I’ve always loved the idea of Afternoon Tea.

“Tis far from Afternoon Tea you were reared” I can hear my mother saying and indeed I was but this British tradition has become somewhat of a “thing to do” in recent years.  It was started by the 7th Duchess of Bedford, who had a pot a tea and a light snack, in her boudoir during the afternoon (at the time it was usual for people to take only two main meals a day, breakfast, and dinner at around 8 o’clock in the evening).  Little did she know that she had started a trend and before long, “all of fashionable society was sipping tea and nibbling sandwiches in the middle of the afternoon”.

It’s something that’s always appealed to me and as macaroons have become the new cupcakes, so afternoon tea has become the new, “occasional treat” kind of way to catch up with your girlfriends in opulent surroundings. These days it involves sipping tea and chatting, nibbling on dainty sandwiches, scones and pastries, all served on fine bone china and served with silver service.

I’ve never had a chance to try it until a few months ago, when I was treated to Afternoon Tea at the Merchant Hotel in Belfast. And then more recently in The Goring Hotel in London (more on that later). And that, more or less, started it – my quest to find the perfect afternoon tea experience.

What about Dublin you may ask? Well I hadn’t tried anywhere in the Irish capital until yesterday when I had my first afternoon tea in Dublin, in the Westbury Hotel. Here’s my take on it.

Setting: Served in The Gallery where there’s over €1m of Irish art acquisitions on display! It’s popular as a meeting place with hushed conversations amongst business people and socialites alike who sit on large armchairs and couches. If you get a seat by the window, you’ll have a view of Grafton Street.

Extras: Spring Style workshop by Brown Thomas – this drew in the crowds and the place was packed full of females enjoying an afternoon of style tips and tea.

Unique Selling Point (Ok so I have my marketing hat on here, but this is what tells one place apart from the other). The Westbury is a luxurious spot, always has been, always will be. What’s unique about their afternoon tea offering is that they’ve teamed up with chocolatiers, Cocoa Atelier, the Irish artisan producers who’ve been providing luxe macaroons, caramels, chocolate sauces and chocolates in Drury Street since 2010.  Gluten Free afternoon tea is available if you give the hotel 24 hours notice.

What you get to eat: Cocoa Atelier sweet treats, including ganache chocolates and apple macaroons on a spring garden inspired base which looks like a giant box of chocolates (or a hat box!)

The Tea:  Plain, Irish Tea (no choice offered) served a little too strong for my liking (you know when the teabag or tealeaves have been left too long to brew?). To be honest I didn’t expect there to be a choice given the event that was in it. Most people were there for the experience and the fashion, including me, so the tea didn’t take from it.

Portions: Reasonable. There was only one tier of food available (the delicacies tier – usually the top tier) – as this was a style event, the full service was not available. Again, I thought that what was provided equated to what you paid for. Normally one would also receive handmade pastries, freshly baked scones with tea-infused jam and clotted cream and finger sandwiches. The goodies in the above photo was shared between three of us.

Service: Excellent.

Silver Service: Yes.

Cost: Cocoa Atelier Afternoon Tea is €36 per person*. More info here  

Details: The Westbury Hotel, Tel 01 646 33 85

*Because this was a Style Event with Brown Thomas the cost of the event was €20 and attendees were also treated to a Brown Thomas Gift Card (€15). These events sell out quickly, and are announced in The Gloss Magazine and here. WhatSheWears was present as a guest of The Westbury. I thought that for €20, this whole experience was exceptional value and a wonderful way to spend an afternoon.

Pictured: The swimming pool, entrance and lobby at The Marker Hotel

We love a fancy hotel here at WhatSHeWears.ie and love staying in funky hotels when the opportunity arises so when we heard that Grand Canal Square Dublin was getting a new resident with The Marker Hotel, we were eager to check it out.

Although we haven’t stayed there, we visited for a meeting last week, and availed of the chance to check it out.

Open just two days when we visited, the place was buzzing with people and staff eager to help out at every corner.  A friendly porter showed me to the lift which took me to the fourth floor for the meeting, from which the view was as follows.

