Ed Sheeran To Harvey Nichols via Linda Martin

On route to work whilst on Twitter and Facebook, I managed to get the details and then buy 2 tickets for +Ed Sheeran secret gig at Vicar Street on May Bank holiday Monday. As soon as I could managed to change my hours in work to leave a tad bit earlier. After work on that Monday, I met +Niamh on route to the gig, where we met mates Micheal and Sarah in the bar of course, after collecting the tickets from the box office first. When Ed came on stage, everyone went crazy, ourselves included. He played for almost 90 mins non stop, a particular highlight besides Ed singing of course, was how he introduced his 90 years old grandmother, who was in the audience. It was one of the best intimate gig ever been at, and one that's made my year so far. We couldn't believe we got a full length gig for a tenner. I had to sprint like never before, to try to make my bus at the other side of the city, which I just about managed.      

              

The following Saturday, we met up for Pre Eurovision food, in Yamamori, before heading to Panti Bar for Eurovision madness. There was a surreal atmosphere and a packed house throughout the show. You could hear the love and hate for certain countries, which kinda made it more fun and interesting. Especially during the scoring stage, when Russia got points there was continuous booing. When Conchita Wurst of Austria, was finally announced the winner, the whole place erupted cheering and celebrating. After everyone calmed down, Panti and Linda Martin took to the stage and sang Terminal 3 together. Linda then sang Why Me, on her own. I was luckily enough afterwards to get a photo with her.

   

Sunday, I met Niamh at Merrion Square, for the Giro D'Italia, near the finish line of Stage 3 of the race. Stage 3 was a 187 km cycle from Armagh to Dublin which had it nail biting moments and infamous bike pill up along route. The stage was won by the German rider Kittel at the line, winning by half a wheel over the nearest competitor, on his birthday no less. It was surreal to watch and only re-watching on the big screen did everyone really see, how close it really was. There was a great turnover all along the route and in particular in Merrion Square.

We had to met up, the following Wednesday, as Niamh won 2 tickets for a preview screening of  Two Faces of January at Movies at Dundrum. This had a drinks reception beforehand on the fashion floor of Harvey Nichols. Niamh wasn't quite impressed that there wasn't any alternative to the alcohol, however better late than ever, iced water was finally brought out. I made the most of the drinks reception.

       

Road Trip to Cork

After an uneventful road trip down to Cork, the stay in the hotel itself was quite basic for what was meant to be a 4 star establishment. I was quite disappointed with the food I got for dinner and the lack of organisation over breakfast was outrageous. All in all, I'd be in no rush back, to stay at the Rochestown Park hotel. However on the upside, after the depressing weather on Saturday, luckily enough, we had some glorious sun shine for our trip down to Cobh. When we arrived into Cobh, first thing we saw was St. Coleman's Cathedral, which is one of Ireland's tallest buildings. After parking the car, we strolled along the seafront and we got a fabulous view of Spike Island, which was famously used previously as a prison and also we could see Haulbowline Island in the distance, the main naval base and headquarters of the Irish Naval service. At the other end of the seafront, there was a statue of Mary Moore and her brothers, who was the first person to be admitted to the States through the new immigration centre at Ellis Island in 1892. There is a duplicate of this statue on Ellis Island. We were gonna go to the Titanic Experience, both we felt it wasn't worth the 9.50 € entrance fee, instead decided to continue our road trip back through onto Blarney.

Despite the 12 euro entrance fee into Blarney Castle and Gardens, we decided sure to the heck with it, treat ourselves. I felt although that how expensive the fee was quite Irish. The gardens and Castle grounds themselves were very well maintained and landscaped, and you could see where the money was being pumped into. After passing the badger caves, and typical me bumping my head on the way out, which was quite nasty. We strolled into the fern garden, which has a grassy path lined with wild flowers and was very beautiful and tranquil. As we continued, our walk towards the Castle, we entered the poison garden hidden behind the Castle battlements. The plants in this garden are dangerous and toxic and we are warned to enter at our own risk. The garden contains a collection of poisonous plants from around the world including Cannabis, Opium, Mandrake,and Wolfsbane.  
                      
Then we commenced climbing the steps up the Castle to the top, the steps just kept going and going. When we finally got to the top of the Castle, it was very breezy and high although there was an amazing view of the Castle grounds. I was thinking how would +Niamh or even my mother cope with the height as I was even feeling a tad unsafe and weary up there. It was funny as only me would actually kiss the stone, the rest wouldn't and one was itching to get down as his fear of heights was getting to him. Ironically first thing I did myself was rush to the toilet and wash my hands and rinse out my mouth.

