Is it a bird, is it a plane… no it’s an Irish plane Iolar where the Aer Lingus eagle dares again.
Should you have been out for a stroll around Bristol in the West Country of England on May 27, 1936 then you’d have been in for a shock.
When a Havilland DH.84 Dragon, or Iolar or Irish eagle in Gaelic parlance, flew over your head.
If you’re still around today of course, you won’t bat an eyelid at metal birds flying over your heads.
But sometimes it does no harm to turn the clock back.
And that’s what Aer Lingus has done, flying the EI-ABIIolar from Dublin to Bristol as part of its 90th anniversary celebrations.
The craic was 90
Green for go: Aer Lingus cabin crew members Laura Stapleton and Nicola Crimmins. Picture: Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland
Back in 1936, Aer Lingus was a fledgling airline with one aircraft, one route, five passengers, driven by an ambition to connect Ireland to the world.
Since then, the airline has flown everyone from Popes to Presidents, proudly providing an enduring connection between Ireland, the UK, Europe and North America.
Aer Lingus’ de Havilland DH.84 Dragon, EI-ABIIolar, is one of the last remaining aircrafts of its type and represents Ireland’s rich and storied aviation history.
As Aer Lingus’ first aircraft, EI-ABI Iolaroperated for two years with the newly-formed Irish airline, before it was sold and later lost during World War II.
Today’s Iolaris, a sister aircraft to the original, which was welcomed into the Aer Lingus fleet in the 1960s.
It was first restored for the airline’s 50th anniversary in 1986. Now re-registered as EI-ABI, Iolar remains an enduring symbol of Aer Lingus’ heritage.
The Irish Volunteers
Landed: Laura and Nicola emerge from EI-ABI, Iolar. Picture: Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland
Iolar had been proudly on display in Aer Lingus’ maintenance headquarters at Dublin Airport in recent years.
With preparations to return the aircraft to its former glory commencing ahead of Aer Lingus’ 90th anniversary.
The four‑month restoration, carried out by Midland Aviation at Abbeyshrule Aerodrome in County Longford, was supported by a dedicated group of Aer Lingus volunteers.
The skilled team combined archival research, engineering expertise and traditional craftsmanship to restore the aircraft.
‘While preserving its structural integrity and historical authenticity.
The restoration work included maintenance and certification checks, including full top overhauls of both engines and careful cosmetic restoration of the airframe.
With the skills of one of Ireland’s last aviation carpenters playing a vital role in preserving the aircraft’s authenticity.
Around the world with Aer Lingus
Flying Aer Lingus: My go-to Transatlantic carrier
Lynne Embleton, Aer Lingus Chief Executive Officer, said: ‘I am incredibly proud of the dedication and expertise shown by our colleagues and partners in bringing Iolar back to life.
‘And preserve an important piece of our history for future generations.
‘As we mark our 90th anniversary, we’re conscious not only of where we have come from, but how far we have progressed over the past nine decades.
‘From that first flight carrying five passengers across the Irish Sea, the airline today connects Ireland to over 100 destinations across Europe, the UK and North America.’
Of course, much as we would like the intimacy of a five-passenger flight we recognise times change and will relent to share our experience with others.
Even when liquored-up rugger buggers (and England’s west country is full of them) think it’s a great wheeze.
To chuck nuts at each other and past our heads.
Thankfully though Aer Lingus’s angels in the air are always there to intervene on our behalf.
And see what we’ve done there… to mark Boyzone’s finest’s celebration of Ireland’s most famous trek, we say ewe do it best Ronan on the Wild Atlantic Way.
The charms of Edinburgh for the Irish used to only come every other year when their throngs of rugby fans would descend on Murrayfield in the city’s west end.
And now it seems they can’t get enough of us, the culture and the castle yes, but probably mostly the craic around the Rose Street hostelries.
Now its proximity and our Celtic kith and kin comradeship as well as Edinburgh being a much easier city to get around than, say London, is probably part and parcel of it.
And will account for why our travel provider pals have seen a 75% spike in bookings.
Who do we love?
Hat-a-boy: On the King Charles Bridge in Prague
Analysing bookings from the last three months, the online travel agent reports that Edinburgh is leading a distinct spike in city break popularity for 2026.
Not that London will ever lose its appeal with a notable 48% surge.
Indicating that holidays to the UK are taking off, while escapes to other European city destinations Prague (+48%) and Budapest (+44%) have seen significant increases too.
Now having enjoyed the delights of those two great Central European cities, and having been barred from most of the pubs in Edinburgh.
We’ve decided to take the wise counsel of our loveholidays friends to expand our Greek islands knowledge by booking up for Rhodes next month.
It is +54 per cent while perennial favourite is +63%.