The Marker Hotel is very contemporary – I loved everything about it. The rooms, the decor, the bathrooms (even the bathrooms in the restaurant and lobby ooze sophistication with marble floors and luxurious liquid hand washes and hand towels).

The rooftop bar (not open until end of April) will be a big hit with Dubliners looking for a new IT bar,  after workers in the IFSC and brands eager to impress with a cool event destination.

There’s a 23m pool housed in the spa area, which can be used by hotel residents and spa goers alike.

Although there was no price list available for the spa when we were there, the facilities looked super plush with sunlight flooding in from one wall which is completely covered in glass. I noticed that they use Kerstin Florian products so I’m dying to have a treatment here – we’re really in need of a good day spa in funky surroundings in Dublin and the one at the Marker Hotel  looks like it fits the bill perfectly.

There’s a boutique gym in the spa area too which residents can avail of as well as a select few on an exclusive membership basis– which already has  a waiting list we were told.

The restaurant at The Marker Hotel

Have a look at their website for yourself for more photos and prices.

The Marker Hotel, Grand Canal Square, Docklands, Dublin 2, Ireland T: +353 (1) 687 5100 E: info@themarker.ie themarkerhoteldublin.com

Spring is in the air and there’s no better time to take a mini break. We’re huge fans of weekend escapes, especially when it involves a nice spa, hotel and some rest and relaxation!  To date, we’ve visted a few places but have still many to try so when the guys at spabreaks.com created this infographic we decided to use it as our “must try” list.

Here at WhatSheWears.ie, we love to eat out. No, we’re not restaurant reviewers (we are partial to the odd Instagram food snap though) and love a nice cocktail, finding a bar with a great buzz, discovering new places to eat in great surroundings and returning to those eateries that remain firm favourites.

We were set this task by the team at Dublintown.ie (the website that keeps us in the loop of all that Dublin city has to offer), to name our Favourite Restaurants and duly accepted the challenge.

It’s all to do with Dine in Dublin which runs from 25 February – 3 March and showcases heaps of offers from city centre eateries. There’s even 20% savings off a la carte menus! To find out who is offering what see dineindublin.ie

Here’s what’s on our favourites list.

Best Place for Healthy Options

It’s got to be Avoca. Whether you go for a sit-in or take away salad (downstairs) or full lunch in the upstairs restaurant, the offer of soups, salads, mains and desserts is always homemade and top notch. Plus you can browse Irish homewares, clothes and books in the rest of the shop once you’re finished.

Best Place to Bring your Mother for Lunch

If it’s not Avoca then a real treat is Afternoon Tea in the Four Seasons Hotel. At €35 a serving, it’s more than enough finger sandwiches, scones with Irish clotted cream and a full menu of teas to share between two. The setting itself is plush which really makes for a glamorous get-together.

Best Restaurant for cocktails

Best place for cocktails in Dublin has to be the Vintage Cocktail Club. Cool cocktails in a kitsch setting. We’ve raved about this place for dinner and brunch before. Booking is advisable as it’s VERY popular.

Best Place for a First Date

The Port House, South William Street. Dark, candlelit and cave-like, The Port House serves great tapas and wine is a cosy atmosphere. Plus the music on their website reminds me of lots of great nights out in Madrid.

Friendliest Staff

WhiteFriar Grill. The staff here are superb and the food (brunch or dinner) is delicious too.

Best Party Restaurant

777. This Mexican bar cum restaurant looks like it came straight out of NYC – it’s got funky decor, fantastic food, friendly staff and a great buzz about it. Oh and the cocktails are to die for!

Best Brunch

My favourite place for brunch is The Lennox (on Lennox Street in Portobello) who is opening another Lennox restaurant in the former Nonna Valentina’s along the Canal. Strictly speaking it’s not in Dublin City Centre, so I’d easily settle for Eggs Benedict in M&S Rooftop Restaurant. Breakfast or brunch is erved ‘til 12pm every day, except Sunday when it’s ’til 1pm andEggs Bene is only €5.58 during Dine in Dublin week !

