Ryan Tubridy: Trips to Limerick and Cork remind me how I enjoy Irish hospitality
I marvel at the way Irish hotels (especially family concerns) are run with such warmth, passion and customer care. In my experience, this doesn't exist in great abundance in the UK.
That isn't to say the British experience isn't polished and professional. It simply lacks warmth, an intangible resource that Irish hospitality has to its fingertips. Ryan Tubridy. Pic: Nick Edwards
I landed at the perfectly formed and extraordinarily well-run Shannon Airport on Wednesday evening (after an impeccable flight with Aer Lingus, whose staff remain the best I've ever flown with, bar none) and from the get-go, the warmth I'm talking about was obvious.
I bumped into some staff on my way to the car park, and they were beaming with happiness and so professional in the way they carried themselves. I had the loveliest chat with Mike, who took me to my hotel in Limerick.
Along the way, we chatted about the landmarks, from Bunratty Castle and Durty Nelly's to the River Shannon and King John's Castle. We covered the current political scene in both Ireland and America before our brief but enjoyable journey came to an end as we landed at the Savoy, a beautiful, central and modern hotel in the heart of the city. Ryan Tubridy. Pic: Instagram/Ryan Tubridy
I was greeted by the owners, Ronan and Anne Branigan, whose reputation for being among the best in their business precedes them with great justification.
I was pretty late checking in, but found time to pop into O'Mahony's Bookshop, which has been in business for 100 years and is still thriving. I just about made it in time to say hi to the staff, who filled me in on what the big sellers are and how business is going in general (very well, thankfully).
I did a radio show from the shop 15 years ago (I think!) so I always have a soft spot for the place, which remains a family-owned business, giving it that wonderful air of book-loving authenticity. Terry Wogan. Pic:From there, I strolled down by the riverside where I paid my respects to the Terry Wogan statue and, not too far away, the Richard Harris statue – two proud sons of Limerick, pictured above right, well remembered by the good people of the city.
I also found time to pop into a tattoo parlour. Don't worry, I wasn't 'inked'. A tattooist got in touch with me on my Virgin radio show when he heard I was going to be in Limerick and asked me to pop into his pal if I was passing by, so I did and a selfie was had. (Thanks to Jake, who may still be in shock after he saw me coming through the door.)
I asked Instagram followers (God, I hate that word in this context) for suggestions of things to do in Limerick, and I was inundated. I had to write a list and promise to return and spend more time here to properly visit the city. Ryan Tubridy. Pic: Nick Edwards
I did manage an early morning run along the three bridges and the city was at its most beautiful and calm. We did the radio show from our sister station, Limerick Live 95, which was a great experience and allowed me to meet the cracking crew who populate that brilliant station.
A quick visit to the Richard Harris exhibition at the Hunt Museum and a speedy tour of King John's Castle was all I could fit in but it was well worth the time. I was well looked after before I had to hop in a car and head for Cork city, where I had a very chilled afternoon reconnecting with a city I hadn't been in for years.
I checked into the history nerd's favourite hotel, the Imperial, and then to dinner at Jacob's with the Cork 96 and Onic bosses, who filled me in on the comings and goings in the byzantine but never boring world of Irish radio. Pic: Ryan Tubridy/Instagram
It was a lovely, convivial gathering and the word 'Sláinte' was heard many times, but I didn't hang around as I was on duty at Cork 96 the next morning, and I had a particularly big job the following night, so it was back to the Imperial with me in good time.
The radio show went off without a hitch, and from there, I was on the road again, but this time, bound for beautiful Bantry and the West Cork Literary Festival. I'm a sucker for a book festival so when they asked me to come and interview Graham Norton on Friday night, I didn't put up an argument.
We checked into the breathtaking Seaview House, where that welcome I've mentioned a few times in this diary was in evidence at every turn. Another family-run hotel, this time it was the gracious Ronan and Suzanne O'Sullivan who looked after our every need.
My one regret was that it was only a one-night stay. After an early and thoroughly enjoyable dinner with friends, it was time to go and interrogate Graham, whom I've interviewed many times over the years and who treated me to a delicious lunch when I first landed in London.
The event was sold out a long time ago, the place was packed, and the craic was mighty. Graham was in exceptionally good form, and the crowd lapped him up.
Photos, chats and vino followed, and a tremendous night was had by all. Kudos to the festival organisers who pulled together a relaxed, easygoing and intriguing series of events. It's one that will run and run.
From Bantry, it was back to Dublin to spend some time with the important women in my life, who I am happy to say are my favourite people in the world. I'll head back to London this evening, safe in the knowledge that family is king (and queen) when it comes to hospitality, hotels and the heart.
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