switched on Córus choir sung nearby. I checked out the various stalls on the water and Kilkenny and Bord Bia stores within the CHQ building itself. From here, I hopped on the LUAS towards Smithfield for the free open-air concert at Smithfield Square.

  

The crowd were entertained by bands such as The Geddes who even did a cover of Adele's 'Hello'

and The Original Rudeboys before the Lord Mayor switched on the tree in the square. The evening's entertainment concluded with a few songs from Paddy Casey who hasn't changed that much since I first saw him during my college days in Galway. I waited for Niamh to finish work and she met me in Oscars for a late dinner which finished a long but well worth it day and also a great way to destress.

 Finally we thought, great we have a night free so we can go to Oscars Christchurch, and see the Freddie Mercury Impersonator. We didn't mind too much how late it was beginning but found out quickly how unprofessional and drunk the act was. We decided possibly after 15/20 mins to just leave and go home as things were just that bad. We weren't even the first to just walk either. We were disappointed as we had been looking forward to it.

Despite the disaster that had been the tribute act, I met Niamh in town after work the next day for the switching on of the O'Connell street Christmas tree. Niamh bought herself a Christmas Jumper and she had brought in mine with her for me to change into, so we could take part, in the world record attempt in the number of people wearing a Christmas jumper. The downpour didn't seem to put off the crowds and especially when it started to clear up slightly. As the event really got going, the crowds really started to gather, we were lucky with our spot for it. The MCS for it were Comedian Al Porter and Dustin the Turkey. The first act on was Melanie McCabe who sang a mixture of Christmas and Pop songs which included an Ed Sheehan cover.

Other acts on to entertain the crowds were the Dublin Gospel Choir, Olympia Panto's cast from Freezin who really got everyone laughing and singing along with a medley of Christmas songs. Before all the teenage girls in the crowd went mental for the boy band Hometown, who all seemed to know every word and lyric of the bands songs, it was quite funny and entertaining to watch. When the switching on ceremony was taking place, and Lord Mayor was bringing on someone to turn it on, the crowds kept shouting for Hometown to do it, even though they were the planned guests to do it anyways, it was so hilarious to experience. 

Despite there been over 1000 people taking part in the world record, it was short on the record of 1271 which was set in Dublin at the same event last year which is organised by Debra Ireland. There was a generally great atmosphere and buzz around the place leading up to and during the switching on of the tree. Afterwards trying to get photos taken with the Christmassy Characters was an experience in itself and showed us both, how much of big kids we really are.

As we took part in the record attempt, we got a free LUAS journey home that evening for the effort, which we of course made use of, after a quick drink of course first to try and warm our toes that were wet and frozen. Despite been totally wet and frozen, the whole atmosphere made up for it. After we got home and warmed ourselves up, we kept going with the Christmas fun, by putting up our tree and decorations, always forgetting the hours it takes to do so. 

On our both next day off, which actually was the next Tuesday, we decided to try and see more Christmas based things. There seems to be so much more stuff to see and do this year, just never enough time, isn't that always the way sure. So we got on the bus, towards Parnell Square for the Moving Crib which located in the basement of St Martin Apostolate. The entry fee in was a token donation and we both felt after it was the best 3 euro we spent for anything in ages, as neither of us knew what to expect. The layout of the whole thing was very well arranged and thought out. 

 Before heading towards Custom House quarter, we made a detour towards Power Court to check out the decorations and do some shopping on Grafton st. Despite the walk down towards the I Believe Christmas Market, the weather wasn't too bad however after we exited out of the Lidl Deluxe Magical Christmas Cabin, it had become quite windy. The Lidl Cabin although geared towards children, it really had quite a magical feel to the whole thing. We both left the cabin with such raised spirits and the free chocolate didn't hurt either. After the cabin we checked out the Bord Bia store and several of the stalls on the water before giving into temptation and buying several of the deluxe Lidl products, Hot chocolate with free piece of Praline bread for Niamh and a hot Mulled Wine for myself of course, both of which went down a treat especially with the wind getting so bad . As we were still there at 6pm, we thought we checked out the Après Ski bar which was a Scandinavian themed bar. The hot whiskey was what the doctor ordered and helped warm the auld cockles, before braving the wind to get the LUAS home.  

 

As I was off the weekend of the 5th, we planned to enjoy it with as much Christmas based events as we could fit in. We were afraid that Storm Desmond would get in the way, as I learnt on the way home on the LUAS from work on Friday night, he had planned to, as the LUAS line broke down by Windy Arbor due to a fallen branch across the line. After waiting in the rain for over 30 mins for a bus which didn't turn up, ended up getting a taxi home as the wind and rain was getting nasty. As the weather wasn't as bad as we feared, we started on our fun packed day, beginning with a visit to the +Teeling Whiskey Distillery Craft Fair enjoying the free samples as you do of course. After a quick look and buying a brownie in the Farmer Market The Green Door, next door we got the bus towards Grafton for the LUAS Christmas Express activities and the Canon Snow globe experience. The LUAS stationed at St Stephen Green was all decorated inside with Christmas decorations, free faceprinting, music, photographs and mince pies with Starbucks hot chocolate. We kept on with the fun theme, with joining the queue for the Canon snow globe for our Christmas Photo which was good laugh and fun. We went shopping stocking up on few bits essential for the festive season ahead and finished up with our Christmas Presents shopping, which is all wrapped and put under the tree.

