As noted previously, I needed to get to Ireland before I reached 30. I’d have to say there is no other place I can think of to celebrate my big 3-0 than Ireland.
One of the ladies at work has a plenty of pub contacts and recommended the Baggott Inn, where her daughter is Assistant Manager. The Baggott Inn is well known for having tables where you can pull your own pint and ask for the bill at the end. I didn’t get one of these fantastic lounge booths, however, having contacts is always a great thing and I got the next best thing. I was reserved two comfy lounge tables right next to the bar which was conveniently handy for all my guests.
A couple of hours into the night, the owner of the Baggott inn come up to me to advise there has been a cancellation at the lounge booths where you can pull your own pint and he was happy to give those two booths to me, an offer I could not refuse.
The DJ put a great selection of music on, ending the last hour with Irish songs where I joined in with all the Irish and danced to the music.
The night ended with my crowd being of the last to be kicked out of the bar. The search for a nightclub at 3am not easy to find where one does not have a queue so after a quick Burger King fix, it was time to call it a “memorable night”.
On my actual birthday I woke up to sunshine, a great start to the day. My birthday was on a Tuesday this year where morning tea at work came with a surprise birthday cake and the tunes of “Happy Birthday” came from my fellow colleagues. My manager took me out to a gourmet lunch. It was definitely an “all smiles” day at work.
For dinner, I was taken out to Johnnie Foxes, the highest pub in Ireland where I was rewarded with a huge, delicious, mouth watering seafood dish. The pub features pictures of the olden days in Ireland. Old furniture’s, cutlery, machinery were also displayed in and outside of the pub. Traditional Irish music played shortly after dinner – a great way to end the evening.
As much as I would have loved to have celebrated my 30th back at home, I’m actually glad I had it in Ireland instead. After all, you only turn 30 once and what better way to celebrate than in a country that brings you a load of good luck & great Craic.
International
Exchange Programs (IEP) is a non-profit
organisation specialising in sending young Australians
on working holidays overseas, currently to Canada,
Britain, Ireland, the USA, South Africa, Cambodia,
Peru and Costa Rica. IEP also assists young travellers
from overseas on reciprocal programs in Australia.
With offices in Melbourne and Sydney and representatives
in other states, IEP is the largest non-profit,
work and travel organisation in Australia.
