Weekender

Brian Dowling Back Home

I live in London, but as I get older, I find myself spending more time back in Ireland.

If I was home for the weekend, I would stay in my mum’s in Rathangan on the Friday night. We’d get a takeaway, and then go to one of my sisters’ houses, for tea and cake. I’m good when I’m in London, but, back home, I throw caution to the wind.

On Saturday, my three young nieces — they’re all six years old — love playing ‘hairdressers and beauticians’ with me.

This involves me lying on the sofa as they take turns doing my hair and giving me hand massages. I must then decide the winner. They are so crazy.

I love to hang out with my friends on a Saturday night.

I’d go to Dublin and stay in the Radisson Blu on Golden Lane, or the Clayton on Burlington Road. For me, the best part of a night out is everyone getting ready together. This is where you can pop open a bottle of fizz and have a good catch-up.

I love Peruke & Periwig for dinner;

it’s so cosy and chic, and the cocktails are on point too. Then it would be House or 37 Dawson Street; both are great for music and atmosphere.

I love a lazy Sunday morning that involves tea and some telly in bed

and, of course, a good look at Snapchat and Insta stories from the night before. I love wearing comfy clothes on a Sunday, and especially for brunch. I much prefer brunch to breakfast, and Avoca is ideal for both food and a bit of Dublin shopping. Brian is improving his smile with Dental Options, Clane, Co Kildare, where Digital Smile Design lets you experience the result before the work begins. See dentaloptions.ie In conversation with Sarah Caden