The Mallow Makers - Easter Kit
Take a look inside The Mallow Makers Easter Kit…
If you ever looking for something a little bit different to get friends and family for Easter, definitely buy them a Mallow Makers Easter kit. we had so much fun capturing all the details of this tasty box a few years ago. This was a collaboration between The Mallow Makers and Ivy & Gold as these particular Easter boxes had a little bracelet making pack included.
Shot at the very beautiful Little Woodbank.
Irish Design Shop, Dublin
Take a look inside Irish Design Shop in Dublin
To be invited to capture one of my FAVOURITE shops in Dublin was a dream! I loved working with Clare and Laura to photograph their shop, some products and a few portraits. Check out photos from our shoot below.
Irish Design Shop - 41 Drury Street Dublin
Follow Coffee
Some food, drinks and interior photos for Follow Coast and Follow Ballymena.
Being invited to capture both of the Follow coffee locations a few years ago was a real treat. I love their food and their portrush cafe is a spot I would visit a lot when I am there. They have a great menu and their staff are the best.
Follow booked a Coffee shop package which involved capturing their new menu, drinks, buns/deserts, interiors and some coffee making.
Check out some of the photos from both of these shoots below.
La Bottega - Summer Menu and Interiors
Have a closer look at my shoot with La Bottega last month…
At the beginning of August I was invited back to La Bottega in Belfast to capture their new seasonal menu. We photographed their beautiful newly refurbished restaurant as well as their tasty new pizza menu. Below are some of my favourite images from the shoot.
If you are looking for some high quality content of your restaurant or coffee shop, I would love to work with you.
Check out La Bottega if you haven’t already. Their food is incredible!!
Kathryn Callaghan - Award Winning Artist from County Down
Take a closer look at my shoot with local Artist Kathryn Callaghan last month…
Last month I had the pleasure of working with Kathryn Callaghan again, capturing her in the studio as well as some beautiful locations around her home. I have know Kathryn and her work for a long time and we first worked together just over 4 years ago. It was lovely to work together again to create some new imagery for her website and social media. Below are some of my favourite photos from the shoot.
If you are a local Artist looking for some fresh imagery for the next season, get in touch, I would love to work with you.
Aughry Yard - A beautiful Irish Cottage in Dromod, Co. Leitrim.
Check out this beautiful Cottage in Dromod, Co. Leitrim.
In August I spent a few relaxing days off in Co. Leitrim. We stayed at the beautiful Aughry Yard, a stunning cottage on a farm in Dromod. I had admired this place for a while and when I had a few free days I jumped at the chance to book it. It was a lovely unplugged trip where got to finish a book, not scroll on my phone or watch tv… Bliss! Here are a few photos I took during my stay.
If you are interested in booking a stay at Aughry Yard. Check out their Airbnb page or find them on Instagram.
We are KIJN Product Shoot
Have a look at some of my favourite photos from my shoot with KIJN a few months ago….
In June I had the pleasure of shooting a new activewear brand based in Belfast. KIJN is a life-wear brand for everyday and every-body. KIJN was created by two sisters who have a passion for women their comfort and creating a community. They are more than brand, they are a Kinship.
Below are some of my favourite photos from this shoot.
Kerrie McNeill - Belfast Based Illustrator
Take a look at my favourite photos from my shoot with Kerrie, a Belfast based Illustrator.
At the start of June I had the pleasure of working with Kerrie. I spent a lovely morning in her studio capturing all the colourful details and her day to day tasks. I have been a fan of Kerrie’s work since I saw her graduate show a few years ago, since then I have bought multiple cards for friends and have her prints hanging around my home. It was a real treat to be asked to take some photos for her. Below are some of my favourite photos from our shoot.
'Places to Shop' by 91 Magazine
Have a look at some of my photos of the local independent shops featured in the ‘Places to Shop’ book by 91 Magazine.
Last Year it was lovely to be involved in providing photos of some beautiful Independent shops in Northern Ireland for the new ‘Places’ book by 91 Magazine Editor, Caroline Rowland.
I had a great few days capturing some of my favourite shops and it was lovely to see them in print for this unique book.
Below are some of the shops and photos featured in the book.
Hunter Paper Co, Ballyhackamore.
BTS Concept Store, Coleraine (Now in Portrush)
Maven, Lisburn Road Belfast
Down to Earth, Bangor
Native Ivy is all about supporting and promoting local shops and makers so it was a privilege to be involved in capturing these unique Northern Irish Shops for this special book.