Best Hipster Hangout

I abhor the word hipster but would think that this is Fade Street Social. Run by Master Chef Dylan McGrath, this place is THE place to be seen in and the food is pretty good too. Plus Dylan is giving any groups of 2 that dine at Fade Street Social on the 25 Euro menu a 20 euro voucher for Rustic Stone or Brasserie Sixty6.

Best Pizza Slice

Steps of Rome is an old style Italian eatery serving authentic pizza, pasta, coffee and wine like something out of a real Roman osteria. For a quick bite to eat and a glass of vino with a friend, this joint is perfect.

Best Place to Eat with Friends

Eden bar & grill on South William Street. This suggestion came in from one of our readers – “Had a fab get together with girlfriends there. Could see it being great for the morning after!” Orla.

Best for Sandwiches

Simon’s Place is a cafe and an old Dublin institution where you’ll find friends huddling over big mugs of tea and strangers sipping coffee and reading the paper –and all of them sharing the same long table. Sandwiches here are wholesome and filling – I can safely say that they serve the tastiest tuna sandwich in Dublin (with just right amounts of lettuce, tomatoes and mayo). Their cinnamon rolls are delicious too.

Best Take Away Salad

This was a tossup (forgive the pun) between Avoca and Blazing Salads and seeing as the former has already been mentioned it goes to Blazing Salads. Hummus, gluten free salads and soups – this place is healthy with a capital H and draws in the crowds at lunchtime. Take away only.

Best Cheap Eats

The newly opened BITE Canteen is cheap as chips but sometimes you just feel like having actual chips, as in good old fashioned Fish & Chips and Beshoffs is the best in Dublin to get them. Served in a newspaper.

Best Coffee

Butlers Chocolates. The “best” thing about getting your coffee in Butlers is the free chocolate that goes with it. They also serve a mean Soya Chai Tea Latte.

So that’s us. What about you, what’s your favourite place to eat in Dublin?

Photo: Dublintown.ie

After seeing a tweet of Jennifer Lopez putting the final touches to a New Year’s Eve dinner party she was hosting, it got us thinking about what exactly makes a good dinner party.

As any Come Dine With Me viewers can testify, not only do you have to ensure that all of your guests eat good food and have a good time but that they leave and with the best possible impression of you too. It’s no easy feat!

Read on for some dinner party tips, from putting on the right music to ensuring that there are plenty of comfortable dining room chairs for people to sit on.

Create a music playlist

Music plays such a major role in setting the right atmosphere for your dinner party. It might be worldly sophistication that you want to convey, or you may fancy something a bit more radical or rowdy. Regardless, it’s a good idea to carefully consider the music tastes of your guests before putting together a music playlist that begins with the entrance of your first guest and only ends when the last person has gone home.

Smile for your guests!

Another thing that has a big impact on people’s enjoyment of a dinner party is the clear sight of the host also enjoying themselves and engaging other people in conversation, while also not being overly domineering. A great dinner party host sets a great example for everyone else and is a real ‘people person’ in starting positive conversations and generally helping to maintain great vibes from start to finish.

Make the right food decisions

A dinner party is the perfect time to woo guests with that fabulously exotic recipe that you’ve been practising all year round – and don’t forget to serve the food at the proper temperature. One thing that you certainly shouldn’t do is just experiment with a new recipe on the day of the party. Don’t delay the food for any late guests, either, as this will simply breed resentment among those who have proved rather more punctual.

Choose the right furniture

The exact furniture that you have in your dining room for the dinner party will obviously partly depend on the number of guests that will be coming, but it’s equally, if not more important to have furniture that looks the part as an element of a generally pleasant and inspiring environment. The furniture in your dining room ought to be beautifully crafted, with a pleasing finish. Make sure that all of the various pieces of furniture are well-coordinated, and you’ll be attracting compliments from your guests well into the evening.

For more dinner party inspiration, look to Pinterest and Liberty London Girl’s table setting post.

Have you got any secrets to share for hosting a great dinner party?

If your detox resolutions are already dwindling, here’s some inspiration to get you back on track.

Sticking to unrealistic diets, painful gym regimes and swapping Saturday night cocktails for morning pints of discoloured water that promise to reinvigorate you, are not the best ways to get through the grimmest month of the year.

