Dublin: Corporate Sprint, Sauna Recovery

In the corporate world, two weeks' notice for an international trip is basically "drop everything." For me, it meant having to hastily shave a couple of days off a cold-water diving trip up in Campbell River, pack a bag, and suddenly find myself at a desk in Ireland. The mission in Dublin was clear, and we absolutely delivered on our objectives - which is a very corporate way of saying the work itself was rewarding, but completely exhausting. What actually made those grueling hours survivable wasn't the project milestones, though. It was the company - spending almost all my time with my coworker Bruno - and our highly strategic, very dedicated approach to off-the-clock refueling.

Trip Overview

Our coping mechanisms were simple: good food, a few saunas, and one truly epic Sunday. Staying near Ballsbridge made office days practical, and reconnecting with coworkers I usually only see on a screen was genuinely great. After relentless work weeks, evening escapes for duck wings at One Ballsbridge and truly excellent pizza at Paulie's (good enough to go twice) made all the difference. Even transit felt restorative this time. Flying through Amsterdam was easy, with spring tulips in full bloom and smooth airport flow all the way through.

Most Memorable Moments

Re-Sunnying the Sea Sauna

A major highlight was reclaiming a sea sauna day in Portrane. On my last Dublin trip, the same coastal area was beautiful but stormy and chaotic. This time we got sunlight, spectacular scenery, and a fantastic sauna session right by the water, followed by a restorative beachside lunch. Exactly the reset we needed.

The Art of Stillgarden Gin

Bruno and I did a make-your-own gin experience at Stillgarden Distillery, choosing from a huge wall of ingredients and building a totally custom blend. Distilling our own bottle and walking out with it was an absolute blast.

The Legendary Paulie's Pizza

There is a reason this place gets featured status: it was incredible. After long work days, Paulie's became the perfect comfort meal, and we were so impressed we ordered it again later in the same week.

The Great Kebab Discovery

Every work trip needs one random, spectacular food find. For us, it was an excellent doner kebab from Chiya, discovered in the middle of the workday rush. Simple, satisfying, and exactly right.

Irish Spice Bag Wisdom

I finally tried my first Irish spice bag, and it absolutely delivered. Chips, chicken, and spice in one chaotic takeaway masterpiece is a very solid choice.

Logistics & Practical Information

ACCOMMODATION

InterContinental Dublin (Ballsbridge): Great location near the Dublin office and easy to navigate, but for the price, it still has a lot of work to do before it feels truly worth it.

TRANSPORTATION

Outbound: Flew to Dublin through Amsterdam, with smooth airport connections and spring tulip views.

Return: An overnight cancellation forced a reroute, so I ended up coming home through Amsterdam again before getting back to Seattle.

NOTABLE FOOD

Paulie's Pizza: Legendary. Worth repeat visits.
One Ballsbridge: Fantastic food, including excellent duck wings.
Chiya: Unexpectedly excellent doner kebab.
O'Neill's: Classic Dublin pub vibe for a comforting Guinness.

ACTIVITIES

Portrane sea sauna: The best de-stress block of the trip, with coastal views and a proper reset.
Stillgarden Distillery: Hands-on custom gin blending and distilling experience.

Reflections & Final Thoughts

And then, just like that, it was a 6 a.m. departure. Thursday was a blur of flights through Amsterdam and back to Seattle. It feels great to be home. The objectives were clear, the execution was rewarding, and I am definitely drained. Worth it, though. For sure.