‘Places to Stay’ book is launching in the next few months featuring lots of unique places to stay in the UK and Northern Ireland… pre order your copy here.
Quarterlands Glamping
Discover more about this lovely glamping site just outside Holywood, Co. Down.
Last week we were invited to stay at a lovely new glamping site just outside Holywood, Co. Down. Fortunately we had a great weather day and the rare Northern Irish sun stayed out for most of our shoot.
Sitting in a field a short walk from their home, Jana & Jeremey have two identical shepherds huts. Both huts have one fold out double bed, a bunk bed as well as a seating area and a small kitchen. As a couple staying in one of these huts we thought it was great and liked the use of the space.
The area surrounding the huts is beautiful with stunning views over Belfast lough and fields all around us with sheep, goats and cows. This place is a great base to stay for exploring the areas around you such as the coastal path, Holywood and Bangor. With its family friendly vibe the space outside the huts is perfect for running around and playing games.
After we spent most of the afternoon capturing the huts we drove about 5 mins to Holwood for dinner. You are always spoilt for choice in this local town as there are so many great places to eat out. As Holywood is somewhere we would go quite often we chose The Dirty Duck as we hadn’t been there in years and it was recommended to us by a few friends. We had a lovely meal and would definitely go back. It is a great spot to go to if you want to enjoy a walk by the coast as well.
We then headed back to the glamping site to set up the fire pit and make some delicious s’mores provided by The Mallow Makers.
After we had eaten far to many s’mores we enjoyed some board games along with a glass of prosecco on the bench outside until it got dark.
In the morning we enjoyed waking up to the views over the lough and sitting outside for the sunrise.
Each hut provides a gas fired hot plate to use outside, with the weather being so good we got it set up and cooked our breakfast. I’m not going to lie, I am not the camping type but it was delightful to be able cook and eat outside and enjoy those views one more time before it was time to leave.
After gathering our belongings, we headed to Grey Point Fort and Helens Bay for a lovely walk by the sea before going home.
After our stay I was able to ask Jana some questions about her accommodation and how it came to be. Read more below….
Hi Jana, can you tell me a little bit about yourselves and what inspired you to start an Airbnb?
Jeremy grew up on this farm and has a real connection with the land. When we were first married, we lived near Dromara however it was always our dream to build a house on the farm. Some years later the dream became reality, and we are now very blessed to live here with our 2 boys and extended family close by.
As our boys were growing up, we spent many a holiday in our caravan and enjoyed the comfort of the caravan but also the outdoors lifestyle. Those holidays sparked the idea that we could provide a glamping experience on our farm where people could enjoy the comfort of proper beds, private cooking and bathroom facilities but be immersed in nature. As with our house these plans took some time to come to fruition but now the shepherds’ huts are here, and we are very excited to open this summer. We hope many people will come and enjoy their stay at Quarterlands.
Is there a meaning behind the name Quarterlands?
Yes, Jeremy has 3 brothers and so when the land was divided up it was divided into quarters hence the name Quarterlands.
If you could sum up the style/feel of your Airbnb in 3 words, what would they be?
Relaxing, Cosy, Bespoke
What do you love most about your accommodation?
The creative use of space and the high ceilings give the huts a roomy feel. On a clear day the view over Belfast lough is spectacular, you can watch the boats going in and out.
For guests coming to stay where would you recommend as good places to visit nearby?
That’s difficult to answer concisely as there are so many wonderful places close by. We are within a couple of miles from Crawfordsburn and Helen’s Bay beaches. The Ulster Folk and Transport Museum is also nearby and worth a vist. There are many beautiful walks to be had along the North Down coastal pathway. Bangor and all it has to offer including the beautiful Bangor marina and Aurora Aquatic and Leisure Complex is ~ 4 miles from our site. Holywood town is less than 3 miles away and there are many wonderful coffee shops and eateries there. Belfast city centre, the odyssey complex which many eateries a cinema and W5 the interactive discovery centre and the world leading visitor attraction the Titanic exhibition centre are less than 7 miles from our site. There are so many more places worth a mention but we’d be here all day so I guess people
List of places to go nearby
Food
The Dirty Duck, Holywood
Indian Ocean, Holywood
Coast, Holywood
Joxer, Holywood
lemongrass, Holywood
The Old Inn, Crawfordsburn
The Coffee Yard, Holywood
The Bay Tree, Holywood
Lynchpin
Walks and Attractions
Crawfordsburn Country Park
North Down Coastal Path
Helens Bay Beach
Holywood Beach
Titanic Belfast
Ulster Folk & Transport Museum
Blossom Meadow
A selection of my favourte photos from a shoot with Blossom Meadow…
Last week I had the pleasure of visiting Joy at her beautiful home in Newtownards to capture her new summer collection of Faux Flowers, bouquets and wreaths.
