Category Archives: Ireland

Best Restaurants of 2019

Here’s the last of my lists for the Best of 2019. Looking back over the year, I ate exceptionally well in a variety of places. It got gluttonous a few times but my 2019 dining style was mostly quality over … Continue reading

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Best Bars and Pubs of 2019

Thirsty for a drink paired with an appreciative welcome and maybe even camaraderie? Have a look my Best of 2019 list of my favourite bars sidled up to this year (with entries from across London as well Buffalo, San Francisco, … Continue reading

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Best Beer of 2019

Here’s another pint served from my Best of 2019 series. It’s a look at my favourite beers of the year. Beers listed are all produced by independent brewers in only two cities: London and Cork. I had a good number … Continue reading

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World Steak Challenge 2019: And the Winners Are …

For the first time in its five year history, World Steak Challenge held its annual competition outside of London. The 2019 event to determine the World’s Best Sirloin, World’s Best Rib Eye and World’s Best Fillet and to recognise and … Continue reading

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World Steak Challenge 2019

For the first time in its five year history, World Steak Challenge held its annual competition outside of London. The 2019 event to determine the World’s Best Sirloin, World’s Best Rib Eye and World’s Best Fillet and to reward the producers of those cuts for a delicious job well done (or ideally medium-rare I suppose) was in Dublin. Celebrated Fire Restaurant and Lounge was a most accommodating host venue for all the judging of more than 300 cuts of steak from 25 countries.
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Best Bars and Pubs of 2018

Have a look my Best of 2018 list of my favourite bars sidled up to this year (with entries from London, Edinburgh Dublin, Cleveland and the Texas Hill Country). Continue reading

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Best Breakfasts and Brunches of 2018

Welcome back to the Best of 2018. Here’s a plateful of hearty recommendations for breaking fast in London and elsewhere, and in this case elsewhere means San Antonio and the Texas Hill Country, Dublin, Edinburgh, Milan and Hiroshima.
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Dream Destinations for Lovers of Irish Literature (Miles Away)

If you find inspiration for your travels in the pages of great literature you’ll love this list of cities rich in sights to see and contextual meaning for some of Ireland’s most accomplished writers. Continue reading

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Where to Dine in Dublin | Index

I hope found some savoury insight or at least some sweet recommendations in my series about dining in Dublin. Continue reading

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Where to Dine in Dublin | The Pepper Pot Cafe

I had a phenomenal breakfast at The Pepper Pot Cafe and can’t think of anyone who wouldn’t find The Pepper Pot’s offer a delicious one. Continue reading

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Where to Dine in Dublin | The Rolling Donut

So donuts in Dublin are definitely a thing! And The Rolling Donut does them deliciously well.In particular, two of the more decadent creations from its menu made my taste buds swoon: the salted caramel pistachio and the maple bacon. Both cost about €3 and one with a cup of pretty damn good coffee (for €5) made an excellent breakfast. Continue reading

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Where to Dine in Dublin | Piglet Wine Bar

Piglet Wine Bar, a laidback little eatery on the edge of Temple Bar was a last minute idea for dinner – but one that turned out to be brilliant. I loved the concept and the food and left wishing there was something similar in my hood back home in London. Continue reading

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Where to Dine in Dublin | Fish Shop, Benburb Street

Fish Shop, Benburb Street is a supremely simple chip shop and wine bar about a block away on Benburb Street – was. So I went there – and had what I reckon will go down as one the very best meals of my year. Continue reading

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Where to Dine in Dublin | The Winding Stair

Given its prominence in guide books and listicles as well as its tourist-accessible location near the Ha’penny Bridge, my instinct was to stay clear of The Winding Stair. Then I read the menu. Continue reading

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Where to Dine in Dublin | Oxmantown

Oxmantown’s Black Pudding breakfast sandwich was a morning meal worth waking up for – particularly with its rather kindly price of €5.90. An assemblage of Jack McCarthy’s “Queens” black pudding with tomato relish, pickles, aioli, and rocket on supremely spongy sourdough, it hit the spot and kept any inkling of hunger at bay well past my usual lunchtime. Continue reading

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Where to Dine in Dublin | Bunsen