A relaxing and reviving beauty detox package however, is far more appealing and guarantees instant, visible results.

Or, if you’ve mastered the willpower to stick to your new regime, why not reward yourself with a little pampering.  Here’s a great January Detox which we can recommend, having road tested it before Christmas:

January Detox Packages at Fota Island Resort, Cork

The package includes a spa pass to their world-class destination spa and divine detoxing treatment which consists of a Les Luneides Green Tea Hydrotherapy bath, a Les Luneides Green Tea Envelopment on a Dry Floatation Bed, followed by as many detoxifying herbal teas as you can manage. After that you can have a snooze or browse a magazine in their Relaxation Suite and once complete you will be feeling rejuvenated in no time.

And if you feel like flexing your New Year’s fitness resolution, the resort also has a gym, a pool and a stand-alone Spin Academy which is overlooking the rolling golf greens which are a pleasant distraction from your muscles’ post-Christmas wake up.

The total price for the January Detox package at Fota Island Resort is €75 (reduced from €110) available Sunday – Friday until January 31st.

Add an overnight stay including bed and breakfast (from €139 a night per room) and it can be a mini break to look forward to.

Fota Island Resort , Fota Island, Cork, Ireland. Tel: +353 21 488 3700

For more information on this and other offers see here

A few years back, I headed to Belfast on a shopping trip and discovered some great places to shop and eat out.

I revisited Belfast this weekend and thought the best way to sum it up was with Instagram photos.

Christmas Continental Markets at Belfast City Hall, Room and retro phone at the Fitzwilliam Hotel, Belfast

Christmas Markets at Belfast City Hall

I am glad to report that there are now even more places to shop, stay and eat out and from now until December 20th, there’s even a Christmas market complete with stalls selling gingerbread men and handmade Christmas food and gifts. Enjoy a hot chocolate or mulled wine  as you wander around and soak up the festive atmosphere.

Me enjoying the Christmas market at Belfast City Hall, the Apple store at Victoria Sq shopping centre and Louboutin (window) shopping at Belfast's Merchant Hotel

Afternoon tea

Festive Afternoon Tea at the Merchant (£29.95 per person) 16 Skipper Street, Belfast

If there’s one thing you should indulge in in Belfast, then I wholeheartedly recommend this glam experience. During Afternoon Tea at The Merchant Hotel you are waited upon with silver service, entertained by a live jazz band  – all while soaking up the opulent surroundings of The Merchant hotel’s dining room.

The three tiered silver stand boasts finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam and a selection of seasonal cakes, macaroons and pastries including mince pies and Christmas cake, accompanied by a cup of tea served on the fanciest of delf.

There was lots of eating and drinking:

A vegetarian fry for breakfast on the the train to Belfast (There’s nothing nicer than potato bread which I quickly discovered is a firm fixture on a Northern Irish fry), Festive Afternoon Tea at The Merchant and cocktails at The Fitzwilliam Hotel

Belfast Restaurant

James Street South, 21 James Street South, Belfast  Tel: 028 9043431

My last visit saw me fine dining in Deanes (Howard Street Belfast) and so this time I tried another of Belfast’s top restaurants;  James Street South. Chef/Owner Niall McKenna focuses on serving local seasonal produce cooked with classic French flair.

Shopping in Belfast

Before IKEA opened in Dublin, I used to frequent IKEA in Belfast for homeware but shopping in the Northern Irish capital doesn’t stop there.

The city centre boasts not only the shops around Donegall Square (Space NK, Karen Millen, Superdrug and Avoca) and there’s now an Apple store in Victoria Square Shopping Centre (Belfast BT1 4QG Tel: 028 9032 2277) which is home to 50 stores including House of Fraser, Topshop, Cruise, Reiss and All Saints.

Independent shops and designer boutiques

If your idea of retail heaven is exploring some really great independent shops, a stroll down South Belfast’s Lisburn Road is an absolute must. Boasting a wide range of outlets from boutique clothes shops, jewellers, delis, cafes and some of the best eateries Belfast has to offer. For designer boutiques, head to Bloomfield Avenue.