Below are some of my favourite photos from our shoot.
Follow Blossom Meadow on Instagram for more….
The Brambles
Take a look inside this beautiful new Airbnb in Dundrum Co.Down…
Dundrum Co. Down has always been somewhere I have driven through but never stopped to spend much time in, so it was lovely to be asked to capture a new Airbnb right the in center of this charming little town.
The Brambles is a beautiful period house that sits on the main street of Dundrum, with its location being so close to stunning walks and views such as Dundrum Castle and Murlough Nature Reserve this beautiful house is perfect for a weekend stay or a mini holiday with your family. The decor in the house hints at the owners love for Ireland with glimpses of their history throughout.
We arrived at The Brambles just after lunch and after being shown around by Wendy and hearing a little bit about her story and how this Airbnb came to be, we started photographing the space and capturing all the little details. Wendy had left us some delicious buns from a shop in the town and lovely local Kilmegan apple juice which we happily tucked into before heading out for a walk.
We walked up to Dundrum Castle which is about a 10/15 min walk from the house. The views across the lough were beautiful. Unfortunately it was a little cloudy but on a clear day the view of the Mournes would be incredible. Definitely worth the trip and taking a walk around the Castle. (I will list a few more places to visit nearby at the bottom of this blog.)
After visiting the Castle we walked to Scopers to order our dinner. We had heard great things about this place both from Wendy and on Instagram. We really enjoyed it, the staff were really friendly and it was nice to be able to support a local restaurant during our stay.
After dinner we lit the stove and enjoyed an evening of reading in front of the fire, the main living room is a very cozy space where you could happily sit all evening. If you wanted to venture out there is a local pub near the house, about a 5 min walk.
In the morning we enjoyed the coffee and croissants provided by Wendy before we headed out for a walk around Murlough Nature Reserve which was just across the road from the house. We had a lovely walk around the lough to Murlough House and back before we left to go home.
After our stay I asked Wendy a few questions about herself and her new Airbnb, read more below…..
Hey Wendy tell us a little bit about yourselves and the story behind your Airbnb.
My husband and I are both Irish and have lived most of our lives in Switzerland. We discovered this area about thirty years ago through good friends who live here and we fell in love with the place. We bought a property in the village 13 years ago as a holiday home and 3 years ago we made it our “forever” home. We both grew up by the sea and had a longing to return to it.
What inspired you to start an Airbnb?
We have always enjoyed hosting friends and family in our own home and helping them to discover all that the area has to offer. Having the Airbnb is an extension of what we are already doing. We appreciate being part of this village community.
If you could sum up the style / feel of your Airbnb in 3 words, what would they be?
Charming, cozy and inviting.
What do you love most about your accommodation?
We love that it is a beautiful period house with so much character.
For guests coming to stay, where would you recommend as good places to visit nearby?
There is so much to see and do in this area. In walking distance from the house we have Dundrum Castle ( built in 1117) which has fantastic views of the Mourne mountains and Dundrum Bay. There is also Murlough Nature Reserve, which has an amazing beach with the Mountains of Mourne as a backdrop. We are blessed with stunning scenery and plenty of places to eat delicious food.
list of places to go nearby
Food
Scopers
Mourne Seafood Bar
Dundrum Inn
Tonn Ruray
Bay Side Catch
RuMac's Pizza
The Buck’s Head Inn
The Squid Shack
Walks and Attractions
Dundrum Castle
Murlough House
Murlough Nature Reserve
Dundrum Coastal Path
Seaford Woodland Walk
Hayley Harrison - Madison Media
A relaxed business portrait session with Hayley Harrison, a social media manager based in Belfast, Northern Ireland
Last March I had a very relaxed portrait shoot with Hayley who needed some business headshots taken. Hayley is a social media manager so does most of her work at home. It was lovely to capture her in her own space where we made use of some great and well lit spaces. This shoot is a very good example of how shoots like this don’t have be a nerve wracking experience. We got some great results and I am super happy with the outcome of the shoot.
