When I moved over, I had a list of 3 artists that I would see if they ever came to the UK - rain, hail, or shine. Those were - Goo Goo Dolls, Ed Sheeran, and EMINEM. So it was a no-brainer when I saw that Eminem was performing at Slane Castle in Dublin (I know, not the UK - but close enough!)
I flew out on the Saturday morning and arrived in the Temple Bar area (at my hostel) at like midday. I couldn't check-in til 2, so went up to the common area and had a nap. Nek minnit - in walks Anna (a fellow Aussie, and now - new friend), and I discover she's just done the same trip (mind you, she did the bus/ferry/train/bus option - some 15 hours instead of the quick flight I'd done). She was also solo, so we teamed up (were actually in the same hostel room). We got ready, and jumped on one of the shuttle busses to Slane Castle - actually not all that close to Dublin). Were dropped off about 3km from the actual castle, walked through the mud (it was raining), bought our Poncho's, and took it all in. The site was incredible. Imagine a massive ampitheatre without the stairs, with a Castle at the bottom and a stage in front of the castle. We were all staggered up the hill, waiting.. Eminem came on at 9pm, and did about 2 hours of mash-ups from Slim Shady LP through to Relapse/Recovery. I hardly drank, but enjoyed every second if it. That man is a genius, and I'd have flown almost anywhere to see him. Definitely worth the trip, and definitely glad I ticked that one off the list.
The next day my flight was in the afternoon. Ciara (the Irish chic I met in Madrid earlier in the year) was visiting family about 1 hour out of Dublin - so she caught a train in and met me for coffee & cake. Such a gem for making the trip.
A quick fly in & out visit to Dublin, to see my favourite white-boy.
✌
