On Saturday myself along with an amazing group of ladies that I have been fortunate enough to have met through the squares of Instagram headed off for the day to Dublin.
We got the Goldliner Express bus down which only cost £17.00 for an open return as it suited better than the train for pick up and drop off locations. Some of the ladies got on in Belfast, Sprucefield and then a few of us got on in Banbridge so it was extremely convenient. We arrived into Dublin’s bus station just shy of 2 hours later after a quick stop at the airport.
We had a few ideas of places that we wanted to visit but first and foremost we headed to Pennys for a nosy round. The home department was fab and the Christmas section was amazing. With this being our first stop I was conscious that I didn’t want to have to carry too much around all day so I didn’t go mad just picking up a little handbags and some Christmas decorations.
After some hardcore shopping in Penny’s we regrouped and headed off for a very special Afternoon Tea in Laduree . In the most beautiful setting we ordered delicious pastries, macaroons, sandwiches and accompanied these with coffee, tea and the most divine hot chocolate I have ever tasted! The pictures just do not do the food and the venue justice it was honestly such a treat.
After drinking and eating our body weight in sugary treats we headed off to visit Powerscourt centre which was on my to do list after seeing it on Instagram decorated last Christmas and it didn’t disappoint. Full of quirky little shops surrounding a large courtyard restaurant it was definitely a hidden gem in the city.
After a quick browse through the shops we headed over to St Stephens Green. Whilst it was stunning and an ideal location for photos it was absolutely filled with pigeons and seagulls that keep getting fed by the tourists; two of my least favourite things confirmed by the fact they had no fear and I had to kept ducking my head to get out of their way – clearly they rule the roost in that park!
After being attacked by low flying birds we decided to head off and find the most instagramable street in Dublin of course…that’s what us instagram girls do best!
A quick walk through Trinity college and then we made our way to where the thick of the action was in The Temple Bar area.
We finished off our day with some dinner in Avoca and a chance to refuel before a wander down Grafton Street to see the Christmas lights. No visit to Dublin would be complete without a trip to Brown Thomas to see their beautiful Christmas windows and décor. Even at 6pm the store was buzzing with no signs of slowing down. After seeing Grafton Street I was definitely in the festive mood and cant wait to get my tree up this weekend!
Such a fabulous day with such a different mix of ladies who just got on brilliantly especially as some of us where only meeting for the first time. We had great Craic, a school reunion between two of the ladies and a whole lot of laughs together so a second trip is already in the planning stages for another wonderful city!
A big thank you to the following ladies for such a fun day out, give them a follow over on the ‘gram 🙂
Janine @janmary
Cathy @threelittlefoxes_
Grace @mrsgmcdowell
Gill @gill.corbett
Gillian @gillianrobbphotography
Catherine @mybuddleofboysandme