Little Woodbank
Take a look inside this beautiful Airbnb in Portadown.
Woodbank is a beautiful 325 year old home in Portadown. It is owned by Zara and her young family who live in the front of the house, while the back of the home has been made into a unique holiday rental called Little Woodbank.
Little Woodbank is a 4 bedroom home with luxury living and dining spaces. A perfect spot for a family getaway or a stay with friends. I spent a lovely morning capturing all the little details and rooms, the natural light that floods into this home is stunning.
This is an excellent location for photoshoots. If you are interesting in hiring it for professional use, contact Zara here
Woodbank - The Main House
Helen Clark - Meditation Teacher & Mindfulness Coach
Meet Helen, a Meditation Teacher & Mindfulness Coach based in Killinchy, Northern Ireland.
Last week I had the pleasure of visiting Helen, a Meditation Teacher and Mindfulness Coach based in Killinchy, Northern Ireland. She welcomed me into her home where she holds her group and one to one meditation classes. I spent the morning with Helen taking some portraits and chatting about what she does and why.
I must admit that my knowledge of meditation was very small so I was really interested in learning more about her skills and how she helps others.
After our shoot I asked Helen a few questions about her work and what inspired her to start her business. Read more below.
Hello Helen, Can you start by telling me a little bit about yourself and your journey to becoming a Meditation Teacher?
I’m a Chopra Certified Meditation Teacher, based in Balloo, Killinchy Co Down, and a former Senior Civil Servant who worked in London specialising in behaviour change communications (campaigns like drink drive).
I’m passionate about helping people to integrate a self-care practice into their day to support their lifestyle, starting with, but not limited to mindfulness and meditation, while also helping them to manage stress.
I also teach Primordial Sound Meditation (PSM) which is a healing practice that allows us to experience inner calm and deep relaxation, which benefits our emotional and physical health.
Like everyone I’m dealing with stress every day, and it comes in all shapes and sizes -some stress can be good, but a lot of stress is bad for you, your health and those around you.
I spend as much time outdoors as I can for the sheer love of it and because I find connecting with nature so powerful and healing. I take inspiration from nature and the seasons and it’s one of the reasons we moved to Balloo - we’re surrounded by the countryside on the banks of the River Blackwater, and it’s teeming with wildlife from badgers to woodpeckers. It’s also just a few minutes away from Strangford Lough and all with an easy 25 minute drive to Belfast.
The benefits of meditating became even more apparent to me last year when I had major surgery. Apart from medical appointments I was largely housebound for several months and had to learn to walk again. My world suddenly became very ‘narrow’ and being able to meditate really helped me navigate all the ups and downs of my rehab.
For someone new attending one of your classes what would you tell them to expect?
While meditation is very easy when you’re taught how to do it, everyone is unique which is why I offer a range of sessions.
You can dip your toes in with a guided meditation where I coach people through the session so they get the best of out their practice regardless of their level of experience (group on a Monday evening or 1-2-1s) or you can dive right in and learn to meditate through a four class programme.
I also deliver guided meditations to businesses and the corporate world.
Was there something that inspired or encouraged you to become a Meditation Teacher?
When I first moved back to NI six years ago, I was still weekly commuting to London, but I began to make more time to develop a self-care practice that worked for me. It started with sea swimming and then a friend suggested that I try meditation. Anyone who knew me then would have though this was hilarious as I was full of energy and ideas and the idea of sitting quietly didn’t seem like a good fit for me!
However, a 21 day meditation challenge popped up on my social feed with Deepak Chopra and Oprah Winfrey. I gave it a go and was hooked. I loved the sense of peace, the time for self-reflection and the opportunity to develop greater self-awareness, so I continued beyond the 21 day challenge, simply meditating every morning for 10 minutes, instead of hitting the snooze button and my daily meditation practice built from that. The benefits of meditation to release stress, improve sleep, increase focus and creativity etc are well documented and I wish I’d started practicing it regularly much earlier in my life so I want to share meditation, mindfulness and all the benefits.
A lot of people worry that they won’t be able to meditate and ‘quieten their mind’ but like anything it can take a bit of practice, and it becomes easier if you’re taught correctly.
I’ve found meditation hugely beneficial, and it really is ‘doing less to gain more’ and that’s why I worked towards a professional qualification to make sure I had much more knowledge and insight to share with others.
Is there a particular part of your job that you love the most?
