Dublin Holiday 2001
After months of planning the day finally arrived for 14 members of Headingley Friday Support Group to cross the Irish Sea to Dublin for a three night stay in a three star hotel.Members met on Tuesday the 4th of September at 10.00 am outside the Mayfair Bingo in Leeds. The coach was a 25 seater with tables and provided more than adequate comfort e.g. Val and Andy played cards, other members read the papers or chatted excitedly about the forthcoming holiday. At the coach driver’s suggestion, we stopped in Colwyn Bay for a pub lunch and arrived in Holyhead in plenty of time to catch the 3.45 pm worlds largest car ferry. This newly built ship was the epitome of luxurious sea travel - bars, shops, restaurants, and two cinemas. Michael C went to watch Planet of the Apes whilst other members (Sharon, Debbie, Carol, Val, Michael A and Andy) went to sample that famous Irish black beverage Guinness. The sea journey took a leisurely 3/4 hours and after a hearty meal in the ship’s restaurant, members disembarked into Dublin Port at 8 pm.
Not knowing how to travel to our hotel, we were fortunate to encounter the first of many friendly and welcoming Irish locals - on this occasion the taxi drivers who expertly organised our journey to the Adams Trinity Hotel in the centre of Dublin complete with a commentary about famous landmarks and Irish history - and all for 3 each punts (about £2.50).
The Hotel situated between Dublin Castle and Trinity College was pure class with it’s Victorian ambiance and three distinct bars. A variety of entertainment was provided in the next two nights with a meal out at the famous Gallagher’s Boxty House (a boxty is an Irish potato pancake stuffed with meat or fish) and a superb meal in the Hotel followed by a disco and when that closed, Hotel guests were allowed to continue drinking until 4 am (Thank you Richard - the friendly night porter who received the traditional honour of a Yorkshire gift on this occasion a Leeds United shirt).
Dublin Zoo
During the day of our stay, all the members were able to visit some of Dublin’s visitor attractions including DubIin Castle, Trinity College and the Book of Kells, St Patricks Cathedral, Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin Zoo and the GPO buiiding famous as the scene of the 1916 Easter Rising. Our very own Michael Collins was an expert source of information throughout the holiday assisted by Dick to ensure we never got lost. Debbie complained of her aching feet and Val promptly reacted by taking off Debbie’s shoes and sacks to administer full foot massage.
Valerie also responded beautifully to the hospitality of our Irish friends by serving up her own singing renditions at every opportunity - in the taxi, on the ferry, in the Hotel and on the dance floor. Her latest single ‘Hurt” is now available on the Polydor label price £9.99 from all major record shops!! Momin has agreed to act as Val’s Manager and is negotiating a discount for everyone to return to the Adams Trinity Hotel in return far Val singing live on stage ("Go Val, go Val, go!").
The return journey was a smaller and faster ferry i.e. up to 50 mph. As a result, during the return crossing it was quite impossible to walk without staggering. We arrived back in Leeds just after midnight very tired. We’d like to think our good friend Alison Jackson might have rated the holiday with a high score - "Slainte" (slon-sha) Alison.