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 arriv

After walking for 30 mins thru the rain, +Niamh and I finally managed to get the airport hopper at 4 am. We got to relax before making...

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 simulta

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 Mate

After a relaxing week at home to see family and celebrate my birthday, I came back to Dublin and continued to celebrate and pack for...

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

We started off the New Year with a mini adventure and city break to Belfast. So the first Saturday of January, we both met in the city centre for breakfast at O'Neills on Suffolk street at 9 am before catching the 10 am Goldline bus to Belfast from Busaras.  The journey itself took about 2.5 hours and when arrived it was a tad over cast. So we attempted to go and find the hotel - Park Inn using Google maps. After awhile we got lost, lucky enough we backtracked and some how ma

The season of giving seemed to begin early this year, when on Friday 22nd my mother rang to tell she just won tickets to see 30 Seconds to Mars, and then within minutes, managed to get Dublin Zoo tickets for just 5 euro each for myself and Niamh. I some how was onto a roll, as I got nearly all my Christmas Presents bought that afternoon too. So the following day, both Niamh and myself were excited as finally after months of waiting, the 50th anniversary special of Doctor Who,

To complete our Heritage and Culture tour of Dublin, we rounded off with political buildings. We commenced with Dublin Castle. The function which has changed through its history, from a defensive fortification, evolving into a royal residence and finally into of ceremony such as the inauguration of the President and hosting official State visits. The next political influenced stop and one of the historic buildings which has eluded us for years, was Farmleigh House and Estate,

Continuing with my tour of famous buildings of Dublin on my days off, the next port of call was the An Post Museum situated in a corner of the GPO, which houses the Letters, Lives & Liberty exhibition. This exhibition explores the influence and role in the development of Irish society over the years. From stamps to An Post's copy of the 1916 Proclamation and the story of the staff who were in the GPO on Easter Monday. The GPO is not just the headquarters of the post office, i

Our flight was pleasant enough, up to the usual standard which I expect from Etihad. We actually ended up arriving 35 mis early. The passport control was a funny experience. After baggage reclaim, we made our way out, where we got a chauffeur taxi to our hotel in Yas Island about 30 mins away. As we arrived too early, we freshened up and left our bags with the concierge. We explored the nearby area, including the Yas Marina circuit, home of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Viceroy h

Monday May 20th,  +Liam  got a call from the Alfred centre to cancel his OPD appointment due to a mis-communication and the fact that his colonscopy hadn't been scheduled. So we decided to go into the city and whilst over chocolate at Theobroma Chocolate started discussing our plans for our stopover in Abu Dhabi.  + I went to the Alfred myself early the next morning for my final check up which included an X-ray, consultant and physio. I was told that I had no restrictions and

When we landed into Hobart International airport, we got the redline airporter bus into Hobart and to our hostel the Pickled Frog on Liverpool St. It was a quirky type of hostel, with the first thing you see, is the open fire just inside by reception. We got our keys to our 3 bed room, and luckily for us, it was only the two of us in the room for the 2 nights. We decided to go to the Shamrock for dinner which has ten dollar meals and the plates were quite full and yummy. It w

We arrived from Ayers Rock Connellan Airport into Sydney and caught the Air train into Central Station. Once there, we crossed the road to our accommodation, YHA Central. Which has to be noted, has been the best hostel, we have stayed at in Sydney. After we got settled and relaxed for a while, we went exploring up George's street. We ended up having dinner in Wagamama's and got a offer on dessert, 2 for 1. Sunday Morning, it was 7.30 am start for the Blue Mountains tour, when

After arriving into Gold Coast, we caught the Gold Coast shuttle to our hotel, the Seaworld Resort. Luckily our room was ready, so were able to check in early and get settled in. We were upgraded to the Queen Superior Deluxe room instead of the normal twin superior room. After a while, we made our way into park, and got the paperwork sorted for our animal encounters, the penguins and the seals, which were to run consecutively from 2 pm. Before the first encounter, we went fir

Tuesday May 7th, it was quite an early start, finalizing our packing and stuff before getting the airport shuttle at the end of the street. We arrived at the airport just after 7am and then we made our way thru security in domestic terminal, towards the gate. We boarded the Qantas 737-800 series plane and departed at approx 8.45 am. The flight was smooth, with on board food and entertainment. When we arrived, we got the free shuttle to our accommodation, Alice Lodge backpacke

Thursday April 25th, we got up extremely early, just before 04:30 so we could get ready and head into town for the ANZAC Day Dawn Service. We headed for the tram at 5 am, however like everyone else, we waited and waited as trams passed full without stopping. So after waiting 15 mins or so, we decided like other people gathered, to start making the trek into domain interchange which is approx 40 mins away. The nearer we got, the crowds walking into got bigger and bigger. We ma

The week started pretty much the same for both Niamh and me, work and such until Wednesday morning, when on my way to get a tram my pants got caught on something which caused me to fall and bruise my thigh, right arm and bottom. So as you can imagine work, wasn't a fun day, sore and painful as it was. Lucky I had a doctor appointment anyway the next morning at 9am for another problem, as I had been feeling unwell. After his examination, he thought it might have been appendici

Niamh managed to get a 50 dollars voucher for Pint on Punt which helped us buy dinner and drinks which was pleasant change and helped too, that the food was quite tasty. Tuesday 9th was free cone day at Ben & Jerry's, both, Niamh and me made use of the offer and went back few times, to make full use of the offer. Niamh went back to work, first time since the accident. My shift on Thursday was for a book launch at the old women's college, which was an different kind of experie

After the relaxation of the Easter Monday, it was an early start to get Niamh to her outpatients appointment at the Alfred hospital, for her check up regarding her fractured shoulder. So after the X-rays and consultant, she was informed, she will unable to do any loading or strengthening with her arm and unfit to work for another six weeks. As I was not working, we did few bits such as laundry and shopping before settling in for a Mike & Molly and Nashville marathon. I myself