The Clayton Club sandwiches from B Bar inside The Clayton Hotel

After taking the train back to Dublin, I felt famished but was genuinely too lazy to go back out. So, I ended up having dinner right inside my hotel at B Bar, the restaurant in The Clayton Hotel.

I wasn't really sure what to order, so I settled on The Clayton Club sandwich.

The Clayton Club from B Bar inside The Clayton Hotel
Grilled chicken, smoked streaky bacon, fried egg, iceberg lettuce, plum tomato, Swiss cheese and tarragon mayo. Served on a multi-grain sourdough roll.

It was served on a toasted multi-grain sourdough roll and was stacked with juicy and tender grilled chicken, crispy smoked streaky bacon, a fried egg, fresh iceberg lettuce, plum tomato, Swiss cheese, and tarragon mayo. It was both satisfying and delicious.

What a great dinner to cap off a beautifully blessed day!

Signature Dark Hot Chocolate from Butlers Chocolate Café

After a wonderful time in the Cork office, where we enjoyed barmbrack and sipped tea, a colleague and I decided to stop for hot chocolates at the Irish classic, Butlers Chocolate Café.

Signature Dark Hot Chocolate from Butlers Chocolate Café

We continued chatting about work, leadership, and career. It's nice to chat with someone smart.

Spiced Beef Sandwich from The Oliver Plunkett

Happy Thursday! I’m officially counting today as Day 1 of my vacation, with yesterday feeling more like "Day 0." Since my hubby is attending his conference all day, I decided to take the train to Cork, where my company has an office. It was a great excuse to meet the team and join their weekly team lunch!

I specifically requested a Spiced Beef Sandwich — after all, Gemini said it was the one thing I had to try in Cork!

Spiced Beef Sandwich from The Oliver Plunkett 

The team decided to bring me to the historic and touristy pub, The Oliver Plunkett, which, thankfully, seems to serve the Spiced Beef Sandwich year-round.

The sandwich itself is reminiscent of a Reuben, but it’s surprisingly lean, without being overly salty or fatty. I thoroughly enjoyed it! It tasted like a proper deli sandwich, and I loved that it didn't feel processed or overly dressed. It was the perfect Cork welcome.

Dublin Coddle from The Hairy Lemon

Happy Wednesday! We arrived safely at Dublin International Airport, quickly went through passport security, grabbed our bags, and were just preparing to walk to the bus area for our hotel when, much to my surprise, a car was waiting to pick us up. It seems my husband's conference had organized airport transport—what a huge help! We checked in, freshened up, and I took a much-needed nap while my husband went out to meet some friends.

After about an hour’s nap, I decided to have a late lunch or early dinner at The Hairy Lemon. My very first meal in Ireland? A Dublin Coddle. One colleague had suggested it, while another Irish colleague made a face when I mentioned I was going to try it.

Dublin Coddle from The Hairy Lemon

I absolutely loved it. It’s a warm, hearty stew traditionally filled with tender sausage, savory bacon, and potatoes. The long, slow cooking process resulted in a rich, slightly thick broth where the potatoes are soft and creamy, and the onions have nearly melted into the base. The thyme and other seasonings gave the dish a wonderfully earthy aroma and savory depth. It warmed my tummy after the long flight, making me one very happy traveler.