In Dublin with Lovin Dublin
I fell in love with Dublin when I first visited five months ago. It is full of gorgeous treasures; from it its artefacts and buildings, to the people and of course the really good food that I was lucky enough to try. I promised myself that I needed to go back to sample some more of Dublin. So of course I jumped at the chance to go back and check it out via the Lovin Dublin show.
Lovin Dublin aims to show the world (and Dubliners) that theirs is one of best cities on the planet, especially when it comes to the food. And I was certainly keen to be part of this .
I had a rather glamorous arrival to Dublin. I was picked up from the airport in a Bentley and taken to the lovely boutique Kelly’s Hotel. Before the evening show, my fellow bloggers and I were well entertained by both Lovin Dublin and Visit Dublin who pulled out the stops for us.
They whisked us off first to Coppinger Row for a 6 course modern Irish meal with a Mediterranean twist, then a quick tour of the innovative Little Museum of Dublin and finally another scrummy meal at Marco Pierre Whites Steak & House Grill. Full of good food and history we finally headed off to the Bord Gais Energy Theatre for the show.
The idea behind the Lovin Dublin show was that it was all about ‘a night that showcases the best people, companies, foodies and creatives in the city’. A serious feat of organisation, as the team put it together in just five weeks from the original thought! And what an evening. And the show certainly gave a diverse overview of what was happening in Dublin. And all without going down the cheesy ‘Guinness and leprechauns’ route. So, what was in the show?
Caroline Keeling talked to us about grew her family business as well as her business technology that is now being licensed around the world. Marco Pierre White (who has two restaurants in Dublin) talked to us about his culinary journey to becoming the youngest 3 Michelin star chef in history.
Mark Pollock talked to us about breaking through the barriers of paralysis and blindness to achieve incredible goals including bringing ground breaking scientific research teams to Dublin. Niall Breslin talked about his battle against generalized anxiety disorder and about talking his work with opening dialogues on mental health. We also had talks from sporting legend Jamie Heaslip and successful business man Mark Little. The night ended with a restaurants award ceremony and one new start up business winning Euro 25,000. Pop over to the Lovin Dublin site to find out more about the award winners.
The idea, passion and energy behind the show was great and I was seriously excited to be part of it. And I’d love them to do it again, because you can’t get enough of what is in this city into one show.
What would I like in the next show? I don’t know, the Lovin Dublin team know more than me, but I’d love to know more about the exploding food scene and to learn more about food (and other business) start ups. Most of all I would welcome a more focused look at the things that make Dublin ‘Dublin’.
Anyway, there is now also a Lovin Berlin site, and I’m really looking forward to seeing what they produce for this as well as the second Lovin Dublin show.
With thanks to The Lovin Dublin Show for inviting me, http://www.visitdublin.com/home/ who partly hosted me and the shows sponsors obrienswine.ie, Heinz Ireland, SuperValu.
How fun and a 6 course meal? Yes please! That would be awesome to hear Marco Pierre White and I would also be very interested in Niall Breslin as well. I’m glad you had a great time, Bintu! 🙂
Your trip looks so wonderful Bintu! Can’t wait to go one day
I’ve always wanted to visit Dublin. it looks like you had such a great time.
I cant wait to go back.
Sounds like a great trip and a very enjoyable one too.
It really was Nayna. These guys pulled out the stops and really want to show off their city.
Sounds like a wonderful time and a great show!
Thanks Akaleistar
I would love to make it to Dublin one day, looks like a wonderful place to go 🙂 x
It really is – full of fab fab treasures.
I’ve never been to Dublin but would love to go, it looks like you had an amazing time! x
😀
It sounds like you had a great time and what an experience. Dublin is on my list of places to visit. We nearly went for Christmas shopping until I realised that wouldn’t work with hand luggage.
Sounds like you were planing to shop for a little army?
Great photos! I’ve never been but now I’m interested
I hope you make it out to Dublin Annie.
A six course meal AND then you went and ate another meal??? Sounds as though you had a great time. I really enjoyed my first ever trip to Ireland earlier this year, but I didn’t make it to Dublin.
Yeap, We ate rather well in Dublin thanks to Lovin Dublin and Visit Dublin.
I love Dublin, been twice. It’s a breath of fresh air.
The first time I went was in 2000 when the Celtic tiger economy was at its peak and everything was really cheap. When we went back in 2010 it was a bit more depressed and very expensive. Still bags of atmosphere though!
It is rather lovely Sarah and has lots happening at the moment.
I’ve been to Dublin a long time ago and definitely need to go back. Both the hotel and restaurant you stayed in looked gorgeous.
The hotel was lovely and positioned very centrally.
I will definitely look at this hotel if I go back. I may be off to Berlin soon so going to check out the Love Berlin site too.
Dublin and Berlin to look forward to. You lucky thing.
Same here, I was last in Dublin with work, so didn’t get much opportunity to explore. What a wonderful blogging event though. Lucky you! 🙂
I know right – check out Lovin Dublin website for the next show and see if you can make it over then.
I wish I had time the last time I was in Dublin to experience part of the city. I was so busy with work it was crazy! It looks amazing and this post has really inspired me to try and make time to visit!
That is where Visit Dublin can come in handy to help you plan your next trip.