Nimhneach, Dublin, 25-04-2009 (2)

Nimhneach is in basement of the Academy, Middle Abbey St, D1, in the basement, Academy 2. The building houses a regular disco club as well as Nimhneach and we were made welcome by the 'bouncers', not being made to feel 'odd' for being fetishists - unlike some UK clubs we have visited. We were 'branded' with a rubber stamp by the cash desk to say we have paid then, after descending to the lower level, we were given a hospital-type paper bracelet to show that we were not just 'disco bunnies' popping down to see how real people enjoyed themselves.

The Nimhneach venue is small, based on two rooms. The club has a capacity of about 120 with seating for about half that number. The main room has a stage for performances and the main floor contains primarily the dance floor and bar area. This main room had a pre-rigged sling system in a steel frame, a double A-frame assembly in wood and a steel 'medical' chair on the stage.

The second room is mainly a seated chill-out room with a steel 'cube' frame set up for rope bondage and 'spread-eagling' using wrist cuffs. This room leads off to a dedicated smoking area for those that cannot kick the habit.

My first impression, which lasted throughout the night, was that the music was too loud. It was mainly of the 'boom boom boom' dance music genre which I must admit, being aged 55, is not my type of bdsm play music. This is a personal view I admit but I do think a variety of music types and volumes would have been nice. As a suggestion maybe the DJs could look at some of ERA albums (ERA, ERA2, The Mass), Gregorian chants, or Adiemus etc. for providing a contrast and 'cooling' off period between the dance music. The music in the second room was also,in my opinion and, as one with a hearing impediment, too loud for a chill-out area. It stifled discussion and conversation between club-goers and if it had been quieter would have provided a refuge for those not into dance music and who like to intimately converse with their 'victim' whilst playing without having to shout.

The only 'shock' of the night to this Yorkshireman was the bar prices! At 5.50 Euro for bottle of Strongbow it was far more than I am used to paying in the clubs we go to. In the UK it would have cost no more that 3 Euro. On the other hand we have noticed that Dublin is not a cheap place to stay or eat out, with food and drink prices even in Tescos being at least 50% more than in the Northern UK. So visitors should think inner London prices rather than Manchester prices for eating out.

bravelady and I went to Nimhneach with CarolineGrey, lilemmajane and TopCat599, friends off Fetlife.com, and we had a great time. Both Caroline and lilemmeajane earned disciplinary sessions from me and lilemmajane managed to cause, and then burst, a blood blister on my hand whilst being spanked! I was subsequently told by another clubgoer, who knew her, that she has a reputation for having an inviting soft white bottom … lined with granite! So a good OTK caning was called for to make sure she learned her lesson! One happy endorphined bunny later I think we are now friends

bravelady was politely asked, as was I (bdsm proprieties being nicely respected) whether a gentleman could give her a good spanking. Who was I to stand in his way! So a great time was had by all.

So there you are, our impressions of Nimhneach. A great little club with a friendly crowd, well run and hospitable to strangers. What more could you ask for.

So thanks to all of the Nimhneach members who made us very welcome and bravelady and I hope to make it back there again when we can afford it. Wish Nimhneach well for the future.

{Written whilst waiting for our plane at Dublin Airport,where it was raining again … you can't say Dublin was not being consistent }

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My flight was a ryanair cheapie and even with a checked in bag, the single flight was about £20. I got a fantastic lastminute hotel deal, £162 for two nights in a 4* in Temple Bar and only 5 minutes walk from the club, the normal rate is €130 per night so a substantial saving. The exchange rate is horrendous though, virtually euro for pound and Dublin is not cheap. My Sunday lunch of 6 oysters followed by corned beef and cabbage with champ but no drink was €40!

It was very friendly and people just started chatting. Despite the smallness of the club, I managed to have two heavy duty sessions with a couple of hardcore masochists (I must gave done something very very good to have had those two roped up in front of me). Because I need room to swung my whips, the DM cleared a space for me so I could focus without hitting the wrong person. As for the music, it was a real mixture and I was surprised to hear kylie amongst the harder stuff. The venue is small compared to London clubs and apparently it was one of the busiest. Due to the size, the music will permeate through to the chillout area because people leave the doors open.

On sunday, a few of us went down the coast for some drumming and I was giving whipcracking lessons in the park to the bemusement of the locals.

I'd definitely go back, the scene in Ireland has differences to England (I've not experienced much else) but I found that the people were friendlier and the action that I saw was hotter

http://www.avaaz.org/en/
The nice lady with the whip.

The action was hotter than I am used to - which added a certain spice.

The scene is naturally much smaller and there are a core of people on bdsmireland who are starting to run workshops I believe, to spread the word on safe practice etc. I certainly look forward to my next visit.

http://www.avaaz.org/en/
The nice lady with the whip.