October Highlights and Christmas is on the Way

Where has October gone? The older I get, the faster time goes. It is not a myth. I can’t believe that it is November and that now Halloween is over, we are officially into Christmas countdown time!

October went by in a blur. We had our usual Mondays with Logan that included his first trip on a double-decker bus and a visit to The Buttterfly House in Malahide Castle and Gardens.

We even got to spend a bit more time with our now two-month-old grandson Cole. A walk in Malahide Castle on a lovely Autumn day with him was a treat.

I played some Golf and went to Bridge twice a week and have been trying yoga and pilates in a local studio in Clare Hall. More on this in a future post.

Highlights

Kilkea Castle

I was invited to the launch of the Spa at the recently renovated Kilkea Castle in Co. Kildare. Only an hour from Dublin Airport, it would make a lovely day out with some girlfriends. The spa uses Elemis products and as well as 5 treatment rooms (including a couples suite) it boasts a yoga room, a hydrotherapy pool ( below), a beauty lounge (for hair, make-up and nails) and a relaxation room.

It was lovely to catch up with Kathryn Thomas, one of my former pupils, who only recently had her wedding there. We were treated to a tasty buffet in the Baronial Room and later to a sumptuous afternoon tea in the Castle.

I did get a peek into two of the 11 bedrooms in the castle too (you need to check out my Instagram stories highlights). We are talking total luxury and it would be a real treat to spend a night there. Keep an eye on their website at Kilkea Castle for deals.

And if that is above your price range, there are carriage rooms in the courtyard (below) and lovely lodges overlooking the golf course also. I think I might have to return with some friends and try out the lodges, golf and  spa. For those interested, I am wearing one of my favourite dresses from Selected Ireland and new boots from M&S in the pic below.

MU Fashion Show

I was also invited by The Mother’s Union to compere a Fashion Show in The Talbot Hotel, Stillorgan, and was surprised by how much I actually enjoyed the experience. The fashion was fabulous and the models (most of whom were not professionals) were outstanding. It was also lovely to catch up with some friends whom I had not seen in years.

Cocktails and Dinner in The Morgan Hotel

The Morgan has become our go-to place for a drink if we are in the city centre as it is only 5 minutes from the DART. GG and I like to wander around Grafton Street and then we pop in on the way home. We absolutely love Rui’s (expert mixologist) fabulous cocktails.  Now it is probably not the most obvious place to go for dinner as there are a plethora of restaurants in the area. But we were blown away by the quality and presentation of the food. My duck (below) was delicious.

The Best Western

The Best Western Hotel Group announced the inclusion of the Bunratty Castle Hotel in its portfolio and a very pleasant evening was spent at the launch in the beautiful building 25 Fitzwilliam Place. Graham and I have already booked in to spend two nights there at the end of November. So more on this in a future post.

AND ALSO

An early-bird dinner at ‘Prado’ in Clontarf with friends was excellent value, followed by a wonderful performance of ‘My Romantic History’ at The Viking Theatre nearby.

We are regulars at this intimate venue and highly recommend it.

The Menopause Summit was another wonderful day and, of course, I wrote a separate POST about it.

So as you read this we are already into November and Christmas is approaching fast. Life is busy and full. Enjoy every moment as life speeds by in a flash.

 

“As you grow older, you’ll find the only things you regret are the things you didn’t do”