Dublin - A City of Two Tales

Sometimes you can travel so much, you miss what is under your nose, on your own doorstep. June saw me traversing between the north and south of Ireland, a mix of timeout from a busy work schedule and true downtime with visiting friends, both giving me a double sided view of what's to be found in Dublin.

Dublin is as stereotypical as it gets. March 17th sees the largest in take of tourism of the full year, 2013 boasting almost 250,000 global visitors to the Fair City. Everyone is a little Irish on St Patricks Day. Many are a lot. 

But there are 364 other days of the year where the Irish Craic keeps rolling in Dublin. A student hub with the prestigious Trinity College, a weekend Mecca for hen and stag parties and any other excuse to celebrate rugby, see a gig or just hang out. Just follow the signs to Temple Bar. Doorway upon doorway of traditional Irish song, great seafood and the mandatory flow of the Black Stuff, Guinness. Morning to evening, there is always Craic.

But there is more to Dublin than just the melody of Van Morrisson and the tapping of Riverdance. Above the cobbled streets of sneaker wearing tourists there is a peppering of rooftop bars and eateries, draped in designer dress and high heels. More Jo Malone than Molly Malone. 

Dublin has a chic side. Start your day at the top of Grafton Street and meander through boutiques and trendy coffee shops. Get lost in labels as luxurious as London's big 3, in Brown Thomas, before a break for brunch in Powers Court or decadent drinks at the Vintage Cocktail Club. 

As the evening calls, there is a wealth of opulent sleeperies, if you know where to go. My favourites are the Dylan, the John Rocha palette of the Morrisson has just had a makeover, and my recent retreat in the velveteen luxe of the Fitzwilliam. Relax, unwind, party....or all 3.

But don't be afraid to blend the traditional with the modern. My first trip to the Guinness Storehouse has certified me in the secret pouring of the perfect pint of Guinness, a visit well worth making. A walk over halfpenny bridge will add the needed tourist snaps to your photo book. There is no shortage of all round authentic Irish hospitality to make you feel at home, whichever of the two tales you choose of the city so, explore it wisely.

'Til next time, Pandora.

Who Kildares, Wins

I'm not a lover of outlet stores. I mean, everyone loves a bargain, but there is just too must mayhem and disorder during sale time for me to enjoy it. Anyway, if something hasn't given me the calling at the start of the season, the chances that I really need or want it are probably slim.

So, I have avoided the call of the outlet village. Despite my draw to designer, I have preconceived images of out of date factory shops, glorified jumble sales. Not for me. 

Well, not until these recent weeks. My begrudging scepticism headed south of Ireland, to Kildare. A family break, that just so happened to have little nearby except Kildare Village, the irish contingent to the Chic Outlet Shopping® Villages by Value Retail, peppered across Europe's chicest cities. Nothing ventured, nothing gained, and all that...

I was surprised. Pleasantly so. I hadn't imagined New England-esque shop fronts, with floral displays and roomy sidewalks lined with luxury brands.

Last season, yes, but perfectly merchandised in size order, colour coded accessories and proper changing rooms. This was shopping with style. A step up from the average High Street, just marked down. 

Even dining was upmarket - forget the high street burger bar, Kildare Starbucks your coffee stop and wines and dines you, Italian-style, in the very cool L'Offcina.

Kildare had real potential, the proof would be in the purchasing, rather than the pudding. Let the shopping begin....

Nicole Fahri tailoring, shirts by Pink, summer dressing by French Connection. and perfect accessories by Anya Hindmarch. Even home got a makeover with new Nespresso and Le Creuset, and threadcount refresh from Sanderson.

I think the technical term is reformed retail character. I take back my outlet snobbery - Who Kildares, definitely wins. Big sister, Bicester, might be next. With the amount I saved on my designer decadence, I can indulge some more!

'Til next time, Pandora