The feedback so far has been humbling and it’s lovely to see people go on their own journey and enjoy the benefits of meditation. I love the whole process of sharing meditation from research and writing (I started out as a journalist) through to coaching and teaching.
Do you have a certain clientele or are your classes open to everyone?
Meditation is open to everyone.
What advice would you give someone who is interested in becoming a Meditation Teacher?
Follow your heart and do your research to find the best teachers you can. I’d been meditating for a few years before I started my teacher training. My training took a year and was very thorough with inspirational teachers including Deepak Chopra, Devi Brown and Roger Gabriel. It culminated in assessments through teacher practice with a variety of students, an exam and three presentations. I’m now part of the Chopra global alumni which means I continue to learn and can access guidance from the teacher support team.
What hopes and goals do you would you like to achieve for your business in the year ahead?
I hope to share meditation with more people and I’ll also be offering Mini Mindfulness sessions to children aged 4 to 11 from early next year to provide them with some tools to help navigate their day and set them up for success. (It’s a requirement that a parent or guardian also attends each session to watch or join in so they can support their child at home).
Thank you to Helen for taking the time to answer a few questions about her business. If you are interested in speaking to Helen or in taking one of her classes get in touch here via her Instagram.
Slieve Croob Farm
Slieve Croob Farm Glamping is a beautiful cabin hidden in the Mountains, surrounded by breathtaking views.
Last week I had the pleasure of staying at Slieve Croob Farm. A few months ago Catherine booked my Airbnb Experience package which includes one night stay, 100 High Quality photos, some content for her Instagram and a blog feature about my stay.
From the moment we arrived we stopped to take in the incredible view, luckily it was a beautiful day, the skies were clear and the mountains around us were crisp. The Mournes poking up over the hills was definitely a highlight for me. It’s a view I could have looked at all day.
For a little cabin this place is full of personality. The interiors are unexpectedly bright and airy. With a double bed, kitchen and shower room, it really has all you need to enjoy a few nights away, whether that’s solo or with a friend or partner. The pops of colour on the kitchen tiles along with the bar stools and wall décor has you taking in every detail.
After capturing the inside, it was time to heat the wood fired hot tub before the sunset to take a few photos and also try it out myself. I can honestly say that sitting in the hot tub surrounded by beautiful irish mountains, a slight breeze in the air and a stunning sunset, it is definitely an experience I wont forget.
I love the sustainable aspect to the hot tub as it isn’t something you see very often, that is another great detail about Slieve Croob - its attention to sustainability and local produce. I love when a local Airbnb highlights and supports local makers and it’s another thing I love to capture
This place is fully equipped to cook your own meals with an oven, cooker and fridge provided, there are also shops close by in Dromora and a few take away options to choose from. Catherine had us stocked with some delicious goodies from The Mallow Makers and Mourne Brownies, they were thoroughly enjoyed. After the beautiful sunset it was marshmallow time, with a lovely spot to sit out the front beside the fire pit, we made some hot chocolate and enjoyed the rest of the evening.
In the morning we enjoyed the croissants, tea and orange juice that were left for us and we headed down the road to Newcastle for some coffee at Birch Coffee and a little walk around the town.
After my stay I was able to ask Catherine some questions about her Airbnb and how it all started. Read more below...
Hey Catherine, Tell us a little bit about yourselves and the story behind Slieve Croob.
Slieve Croob Mountain is an area of outstanding natural beauty and we wanted to share some of our surrounding area with guests.
What inspired you to start an Airbnb?
After our second daughter was born I wanted to work from home more so we decided after staying in a few other lovely Airbnb’s we would create our own and it would hopefully be as new a way of getting an income and being able to work from home.
If you could sum up the style/ feel of your Airbnb in 3 words, what would they be?
Quirky, cosy and different.
What do you love most about your accommodation?
There are so many details that I love about the space that we have created but I think the thing I love the most is that our location is so isolated and rural, nothing in the mountain but the hut and nature.
Have you any advice for those wanting to start their own small Airbnb?
Make it different, and something you love.
For guests coming to stay at Slieve Croob, where would you recommend as good places to visit nearby?
There are so many beautiful places around us to visit, if you have the time I would recommend walking up Slieve Croob for the views. Castlewellan Forest Park is about a 20 min drive. We love the Maghera Inn for food if you are looking to eat out somewhere during your stay.
