The Luck of the Irish

I’m just back from an extended stay in Dublin. I was scheduled to be there for a two-day site inspection. I ended up there for nine days. The Eyjafjallajökull volcanic ash was responsible. Who knew an unpronounceable volcano tucked away in Iceland could have such an impact?

I was certainly looking forward to the Ireland visit. I just like to travel on my own terms. I’m a planner both professionally and by nature, so I need my lists, my agendas, my timelines. However, there was no chance of that happening this trip.

After the third day of spending hours on the phone trying to reschedule flights and make alternate plans, it finally sunk in that there really are some things that you just can’t control. So, instead of relentlessly trying to determine how to get OUT of Dublin, I decided it was time to just get IN to Dublin.

Granted, I was due in Shanghai for another site inspection. And then Raleigh for an afternoon of presentations -both of which I have to reschedule- but the time I was essentially forced to take in Dublin was invaluable.

Primarily because I got to spend that time with my clients. Not just running around looking at venues, but time just being together. Developing a solid program requires time. Time to see a lot of different options. Time to really beat up all the choices. Time to simply talk to your clients about what matters to them. The volcano gave me the gift of time I didn’t realize I needed.

Unlike many travelers, I was fortunate. I was with people I like. I was staying at The Merrion hotel. And it was sunny. In Ireland!

The staff at The Merrion took great care of us — and most of them knew me by name on day two. Tommy, the doorman always had a smile (and a twinkle in his eye) and Sean, the concierge, is the most patient person I’ve ever met. He knows every great restaurant from casual to fancy and doesn’t mind when you ask the same questions over and over again.

Dublin is a great city. It’s walkable, friendly and a fine mix of charming and gritty. No one says “Top of the Mornin” but you can have a Guinness at the local pub (FOLEY’S was our pub of choice), enjoy fantastic fish and chips (check out THE CELLAR BAR) and shop till you drop (GRAFTON and HENRY STREETS among others).

The city has wonderful venues (which I can personally attest to as I’ve now seen most of them) and is a terrific option for a global meeting or incentive trip. The new convention center is a gem and the airport is just a short ride to the heart of town. And, if you find yourself there with clients who care about the success of their program as much as my clients do, then you really have found the luck of the Irish.

Life is a series of events and sometimes you just have to tear up the list and go whichever way the wind blows. In my case it just happened to be the direction of volcanic ash…