Retro Roadmap World Edition – Ireland

I had totally planned on being “off the grid” as far as Retro Roadmap goes when we spent a week in Ireland, but I could not help but gravitate towards the Vintage Aesthetic I Love So Much as we traveresed the green countryside.

That being said, if you factor in that we had done NO research and almost NO time on our own to discover stuff, here’s but the tip of the iceberg of Retro Roadmap related places we saw while on our all too short tour of the Emerald Isle.

Dublin – “Eddie Rockets”

While I didn’t see any legitimage free standing diners I could not help but notice Johnny Rockets’ Irish brother Eddie had cornered the market on the American looking diner / malt shop look in many of the bigger cities we visited. Retro, but not vintage – it’s interesting to see the American look and how it is represented. Much like “Irish” pubs in the US.

Speaking of pubs, I was glad we had the excuse to have a pint at the Mercantile Hotel Bar in Dublin (when our pals’ band Barleyjuice played) as I was smitten with the swanky old school interior:

Oh, and how could I forget our first full Irish Breakfast at Bewley’s on Grafton Street? Love those leaded stained glass windows and high backed booths.

And while we’re still in Dublin – don’t forget the Why Go Bald neon sign!

Cork - The Turquoise Flamingo
 We walked past The Turquoise Flamingo a number of times to and from our hotel, but the fact that we were on a bus tour meant we didn’t have much time to explore some of the cities we were staying in. Cork is one that I definitely would have liked to spend more time in, not only to see what Irish Vintage Clothing and Housewares might look like, but to also visit the famed Cork English Market.

I also would’ve loved to roam around and snap photos like this shot I got from our moving bus, of the Savoy Theatre in Cork. Though I do admit I liked the vantage point and anonymity of shooting from the bus!

I did get my “vintage cruise ship” jones satisfied with a wonderful exibit at the Cobh Heritage Center, which is the location where the ill fated Titanic sailed from before the horrific sinking.

And while I din’t purchase anything I did see evidence of the vintage clothing success of the aptly named Retro shop in the George’s Street Arcade in Dublin, and had a lovely chat with shop owner John Coughlan at The Edge at the Milk Market in Limerick. I’m sure if we had had time we would’ve discovered some vintage gems in Galway, too. Next time for sure!

And finally, after a week of blood pudding, irish bacon and Guinness and crisps, it was too funny that the good ol USA was represented in the airport shop by jars of marshmallow Fluff:

This familiar sight (celebrated annually at Fluff Fest in Somerville, MA – holla!) the patriotic label and completly non nutritious contents helped us transition our minds back towards more American things, like home for example.

Interested in seeing some more of the regular Irish sights we saw and sites we visited? Here’s a link to my snapshots – a virtual slide show!