En Voyage - Issue #8

Travel
LONDON>CONNECTING
HOW TO GET THERE
Aurigny operates regular flights
to Gatwick and Aer Lingus flies to
Dublin six times a day, with a flight
time of one hour and 25 minutes.
WHEN TO GO
Poet William Drennan was the first to
refer to Ireland in print as the ‘Emerald
Isle’ and it’s no accident that it’s so
green and lush: although temperatures
are moderate, it rains for an average
of 150 days a year along the east
and southeast coasts, and up to 225
days a year in parts of the west and
southwest. April is the driest time of
year and overall the southeast gets the
most of the sunshine, but the weather
is very changeable so whenever
you go, don’t forget your cagoule.
WHERE TO STAY
Flying to Dublin doesn’t mean you
have to stay put in the city, although
it’s an excellent destination for a short
break. The boutique Dean Hotel is
centrally located; part of a terrace of
Georgian townhouses, it’s luxurious
yet quirky, with a funky vibe and
live music at weekends. The Marker
is in Dublin’s emerging Docklands
district; it’s at the forefront of Irish
design, with a checkerboard façade
and an emerald-green infinity pool.
Check out the Irish Landmark Trust
if you fancy staying somewhere
unique. Built in 1781, Wicklow Head
Lighthouse sleeps four and is a
peaceful haven. It has six octagonal
rooms and is beautifully decorated,
but there are 109 steps to the kitchen,
which is on the top floor. The Round
House in Castletown sleeps six and
is situated at the pedestrian entrance
to Castletown House, the most
significant Palladian country house
in Ireland. Both these locations
are within easy reach of Dublin.
EATING & DRINKING
From superb smoked salmon
to the creamiest butter, Ireland’s
food boasts an impeccable
provenance. Look out for Good
Food Ireland signs, a network
of top-notch restaurants, cafés,
hotels and producers committed
to using local, seasonal, artisanal
ingredients wherever possible.
GUINNESS STOREHOUSE – ST JAMES'S GATE BREWERY
IMAGE COURTESY OF VISIT IRELAND
44 En Voyage | Aurigny’s Magazine