Rest of 2018 in a Nutshell

After an epic 10-year wait, I finally had the chance to ascend the historic Old Jameson Distillery chimney, now transformed into a stunning viewing platform, thanks to Generator Hostels. As part of Culture Night, this iconic structure was open to the public with no admission fee - a true gift to all who appreciate Dublin's rich heritage.

Climbing 244 steps to the summit, I was rewarded with panoramic views of the city that took my breath away. The weather couldn't have been more perfect, enhancing the experience as I gazed out over the bustling streets below. A moment to cherish, a memory that will last a lifetime.

This was my second time doing this tour in a month, and I honestly enjoy it even more each time! Big thanks to Pearse Irish Whiskey, Pearse Lyons Distillery, Culture Night, and @nynaeve88. I won’t deny I felt a little tipsy leaving after sampling the original @pearseirishwhiskey and the delicious rhubarb gin!

Niamh was thrilled to finally go on the Irish Whiskey Museum tour, thanks to the Culture Night lottery they ran on social media. She really enjoyed the experience, especially the main highlights. I’m happy I also took the tour myself because I truly enjoyed it too!

To wrap up Culture Night nicely, even though we arrived a few minutes late because of traffic, we made it just in time for the tour of Teeling Whiskey distillery. It was such a perfect way to end our whiskey-themed Culture Night with a delightful taste of small batch and Teeling Iced Tea Cocktail

After such a wild night, I haven't laughed that much in ages, and the tone and sense of humour were spot on. Wouldn't expect anything less from Trailer Park Boys.

Cirque Berserk at Bord Gais Energy Theatre tonight was absolutely amazing! With @nynaeve88 bringing so much energy, humour, and jaw-dropping acrobes, it was such a thrilling experience. The first part was truly breathtaking, but the second part took it to a whole new level with unbelievable stunts, daring motorcycle displays in the Globe of Death, and performances by talented jugglers, aerialists, dancers, and more. It was a night filled with wonder and excitement that I won't forget!

After 20 long years of waiting, we finally had the joy of seeing Shania Twain in concert! As always, she delivered an unforgettable performance, especially with classics like 'From This Moment On' and 'You’re Still The One.'

It was a lovely way to unwind on a Tuesday evening after a busy day at work, especially with the added excitement of watching the Gaiety Theatre’s production about Tom Crean, the brave Antarctic explorer.

The set, costumes, ensemble, and topical news humour of Shrek the musical @ Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, truly brought us joy and laughter, culminating in everyone dancing and singing along to' I'm a Believer. ' It was a wonderful way to lift spirits on a Tuesday evening and reconnect with our inner child @nynaeve88. Steffan Harri as Shrek and Jemma Revell as Princess Fiona were fantastic, with her incredible voice truly standing out. The campy, over-the-top Donkey played by Kevin Yates was hilariously entertaining, and Samuel J Holmes as Lord Farquaad was perfectly cast. It was a fun night filled with great performances.

I’m just home from an exciting concert-style show at The Simon & Garfunkel Story @gaiety_theatre, which beautifully shares the history and musical journey of the most successful music duo. Kingsley Judd (@kingsleyjudd) and Adam Dickinson (@adamdickinson95) did a fantastic job portraying the famous duo tonight, with great support from their band. They were so delightful, genuine, and thankful when we had the chance to meet them after the show, along with Kyla Brown (@kyla_plays_piano), Tim Bloomwe (@tim_bloomer), Chris Castellito (@ccastellito), and Dominik Todd (@told88). The wonderful response from the audience tonight in Dublin at @gaiety_theatre makes me confident that the tour will be a big success. I hope the cast enjoys their stay in Ireland 🇮🇪, and I wish them the best of luck with the rest of the tour!

Watching BBC Let It Shine reignited our love for Take That and sparked our curiosity about the storyline of Band the Musical. We eagerly grabbed our tickets and counted down the days until we could experience the musical at Bord Gáis Energy Theatre. From the very beginning, the show captivated everyone with the band’s incredible music and the touching story of the girls and how their lives evolved—yet how their bond remained strong through their shared love of Take That. Performers like @ajbentleyuk, @curtistjohns, @yazdanqafouri, @its_sariosolomon, and @nick_carsberg were fantastic—singing, dancing, and engaging with the cast on stage. The playful banter and genuine chemistry between the women made the audience feel like part of the story, all while enjoying the band’s wonderful music. Such an exciting experience from start to finish!

After visiting Disney’s Nutcracker @Cineworld, doing some Christmas shopping, and enjoying the festive spirit with the wonderful Christmas windows and lights on Henry Street at Arnotts, it really started to feel like Christmas! It’s also heartwarming to see the embalmed heart of St. Laurence O'Toole, the Patron Saint of Dublin, back where it belongs at Christ Church Cathedral, and to watch the landscape work nearby nearing completion. The Ocean of Light at @dublinzoo_official is breathtaking—filled with vibrant fish, glowing jellyfish, giant squids, and other amazing sea creatures. Then, stepping into a Winter Wonderland bustling with Arctic mammals like polar bears, penguins, and reindeer @nynaeve88 makes the holiday even more magical.

As we journeyed through the enchanting Winter Wonderland, we marvelled at a lights display that resembled the northern lights, guiding us toward The North Pole, complete with Santa’s Workshop 🎅, his reindeer and sleigh, and a stunning 16-meter-tall Christmas tree at @dublinzoo_official.

