Yesterday's trip was because I'm tight, I guess. I needed a new alternator and drive belt for Mrs. Catcher's motor - packed in Christmas Eve. €167 from Euro Car Parts, Dublin. Out of stock in Mick's Garage, nearly €200 from a local motor factor for a rebuilt exchange unit. Brand new, non exchange with belt stg£109 from Euro Car Parts, Portadown. carparts4less.co.uk was a bit cheaper but not delivering to any EU country at present.
Christmas Eve's trip was more a matter of convenience. Newry is a 40 minute drive with readily accessible parking and every shop one could need under two adjacent roofs, including - for the time being - Debenhams, which is already gone from Dublin's shopping centres... and I have a haggis in the freezer for Burn's night. Dublin shopping centres are a nightmare to get to and park in of a quiet Sunday never mind Christmas Eve.