If you are looking for an isolated little spot to stay for a few nights, I would highly recommend Slieve Croob, As Catherine describes… you are surrounded by nothing but mountains and nature. If you can see yourself sitting in a very relaxing wood fired hot tub, with a drink in your hand, taking in that view then get booking. You wont regret it.
You can book your stay here
Follow Slieve Croob Farm Glamping on Intsagram
Slemish Hideaway
I look inside my stay at Slemish Hideaway, a cabin getaway at the foot of Slemish Mountain.
I was delighted to be asked to stay and capture Slemish Hideaway. An Airbnb at the foot of Slemish Mountain. Adele booked the Airbnb experience package which includes a One night stay where I document my stay and what I got up to while I was there.
As I drove up the lane to this unique stay, I was struck by the incredible view of Slemish Mountain. I had never quite seen it like this and it really caught me off guard, that alone is a reason to book your stay.
When we arrived the weather was as expected for Northern Ireland in early February…. cold! but as we stepped into our cabin we were greeted with warmth and we were able to sit, enjoy an afternoon tea provided and take in that beautiful scenery.
When we warmed up, we stepped outside again to capture our surroundings and take in all the details that Adele has added to these lovely cabins.
Each one has its own luxury hot tub which we were lucky enough to enjoy as the sun set. In between the two hot tubs sits what I think is the most eye catching thing of this whole place… the sauna. There’s something pretty great about stepping out of a very relaxing hot tub in to the cold weather and into your own personal sauna, and to level it up you get to experience that view even more.
Once the sun had set we headed to Broughshane, around a 10 minute drive from Slemish Hideaway to get some dinner. There are a few places to choose from in this little town but we settled for some good old pub grub at Thatchers inn. It was delicious and the staff were really friendly.
We finished our stay the morning after with another dip in the hot tub and then headed to Ballymena, 15 mins from Slemish Hideaway to get a morning coffee and bun at Middletown.
There are so many great places to visit around Slemish Hideaway which makes its attraction that much more popular. With towns such as Carnlough, Broughshane and Ballymena within driving distance you have plenty of options for outings.
You can book your stay at Slemish Hideaway here
A Guide to 24 Hours in Dublin
A Native Ivy 24 Hour shopping, coffee & food guide to Dublin, Ireland.
Every so often I get the chance to spend a little time in Dublin. As someone who lives just outside Belfast, I love to hop on the train and enjoy that peaceful journey to the City. Last month a spent a quick 24 hours there and packed it full, visiting some of my favourite local shops.
My First shop to begin my time in Dublin is always Barn - A beautiful children’s store full of unique and thoughtful toys, books & clothes. If there was ever a dream shop that I could buy all of my daughters belongings in… it would be this one! I cannot resist buying a little something every time I am in. I visited just before Christmas and ended buying so many lovely gifts there.
One great thing about taking a quick trip to Dublin is that 3 of my favourite shops are all a very very short walking distance from each other. Next on the list is the gorgeous Irish Design Shop. If anyone knows me well, you know that I cannot resist a shop that stocks and supports local businesses. The Irish Design shop is that and so much more. As you walk in you are welcomed with a very delightful smell and a Centre table filled with lots of local products. On their second floor they have another space to showcase their own jewellery and some unique ceramics. Its a really beautiful experience and a shop I would recommend over and over.
Out of one beautiful shop and about 3 steps down I walk into another… Industry & Co. In this shop you get an even greater experience as they have their own sweet little coffee hatch right next door. You know a place is popular when the queue is out the door and the seating area on the street in front is packed. Industry & Co is a beautiful shop stocking a wide selection of unique products by independent makers. It is a great shop for gifts…again I stopped here just before Christmas and bought a handful of really unique gifts for friends.
You know yourself after a big day of shopping you are ready for a sit down and some good food. On this trip I went to Chimac - A Korean chicken restaurant. I love a chicken burger but these were next level, probably the best fried chicken I have ever eaten, the flavour and texture were unreal and left me feeling very satisfied. If you are looking for a quick, reasonable priced meal that is full of flavour then I definitely recommend Chimac.
(Vegan & Veggie options also available)
After a big feed I walked my last shop on the list…Scout - A unique design & apparel store. I loved seeing some familiar products in this shop such as Clean Slate.. who’s candles I have loved for a long time. I really love the style of this shop from the black and white checkered floor to the range of very well designed products and clothes.