New York, New York
This year’s blond: With ‘The Donald’ in New York
For long haul it will come as no surprise that New York continues to grow, and always will, with +30.
While Dubai, understandably, figures highly at the start of the year with +53%.
Now it helps with your city’s promotion to have somebody at the helm of loveholidays’ Irish promotion who loves their rugby and golf.
And my old mucker Clem Walshe, Irish Commercial Director at the firm, is just that.
Clem to fame
Clem’s chums: With the Great Man
‘What unites these emerging destinations, from the cobblestones of the Royal Mile to the thermal baths of Budapest, is the variety that they offer,’ the travel provider expert opines.
‘Beach holidays remain a firm favourite, but there is a clear increased enthusiasm for city escapes this year. Edinburgh is the standout performer.’
Just remember, Clem, to promote the Golf Coast, east of Edinburgh and our championship-standard courses Muirfield, Renaissance and North Berwick.
Although you might have to give me a monster handicap next time you’re over.
And the Guinness Storehouse within strolling distance for the best panoramic views of the city from the Gravity Bar, and best pint of plain.
Although family loyalties will always mean we point in the direction of the Liffeyside institution that is the Workshop bistro bar, next to the Tara Street Dart (or train) station.
Fill up your cart: Strawberry theme
While if you’re wanting some culture, or just get away from the crowds for a breather.
Then Trinity College and its Book of Kells and the National Gallery are havens of peace.
Of course, it’s no coincidence that the Ruby group dedicated their hotel to arguably Dublin’s most famous citizen, one Molly Malone.
Molly’s Dublin
Green for go: Cocktail hour
As its location in Oxmanstown on the north of the river is solid market trading land.
Where you’d not be surprised to find Mrs Brown or her boys.
Once the site of an abbey, the rediscovery of parts of its vault in the 1880s, 7 feet under the street, adds to the mystical allure surrounding the hotel.
Drawing inspiration from the vibrant covered market of 1892, Ruby Molly channels former market trader Anna Lawlor’s story.
Balcony seat: And view of Dublin
A place where farmers sold their fresh produce.
Including the much-coveted strawberries that adorned the tables of Dublin’s finest hotels.
And well-endowed Dublin lasses sold their cockles and mussels, alive-oh.
Rates from €345 (16–18 March). Images and further details available on request.
Sister Michael, or Siobhan McSweeney as she is known in some quarters is back for a second season as host of the international phenomenon that is The Traitors game show.
And participants and viewers alike have been caught up in all the shenanigans that take place in its gilded quarters.
Now the good news for us is that you don’t need to be a Traitor or a Faithful to sample what the competitors do.
Because the Co. Meath estate, 35 miles north of Dublin, is open to visitors to enjoy its charms or channel your inner game player as part of the Slane Castle Collection.
With anything from a three or five-bedroom apartment to taking out the whole castle.
Slayin’ it at Slane
King and queen of the castle: Slane
Yes, you read that right, you can now play lord or lady of the manor for the first time in the Georgian demesne in the Boyne Valley.
The Retreat includes exclusive hire of three storeys of the Castle.
With six bedrooms located on both the first and second floors, sleeping up to 15 guests.
As well as reception rooms (dining room, drawing room and main hall) on the ground floor.
Groundbreakers: Thin Lizzy at the start
The ballroom and morning room event spaces can be booked as part of an additional event hire booking.
And the Conyngham family will cater for breakfasts as well as half to full board once the accommodation is booked.
The castle also has a 60-seater restaurant (Gandon Room).
And 20-seater bar (Browne’s Bar) on the lower ground floor as well as its own nightclub in the basement.
The stage is set
On a pedestal: Phil Lynott in Dublin
Now if Slane or the Conyngham family rang a bell with you long before its Traitors iteration then we’re not surprised.
As Slane has long been associated with big music festivals.
With it being 45 years this year since Irish rock pioneers Thin Lizzy played in the castle grounds.
In the years since a who’s who of musicians have made Slane Castle a must-play venue.
Including the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Queen, David Bowie, Guns N’ Roses, Robbie Williams and of course U2 who have played Slane three times.
There have also been iconic sets from Madonna, Oasis, Bon Jovi, Eminem, the Foo Fighters and Harry Styles.
While this summer you can see Country superstar Luke Combs on Saturday, July 18, and Sunday, July 19.
With local favourites The Script among the support acts.
A Celtic connection
Harry’s game: Slane superstar
Now if you’ve Scottish and Irish blood running through you you will be in good company.
As so do the Conynghams are of similar Caledonian and Donegal stock as ourselves.
Which is probably why they turned on the taps and let the whiskey flow at their distillery and invited us down to partake.
All of which, in music and Slane Castle folklore remains in Slane Castle.
