Back to something resembling normality
I can’t handle my drink anymore. It’s a good job the Blog Awards are an annual event. I’m actually still feeling a little bit rough around the edges.
The hotel was fantastic, service was brilliant but the staff were a bit busy needless to say which is where one of my curious incidents that I mentioned in my last post comes into play.
Immediately after the awards most of us headed out to the bar as they were clearing the chairs out of the function room. I was absolutely starving and was in dire need to line my stomach before the party got going so I went on the hunt for some bar food. My hunger wasn’t helped either having seen Grandad and Herself tucking into a lovely looking plate of something. Herself told me they finished serving bar food at 10:30 so I’d better be quick!
So I galloped up to the bar and asked for the menu but sure enough the barman said that they had finished serving for the night. I checked the time, it was 10:33!
I pleaded with him that it was only just gone half past and could I just get a quick order in but he said no. However he did ask me if I was resident in the hotel for the night. I said I was and he informed me that they have a 24 hour menu for residents and that I could go and order something from my room. It would be €4.50 extra but I wouldn’t have minded that.
Then I had an idea. What if I ordered from the bar and had it delivered to the bar while still paying the extra €4.50?
For some reason that unexpected question almost cause his head to explode. I could see the cogs turning in his head for what seemed like a small eternity, his eyes kind of glazed over until he finally managed to tell me that I could only have it delivered to my room! Didn’t make sense to me especially as the kitchen is right beside the bar! What difference would it have made?
Anyway I made do with a bag of Taytos and a Mars bar from the vending machine instead so the lack of food probably goes a long way to explain the extent of my hangover.
Once again it was great to meet all of the people I did. There was another odd little incident which again involved the bar but I think Bock might write about that one. It was a fantastic evening and well done again to the winners and of course well done again to Mulley for arranging it all. I’m looking forward to the next one already!
My final thank you goes to Bernie Goldbach and Tipperary Institute who really helped make my night.
Looking forward to seeing you all again soon!
EVERYONE was so hungry. If they’d even brought out toast and tea, they could have made a killing, we would have paid anything at that stage, I reckon!
That was the only problem, I think.
We had our kids there – I came back from the ladies’ tea party at about 6.45, to find my husband FREAKING out because he’d tried to orer room service for the kids’ dinners and been told there was none, and that he’d haveto go to the restaurant, where he was told there was no children’s menu, all frou frou cod on a bed of whatsit for 18 euro.
I called reception, who didn’t know about this, and the restaurant sent up a plate of 4 chicken goujons and a handful of chips, and some spaghetti with incredibly dubious leftover sweet and sour sauce, all of whihc my fussy daghter rejected completely. For 17 euro!
Apart from that though, they were so nice, and friendly, and working thier arses off the whole time. It seemed like a small staff – the same guy who was carrying cupcakes, delivering extra pillows etc was also doing bar for the awards.
Still and all, I’d go back next weekend, if I could.
Hi Jo!
You were right about the staff. They certainly earned their wages that night. I would certainly go back as well.
I got to the hotel around 5 ish and immediately went on the hunt for something to eat after checking in but I was told that the restaurant was closed too.
Still at least there was the vending machine
Well explained, Robert. I was planning to write about the other little incident this evening, but the cops just busted the bank and it’s hard to know which story is bigger.
The cops busting the bank is much more important Bock. I almost crashed my car when I heard that they had gone in. Finally someone seems to be doing something!
Hello again Robert.It was lovely to meet you and a fantastic night altogether.That bar policy was very odd and I don’t think they knew how close they came to complete anarchy.Having said that they did work their arses off all night and the venue itself was superb.
Hello Devin! It was great to meet you too!
Remember when both bars closed? It was just before they were getting ready to open the residents bar? Well I asked why the main bar was closed and was told that it was because they were cleaning it and it would open again in a few minutes.
I felt so sorry for him knowing that over 120 of us would be heading straight there as soon as the shutters rose!
They worked like trojans throughout the night though. And they seemed to cope remarkably well too.
It was really lovely to meet you at last. What a great night it was!
It seems you missed all the lovely finger food that was brought out to the main reception area (inside the front door) immediately after the awards ceremony?
I hate to tell but it was yummy! And, exactly what was needed for the night ahead. Better bring your own sandwiches next year!
Hi Steph,
It was such a busy night! I never really got a chance to chat to you but I was glad for the brief chat that we did manage.
I managed to get a few bits and pieces after the ceremony but it disappeared fairly rapidly..
That’s a good idea about the sandwiches next year