To finish off the incredible Wild Lights experience at @dublinzoo_official, we immersed ourselves in a taste of the East by exploring Celebrating China, where traditions, myths, and history were beautifully brought to life through specially crafted lanterns. We also enjoyed a performance by Traditional Chinese performers @nynaeve88

Despite the Juvenile act of vandalism, the OPW did an outstanding job cleaning the sculpture quickly. The added Garda presence was reassuring, and the appreciation for the sculpture and the cleanup was clear, as many visitors came to admire The Hauntings Soldier sculpture, on loan from its owner until November 26th.

🎶✨ Never seen a queue that long for a gig at Vicar St — it stretched all the way past Bakers Bar! The excitement was real for Lea Michele (@leamichele) and Darren Criss (@darrencriss), and from the moment they stepped on stage, the place lit up. ⚡️

Their chemistry, the playful banter, and that shared sparkle between them made the whole set feel like one big musical hug. The crowd sang their hearts out during the solos and the duets — pure joy from start to finish. 💫

Highlights?

🎤 Their stunning duet of “Falling Slowly” from Once (Glen Hansard would be proud!)

🌈 Lea’s dreamy “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”

🌧️ And, of course, her powerhouse “Don’t Rain on My Parade” — a showstopper every time.

Afterwards, we finally ticked off a long-overdue visit to @thebernardshaw and @eatyard for their Christmas-themed Yuleyard. I couldn’t resist trying @baileysofficial’s new vegan almond milk hot chocolate — rich, cozy, and dangerously delicious! ☕🎄

A night of music, laughter, and festive feels — just what the season ordered. ❤️

✨ Our annual Christmastime adventure to Farmleigh House never fails to sprinkle a little magic on the season! 🎄💫

Victorian finery, twinkling lights, and the scent of festive treats fill the air at the Christmas market — with reindeer waiting by the sleigh and the clip-clop of horse and carriage rides echoing through the grounds. 🦌🎁

Outside, The Mellowchords serenaded us with jolly barbershop tunes, while inside the grand ballroom, Il Coro Italiano filled the halls with the most beautiful carols. 🎶❤️

Farmleigh at Christmas — pure enchantment wrapped in tinsel and song. ✨🎅

✨🎄 A little Christmas magic on O’Connell Street! The Clerys Christmas window display is back — a nostalgic journey through the decades, from the Victorian era to the 1980s, each one sparkling with its own festive charm. 🎁💫

And of course… the yearly game begins — spotting Cedric the squirrel 🐿️ hidden in every decade’s display! (He’s trickier to find each year, I swear!) 👀❄️

#Christmas #ChristmasWindowDisplay #Clerys #Dublin #ThroughTheDecades #Victorian #1920s #1940s #1960s #1980s #FestiveFun #CedricTheSquirrel

⚽🇪🇺 Stepping back through 60 years of European Championships at the National Football Exhibition in the Printworks, Dublin Castle — a brilliant celebration of the beautiful game and its unforgettable moments. 🏆✨

The event also marked the launch of the Euro 2020 qualifying round draw, bringing an extra buzz of anticipation to the air. Such a treat for football fans to see the legacy, the legends, and the love of the sport all under one roof! 🙌

✨ On a frosty, crystal-clear Monday evening (-1°C ❄️), we braved the chill for a truly unique Christmas Guerrilla Tour at Dublin Castle — an after-dark wander through the Castle’s Georgian and Victorian past, told with a cheeky festive twist! 🎅🎄

Our journey began in the Chapel Royal, where we learned about the Neapolitan crib and the scandalous tales of Margaret Leeson, Dublin’s most famous brothel keeper. From there, we stepped into the glowing warmth of the State Apartments, where Evan guided us down the Presidents’ Corridor, sharing stories of inaugurations past. 🇮🇪

In the Ladies’ Withdrawal Room, we discovered the curious origins of the Christmas tree and its Georgian and Victorian ties. Then in the Throne Room, Laura revealed the extraordinary lengths to which Dublin’s high society went to prepare for the season — including face preparations involving lead, mercury, and sulphuric acid! 😳💅

Next stop: the Portrait Gallery, once the Castle’s dining room, where Bronagh painted a picture of grand Georgian feasts and the merry chaos of Twelfth Night, the final celebration of the season. 🍷🎭

Finally, in St Patrick’s Hall, the grand old ballroom, Laura wrapped up the evening with witty anecdotes and behind-the-scenes tales — proving why this tour has become such a legendary (and hilariously adult!) Christmas tradition. 🎁

And, in true Dublin style, the night ended with laughter — as we discovered the gates had been locked behind us! 🚪😆 A bit of banging later, the constable came to our rescue, and we were finally released into the icy night, still laughing all the way home.

A magical, mischievous, and thoroughly memorable evening at @dublincastle with @nynaeve88 ❤️

✨ Warming up the winter nights, one Christmas outing at a time! 🎶☃️

We kicked things off at Teeling Whiskey Distillery for their “Come Light Up Your Festive Spirits”celebration — sipping delicious hot whiskey infusions, hot chocolate, and toasting s’mores by the fire, all while enjoying carol singing as the Newmarket Christmas Tree was lit for the season. 🌲🔥 Such a magical evening in the Liberties, full of cheer, song, and a touch of whiskey warmth! 🥃🎵

After years of passing by, we finally stepped inside the Unitarian Church — and it was so worth the wait. 🌟 The renovations are beautiful; a tranquil space filled with light, reflection, and stunning stained-glass windows that shimmered with a gentle Christmas glow. 🕯️

And to round off the evening, a soul-soothing Carols in the Chapel Royal at @dublincastle, followed by a cosy gathering in the Gothic Room with @jamesonwhiskey hot whiskeys and festive nibbles — mince pies, cakes, and good company. 🎄🎶 The perfect festive trifecta — music, warmth, and a dash of Irish spirit. 💫