Last week our school granted us with a surprise week off so with no further delay, I was on the phone and booking my flights homeward bound. Usually I would be hopping on the next plane eastwards but this time, I felt a calling to go home. I was missing something or someone! I was almost nervous at the idea of going home but more excited really.
My first stop was to Dublin. 24 hours with the sister and suss out what was going down around Dublin. The minute she found out I was coming home, she booked me in for a night with The Gorgeos Colours in Crawdaddy. It was a beautiful gig, and my first time seeing the gorgeous boys in action. I was looking forward to it and they didn’t let me down. I had been listening to their album, which I got my hands on at Christmas time and was very excited to be seeing the real thing. The colours work so well together on stage and really impressed at their very first headliner gig. Watch this space.
On Saturday morning, after much pottering about of course, it was up, dressed and out the door. After indulging myself in a Cosmopolitan or two the night before, I needed a good hearty breakfast, but not before a mini stroll through Dublin to catch the morning sun and the canoers on The Liffey.
Eventually, the hunger was getting the better of all of us, so it was off to Cafe Irie for a steaming cup of tea and French Toast with extra bacon 
lathered in Maple Syrup before we gobbled every last bite. I love Cafe Irie, it’s so quaint and full of colourful cheer. It set us up for the day and put a pep in our step.
Myself and Denise headed off for the shops and down to Temple Bar Food Market. I hadn’t been there since the move and was dying to check out the new locations. The smells from Curved Street would have you weak at the knees. As you get closer you can smell Hick’s Bratwurst sizzling on the pan and towards East Essex Street, where you can pick up some hot food or fresh cheeses from Paddy Jack’s Real Farm food or wander on down towards Cow’s Lane and the aromas of the freshly made breads and cakes from Noirins Bakehouse will have your tummy rumbling. We indulged in some chocolate biscuit cake and mars bar crispies and while I was munching on my biscuit cake I thought to pick up some brownies for the in-laws. Which went down a treat, from what I hear! (Brownie points in the bag :p)
Cow’s Lane is also brimming with brightly coloured fresh fruit and veg from McNally’s Farm and the lads at The Corleggy Cheese Farm stall are only delighted to give you some advice on the best cheeses for your evenings events. The Real Olive Company’s stall shows off some exquisite looking delights, a range of olives, chorizo and cheeses. Natasha’s Living Food stall is full of freshly made live foods and snacks.
In and around the Temple Bar Food Market, you find yourself pleasantly stumbling upon some truly beautiful furniture and crafts shops. Cow’s Lane Crafts is full of handmade jewellery and clothes and other striking pieces such as oak tables and transformer/robot models made from recycled steel. Retrospect, also on Cow’s Lane offers a collection of high quality one of a kind vintage furniture and other household accessories. Industry, on Smock Allley, offers an eclectic mix of upcycled, vintage furniture, gifts and nik naks for around the house.
The day ended with a trip to the Gallery of Photography with the in-laws. Steve McCurry, world famous photographer is holding his Worlds of Colour Exhibition here from 17th – 27th Feb. I had seen his documentary based on the Search for the Afghan Girl and was dying to see the full show. The images strike you at your very core. They are vivid shots taken from all over the world of the difficulties and joys faced by different culture. This was followed by a heart warming cuppa in Joy of Chá” and some scones to keep hunger at bay.
A trip to Dublin is always a treat for me, it’s purely based on self-indulgence. I get to nibble on goodies, meet up with the good people who always make me appreciate coming home more and more and it always puts a pep in my step.
