En Voyage - Issue #8
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Travel<br />
LONDON>CONNECTING<br />
HOW TO GET THERE<br />
Aurigny operates regular flights<br />
to Gatwick and Aer Lingus flies to<br />
Dublin six times a day, with a flight<br />
time of one hour and 25 minutes.<br />
WHEN TO GO<br />
Poet William Drennan was the first to<br />
refer to Ireland in print as the ‘Emerald<br />
Isle’ and it’s no accident that it’s so<br />
green and lush: although temperatures<br />
are moderate, it rains for an average<br />
of 150 days a year along the east<br />
and southeast coasts, and up to 225<br />
days a year in parts of the west and<br />
southwest. April is the driest time of<br />
year and overall the southeast gets the<br />
most of the sunshine, but the weather<br />
is very changeable so whenever<br />
you go, don’t forget your cagoule.<br />
WHERE TO STAY<br />
Flying to Dublin doesn’t mean you<br />
have to stay put in the city, although<br />
it’s an excellent destination for a short<br />
break. The boutique Dean Hotel is<br />
centrally located; part of a terrace of<br />
Georgian townhouses, it’s luxurious<br />
yet quirky, with a funky vibe and<br />
live music at weekends. The Marker<br />
is in Dublin’s emerging Docklands<br />
district; it’s at the forefront of Irish<br />
design, with a checkerboard façade<br />
and an emerald-green infinity pool.<br />
Check out the Irish Landmark Trust<br />
if you fancy staying somewhere<br />
unique. Built in 1781, Wicklow Head<br />
Lighthouse sleeps four and is a<br />
peaceful haven. It has six octagonal<br />
rooms and is beautifully decorated,<br />
but there are 109 steps to the kitchen,<br />
which is on the top floor. The Round<br />
House in Castletown sleeps six and<br />
is situated at the pedestrian entrance<br />
to Castletown House, the most<br />
significant Palladian country house<br />
in Ireland. Both these locations<br />
are within easy reach of Dublin.<br />
EATING & DRINKING<br />
From superb smoked salmon<br />
to the creamiest butter, Ireland’s<br />
food boasts an impeccable<br />
provenance. Look out for Good<br />
Food Ireland signs, a network<br />
of top-notch restaurants, cafés,<br />
hotels and producers committed<br />
to using local, seasonal, artisanal<br />
ingredients wherever possible.<br />
GUINNESS STOREHOUSE – ST JAMES'S GATE BREWERY<br />
IMAGE COURTESY OF VISIT IRELAND<br />
44 <strong>En</strong> <strong>Voyage</strong> | Aurigny’s Magazine