In Dublin’s fair city

July 7, 2014

Irish post box

It had been a while since I’d been to Dublin but when we arrived there on Thursday it felt very familiar, although of course lots has changed and there’s currently building going on all over the city. The Celtic Tiger may have stopped roaring for a while but according to our taxi driver things are definitely on the up, which is good to hear.

The Merrion hotel bedroom

We stayed at The Merrion, which is utterly fabulous and without doubt one of my favourite hotels in the world. It’s not just that it’s proper five-star luxury (Asprey toiletries in the bathroom, for goodness’ sake)…

 

Merrion hotel drawing room

 

…or that it’s so elegant (this is one of the  drawing rooms)…

Irish breakfast at The Merrion hotel

 

…and that it does superb Irish breakfasts, complete with my favourite potato cakes, but it’s also about the service, which is second to none.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Georgian door Dublin pink

 

The Merrion is housed in a classic Georgian building (four houses knocked into one) – and Dublin is of course famous for its wonderfully elegant Georgian architecture and doors, like these ones (my favourite is the pink). Georgian door Dublin yellow

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dermot Morgan chair Merrion Square

 

For lunch we decided to visit the food market in Merrion Square park – this is held every Thursday lunchtime in summer and has all kinds of stalls, selling everything from pulled pork sandwiches to irresistible French toasties (best not to think about the calories); everyone sits on the grass, there’s live music playing and it’s a great atmosphere. While we were in the park we stopped by this chair, designed to commemorate Father Ted himself, the actor Dermot Morgan. I had the privilege of interviewing Dermot years ago at the Irish Club in London: he was a great character and the chair seems a fitting tribute for a true King of Comedy.

 

Razmompolitan Fire restaurant

 

 

That night we had dinner at the spectacular Fire restaurant, where I had this rather splendid Razmopolitan…

 

 

 

 

 

Irish hake

 

 

…and some delicious Irish hake…

 

 

 

 

 

 

Zesty lemon tart

 

…followed by the zestiest Lemon tart. Perfection.

 

 

 

 

 

Stained glass window Bewley's

 

 

 

The following morning it was raining so we decided to hit the shops on Grafton Street, stopping at Bewley’s Cafe for lunch (OK, food featured HEAVILY on this trip, but honestly, it’s impossible to resist.)  This is one of the beautiful stained glass windows at Bewley’s, which is a real Dublin landmark…

 

 

 

 

Trinity college Dublin

…afterwards we had a walk along the River Liffey and through Trinity college…

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basil martini

 

…before going to Fallon and Byrne for dinner, where I had a Basil martini – a new one on me, very refreshing…

Peach melba crumble

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and this Peach Melba crumble was rather delicious, too.

 

St Stephen's Green

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And on Saturday it was gorgeous and sunny again, so we went to charming St Stephen’s Green for a walk…

…before catching the flight home – 55 minutes to London, which means there’s no excuse for not visiting more often, really, is there? We’ll have to try not to leave it so long next time.

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