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Weekends on the move: New Ross, County Wexford
Last year before Christmas I managed to take another trip and this time it was to the town of New Ross, which is known for its rich history, whether it’s the Normans or its direct connection to the Kennedy family in the USA. I’ve been to New Ross several times, but each time the weather wasn’t very kind to us, or we didn’t stay long. The last time I was in New Ross was in the summer of 2021, when we were able to travel again after Covid, but it was cloudy and some parts of the city have changed (read: improved) since then. There are two bus companies that…
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Christmas lights Wonderlights in Fota House & Gardens
This year I received my first PR invite for Christmas lights. To Fota. As the biggest lover of Christmas lights, I couldn’t refuse. The event is called Wonderlights and is held every year in Fota, Cork and then at two locations in Dublin (in Malahide and Marlay Park). Although I love lights and have been to Marlay Park once before (at a concert, of course), this was my first time at Wonderlights. I was contacted through my Instagram and originally invited to the opening night, but since it was in Cork and during the week, I had to decline. Luckily, the invitation was extended for the rest of the season…
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New Year’s Resolution
I didn’t even plan to write such an article, but I found a list of things I wanted to accomplish this year and it made me think about the current and the upcoming year. When I was younger, I used to make resolutions. I don’t really remember what and if I kept them, but I remember that it was usually one thing and I just magically expected it to happen. Without me having to lift a finger. So I guess none of my resolutions came true. The older I get, the less I make them. There are years when I haven’t had any. I’m a big believer that if I…
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Live: Nemo at Dublin 2025
Last month I went to see Switzerland’s Eurovision 2024 winner, Nemo. Before I start, I just want to point out that I disagree with the EBU and what they do or rather don’t do, and this article has nothing to do with Eurovision. I’m just talking about my concert experience. I also want to point out that Nemo is non-binary and use they/them pronouns 🙂 So Nemo won for Switzerland in May 2024 with the song The Code. For me, it was completely deserved and especially after this concert. It was originally supposed to take place in March, but Nemo didn’t have the material ready and they moved the tour…
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Weekends on the move: Youghal – beach, nature and history
Let’s continue car free Irish trips. This time I’m taking you to the seaside Irish town of Youghal, located in the east of County Cork, right on the border with Waterford. I was looking through my Facebook and found that I had last been to Youghal in September 2013. Since then I have only occasionally taken the bus to Cork. This also gave me the idea to include it in my Irish trips. When I was deciding where to go a month ago, because the weather was really nice, an acquaintance of mine finally talked me into going to Youghal. Youghal is located right on the coast and therefore, in…
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Live: Natasha Bedingfield in Dublin 2025
My summer concert this year was a completely unique one performed by British-New Zealand singer Natasha Bedingfield. If you had told me last summer that I would see Natasha live this July, I wouldn’t have believed you. But let’s start from the beginning. I’m sure the name Natasha Bedingfield probably means something to you, or you might even remember her biggest hits – These Words, Unwritten and maybe Pocketful of Sunshine. The first two were released in 2004, the third followed 4 years later. And I was so intrigued by them that I triumphantly bought her CDs and even singles in a well-known Czech book store Levné Knihy. They still…
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Weekends on the move: Thomastown and Jerpoint Abbey
In mid-May, during the late spring heatwave in Ireland, I decided to take a trip to the village of Thomastown in County Kilkenny and visit Jerpoint Abbey just outside the village. I am starting a new personal project – traveling around Ireland using only public transport, without a car. A trip to Switzerland inspired me (I know I am annoying about this, but read on), after all, you can travel by train from Zurich to the Alps. We don’t have this in Ireland. Ireland is known as the Emerald Isle and there is beautiful nature, but getting there is really difficult. That is why I have given myself this challenge…
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Live: Baby Lasagna in Dublin, 2025
In April, I continued on the Eurovision wave and went to the Baby Lasagna concert in Dublin. And I have to say, it was a very pleasant surprise, but more on that in the article. Baby Lasagna is the stage name of Croatian artist Marko Purišić. This project began in late 2023, when he released his first single IG Boy. In 2024, he represented Croatia in the Eurovision Song Contest with the song Rim Tim Tagi Dim, where he placed second overall. At one point, he was even a candidate for the winner, but the trophy was taken away by the Swiss Nemo. After a successful Eurovision, the singer went…
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Live: Orla Gartland in Dublin, 2025
Irish pop-rock queen Orla Gartland fulfilled her dream and played at a sold-out Olympia for the first time. Of course, I couldn’t miss it! I discovered Orla during the pandemic after she toured for her debut album Woman on the Internet. I fell in love with her immediately and knew I had to see her live as soon as I could. That came true this month when Orla played a sold-out Olympia (shoutout to my buddy Alan for sharing his pre-sale with me!). This concert was special in many ways. It was the first time Orla had played at the Olympia Theatre and such a big venue in Ireland. I…
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Live: Loreen at 3Olympia Theatre, Dublin 2025
Two-time Eurovision winner Loreen visited Dublin for the second time in the last two years. As a big fan, I simply had to go see the Swedish queen again. And my camera as well! Loreen’s concert in 2023 at The Academy was the reason I decided to get my concert camera. Since then, I’ve taken photos of many concerts and artists. When Loreen announced her tour last year and at my favorite 3Olympia Theatre, I was immediately excited. I went to the concert with my friend D. and we had tickets to the Circle (we also sat there for Reneé Rapp a year ago). Unfortunately, there were Irish people sitting…
