Thermals on, gloves packed and coats fully buttoned, we waved bye to London Heathrow and hello to Ireland, visiting our overseas family! We already know our love is unconditional but how are our feelings translated to the rest of the country?
As the Land of Saints and Scholars, it was only right our visit included sight seeing and embracing the Irish culture and history. From stunning architecture to charming accents, Dublin really is a beautiful city. However, in true Nando’s style we were on a mission to embed ourselves into the ‘crack’ and that’s definitely what we did!
After touching down in Dublin, we jumped straight into finding out where our Barci fits on the Irish family tree. Flagging a cab outside terminal 2, we headed straight to the tourist hotspot of Temple Bar where our extended family were based on St.Andrews Street. Rocking up to our boutique overnight stay at The Morgan, the welcoming vibe was present at every stop. A little touch up and we were ready to stroll along the cobbled streets to meet the team at Nando’s.
As we were strolling down Temple Bar, taking in all the lovely sites; the O’Niels and O’Connors locals opening the doors for their stout deliveries, it was surreal to think only a couple of hours before we were in cold and rainy England – not that there was an expectation of sunny spells or Sangria!
Did you know the River Liffey divides the North and South of the city? Neither did we until our friendly taxi driver Brian poured his heart out on what Ireland means to him. Proud. Passionate and Welcoming. Three of the many words Brian and other locals used to describe the country. But it didn’t stop there. Our fellow Patraos and Nandocas had a lot more to say…
Let’s rewind 8 years, where the first Nando’s restaurant doors opened in Belfast, shortly followed by a Dublin first in Dundrum. Since then, a total of 15 restaurants stand with the family love continuing to spread year on year. It is safe to say the beauty of the country and locals is infectious with many global hospitality chains wanting to join the Irish streets. Being home to Nando’s since 2008, Ireland is a very proud country with chapters of emotion and pride part of its every growing story.
As a ‘Welcoming Family’ the connection between all members is undeniable but it doesn’t stop there, it goes beyond the front door and is passed round the family table. After a great introduction to the journey Nando’s have made to Ireland, we packed up our stationary and headed down to the restaurant for a feast of goodness. Imagine a Sunday lunch where your parents, aunties, uncles and cousins are pulling up chairs and passing around dishes of delicious food, now bring that vision into a Nando’s restaurant and it is their reality.
From it’s South African roots, the culture is continuous across every nation where it is not only a place to work it is a family; a caring, trusting emotionally invested network that shapes each individual.
After our stomachs were well and truly lined with PERi PERi and spicy rice, we bid a sweet TTFN to our Nando’s friends with warm content. As we grinned ear to ear lining up for warming hugs, it will definitely not be long until we are back on the Emerald Isle for another family outing!