Dublin, April 2010

I'm slightly late blogging about my trip to Dublin last weekend, but it's been a manic week, and I honestly didn't think I'd even get to fly to Dublin with the volcanic ash cloud (linked in case you've been living in a cave and didn't notice the lack of planes in the sky/haven't seen the news).

My trip started out well when the girls at the Aer Lingus desk told me they liked my style (shame I wasn't fly long-haul - they'd have *so* upgraded me). Despite never flying budget before, I was pleasantly surprised; picking up a gorgeous tweed Suzy Smith bag for a mere £27.60 (should have been £70) may have helped matters. 

The weather was gorgeous when I arrived in Dublin, so I quickly dumped my bag at the Global Internet Café (€3.95 for the day) and went to explore. I ended up catching some rays in the garden behind Dublin Castle, before going on a tour there and buying my obligatory souvenir thimble. The tour was worth it just so I could get some background on Dublin, though I was mortified, like always, when our lovely tour guide started telling us about the Irish War of Independence. It does get very embarrassing to be constantly told by others about the consequences of Britain's Empire days.

After this, I tried to find the Leprechaun Museum... and failed. Leprechauns were soon out of my mind though as it was time to meet friends and have cocktails. We went to Spy Club, which has an eclectic crowd. I tried a Black Velvet there, a disgusting mixture of champagne and Guinness, but at least it meant my obligatory "have a Guinness in Ireland" was drunk! After that we grabbed some Mexican food at Acapulco, which was tasty, but it's no Salsa Mexicana!

Saturday morning was spent at the Botanic Gardens (free, and lovely), The National Wax Museum Plus (over-priced, so give it a miss), wandering around Trinity College (pretty), before lunch at Pygmalion in the Powerscourt Townhouse Centre (I had amazing bangers and mash there). We then spent the afternoon shopping. Dublin is good for shopping, but the exchange rate makes it pretty expensive for us Brits. I did, however, pick up a cute dress from Carousel (previously Sabotage, it's on Exchequer Street) for only €19, as well as some fabbity sunglasses.

The evening was spent enjoying cocktails at Ron Blacks, before dinner at Saba. Saba is an amazing award-winning Thai-Vietnamese restaurant, and despite us booking at the start of April, the only slot that was available for us was half past 9. It's worth eating late to eat there though.

So, that was Dublin. I flew back on Sunday, and it was lovely to catch up with friends and tick off another country. Now, all I have to decide is where I'm jetting off to next! Any suggestions? x