 After our trip to the Castle, we got back on the road and started our journey back to Dublin. Our road trip wasn't over, as we diverted to Newbridge and went into Newbridge Silverware to see KITT the car from Knight Rider and while in the vicinity we had a look around the showroom and the museum of Style Icons which hosts numerous collections and artefacts relating to various celebrities such as Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe, Princesses Grace and Diana and the Beatles. Once on the final leg of the trip back, we hit a snag, and got stuck in a traffic jam, before Newlands Cross due to a burst water mains, and all the traffic was diverted to Kingswood Interchange. Finally we got at this junction and back on our way after an hour, which felt like an eternity and hell frozen over. Despite the hick up at the end, the weekend as a whole and the road trip to Cork and back, was fun and relaxing, exactly what I needed.  

From the Jeanie to Miranda Hart

After quite a long week, both myself and +Niamh couldn't wait for Saturday and +Miranda Hart. We managed to get tickets on Living Social for the +Jeanie Johnston Tall Ship and Famine Museum for 6.50€ instead of 18 euro. I was lucky enough to get my bus to almost at the ship where I meet Niamh. There was a few people gathered outside the office, including ourselves, the door was locked, which worried a few of us, but the tour guide it seems runs the office and tour simultaneously. Although the tour started 20 minutes late, we all set off and boarded the ship. Our guide Paul, was quite the character and was very entertaining, described the history of the ship and lives of some of the crew and its passengers. It was quite an interesting tour and then our guide let us explore the main deck which was kinda fun in a childish way.

  After disembarking from the ship, we went on the search for food, which proved harder than we would have likened and the place we decided to try, ended up being not the best. After this sub par food, we decided to make the journey to +The O2, we decided to try a different route to see if it would be quicker for again, despite almost getting lost on route, we finally managed to collect our tickets. Once inside the arena, we went straight to the priority lounge to get a beverage or two and relax before the show at 8. We were quite comfy when we got snapped by an O2 angel. The resulting pic even surprised me how well it turned out.

  When we finally got to our seats, although we have never been so high up in the arena before, we still had a pretty decent view. From the off, Miranda had absolutely everyone in the audience in stitches laughing right to the interval. Lucky enough we had the passes to the lounge, neither of us had to join the awful queues for the toilets and even had time to get another drink to bring back in with us. I almost wet myself laughing with her antics and jokes. As we exited, we began to walk into town and we were lucky enough to get on the luas at Mayors dock and decided to sure head out for a while and went to Panti bar for the show, before some how ending up in the Czech inn playing foosball, which I some how lost to Niamh. It was a long, interesting, funny kinda day but was well worth the tiredness that followed the night link home, which I swear I was nearly home in record time.

  During one of my weekly meet up with Niamh, we decided to buy last minute tickets to go see Potted Potter in the Gaiety that evening, a Tuesday. After lunch in Wagamama's where we managed to get 2 for 1 thanks to Priority Moments, I showed Niamh the House of Lords in Bank of Ireland building on College Green. The show itself, headed up been quite a fun night out. The idea behind the show is a parody on Harry Potter and condensing all seven Harry Potter books with game of Quidditch into seventy quite hilarious minutes.

                    
This was followed by the next night, the Wednesday, with a night of wine and canapes at KC Peaches on Nassau Street, which I won on twitter, with a competition they were running, where you tweeted a picture of the food you were eating. The deal Niamh and me had was, I had the free wine and she had the canapes, with all the free refills, not too sure how many of glasses of wine I ended up having. This reception was followed by the movie in Cineworld. The movie was a premiere of Love Punch which is not out till thefollowing Friday. The movie itself was very funny and worth seeing.

To enjoy the Easter weekend, I met Niamh in town after I finished work at Panti Bar to celebrate International Record Store Day with a line up of musicians and bands including our mate Mark's act, Slap & Tickle, who was hilarious as ever. We ended up staying for the Panti show, which was one of the best. Anthony Cotton the actor who plays Sean Tully in Coronation Street was there, and one of  the number was a tribute to him, which was brilliant and got the whole audience laughing. I ended staying the night at Niamh's. 