Hotels in Belfast

Fitzwilliam Hotel, Great Victoria Street, Belfast, Tel: 028 9040 2080

I loved staying in this boutique hotel – the bedroom’s green and brown decor was modern with spacious bathrooms and king sized beds. The cocktails at the Fitzwilliam Hotel are a must-try too – the bar’s mixologist recently impressed Rihanna and her entourage with bespoke cocktails.

The Merchant, 16 Skipper Street, Belfast Tel: 028 9023 4888

The five star Merchant Hotel (pictured above) in Belfast is a harmonious blend of Victorian grandeur and Art Deco inspired sleek modernity. Room rates in this former bank start at £220 a night, it features a bar with the most expensive cocktail in the country (£450 !), a gym, a spa and nail bar and a private rooftop hot tub which boy band JLS frequented recently. This place is luxurious with a capital L !

Day spa and beautician

I had time for a quick manicure in the glamorous and indulgent surroundings of the Nail Bar at the Merchant hotel. The Spa offers treatments and massages too – you might even spot some of the Ulster rugby team walking by in white robes as they often come here for a massage.

Getting there

Dublin Connolly to Belfast by train takes 2 hours 15 minutes (online fares start at €15.99 one way) and if you treat yourself to first class, you can enjoy breakfast or lunch on board.

Click here to see our recommendations for shopping and eating out in New York, Paris, Prague and Madrid.

For further information contact the Northern Ireland Tourist Board on callsave 1850 230 230, visit  the Tourist Information Centre, Suffolk Street, Dublin 2 to avail of its free advice and booking service or click on www.discovernorthernireland.com

Pictured left to right: No46prague.com our self catering apartment for the weekend, myself and my Mum at Prague Castle and Marina Grossto restaurant Prague.

You can’t help but to be impressed by Prague’s grandeur. While the city centre is full of tourists all year round, Prague Castle and Charles Bridge beautifully dominate the city’s skyline and the Powder Tower, Astronomical Clock and St Vitus’s Cathedral are all worth a visit.

The cobbled streets and medieval feel to the place is the very reason that so many flock to the Czech Republic’s capital and after visiting it this weekend, these are some of the things I recommend.

Cafes

Coffee tastes really good in Prague (I can only count on one hand the amount of cities I’ve visited that you can say this about) and my favourite place is the art deco Grand Cafe Orient.  It has an outdoor terrace where you can sit and peoplewatch the passersby, an outdoor terrace on the first floor and indoors is full of booths and a bar which feel like you’ve been transported back to a scene from The Great Gatsby.

There are plenty of Starbucks dotted around the city if you’re really stuck but to be honest their coffee is watery in comparison to the local cafes.

Municipal House (in Old Town) is another example of Art Deco architecture, and is fabulously opulent and worth having a look around and a tea or coffee in, even if you’ve no interest in the daily orchestra performances it puts on.

Food and Drink

Czech beer is the best in the world and having a beer in one of the many the outdoor terraces is something Prague does well. In contrast, ordering wine with your meal can be expensive – around €30 a bottle.

I found Czech food heavy but you might like to sample a local dish of Goulash with dumplings which pops up on most menus within the city centre. Local cuisine aside, there are plenty of Italian eateries (and your token fast food joints such as McDonalds and KFC, catering for the massive tourist influx I imagine).

Some restaurants offer good “set menus” (2-3 courses for 180 Kroner or less) but after a bit of searching, I found some gems of restaurants that came recommended and were tried and tested over the weekend.

Marina Grossto on Jankovcova 1595/14
This pizzeria located on a barge (picture above) was one of my favourite eateries and has fabulous views of Charles Bridge and the river. Great for an aperitif or hot chocolate too and it’s worth going there for the views alone.

Aromi on Manesova 78
A fantastic Italian restaurant and deli in a chic space. Great for seafood, fish and Italian wines. We enjoyed a great Italian meal here.

Accommodation in Prague

I visted Prague with my Mum and we opted for a self catering apartment, superbly located in the Vinohrady district. We stayed in No 46 (pictured above left) which they describe on their website as a “hybrid of styles fusing old world antiques and luxurious furnishings with contemporary kitchen and state-of-the art bathroom design”.