 On our route home, we stopped off at +Smock Alley Theatre for their Christmas Fayre and enjoyed the musical stylings of +Tonnta Music who sang Christmas Carols. We headed home for a while to rest before heading out again and reattempting the 12 Pubs after coming so close last year.

 We decided to start with the same pub as last year, the Brazen Head. Particular highlights of the pubs were such as Dice Bar Star Wars themed Christmas windows, Turk Head's use of old spirit bottles as candle holders and randomly meeting workmates and other friends out in several pubs. It was a random if some what drunken night. It was with relief, we managed to complete it this year, and when I had 12th drink in the No Name Bar, of course had to take the celebratory selfie.  

 

After a well earned lay in of sorts, and with the hangover not as bad as I feared luckily. We got ready for the day ahead at Farmleigh. Despite the mucky ground in the Farmleigh Estate, the weather on the whole was on our side. As soon as we arrived, we heard the Mellow Chords singing Barbershop Melodies outside next to the Festive Crib. We walked though the Victorian Christmas themed experience out in the Courtyard which was quite fun and very well arranged. As we had time to kill before the Puppet Show, we thought we check out the Food and Craft Market. We got a few bits to eat as we hadn't eaten yet that day, The veggie quiche was only 5 euro and  it was such huge slice. We queued for the puppet show but as soon as we got in, we realised how badly organised it was and how inconsiderate some people can be that we just had to leave and enjoy the rest of the Christmas Programme. We joined the queue  at the front of the house, hoping it was the one Carol Service, as no one in it was quite sure but we all were hoping it was. After about 10/15 mins we were informed that they'd be letting us in 2 mins which relieved most of us. Once inside the house, we were able to have a self tour of the bottom level of the house before taking our seats in the Ballroom for the Carol Service, we got luck getting seats in the front row. The Carol Service was provided by the Christmas Cracker Choir who were thoroughly entertaining and great fun and was worth waiting outside for. We thought to finish off our day at Farmleigh, we get a free Horse and Carriage ride around the estate which was the perfect way to finish our Christmas filled day and weekend.

During a stroll around town on my day off, I came across the IFA live animal crib outside the Mansion House. The entrance is free, but donations were being collected for the Mansion House Fuel Fund. The black goat was so funny and overly friendly which was adorable to see and experience. With the premiere of the new +Star Wars film, The Force Awakens at the Savoy, the Spire was turned into a blue Lightsaber which was pretty cool to see and of course had to get my photo with a storm trooper, sure any excuse.    

 To round off our festive Christmas activities in Dublin before the holidays, we were lucky enough to be allocated 2 tickets from a lottery draw for the Farmleigh Christmas Ballroom evening with The Velvettes. The Velvettes are a vocal group based  on the classic swing combos of the late 1940's and early 1950's. The setlist was packed full of great American songbook classics made famous by Elvis, Frank Sinatra, and of course the required Christmas songs from that era, to get everyone in the festive mood. We both enjoyed the swing evening more than we thought, as we weren't too sure what to expect. We were pleasantly surprised, how much we got into the music and the band. It was a great way to get into the festive mood.

 

OH! Ho! Ho! that Christmasy Feeling

You would expect things to go back to normal once I put our mother on the coach home, however I went off shopping to sort a few last bits for the Christmas tree and soak in the christmasy atmosphere on O'Connell Street for the turning on of it's Christmas Tree and whilst getting a free packet of Tayto, I got my photo taken with Mr Tayto, sure be rude not to. On the route home, hopped into the Church of Adam and Eve, the National Shrine to St. Anthony, to check it out.
                   
The craziness continued on, with Bernadette, Helen and Myself going for a night at the dogs in Harold's Cross  on the Tuesday for a mini work night out, which I had free entry into, thanks to my bus ticket from my last journey up from home. After a few mins of checking things out, we all got settled in and started placing a few bets on and getting the drinks in. We all had such a laugh and fun and there was a slight Christmas atmosphere about the place, due to the Christmas Parties around. I surprisingly managed to finish out ahead with my bets which was a pleasant surprise and capped off a great night out. Later in the week, on the Friday night was the Hospitality Staff Christmas night out, although Nicole and myself were working late in work, we both got changed and met everyone else out in town later. By the time, we met them most people were on a good buzz and for some reason ended up in a club in Portobello called Rain. Didn't take us too long to get into the spirit and fun of the night. It was such a random and interesting night, the way most work nights out are. The following day was spend recovering watching crap on TV under a duvet, only way a hangover day should be spent. To finish off my weekend off decided to go shopping and treat myself to a mini Christmas pressie.