Easter morning, we got ready to go to Millennium of the Battle of Clontarf and the Death of Brian Boru, out in St. Anne's Park Raheny which was transformed into a Viking Village, containing interactive displays of Viking life and demonstrations of Viking skills and crafts. The highlight of our day and of the whole event was the 45 minute large scale re-enactment of the battle of Clontarf with armed and Viking clad warriors which was preceded with warriors on horseback. It was scary at times, as the battle looked so real, it was only at the very end, did people actually notice, one of the warriors was injured for real, and an ambulance had to bring him away. In a sign of respect, there was a Viking barrier so no pictures could be taken and the crowd where moved back by the event security. No word as yet the state of the 'warrior's', hopefully he will be alright. 

After sampling some food at the taste of Clontarf, we hopped onto the bus just as the rain started to belt down, back into town. We decided to get warm and relax so ended up for pizza and drinks, for a food deal in Front Lounge before the bingo and Easter Revelations show in the George. We both agreed that this week was one of the best and definitely possible the funniest for a long time. As the jackpot was not won, we will have to struggle and drag ourselves there again next week. 

         

Lá Fhéile Naomh Pádraig

A great start to the St Patrick's Weekend, was watching the nail biting win of the Irish rugby team against France, to win the 6 Nations. The following morning, I went into town early to watch the Irish University Boat Races on the Liffey, between my Alma Mater UCD against bitter rivals Trinty. The 2km rowing course started at O'Connell Bridge at 11am and finished at St. James' Gate, I witnessed the race from the last bridge before the end. Unfortunately, however my Alma Mater UCD lost to TCD to win the Gannon Cup. After the race, I strolled towards St. Stephen Green to watch the start of the 5k road race at 12 noon. At the end of the race, I noticed someone dressed as Mickey Mouse making balloons animals, walking down Grafton Street.

As I had time to spare before Liam came into town after work, I strolled to Merrion Square to check out the street carnival, Big Day Out. Which was packed with street performers, music, SFI Discover Science Zone, Gaelspraoi and art zones. So by the time, I met up with Liam, I had the place well scouted out. We had some random photo ops, including trying to get back out of a massive beach style chair, which was hilarious.

 As we walked through the festivities, we came upon superheroes, butterflies and other street performers, and then we stopped to watch the Imaginerie Menagerie, which was quite interesting and funny. After this open air show, we walked checking out the food carts/vans, rides and the Dublin UNESCO Literary Zone where we dressed up as superhoreos in the costumed photo booth and got some free photos. Next to this stand, we got our faces painted for the occasion for free at the FM 104 van and also got some free goodies from them too.

 To end our time at the Big Day Out, we went to watch the Barren Carousal, the show I had seen earlier but dragged Liam to see, as with it's sense of unique humour, aerobatics and interaction was a particular highlight and probably the best show there. When I had seen the show earlier that afternoon, my legs fell asleep on the mats on the ground, got cramps and had hard time getting up, which funny enough happened Liam, this time despite me warning him, it might happen. After dinner, it was time for our Sunday ritual, Bingo in the G, which was busier than usual, in part due to the Bank holiday and €1,900 jackpot. After the pre-bingo drag show, the bingo got underway, the excitement was infectious. For ages I was waiting for just one number, however it seemed luck wasn't on our side, as the jackpot was won. After what seemed like a quite random fun night with both Liam and myself bumping into people we knew.

On the route to the bus and home, we got to see some of the buildings that had gone green as part of the Greening the City. To make things easier for the parade the next day, Liam stayed at mine, and we both joked that it was the quickest bus home. It was early to rise, the next morning even with Liam hangover in toe, lucky we left when we did for the bus, as the bus filled up very quick on route. Once we got food and coffee to take away, we stalked out a good viewing point for the parade at about 10am. We got lucky with our viewing point and got to enjoy the whole of the parade uninterrupted. The parade was quite colourful and captured the theme 'Let's Make History' with a particular highlight of the floats by Spraoi celebrating the Battle of Clontarf - 1000 years on.

 To celebrate our alcohol free Patrick's day, we went exploring thru the quays and grand canal before lunch and finally relaxing in Accents for tea and festive cupcakes. Liam was after his herbal tea, out for the count, and dossed in the comfy chairs. The funniest thing of the day, happened soon after we left Accents, when somehow Liam fell hands first off the footpath on the road, slightly grazing his hands and knees. What's funnier is that he said, he probably wouldn't do it if he was drunk, and I say his right with that.

