The Globe Trotter: 15 March
Would you believe it’s nearly 20 years since we first fell in love with Riverdance? In 1994, it provided the entertainment during a seven-minute interval in the Eurovision Song Contest, and 300 million viewers were entranced.
A full-length show followed, opening in Dublin on 9 February 1995, making a star of the lead male dancer, Michael Flatley – and the world has loved Irish dancing ever since. With that unforgettable music by Irish composer and musician Bill Whelan, the show has been seen live by 23 million people across six continents, and, in June this year, Riverdance will take to the stage again for its 10th summer season at Dublin’s Gaiety Theatre.
The spectacle is as heartpoundingly brilliant as ever. What better way to mark St Patrick’s Day on Sunday (17 March) than to book tickets for Riverdance, along with a minibreak at The Merrion, the city’s most refined hotel? They can even arrange for you to have a go yourself, with a little notice. Yes, you can have an hour’s lesson with a local Irish dancing teacher. Fortunately, you can recover in luxury afterwards in this five-star hotel.
The elegant Merrion in the heart of the city centre, was created from four Grade I-listed Georgian town houses and a specially commissioned Garden Wing arranged around two private landscaped 18th-century gardens; it has 123 rooms and 19 suites. There’s a swimming pool and fitness centre and the Tethra Spa with steam room and gym, offering a wide range of treatments.
The hotel is brilliantly positioned for making the most of a weekend in Dublin, just round the corner from St Stephen’s Green and the shops of Grafton Street. Return to the hotel to indulge in the famous Art Tea. Served in the wonderful drawing room and lounges, it is an experience in itself, and includes beautiful cakes and pastries inspired by some of the hotel’s paintings.
Dine at Le Talbooth
Save time to go on the Dublin Literary Pub Crawl, taking in the favourite watering holes of such giants as James Joyce and Samuel Beckett. The guides are great and the anecdotes hilarious.
Back at the hotel, I’d recommend the ESPA Oshadi Envelopment treatment with plants and spices to soothe aching joints and muscles – whether you’ve been Irish dancing or overdone the shopping.
Finally, enjoy a delicious dinner at the hotel’s The Cellar Restaurant, as well as the renowned two-star Michelin restaurant, Patrick Guilbaud.
Riverdance is at the Gaiety Theatre, 27 June to 1 September: www.riverdance.com
For further information, call Tourism Ireland on 0800-039 7000
Contact Wendy at wendygomersall@lady.co.uk
Go wild with the girls: Babes in the Woods offers posh camping in Devon, staying in luxurious Californian dome tents, with wild swimming, yoga, champagne and a massage. And a new site in the beautiful Malvern Hills will be opening soon. From £217 per person for a two-day experience for eight to 20 women. 020-7193 8633, www.babesinthewoods.co.uk
Caribbean dream
Elegant Resorts is offering seven nights for the price of five for an all-inclusive stay in Antigua at the boutique Inn at English Harbour, if booked by 31 March – a saving of £855 per couple. The cost, from £2,215 per person, is based on two sharing a Junior Suite, economy flights from Gatwick with Virgin Atlantic and private car transfers. 01244-897538, www.elegantresorts.co.uk
Constable country
Le Talbooth Restaurant, the famed flagship riverside eaterie in the Milsom Hotels group, in Dedham, in the heart of Constable Country in Essex, has undergone a £300,000 redesign to celebrate its 60th year. Stay at the sister hotel, Maison Talbooth, where rooms cost from £225. 01206-323150, www.milsomhotels.com
A full-length show followed, opening in Dublin on 9 February 1995, making a star of the lead male dancer, Michael Flatley – and the world has loved Irish dancing ever since. With that unforgettable music by Irish composer and musician Bill Whelan, the show has been seen live by 23 million people across six continents, and, in June this year, Riverdance will take to the stage again for its 10th summer season at Dublin’s Gaiety Theatre.
The spectacle is as heartpoundingly brilliant as ever. What better way to mark St Patrick’s Day on Sunday (17 March) than to book tickets for Riverdance, along with a minibreak at The Merrion, the city’s most refined hotel? They can even arrange for you to have a go yourself, with a little notice. Yes, you can have an hour’s lesson with a local Irish dancing teacher. Fortunately, you can recover in luxury afterwards in this five-star hotel.
The elegant Merrion in the heart of the city centre, was created from four Grade I-listed Georgian town houses and a specially commissioned Garden Wing arranged around two private landscaped 18th-century gardens; it has 123 rooms and 19 suites. There’s a swimming pool and fitness centre and the Tethra Spa with steam room and gym, offering a wide range of treatments.
The hotel is brilliantly positioned for making the most of a weekend in Dublin, just round the corner from St Stephen’s Green and the shops of Grafton Street. Return to the hotel to indulge in the famous Art Tea. Served in the wonderful drawing room and lounges, it is an experience in itself, and includes beautiful cakes and pastries inspired by some of the hotel’s paintings.
Dine at Le TalboothSave time to go on the Dublin Literary Pub Crawl, taking in the favourite watering holes of such giants as James Joyce and Samuel Beckett. The guides are great and the anecdotes hilarious.
Back at the hotel, I’d recommend the ESPA Oshadi Envelopment treatment with plants and spices to soothe aching joints and muscles – whether you’ve been Irish dancing or overdone the shopping.
Finally, enjoy a delicious dinner at the hotel’s The Cellar Restaurant, as well as the renowned two-star Michelin restaurant, Patrick Guilbaud.
Getting there
The Merrion’s Breakfast Inclusive package (available June to September), including accommodation in a luxurious Garden Wing room, costs from around ¤230 per night, including full Irish breakfast in The Cellar Restaurant. Call 00-353 1 603 0600, www.merrionhotel.comRiverdance is at the Gaiety Theatre, 27 June to 1 September: www.riverdance.com
For further information, call Tourism Ireland on 0800-039 7000
Contact Wendy at wendygomersall@lady.co.uk
Spring treats
Girls-only glampingGo wild with the girls: Babes in the Woods offers posh camping in Devon, staying in luxurious Californian dome tents, with wild swimming, yoga, champagne and a massage. And a new site in the beautiful Malvern Hills will be opening soon. From £217 per person for a two-day experience for eight to 20 women. 020-7193 8633, www.babesinthewoods.co.uk
Caribbean dream
Elegant Resorts is offering seven nights for the price of five for an all-inclusive stay in Antigua at the boutique Inn at English Harbour, if booked by 31 March – a saving of £855 per couple. The cost, from £2,215 per person, is based on two sharing a Junior Suite, economy flights from Gatwick with Virgin Atlantic and private car transfers. 01244-897538, www.elegantresorts.co.uk
Constable country
Le Talbooth Restaurant, the famed flagship riverside eaterie in the Milsom Hotels group, in Dedham, in the heart of Constable Country in Essex, has undergone a £300,000 redesign to celebrate its 60th year. Stay at the sister hotel, Maison Talbooth, where rooms cost from £225. 01206-323150, www.milsomhotels.com