Festive flavours
At Christmas, however, Dublin’s grand dame really comes into its own. Standing beneath the wiry winter branches of Stephen’s Green, I take a moment to admire the elegant old Georgian facade before crossing the road, catching the doorman’s nod, and pushing the brass handle of its old revolving door.
Inside, I’ve arranged to meet a colleague, PF, for Christmas lunch. There’s a real festive fizzle to the hotel. Well-heeled guests are laden with shopping bags, a photo shoot is underway for a glossy magazine, and Johnny Sexton is chatting on his mobile in the Lord Mayor’s lounge. In the No 27 Bar, Christmas cocktails are doing a Thursday trade that might just save the euro.