Before my trip I’d done some preliminary Googling for “best restaurants” in town and in the area where I was staying (Temple Bar). Bunsen kept coming up. I certainly wasn’t against having a good burger and couldn’t argue with it being just a couple of minutes away from my room. Continue reading

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Where to Dine in Dublin

Wondering where to dine in Dublin? You’re in luck! As good of a question as it might be, the answers are all the more excellent and delectable. Continue reading

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Good Stuff #54 | St Patrick’s Day Edition

Ready for St Patrick’s Day? Here’s my latest list of good stuff, in this case all in celebration of Irish drink with a sampling of quality beverages I had the pleasure of trying at a recentSpirit of Sharing tasting event hosted by Irish Ambassador Daniel Mulhall and Bord Bia, the Irish Food Board, at the Irish Embassy in Belgravia. Continue reading

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Sponsored Post: Dublin, Top Choice … for Second Place?

Yes, the World’s Second Friendliest City (according to the video) is as fun loving and vibrant a destination as any you’ll ever visit and makes an excellent choice for as a city break destination. In fact, Dublin won runner up for Europe’s Leading City Break Award for 2015. And if you’re thinking of investing in property, guess which city recently came in the number two position as the best place to invest in real estate? You got it. Dublin! Continue reading

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Re: Joyce! It’s Bloomsday! (OneTravel)

Considered to be Joyce’s masterpiece and a seminal piece of 20th century literature, the modernist novel Ulysses is known for its dense and dialect rich text and tells the story of a day in the life of Leopold Bloom. Bloomsday … Continue reading

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Dublin: Beer, Wine and Joyce (OneTravel)

Here are some highlights from a far too short but nonetheless fantastic weekend bumbling around Dublin. It’s an ideal city for just such urban meanders. My only regret was having to catch a flight back to London for work Monday morning. I could definitely spend lots more time strolling along the River Liffey and well beyond in search of the perfect Guinness … Continue reading

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Get Ready for Derry: 2013’s City of Culture (CheapOair)

As rich as the history and traditions of Derry are, there’s still plenty more for this city – and its growing number of visitors – on the horizon. Indeed, 2013 promises to be an especially smart time to visit as … Continue reading

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Sponsored Video: Fly Guinness Class

Why settle for an ordinary night at your local when you can experience all that Dublin has to offer, via your own Guinness Class Private Jet? More info: facebook.com/GuinnessGB

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Northern Ireland’s Giant’s Causeway (CheapOair)

The only UNESCO World Heritage site in Northern Ireland, the Giant’s Causeway is a massive rock formation made up of tens of thousands of eerily shaped basalt columns jutting dramatically out from the sea. Read my complete post at the CheapOair blog.

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Save Time and Money with the Belfast Visitor Pass (CheapOair)

Heading to Belfast and hoping to hit the ground running without it making too much of an impact on your wallet? Save Time and Money with the Belfast Visitor Pass CheapOair, 21 June 2012 Photo/Iker Merodio 

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Titanic Belfast (CheapOair)

100 years after Titanic left Belfast, Northern Ireland on its fateful first and final voyage, a new Titanic Belfast – the world’s largest Titanic visitor attraction – has opened to the public. Titanic Belfast CheapOair, 26 May 2012 Photo/Leslie Shaw

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Bushmills Irish Whiskey to Host Music Festival (CheapOair)

The Old Bushmills Distillery, where handcrafted Irish Whiskey has been made for centuries, is to host a landmark whiskey and music festival. The Bushmills Live two-day festival will take place on June 20th and 21st and will be the first … Continue reading

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Some Dublin Notes (Qype Community)

Some Dublin Notes Qype Community, September 13th 2010 I spent a fantastic weekend bumbling around Dublin. Only regret was I had to catch a very early Sunday morning flight to get back to London for work. I could definitely spend lots … Continue reading

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Bushmills Inn and Distillery in Northern Ireland (Qype Community)

Bushmills Inn and Distillery in Northern Ireland Qype Community, September 1st 2010 The friendly folks at Bushmills Irish Whiskey invited yours truly around last week to visit their inn, tour their distillery and (most enticingly) have a sample of their … Continue reading

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Good Hotels in Dublin?

I’m just back from a few days at the Bushmills Inn and Distillery in Northern Ireland. I had a wonderful time (and don’t worry – there’ll be much more blogging about that trip to come). It was my second time … Continue reading

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