To finish off our Patrick's festivities, we decided to head on a Wicklow day tour in particular to Glendalough. We were lucky to get discounted voucher on Groupon for 13 euro instead of 24 euro each. We left from our departure spot on O Connell St approx, 9.15am. We barely had left the city when we witnessed 2 cars involved in a collision near Merrion Square and our driver Richie had us in stitches for the duration of the trip. After collecting the last of the passengers, we had a full bus and a variety of nationalities from 17 countries. After short drive into the Wicklow, We entered the Glencree Valley and first stop of the day, at the Glencree Centre for Peace and Reconciliation. Now a centre for peace talks, previously was famous for housing children refugees after WWII in 1946 in an initiative known as Operation Shamrock. After hopping back on the bus, we drove through bog lands and heather fields before stopping at the PS I Love You bridge, for the required Photo, while the bus driver had Mundy's Galway Girl playing. A further little up the road, we got off the bus for a photo stop at the Guinness Lakes, although it was quite windy, it was quite beautiful. 

After getting out of the wind, back on the bus, we headed towards Glendalough, situated in the heart of the Wicklow Mountains. Glendalough's 10th century monastic round tower settlement is located in a glacial valley and offered us with a leisurely walk to the lower and upper lakes. When we got to the upper lakes, Liam noticed the biggest rip on his chinos, that totally destroyed him, it was hilarious, he must have got caught on something on route. Luckily enough he was able to use my jumper around his waist. Before the trek back to the coach, we hiked up towards the Poulanass Waterfall, despite the hike, the view was worth it.

We departed Glendalough, making our way towards Avoca village for our lunch spot, on route passing through the Meeting of the Waters, made famous by poet Thomas Moore. The Meeting of the Waters is a spot where the Avoca rivers join together in the Vale of Avoca. We had lunch in Fitzgerald's Pub in Avoca Village, made famous in Ballykissangel, where Liam sampled the local Glendalough Poitin. Once back on the bus, we literally travelled about 200m to Avoca Handweavers, where we got a tour of the woollen mill, which is Ireland's oldest working woollen mill. After hopping back on the bus for the last time, we began the journey back to Dublin. Our first port of call after the tour was to get Liam new chinos and actually see how bad the damaged was, which was worse then we thought .

 Both of us, were delighted with the tour and especially with our tour guide Richie, who made the whole experience. Despite some of the interesting setbacks at Glendalough, the scenic views throughout the trip made up for them.

Shaking Hands with the Dead

Although I got a phone call from work, for a last minute change of shift, I still met up with Niamh for lunch and culture with a difference before work that evening. After our lunch in Wagamama's, we strolled across Stephen Green towards The Little Museum of Dublin. The museum tells the story of the city in the 20th Century. The museum is still fairly new, only been launched in 2011, after a public appeal for historic objects, with the generosity of the public generating over 5,000 artefacts today in the collection. The collection shows social, cultural and political history of modern Dublin. The museum is housed within a Georgian building and open every day, usually with an admission fee, however on Wednesday afternoons, they day we went, it was free, courtesy of Johnston Mooney and O'Brien bakeries. The latest addition to the museum, is the exhibition, U2: Made in Dublin, open on the second floor. The exhibition charts the story of the band from 1976 to present day, featuring musical rarities, signed albums, alongside items such as a Trabant car, and even a pack of U2 condoms. The museum was a different and interesting angle of modern Dublin and a must see for everyone.

After visiting the Little Museum, our next outing was to the dark spooky vaults of St Michan's church, which located in the vicinity of Jameson Distillery in Smithfield. Admission normally 5 euro, we got the concession price of 4 euro. The church is built on the site of an early Danish chapel from 1095, however the current structure dates from reconstruction in 1686, and is still possibly the only parish church on the north side of the Liffey surviving from a Viking foundation. Although the church exterior might seems dull and unimpressive, the interior boasts an organ dated 1727, on which Handel composed his Messiah. The vaults contain many mummified remains, which due to the walls containing limestone, has kept the air dry, creating ideal conditions for preservation. Among the preserved remains are the 400 year old body of a nun, the Shears brothers, Henry and John, who took part in the 1798 rebellion and a six and a half foot man popularly believed to have been a crusader, a body with its feet and right hand severed. One of the most unusual yet surreal things, I've ever done, was shaking the left hand of the crusader mummy. Our tour guide had us all in stitches, describing the history of the church and its vaults. This quirky, hidden away attraction is well worth a visit. 