After the bustling hoards in the city, it was a welcome and quiet haven to retire to each evening – beds were super comfy and although a full range of wine, beer, water and nespresso coffee was on offer there, we were able to shop for supplies locally and eat-in when we wished.

Shopping in Prague

Prague’s Palladium shopping centre is where shopping is at in Prague. Large Zara and H&M stores (always better than the ones in Ireland I think) sit alongside Calvin Klein, Marks & Spencer, Tesco and a pharmacy (couldn’t spot a pharmacy anywhere else in Prague) plus hundreds of other stores and restaurants .

What I love best about visiting places like this are the different shops that you don’t get in Ireland – Promod, Intimissimi (for underwear) Sephora (for makeup) and Puma (for cool trainers) – even F&F have a fully dedicated clothes shop there unlike at home where their clothing are only stocked in some Tescos and even then they sit in the aisle next to the food.

Pařížská street in the Jewish quarter (just off the old town square) is lined with designer shops including Tiffany, Louis Vuitton, Bvlgari, Cartier, Prada and Salvatore Ferragamo. There’s even a Nespresso boutique nestled amongst them – it’s a coffee lovers dream and I was first in line taking photos on Instragram.

The walls of the nespresso boutique in Prague are lined with coffee pods

Airport shopping is not great  in Prague to be honest so don’t bank on last minute present shopping there. Apart from a good Salvatore Ferragamo shop, there are only small areas selling chocolate, cigarettes and a few bottles of (expensive) wine. Even the perfume and make-up offering is thin on the ground so consider the shop and collect service at Dublin airport before you fly (or in-flight sky shopping). Other than that, the old town is full of souvenirs such as t-shirts, mugs, puppets and glass ware.

What to wear site seeing?

Prague is full of cobbled streets and steps, so heels are rendered useless here. I left my wedges in Dublin in favour of a comfy pair of Rockport biker boots. On alternate days I wore a pair of Converse  though one day it rained and  they are in no way waterproof as I found out!

Other than that it was all about layering. I lived in a pair of Diesel jeans, sunglasses, and a Belstaff jacket worn over a Zara blazer, scarf and a cross body bag. The weather this weekend was sunny (18 degrees) but dropped to 9 degrees C on one of the days,  so I needed a coat as it did get chilly (hence the layers).

I also packed a small brolly which came in handy for a few rain showers over the weekend. Checking the weather on Accuweather before leaving for Prague definitely helped plan what to wear.

Currency in Prague

Czech Republic’s currency is the Koruna (Crown) and 3000 Crowns is roughly 125 Euros. When you walk through the main exit at Prague airport arrivals in Terminal 1, there are a selection of bank machines to your left side just at the exit to the building. Withdraw some money at this point as I didn’t spot many ATM’s around the city.

Flights to Prague and travelling around Prague

I flew Dublin-Prague with Aerlingus.com paying approx €160 return. Getting around Prague was really easy on the tram – just remember to buy your tram ticket in a Tabak in advance as only the larger tram stops have ticket machines.

Have any recommendations for eating, drinking, shopping and sleeping in Prague? Let us know in the comments below.

Pictured above: Rooftop and pool at the Hi Hotel, Nice. I booked with i-escape.com.

If you’ve been following my Twitter and Instagram, the reason for the sunny pictures from gorgeous France is that I’ve been taking a few days break this week. I hadn’t planned any holidays this year but what with the miserable, wet summer we’ve been having in Ireland , that plan changed over the summer.

My sister booked two weeks with her husband and kids in Provence and invited me over for the weekend to their rented villa in St Endreole golf and spa country club in La Motte, Provence.

I flew to Nice, rented a car and off I set into the French countryside where soon the mopeds and motorways of the city were left behind for small hamlets and a countryside full of vineyards, lemon groves and lavender bushes.

August is hot in France and with temperatures reaching 30 degrees during the trip, I spent my time chilling with family and relying on the air conditioned car, villa and restaurants or cooling down in the pool. I even managed to visit two local vineyards, where Rose wine is the region’s speciality and sampled a Salad Nicoise or two.

