Ciara hosts mouthwatering vintage tea parties on a fully restored vintage Routemaster. As you indulge in a delicious afternoon tea spread of freshly made sandwiches, warm fruit scones and cakes, you will be exploring Dublin's best sites and learning about the city.
Want to travel in style and experience a real Irish afternoon tea? Ciara has you covered.
Tell us about your journey as an eatwith host and what inspired you to start hosting?
We love hosting on board our vintage bus. We wanted to bring afternoon tea the Irish way to more guests. Hosting guests is something we Irish do so well. It's a different kind of hosting where the guest becomes part of the family and feels like they've made a friend for life. We wanted more people to experience this and so eatwith was the perfect opportunity.
What does hospitality mean to you?
For us hospitality is making everyone feel welcome and special. The kettle is always on for tea, yes even in summer! And there's always a bite to eat. For us we don't stand on ceremony for our guests instead we like to have what we Irish call "the craic". We have fun, share stories and of course indulge in afternoon tea delicacies. It's why we call our experience afternoon tea the Irish way - because it's very different to your typical afternoon tea that you might have done before.
Favorite thing to eat in Dublin?
In our humble opinion the trusty scone is one of our favourite summer dishes. With a dollop of cold fresh cream and in season Irish jam on top it really can't be bet! Pair it with a cup of Barry's Breakfast Tea while sitting in the sun - absolute heaven!
Do you have any hosting memories that really stand out?
Last summer we were honoured to host Mairin Hughes 109th birthday. The sun was shining and we took her and her friends from Maryfield Nursing Home on a jaunt through Dublin's Phoenix Park. We love storytelling and sharing our favourite stories of Dublin but this time she took over and hearing her life story and listening to her advice was a moment none of us will forget. While in the park we got off the bus for some photos and a group of German Tourists sang her happy birthday.
What tips do you have for visiting Dublin, especially during summer?
Dublin is an incredible city and can be widely accessible on foot so I would recommend walking if able to do so and taking in the streets particularly Drury St, Wicklow St and South William St. Fantastic Irish shops (away from the tourist souvenirs), beautiful cafes and there's always a brilliant vibe. I'd also recommend heading out to one of our coastal towns North or South of the city where we have delicious seafood, beautiful swimming spots and scenic hikes. My favourite spots for a dip in the Irish Sea would be 40Foot or Vico - followed by a 99 ice cream at Teddys!
In Ireland we have long summer evenings and so taking in the city is always so beautiful and there's always such a buzz around town. Ask anyone, there is no better place in the world than Dublin in the sun.
What do you think are the best things to do in Dublin?
I'd recommend getting up early and exploring Dublin by foot with an iced coffee from Kaph. Then taking the dart to the coastal town of Howth in North Dublin and doing a beautiful hike followed by delicious seafood in King Sitric or fish and chips on the pier. Then catching the dart back for a stroll around Stephen's Green, listening to the buskers on Grafton Street and then delicious tapas at Tapas de Lola. If it's sunny their outdoor area is beautiful and great for people watching! After that a pint of Guinness outside Grogans. A day well spent!
The best way to experience Dublin is to meet locals and eat local food. Check out Ciara's delicious teas and other experiences in Dublin and beyond on the eatwith website.
