Road trip to Athlone!

 My younger sister works for a large telecommunications company that is based in Athlone which is about an hour and half away from Dublin.  She has lived there for awhile but I have never visited her there.  However, she moved to a new house recently so I decided it was time to go see where she lives!

The drive down was fine - it is all motorway.  The road was good but the weather was bad with it raining heavily a lot of the way.  By the time I got to Athlone it was turning in to a nice pleasant day which was great as I hoped Katie would take me out walking and show me the sights.

We had a great day.  We hung out for a bit - I brought my ukulele and so my sister tutored my for a bit.  She is a really talented musician and plays the piano really well along with the oboe, guitar and the ukulele.  She can pretty much play any instrument she throws her hand to!  By the end of my lesson she had me strumming way better than I have ever done.  

After a lovely lunch of rashers and eggs, we went walking up through the town.  Athlone is built on the Shannon River and is really picturesque.   Looking at the Shannon, brought back memories of the time I swam in it as part of a Triatholon team along with my husband and our friend Frank.  Ciaran was the runner while Frank did the cycle.

We took a wander around the Shopping Centre in Athlone where we went to a 9D movie which was like going on a Rollercoaster! Katie also pointed out the birthplace of John McCormick to me too. What a fun day!

After walking back to Katie's house (and passing the pitch where she plays tag rugby) we had another ukulele practice and then I set off back to Dublin about 5.30pm and got home at 7ish.  I hope to visit her again soon!

I got ma' hurr done!

On Wednesday evening I was due to attend the 2015 Social Media Awards (#sockies15) and as I was overdue a hair appointment I decided to book myself in on Wednesday morning before I went to work.

After a disappointing experience in a Ranelagh Hairdresser, I chose to get my hair done in Suzanne Murray Hair Studio in Donabate.

My hair was done promptly and professionally by Christine while I read "Elizabeth is missing" by Emma Healey and relaxed with a nice cup of coffee.  

I was really happy with how my hair turned out - I will return to this hairdresser!!

Double Bill - "Danny Collins" & "San Andreas"

My twin sister and I arranged to meet to go to the cinema on Saturday to see "Danny Collins".

Little did we know that it would turn out to be a double helping of everything.

First off we started out by each having a Double Cheeseburger in McDonald (€2 from the Euro Saver Menu!)

Then we both chose the same ice cream in the Rathmines Omniplex - Ben & Jerry's Peanut Butter Cup - well we are identical twins!!  
;-)

As we went to buy the tickets for "Danny Collins", Amy suggested we take in  "San Andreas" directly after.  We checked the time and San Andreas was starting directly after Danny Collins so it was doable!  And as a bonus, San Andreas was a 3D movie! 

I've never done a Double Bill before and I have to say I really enjoyed our afternoon of movies - we will do it again!!

As regards, the films we saw I highly recommend you go see "Danny Collins" - it's a great, funny feelgood film.  "San Andreas" on the other hand is a right don't see!

Spa Day

It's a Bank Holiday here in Ireland, so Amy & Katie called to me this morning for breakfast.  Afterwards we chilled out in the hot tub for ages.  The weather was so strange.  It was warm in the jacuzzi at first but then started to rain.  Then when we got out of the hot tub it was so hot!!  It was so hot that we stayed in our towels and sat out and chatted in the sun.  I then went and got some foot cream and body lotions.  It felt like a Day Spa.  So relaxing!  

What a lovely way to while away a few hours!

Would you believe a few hours later it was hail stoning??!!

For breakfast, I served these new to Supervalu rashers that were chosen by Amy (her married name is O'Neill so I think she got a kick out of them).  It was good bacon - meaty and tasty - I'll definitely buy them again.

This week - 30 years ago!!

It's incredible to think that on the 25th of May, thirty years ago(!), myself and my twin sister along with our thirty or so classmates made our First Holy Communion.

Our teacher was called Miss Murphy and at the time we were best friends with Alice, who, would you believe, is still our best friend!!


Our dresses cost £16 and were bought in BHS.  We had a plain veil with a floral headpiece.  After our communion our mother switched out the white sashes for blue sashes and we wore our dresses to parties and other events.  

Incredible to think that it was so long ago.......it certainly went fast!

Making History - Ireland votes YES for marriage equality

You may have seen that Ireland became the first country to vote by referendum on Marriage Equality for all on Friday, May  22nd 2015.  

The world's eyes were upon our little country and I am glad to say that the referendum was passed and by popular vote we said Yes to Same Sex Marriage.

Drinking coffee for charity

We called to Butler's for a coffee this morning before work.

The proceeds from all coffee and tea sold today is going to St Vincent De Paul.

It's a win win!