Nicoise Salad

From there, I headed back to Nice for two more days, booking into the Hi Hotel, a modern boutique hotel located four blocks from the beach at Promenade Des Anglais.

The room was cool, if somewhat whacky and futuristic, with the bathroom and shower leaving little to the imagination if you are not on intimate terms with your roommate.

The only thing is it was so cool that they’d forgotten to include a wardrobe, which is a bit of a pain when you can’t stash away your bags and hang up your clothes.

Having wifi after three days in the countryside was great (although I really managed to disconnect from the world for the time I didn’t have internet) and the rooftop pool offered a welcome respite from the stifling city heat.

The hotel’s beach club, hi beach, is a 10 minute walk away and pretty cool. I’m not a sun worshipper and slathered in Spf factor 50, the sun loungers with parasols, restaurant and bar are a nice place to hang out in on a beach that’s mobbed with sunbathers as far as the eye can see.

For party animals they have Dj sets every month where the club is transformed into a beach side nightclub after dark.

I’ve one more night here before I return to Dublin where Whatshewears.ie will be back to our regular posting schedule.

A bientot!

Anne Marie

View at Hi Beach club, Nice

Undoubtedly THE social event of Ireland’s sporting calendar, Galway Races Ladies Day takes place on August 2nd this year. And coupled with the Volvo Ocean Race finishing in Galway this year, the place is aflutter with fun loving ladies and gents, all looking to have the craic Corrib side.

To take the pressure out of the sartorial decision making process in the run up to these Festivals, Joanne Hynes is on hand to guide you through the best that Galway has to offer. We are delighted to have Joanne collaborate with WhatSheWears.ie!  Since opening her own concession on the second floor of Brown Thomas Dublin in 2009, she has seen a phenomenally successful couple of seasons and is the hot topic of conversation among the movers and shakers of Dublin and beyond.

Read on to see what the Irish fashion designer recommends in Galway:

High Street

If you are looking for staple high street shops then Shop Street in Galway has everything within walking distance of one and other. If you are a high street girl then you will find Topshop, A Wear, New Look and the recently opened Miss Selfridges. The high street is always right on trend with new deliveries every couple of weeks.

Vintage Finds

If like me, you are a lover of all things vintage and antique in terms of clothing and jewellery then Galway has some amazing niche little stores.

I recommend TEMPO antique on 9 Cross Street for diamond rings and vintage Rolex and Cartier watches for women and men.

COBWEBS stock fantastic costume pieces including my personal favourite Kenneth Jay Lane, they are situated across from the famous Spanish Arch.

As a youth and a teenager when I lived in Galway I adored the Army and Navy Store.  As a rebel back then –I always looked for something really different and bold and found some great military sweaters and jackets here.

TWICE AS NICE, located on the historical Quay Street is a little diamond -you’ll easily spot the shop as they always have some garments of interest hanging outside on the entrance arousing curiosity in passersby.

Downstairs you will find a selection of beautiful antique jewellery and linens. They are ideal investment pieces to mark special occasions. Take a walk up the wooden stairs to find an intimate collection of clothes and unique accessories. You will not find any of these unique pieces on the high street. With a predominantly classical, feminine feel to the pieces on offer you are guaranteed to be inspired.

Pop next door to the WOODEN HEART to buy your love a Claddagh Ring, which is, in my opinion one of the most beautiful rings in the world with real history and tradition.

Contemporary Lifestyle

For something a little bit different hit the BORN STORE, which opened in May of this year, over looking the canal at Newtown Smith.

BORN is Galway’s newest lifestyle store and someone recently described it as ‘if Brown Thomas and Urban Outfitters had a love child this is what you’d get’. Catering for both men and women from teenagers right up to the thirty something’s, BORN stocks more than 100 brands.

If you are looking for the fashion heavy weights then BROWN THOMAS is the place to go. It has four floors of luxury stocking leading international designer collections in menswear, women’s and cosmetics.

