PAULINE, KITTY & JEAN
Pauline, Kitty and Jean are our three afternoon tea buses. They are named after Karenās grandmothers and great aunt as, like us at Vintage Tea Trips, they welcomed everyone into their home for tea and cakes whether you were the postman or the Pope.
It is this sense of nostalgia and the door always being open that we wish to always recreate on board.
Pauline, Kitty & Jean are three fully restored Routemaster buses. These front engine double decker buses were designed by and for London Transport. Each with their own history and personality they bring that special something to our experience.
GET TO KNOW US!
-
Iām Karen, owner of Vintage Tea Trips. Itās my job to make sure the wheels keep rolling, the kettle is always on and there is always time for a cuppa & a catch up.
Three Facts:
-
I was on the Late Late Toy Show twice
-
I make a mean carrot cake
-
I renewed my wedding vows with Elvis in Las Vegas ā funniest, most expensive seven minutes of my life
Guilty Pleasure
Escaping to the West with my husband David, children Matthew & Julia.. and Gin!
Best Moment On Vintage Tea Trips
Having Nationwide join my extended family on a trip in honour of my Granny Pauline.Ā We had such a lovely day for the trip and the film crew were trying to get some nice footage of the bus going through the Phoenix Park ā but my family just wouldnāt behave! Flaying arms out windows and singingā¦Ā it was hilarious, but I could have killed them!Ā You know the saying āyou can choose your friendsā¦. but you canāt choose your family!ā
-
-
Three Facts:
-
I’m 5ft 2 and half which is very important!
-
Ā Iām 1 of 6 children
-
I’ve worked with Karen for over 10 years.
Guilty Pleasure
Coffee, coffee and more coffee which is very handy in this business
Best Moment On Vintage Tea Trips
Hearing all the different stories from people booking on the tour. Some have a love for vintage buses – some have driven them including having the first lady driver for Dublin Bus on board.
-
-
My name is Ciara and Iām the Sales & Marketing Executive at Vintage Tea Trips. I manage the social media accounts, create the content we share and work on events and advertising opportunities for the company.
Three Facts:
-
Iāve travelled to 31 different countries in the last 7 years.
-
I aim to drink 6-8 litres of water a day.
-
I’ve two obsessions in life – Real Housewives and Formula One.
Guilty Pleasure:
False tan. I love it and wear it every single day!
Best Moment On Vintage Tea Trips
Hearing and listening to peopleās stories. We had the ladies on from Kenilworth Bowling Club and I loved hearing them relive and tell their own memories and funny stories of Dublin while we travelled through the streets.
-
-
Iām the bus driver of Vintage Tea Tours. I have a keen interest in old, vintage buses. I love keeping the bus in clean condition and make sure sheās always looking her best. I keep an eye out for anything out of the ordinary and always happy when things go perfectly to plan.
Three Facts:
-
I have an interest in numismatics. This is collecting old coins and coin stamps.
-
I love collecting old bus memorabilia such as timetables, schedules, number plates and everything and anything like that.
-
I was in Dublin Bus for 35 years as a conductor, driver and supervisor. I retired in 2013.
Guilty Pleasure:
Iām a bit of a lotto buff and always buy a few lines of the lotto but have yet to win anything.
Best Moment On Vintage Tea Trips
I love when I get to customise routes. We had a group from EY on and they wanted greenery rather than the concrete of Dublin so I planned the route we did for them and they loved it.
-
-
Iām one of the bus drivers at Vintage Tea Trips. I used to work at Dublin Bus as a driver there.
Three Facts:
- I may be a bus driver but Iāve absolutely no sense of direction.
- I have two sons and two daughters – My daughters are the apples of my eye.
- On average Iād have at least 10 cups of tea a day!
Guilty Pleasure:
DIYBest Moment On Vintage Tea Trips
When we did the Cork Summer Series. I got to drive to Cork with my two favourite ladies – Kitty and my wife Norrie. The rain was absolutely belting down and I couldnāt see 10 feet in front of me but I knew Norrie was happy out in the back though with the kettle on and all the tea she could dream of!
-
I am a tour guide and host at Vintage Tea Trips! Iāll make you the best cup of tea youāve ever had and hopefully provide some laughs and giggles along the way!
Three Facts:
1. Every member of my family was born in a different country
2. I love to paint and make clay sculptures
3. Iāve travelled to 38 countries and lived in 4!Guilty Pleasure:
Listening to my music way too loud.Best Moment On Vintage Tea Trips:
My first week on the job I hosted a tour for two elderly Gentlemen from Dublin and I didnāt get a word in for the entire 70 minutes. They took me on a journey through the city and filled me with stories of their youth and growing up when these (now vintage) busses were originally in use. I love hearing people tell their stories of the city!
-
My name is Adam and I’m from Longford but living in Dublin on/off for the past 4 years. I studied drama (with Anna) in TU Dublin. I’ve been with VTT since Nov ’22 and it’s a pleasure to walk in every day not knowing who you’re going to meet or what lovely interactions you’re going to have.Three Facts:
- I let my teabag steep for up to 10 mins sometimes (roommates always throw it out thinking that I’ve forgotten about it)
- Even though I studied drama and love it – I actually hate being the centre of attention.
- When I was 12 my brothers and I made up a band to play at my granny’s 60th birthday. I played lead guitar!
Guilty Pleasure:
Spicebag delivery! Favourite is from Saigon City!
Best Moment On Vintage Tea Trips:
Perfectly guessing the part of Edinburgh a Scottish lady was from (accent training has its uses).
-
Hi, My name is Nicole. I am a tour guide and host as well as an aspiring chemist. I started working here in the summer and itās the best job iāve ever had! Getting to chat to new people everyday from all around theThree facts:1. I can make a mean paracetamol and an even meaner cup of tea2. I am a massive Arsenal fan.3. I can name every country in the world in 10 minutesGuilty Pleasure:My guilty pleasure is binge watching Scooby-Doo!Best Moment on the Vintage Tea Bus:One of my first times doing the tour with a small group, who were so lovely and who made my first time giving the tour, my favourite tour iāve given so far.
-
Hiya, my nameās Selma and I am one of our tour guides and hosts. I started working here April ’22 and Iāve never had more fun chatting away about Dublin and hearing about peoplesā experiences whether theyāre new to the city or have been here their whole lives.Three facts:Ā1. I study History in college so Iām always full of nerdy but fun facts to give to our guests.2. I speak Irish so if youāve any questions on Gaeilge, gowan cuir an cheist orm!3. You will only catch me drinking tea if Iāve a cold, so keep youāre distance if you catch me sipping a lovely herbal tea.Guilty pleasure:ĀIām a huge music fan so itās not surprising that most of my money goes to concerts or gigs around the city, itās not the best for my savings though!Best Moment on Vintage Tea Trips:We had a private hire which we dropped to this gorgeous hotel in Meath and after everything going so smoothly during the shift the drive back on the bus was something else! Myself and Anna were blasting music as Kitty spun through the quiet roads of the countryside, it was unreal.