Byrnes of Galloping Green in Dublin

16/06/2025: If you come to Dun Laoghaire, have a coffee at Shoe Lane 😍and try the carrot cake.

04/06/2025: Last summer, I treated myself to a solo breakfast at Shoe Lane Coffee in Dún Laoghaire. It was one of those gentle mornings—bright but not glaring, with a breeze that hinted at the sea just down the road. I sat by the window with a hot breakfast and a perfectly made coffee, and for the first time in a while, didn’t feel the need to be anywhere else. There’s something comforting about watching the world move while you’re still. From my seat, I had the perfect view of the town slowly waking up—people heading to work, parents guiding sleepy children, dog-walkers pausing to chat. All of it flowed by like a calm tide. The breakfast itself was simple but hearty—fresh, warm, and satisfying. The atmosphere inside was cozy but not too busy, just a soft hum of background music and the occasional hiss of the espresso machine. It felt like the right place to be alone without feeling lonely. I didn’t rush. I let the moment stretch out, sipping slowly and just observing. That morning reminded me how grounding it can be to pause, to look around, and to appreciate the little rhythms of everyday life.