I love the cosmetics on the ground floor which houses concessions for BENEFIT, MAC, DIOR and CHANEL.  The staff are very friendly and you could have a quick make over or touch up before the Races if you book in beforehand. I recommend Sinead at DIOR - she is wonderful and can master the dark eye look!

Dressy

The wonderful thing about Galway is the array of varied independent boutiques where you are bound to discover a hidden treasure.

DEMORA on Cross Street is located just around the corner from TWICE AS NICE (that’s the great thing about Galway- everything is just five minutes walk from each other). DEMORA is a designer boutique with some great statement pieces. They stock a select range including Joanne Hynes and Deirdre Morahan the store owner is always very helpful.

Cafes in Galway

So you’ve been walking the streets of Galway, searching out all the must have pieces for this seasons wardrobe, you are going to need a quick bite to eat to regain your energy levels.  The city has countless cafes and restaurants that cater to every desired cuisine.

GOYAS, located on Kirwan’s Lane, is a hidden hideaway haven for hungry shoppers. It is popular for homemade treats and freshly baked goodies prepared on site daily, the caramel squares and lemon meringue pies are to die for. They make undoubtedly the best soya milk hot chocolate -these are even better than hot chocolates that I have had in New York!

For something more substantial, try Sam Bailey’s food hall and cafe situated looking out onto Eglinton Street. Desserts include New York style cheesecake with berry coulis, homemade tiramisu, homemade pie and cupcakes, whilst watching the world go by. There are daily blackboard specials too which is really sweet and a long list of green teas.

Galway Restaurants

There are lots of new kids on the block when it comes to eateries and WhatSheWears.ie recommends the following:

For an evening out with friends, WhatSheWears recommend’s Eight Bar and Restaurant – a minimalist restaurant with scrumptious food and a view of the sea. Eight Bar and Restaurant, Dock Road, Galway, Tel: 091-565111.

Lunch

New Zealander chef Jess Murphy has put the oomph into casual dining at Kai, a quirky restaurant that’s jam packed at the weekends. Kai Cafe Restaurant, Sea Road, Galway, Tel: 091-526003.

A glass of wine

Sheridan’s Cheese shop in Galway has a hidden gem sitting upstairs – the wine bar on Churchyard Street does great wines, meat, fish and cheese boards. Try Sheridan’s brothers’ brown bread cheese crackers which chef Heston Blumenthal has put on the cheeseboard at his London restaurant, Dinner.. Sheridan’s Wine Shop (Upstairs), 14 – 16 Churchyard Street, Galway, Tel: 091-564829.

 Restaurant

Aniar is a kitch cafe space with blackboards and painted chairs, perched on a first floor overlooking busy Lower Dominick Street. When WSW stayed at The House Hotel, this was their top dinner recommendation and it didn’t disappoint – the food is great and reasonably priced.  Aniar Restaurant, 53 Lower Dominick Street, Galway, Tel: 091-535947.

Night life in Galway

People come from all over Ireland to sample Galway’s night life and the summer is peak season with the crowds for pubs and clubs overflowing onto the streets.

If you are looking for something less mainstream the Roisin Dubh is the city’s premier indie and alternative night spot. It has promoted and supported Kate Nash, The Blizzards, Fight Like Apes, Declan O Rorke, Republic of Loose and a good night out here is guaranteed.

It is famed for hosting the Dirty Pretty Things final show on their farewell tour. Also expect to see some home grown Galway bands performing like the up and coming Kanyu Tree and Disconnect Four performing on a regular basis.

The g Hotel

I don’t get to Galway that often but if I do I like the g hotel for a cocktail. You can rotate from one room to the next for added entertainment! Each room has a different theme and plenty of groups of friends pop along for afternoon tea.

Afterwards you can pop out the back door to the Eye Cinema which is connected to the g, to watch an art house movie. I recently saw Let the Right One In, a film by Tomas Alfredson’s based on the book by Swedish writer John Ajvide Lindqvist.

Hotel in Galway

Besides the g, WSW can highly recommend The House Hotel, a boutique hotel in Galway’s city centre. Read our review here.

For all queries or advice on the Joanne Hynes range please  email info@joannehynes.com or visit her website www.joannehynes.com.

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