Fleet Hotel, Dublin, Ireland

Our hotel in Dublin, Ireland, from Tuesday until today was the Fleet Hotel in the Temple Bar area. 

It was a lively area with many bars and restaurants and live music. It was on the south side of the river and there was so much to do on that side. The room was compact and the bed was cozy. There were iPhone jacks, which was handy as we only had one power adapter each. It would have been nice to have a mini fridge as they provided complementary water that needed to be refrigerated after opening. There was a complimentary buffet breakfast included. The shower gel, shampoo and conditioner smelled really nice.

Book ~ "What Does It Feel Like?" (2024) Sophie Kinsella

From Goodreads ~ Eve is a successful novelist who wakes up one day in a hospital bed with no memory of how she got there. Her husband, never far from her side, explains that she has had an operation to remove the large, malignant tumor growing in her brain.

As Eve learns to walk, talk, and write again - and as she wrestles with her diagnosis, and how and when to explain it to her beloved children - she begins to recall what’s most important to her: long walks with her husband’s hand clasped firmly around her own, family game nights, and always buying that dress when she sees it.

Recounted in brief anecdotes, each one is an attempt to answer the type of impossible questions recognizable to anyone navigating the labyrinth of grief. This short, extraordinary novel is a celebration of life, shot through with warmth and humor - it will both break your heart and put it back together again.

Eve is an author who after changing the focus of her latest book becomes even more successful after it is made into a movie. She has every thing she wants ... a loving husband, five children and a career. Then one day she wakes up in the hospital and has no idea why. It has been discovered that she had a brain tumor and it was removed. She has a long healing process and has to learn to walk again, can't remember things or conversations that happened yesterday and the survival rate is on average 12 months (hopefully longer). She's lucky that she has a supporting and loving family to help her get well.

It wasn't until I had finished this book that I discovered that "Eve" is actually the author, who was diagnosed in 2022 with a brain tumor and these are the things she has been living through since then. I liked the writing style and it's broken up in story form, emails, texts, etc. I wish the author all the best in her recovery.

Howth Cliff Walk, Howth, Ireland

One of the attractions of being in Howth is they have looping cliff path hikes that are 2 hours and longer. After lunch, Gord and I decided to do the blue path, which would take us about 2 hours. Lots of hills and the views were fabulous! 

Abbey Tavern, Howth, Ireland

Gord and I had a late lunch today at the Abbey Tavern in Howth, Ireland. It was a busy spot so we managed to grab a couple stools at the bar.

St. Mary’s Church, Howth, Ireland

Gord and I came across St. Mary’s Church while wandering around Howth, Ireland, this afternoon. 

 The first church built in Howth was on the site of Howth Abbey, in Howth village. It was founded by Sightrygg, King of Dublin around 1042. Around 1235, the old church was amalgamated with the church on Ireland’s Eye and a new church was built - founded by Luke, Archbishop of Dublin on land granted by Sir Almeric St. Lawrence. Little remains of either of these churches and most of the present abbey dates back to the late 14th century or early 15th century.

Ireland’s Eye and Howth Coast Tour, Howth, Ireland

Gord and I did a 45 minute Ireland’s Eye and Howth Coast boat tour with Howth Cliff Cruises this afternoon in Howth, Ireland.

Our Ireland’s Eye and Howth Coast Tour discovers the maritime history of Howth, the coastal marine life and sea birds, and has panoramic views of the beautiful Dublin Bay coastline.

Book ~ "Heart on My Sleeve: Stories from a Life Well Worn" (2024) Jeanne Beker

From Goodreads ~ Fashion and style icon Jeanne Beker delivers an uplifting and inspiring memoir that walks us through a wardrobe of memory, one article of clothing at a time.

Jeanne Beker’s name is synonymous with style and grace in fashion. Recognized by many as the beloved host of "Fashion Television" and "The New Music", Jeanne has spent an entire career interviewing celebrities and uncovering their most private selves. Now in "Heart on My Sleeve", Jeanne reveals who she is in an all-new way. 

This is not just a memoir but a wardrobe of memory. Jeanne walks us through her recollections of specific pieces of clothing and jewelry, precious items that have made an indelible impact on her. She invites readers to think more deeply about how what we wear - whether it’s a thrift-store find or high-end couture - acts as a touchstone to our most treasured recollections, reminding us of who we once were or of loved ones we hold dear. 

With Jeanne as our style guide, we get up-close and personal with a star-studded cast, including Paul McCartney, Madonna, Karl Lagerfeld, Kate Moss, Oscar de la Renta, Beyoncé and Keith Richards. But equally important, Jeanne introduces us to the family members and loved ones who form her closest entourage - including her wise Yiddish mother and her industrious father, both Holocaust survivors; her childhood neighbor Mrs. Jaskolka, a style maven ahead of her time; her two trailblazing daughters; and her many warm and exuberant friends who have seen her through the best and worst of times.

I'm not much of a fashionista but I like reading books about and by Canadians and I remember Beker from The New Music. While I'm not into fashion, I did enjoy her stories and getting the scoop on the celebrities she got to meet, interview and befriend. She has had many adventures in her life because of her occupation and it sounds like she took joy from them.

I enjoyed the writing style. These were short stories on specific topics or people on a high level. It would have been nice to have seen pictures, though. I found at times I was Googling to see what she was referring to and not being able to find the picture.

An Púcán, Galway, Ireland

Gord and I had supper this evening at An Púcán in Galway, Ireland. 

There was a band playing in the front of the restaurant.

Gord had traditional ham and cabbage, which he said was really good, and I had pan-fried chicken and sweet gravy, which was just okay.

The Skeff, Galway, Ireland

Gord and I had a quick lunch today at The Skeff in Galway, Ireland.

 

 My wings had Buffalo sauce and Gord’s had no sauce. They were tasty! 

Morgan took good care of us.

Dawson Lounge, Dublin, Ireland

Gord and I checked out the Dawson Lounge, Dublin’s and Ireland’s smallest pub … seats only 26 people and is in the basement!

M.J. O’Neill’s, Dublin, Ireland

Gord and I had lunch at M.J. O’Neill’s in Dublin, Ireland. 

I had a French bread pizza baguette wih Italian sausage and salami & mozzarella (with tomato sauce, Italian sausage, cherry tomato & grilled mozzarella and gratin potato). Gord had Crispy bacon and brie cheese in a sourdough baguette (served with mango chutney, Brie cheese, bacon and rocket, garnished with potato salad and tossed green salad). Both were very good and the sandwiches were so monstrous that we are taking most of them with us.

Irish Rock 'n' Roll Museum Experience, Dublin, Ireland

Gord and I checked out the Irish Rock 'n Roll Museum Experience today. What a fabulous tour! 

Bet you didn't know Gord was part of U2!

It was more than 100 minutes and Alan, our guide, was so entertaining and knowledgeable! I figured it would cover U2, Sinéad O’Connor, etc. but there were so many others I had forgotten about or didn’t realize were Irish … and Alan had stories about them all! The museum is a working practice studio and recording studio. We saw the U2 room, the Rory Gallagher corner, the Phil Lynott (of Thin Lizzy) room and so much more. Did you know that the Beatles are more of an Irish band than U2!?

Rory Gallagher Corner