 To start off the week right, +Niamh managed to get us 2 tickets for Fleetwood Mac, I booked our train tickets home for Christmas and we received our first Christmas Cards of the season. By time Friday came, we were excited to go see Gloria, a GLB choir who were performing at +StPatricksCathedral Dublin for their Christmas Concert, which was turning into an annual tradition. The concert itself was sold out with over 1300 people in attendance. A particular highlight was the all male version of Santa Baby and like every year, Gloria gave an amazing festive filled performance.

After literally a day from hell in work on Saturday, luckily I had Niamh's home made cake with ice cream to make things better while watching Strictly, which made me happy out. To top off the week, Niamh and myself decided to attempt the 12 pubs of Christmas after I finished work on that Sunday. The fun all began, in the Brazen Head, which is Ireland's oldest pub and worked our way through various pubs which all started to mesh together.

Things started to get a tad foggy after around pub 10/11 but all and all, it was quite a fun night experiencing such different pubs, some which I had never been in before. Surprisingly enough I felt right as rain the next morning which was a shock to both Niamh and myself.

Lucky enough I had no hangover as I had to work that evening, which was a tad annoying as I had won tickets for +Dumb To thanks to +cluborange and +Universal Pictures Ireland in the +Savoy Cinema, lucky enough Niamh went instead, was happy that the tickets weren't wasted despite slaving away in work, so she could enjoy herself.

Luckily enough that Niamh noticed that she had a missed call from the electrician during her shift at work, I quickly rang him back, and he was nice enough to call around straight away and finally sort out our issue with the boiler, although he didn't get finished until midnight and we both were up at 5.30 am for work. It was worth the lack of sleep as in the morning, I had the best shower in weeks which was like heaven. Although I was working so early, at least I was finished and home before work became crazy altogether which was nice. I ended up having a nap on the couch under my new fleece batman dressing gown and then when I woke up, I was all set and ready for my Chinese takeaway and heading into town to meet Niamh at the +TheGeorgeBar Dublin for Bingo and the Christmas show which was great craic as ever. Although Niamh went home towards the end of the show, I decided to stay out as I met up with mates of mine and somehow ended up in 4 Dame Lane until 3 am, despite getting up at 7 am for work, will I ever learn, seems unlikely. Niamh and myself were chilling when our dad rang, if we could get him a few bits from town, although we were finished ourselves, off out into town we went shopping, which ended up being fun, as always the way ended getting more than we planned and had a lovely meal out too, before finally getting home about 10.30.

At least we both had a slight lie in, the following morning we organised everything for our journey home for Christmas. When we arrived at Heuston Station to board the train, we got a plenty surprise to discover that we were travelling home 1st Class. People only on the list were even allowed to enter the 1st class carriage and was been guarded by the conductor. The journey home was so comfortable with the extra leg and we had fun and laugh with other passengers around us which was nice. After arriving into Ennis, we were collected by our dad, and then we dropped into our mother at work, to wish her a Happy Birthday, which made her day. Later that night, after a home cooked meal and surprising her with a cake, we headed out to a Christmas Party night at An Shibeen in Doora, where I actually won a prize for best Christmas Jumper. We all had such a brilliant night and our mother said best birthday in years.

 When we were leaving the next afternoon for our Granny's, a neighbour's big dog started climbing onto the car, which definitely showed to me that I was back in the countryside. For my first Christmas mass in over 4 years, we went to a wee country church which was packed to the rafters for the Children mass which had an amazing singer, band, kids choir and Fr. Ted Crilly type priest, wasn't sure if it was like a concert or a religious event, which was hilarious to witness. As it tradition, later that night ended up back at the local pub, the Bogdale House near our Granny's. It was almost 3 am before we got home to bed, I would say that was a rare thing, but my last Christmas home 4 years ago, was about the same time then too. Before bed as is tradition, we swapped our Christmas presents, everyone seemed happy with their presents which is always good. Christmas morning was all go from the onset, with the calls and visitors wishing our Granny a Merry Christmas and preparations for the dinner underway.

After only a slight lie in, before the calls and visitors began to arrive at my granny's. The merriment and drink which started so early, should have told me how the day was to pan out. We finally made our way down to my Uncle's for Christmas dinner which was a joint effort between my mother and aunt. With all the food and the heat, the food coma had settled in and didn't want to go. I nearly swear I've never eaten and drank so much on Christmas day. We finally got back to my granny's about 9.30 that night, after a visitor arrived down and played some music. People started to drift off to bed gradually, as per usual I was last to bed. It was definitely one of the best Christmas in years, fun and craic was had by all.