Come Here To Me!

The grave of Vonolel, the famous horse of Field-Marshal Earl Roberts buried in the grounds of the Royal Hospital.

Yes, this is now a weekly thing.

Saint Patrick’s week. A good week for the soul, a bad week for the wallet.

My absolute failure to stay in over the weekend and save money (Saturday morning in The Chancery waiting for an 8:30am pint is the ultimate ‘quiet weekend’ failure surely?) gives way to a week I always love.

The highlight for me revolves around another Saint Patrick’s, in the form of the Dublin derby on Friday night between Shamrock Rovers and Saint Patrick’s Athletic at Tallaght Stadium. An 8pm kick off is a godsend, as the day after Patrick’s Day is always a bit 28 Days Later in terms of zombie people. Plenty of time to come back around.

I intend to continue to get as much as possible out of my IFI membership, and Between The Canals opens at the IFI on March 18th. I’ve seen the film, but really enjoyed it and I think I may take the chance to see it on a big screen. A second trip is likely, to catch Norwegian Wood. There was a time when I never went to the cinema, I now think it’s addictive.

At some stage, I’d love to pop up to Mitsuba, the new Japanese restaurant on Parnell Street. I’m in love with Parnell Street, a great mix of ethnic restaurants are to be found there including Come Here To Me favourite The Hop House. Mitsuba’s write-up in the Indo last week was promising:

It’s a long time since I’ve said I’m going to work my way through any menu, but I can’t wait to go back.

On Wednesday, I’ll be down at the Criminal Courts of Justice on Parkgate Street for a protest. Gerard Mc Donnell is a 63 year old family man facing 3 serious charges under the maritime safety act and a fine of up to €250,000 for his role in the ‘floating picket’ during the MTL dockers strike in 2009. There will be a protest outside the courts from 10am.

Paddys Day itself is a funny one. I always go along and catch the parade, and love the buzz of it. the further into adulthood I go, the more I think I enjoy the thing more now than I did as a child. The Bernard Shaw gets my shout for post parade pints.

I’m hoping to get up to the Phil Lynott exhibition at the top of the Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre at some point. On the subject of exhibitions, it really is the last chance to catch The Moderns at the IMMA. From Synge to Yeats (Jack B. that is….) and right the way up until the 1970s, the exhibition is a look at the history of the arts in Ireland from 1900 on. Any visit to the IMMA offers the chance to walk around the wonderful grounds, and I might even pay a visit to my friend Vonolel who is buried there.

I’m going to avail of my quiet week and get up to the Natural History Museum for a proper looksie, it’s been a while.