With a little bit of time before our dinner reservation we decided to check into our hotel. This trip we stayed at Staycity Aparthotel in Tivoli. I have stayed with Staycity before and really enjoyed it. This time was no different, the staff are so friendly and cater to your every need. They have an early check in option which I did the day before and they have an express checkout which I find really useful.
For dinner we went to a sweet pizza spot just beside Vicar Street called The Lab. They make amazing sourdough pizzas, you cant beat some pizza and wine or beer especially when both are so delicious. The staff were super friendly and you could tell how popular with the queue outside on our way out.
After a great night stay in Staycity we headed back over the bridge to Copper & Straw for a morning coffee. From the outside I knew this was going to be up our street. The coffee was great and so was the morning bun. It was a Monday morning and I got the vibe that this is a popular spot for some peoples morning commute and a great space to sit and catch up on emails.
With a short hour left it was time to make our way back to the train… I obviously couldn’t resist popping into Bread 41.. It was on mt route back to Connelly Station so it had to be done. Of course the queue was long but its always worth the wait. I thoroughly enjoyed my croissant on the train journey back to Belfast after a really fun 24 hours in Dublin
There you have it…A guide to a quick 24 hours in Dublin City by Native Ivy. Thanks for reading.
Click the button below to see my 24 Hours in Dublin reel on Instagram.
The Studio Helens Bay
Have a closer look at this unique new Airbnb in the quant little town of Helens Bay, Co. Down…
A few months ago I was invited to a beautiful new Airbnb in the quaint little town of Helen’s Bay. This unique holiday rental is located just a short walk from the delightful coastal path and sits beside the owner, Sara’s house. What once was the annex of their family home has now been converted into a delightful Airbnb, perfect for a solo trip or for a new family. Sara has a great eye for detail with her design background. Her house is full of character and charisma which has followed through into the Airbnb. Read more below about how Sara and her family began their Airbnb journey.
Tell us a little bit about yourselves and the story behind The Studio Helen’s Bay
My husband and I recently returned to live in Northern Ireland after almost twenty years working in London. With careers in fashion design and marketing, we would often joke that one day we would leave it all behind to run a bed and breakfast in Ireland.
And then one day it happened!
What inspired you to start an Airbnb?
Just prior to Covid hitting, and following the birth of our second child, we decided to swap West London for Helen’s Bay and the slower pace of life it offers our young family.
Enthusiastic about rediscovering the North Down coast, we are keen to share the place we love with visitors to our fledgling Airbnb.
The Studio is set in the grounds of our own home and takes its name from its use as a functioning design studio. When not occupied as an Airbnb, the large limed wood table in the living area is a perfect work space for to work from. Airy and peaceful, it really encourages relaxed, creative thinking.
I love the minimal style of your Airbnb, was there any interior inspiration behind the styling of it?
We have used a lot of salvaged and upcycled furniture, heavily influenced by interior stylists Mark and Sally Bailey and their ability to mix old with new.
Above all, sustainability was a key consideration from the repurposed furniture, to the solar powered skylight fittings, even carrying through to the zero waste toiletries sourced locally at Without Waste, Holywood.
The Studio is a space to champion local design and we have used its walls to showcase local art with pieces by Ruth Osborne, bespoke paintings and hand crafted wreaths from locally gathered willow.
Do you have a favourite detail in your Airbnb?
Our favourite feature in the Studio has to be the double height white washed vaulted ceiling in the open plan living space. With multiple sky lights and double doors opening on the leafy private garden, the light bright space feels like a little oasis of calm.
Have you any advice for those wanting to start their own small Airbnb?
What we hadn’t appreciated when we started out our plan is that all Airbnbs in Northern Ireland must be Tourist board accredited. We found the people at Discover NI hugely supportive and informative when starting out for the first time.
For guests coming to stay at The Studio, where would you recommend as good places to visit nearby?
The Studio is perfectly located just by The North Down coastal path and Crawfordsburn Country Park.
Helens Bay Organic Farm Shop is a beautiful spot to drop into and pick up a few local ingredients during your stay. Restaurants like Frae and Lynchpin in Holywood are on our recommendation list for visitors. Slightly Further afield, a day trip along the banks of Strangford Lough with a stop off In the village of Greyabbey with its pretty antiques shops and a visit to National Trust property Mount Stewart makes for a perfect day.
Thank you to Sara for taking the time to answer some questions about her Airbnb and for inviting me to capture it.
You can keep up to date with all that is happening at The Studio via their Instagram.
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