The champagne was flowing recently as invited guests of luxury travel group Belmond, gathered in the stunning Winter Garden at the National Gallery of Ireland.
The occasion? Belmond, which operates the famous Venice-Simplon Orient Express, Royal Scotsman and British Pullman luxury trains, officially launched the journey of its new Grand Hibernian Irish-based train on the evening.
Glam guests on the evening were Lorraine Keane and her husband Peter Devlin, celebrity chefs Kevin Thornton and Derry Clarke, Norah Casey, Marty Whelan, Nuala Carey, Ryan Tubridy, Ruth Scott and Aoibheann McCaul.
Belmond uniformed stewards from the Royal Scotsman welcomed guests on arrival, where they enjoyed Laurent Perrier champagne (Belmond’s champagne brand of choice aboard their trains) and our very own Guinness, which will also feature on -board; delicious canapés and Guinness hot pots, followed by homemade brown bread ice-cream created by celebrity sister chefs Domini & Peaches’ Kemp.
The Belmond Grand Hibernian will be the first luxury overnight rail experience of its kind in Ireland and will have its inaugural journey in July 2016.
The luxury sleeper train with accommodation for up to 40 guests travelling in 20 elegant, en-suite cabins will feature four interconnecting suites to accommodate families, two restaurant cars and an observation bar car.