To relax after work that night, following in my mother footsteps, spent a while entering competitions online. Luckily enough, the next day, I won tickets to a  movie preview and pre-screening party. So the night of the preview, +Niamh and myself went along to Thunder Road Cafe for the party, where there was free cocktail food and surprisingly for everyone an open bar, sure a jar or two had to be had. The preview itself, was for +Ride Along being hosted for by +UniversalPictures Ireland. The movie itself was quite funny, and sure what a better way to spend a Tuesday evening.

After our weekly visit to the Bingo and show, not sure if it was stupidity or pure +Oscars excitement, but managed to stay awake and watch the Oscars live, including being one of those that helped break twitter over Ellen's selfie. So after about 2 hours sleep, I begun the long journey home, despite the lack of sleep, it was great to see everyone and spend few days home. I some how managed while updating my ipad, dealing with Apple over an iTunes issue  and general messing about, I finally got the famous new iPhone working  myself. I don't think I've screamed or jumped that much in years. It was a reason to celebrate, like I ever need a reason of course. 

 

To finish my few days off, Niamh and me hopped on a Coast and Castle tour run by +Dublin Sightseeing. We managed to get it on Living Social for 9 euro each instead of 24. After a nice breakfast at Flanagan's for 5 euro, we called in next door to Dublin Bus, collected our tickets and jumped on our bus for the 11 am departure. Our tour guide Tom, was one hell of a character, telling us unusual stories of Dublin and singing en route up the North Coast to Malahide Castle. As part of the ticket, we got a 45 min private tour of one of Ireland's oldest castles, which is set on 250 acres of parkland, and was both a fortress and a private home for nearly 800 years. The Talbot family lived here from 1185 to 1973. After exploring the grounds of the castle, we went for coffee in Avoca, sitting outside near the walled gardens, where we noticed a beautiful peacock and robin. The day was turning into such a relaxing, scenic one and the beautiful weather which wasn't promised, didn't hurt either. 

       

After departing Malahide, the bus then begun it's journey along the coast from Malahide itself, towards our next port of call Howth, passing through Portmarnock, of course home to 2 famous golf courses and a Napoleonic Martello tower. Just before entering Howth, we saw Ireland's Eye in the distance, which is a small uninhibited island off the coast and we were able to see, the ruins of another Martello tower. We were barely off the bus, when we got to see 3 playful seals in the harbour, which neither Niamh nor myself seen any of our previous trips to the harbour. During our stop in the harbour, the sun came out to play, and were got a better view of Ireland's eye whilst sitting on the harbour wall. We decided to walk along the pier at the other side of the harbour, where we got amazing views of Dublin Bay and the Wicklow Mountains. To finish off tour and the North Coast, we continued our descent back towards the city, driving through Sutton, Clontaff and North Bull Island, a Natural Reserve and Bird Sanctuary, connected to the mainland by a wooden road bridge. Along the way, our guide Tom, indicated some beautiful spots and views of the Irish Sea, Dublin Bay, Dublin and Wicklow Mountains and of the city itself in the distance, highlighting the old Poolbeg power station and the Aviva. All the while, entertaining us with his stories  and singing. As we departed this tour bus, we hopped onto the hop on/ hop off bus, as a free city loop tour was included, as well as a ticket for a free Pat Liddy's walking tour, to use at a later date. To top off such a nice relaxing day, we finished it with dinner and drinks, which ended up being such a random funny night.   

To enjoy the sudden change in the weather, I revelled in the sun with a drive out to Dun Laoghaire Pier before heading up towards Glencullen. To continue enjoying the sun, the next day Niamh and myself, went for a nice leisurely cruise along the Liffey. We were lucky to get a discounted voucher for Liffey River Cruises on Living Social for €9 for both of us, instead of 28 euro. We hopped onto the Spirit of the Docklands boat for the 3.15 cruise, on Bachelor's walk.  The tour with guided commentary, glided under Dublin's historic bridges and gave an unique view of iconic buildings and lasted for approx. 45 mins, which travelled towards the O2 and Grand Canal Docklands areas, before the journey back to the boarding point. The tour was a fun, unique and interesting view of Dublin and it's Docklands.