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Weekend Edition | August 8-10, 2025 | Issue #53

Weekend Edition | August 8-10, 2025 | Issue #53

Dirk Lauf
August 08, 2025

📬 FRIDAY FEELING, FABULOUS NEIGHBOURS!

Welcome to the weekend that perfectly captures why August in DLR is basically winning the Dublin lifestyle lottery! While half the country is stuck in August Bank Holiday traffic (thank goodness that chaos was last weekend), we're settling into the sweet spot of summer where the festivals are flowing, the property market is reminding us we're investment geniuses, and the weekend entertainment options are so good you'll forget why you ever bothered with city centre plans.

This weekend brings us everything from wine-soaked revelry to comic book adventures, plus the kind of local market browsing that makes Instagram stories write themselves. Add in a brand new DART station opening (because even our public transport gets upgrades), and you've got the perfect recipe for a weekend that'll have you texting your less geographically fortunate friends with subtle brags.

🌤️ WEEKEND WEATHER CHECK: Partly cloudy with sunny spells reaching 21°C – ideal conditions for outdoor market browsing and harbour strolls that don't require full rain gear!

🔥 THIS WEEKEND'S ESSENTIAL INTEL:

Why Saturday's wine festival will have you questioning your weekday beverage choices
The Comic Con that proves Dublin's geek scene is thriving
Transport upgrades that make Monday commutes slightly less painful
Property prices that continue to validate your life choices
Plus: The weekend markets that prove local shopping is superior shopping

So grab your weekend tote bag (because we're civilized like that) and let's dive into what's happening in the corner of Dublin that knows how to do summer weekends properly...

🎪 WEEKEND EVENTS: THE REAL ATTRACTIONS

FRIDAY'S FABULOUS KICK-OFF 🍷 WINE & CHEESE FESTIVAL BEGINS

Friday-Sunday, August 8-10 | The Bernard Shaw What: The weekend-long celebration promises a hefty lineup of vendors, food specials, games, workshops, tastings, and live music, all happening in the Bernard Shaw. What began in 2018 as a cheeky Facebook event by Bodytonic has since blossomed into one of the city's most anticipated food and drink gatherings.

Why It's Perfect: Three days of sophisticated indulgence without the pretension – think artisan cheeses paired with natural wines, all with that relaxed Bernard Shaw vibe we love.

Insider Strategy: Friday night crowds are lighter than weekend masses, making it ideal for serious wine tasting without the jostling. 📍 More Info: The Bernard Shaw

SATURDAY'S SENSATIONAL LINEUP 🏇 RDS DUBLIN HORSE SHOW CONTINUES

Saturday, August 9 | RDS Showgrounds, Ballsbridge What: The RDS Dublin Horse Show celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2025, making it Ireland's most prestigious equestrian event. As the country's only 5-star international equestrian competition, it showcases world-class showjumping, Ladies Day fashion and traditional Irish hospitality.

Why You'll Love It: Even if horses aren't your thing, the people-watching and Fashion Day glamour make this Dublin's most underrated social event.

Local Advantage: DART to Lansdowne Road makes this easier than driving to Dundrum Town Centre on a weekend. 📍 More Info: RDS Dublin Horse Show

SUNDAY'S SPECTACULAR FINISH 🦸 DUBLIN COMIC CON SUMMER EDITION

Saturday & Sunday, August 9-10 | Various Venues What: DCC is a pop-culture/fandom event ideal as a family day out or a fan nerd out! Covering everything from movies/tv shows to comics, cosplay and gaming! Whether you are coming to find rare collectibles, meet some Hollywood actors and local artists, have your portfolio reviews by industry professionals or simply cosplay..we will have something to keep you entertained.

Why It Matters: Dublin's geek culture has properly arrived, and the cosplay game is getting seriously impressive.

Weekend Bonus: Oh and all our DCC interactive sets are free! 📍 More Info: Dublin Comic Con

🏠 PROPERTY PULSE: THE NUMBERS THAT MAKE US SMILE

THE DLR DOMINANCE CONTINUES The latest figures that prove our neighborhood choice was basically prophetic:

The Premium Reality:

The highest median price for a dwelling in the 12 months to January 2025 was €662,349 in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown
The most expensive Eircode area over the 12 months to January 2025 was A94 'Blackrock' with a median price of €743,500
The second most expensive Eircode area was A96 'Glenageary', where the median price was €725,000

The Growth Game: In Dublin, the highest house price growth was in Fingal at 9.5% while Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown saw a rise of 6.4%.

Translation: While other areas are seeing wild swings, we're enjoying steady, sustainable growth that validates every mortgage payment.

FINAL CALL: SHANGANAGH CASTLE PHASE 2

The Deadline That Matters: The online application portal for Affordable Purchase Apartments in Shanganagh Castle Estate (Shanganagh Castle Estate Phase Two) opens for applications at 12:00 on Wednesday July 23rd, 2025 and closes at 17:00 Wednesday August 13th, 2025.

Why This Matters: Last chance for government-supported homeownership in our premium postal codes.

The Local Advantage: In relation to 30% of the dwellings, priority will be given to eligible applicants based on any person making the application being or having been resident in the administrative area of Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown County Council for a minimum period of 8 years

📍 Apply Now: DLR Affordable Housing

🚆 TRANSPORT TALK: WEEKEND MOBILITY MADE EASY

BRAND NEW DART STATION OPENS!

Sunday, August 10 | Woodbrook Station The Weekend Upgrade We Didn't Know We Needed: New Woodbrook DART station to open on 10th August

What This Means: Another seamless connection point along our coastal railway line, making the entire southside even more accessible.

Weekend Service Reality: Sunday: You can expect a train around roughly every 30 minutes. It's advisable to consult a timetable before travelling on a DART on a Sunday however.

Pro Sunday Tip: Plan your market visits and harbor walks around DART schedules – Sunday frequency is more relaxed than weekday rushing.

WEEKEND TRANSPORT WINNERS:

Normal DART weekend service running smoothly
No major engineering works disrupting our weekend plans
TFI Go and TFI Leap remain valid across participating services, including Dublin Bus, Luas, DART and commuter rail

📍 Live Updates: Dublin Public Transport

🛒 MARKET MADNESS: LOCAL SHOPPING PERFECTION

WEEKEND MARKET HIGHLIGHTS

Saturday & Sunday Champions: 🏪 Blackrock Market When: Open every weekend, plus bank holidays from 11 am – 5:30 pm in Blackrock County Dublin

What's Special: Blackrock Market hosts over 30 stalls, ranging from antiques, bric-and-brac, clothing, home furnishing, Swim Robes, Body Care, Cosmetics, Candles, Toys, Jewlery as well as International food stalls, cafes and even a Michelin Star restaurant.

Weekend Bonus: The fortune teller, vintage finds, and Liath Restaurant all under one roof.

Sunday Spectacular: 🌿 Dún Laoghaire CoCo Market

When: Summer trading hours are from 10.00am to 4pm

Where: vendors trading from around the Lexicon where you will find the Food Village; and around the Metals down to the People's Park where you will find Artisan and Crafts

Why It's Perfect: Over 50 vendors trade each Sunday selling a wide range of products including hot food, baked goods, art and crafts, artisan food products and seasonal produce.

Friday & Saturday Options: 🥕 Airfield Estate Farmers Market

When: Open every Friday & Saturday from 9 am – 2.30 pm with free entry

What to Expect: Produce ranging from locally grown fruit, veg, preserves, chutneys, jams, bread, pastries, meats and much more are on offer to sample, enjoy or take home.

📍 Full Market Guide: Dublin Markets

🍄 FOODIE FLASH: WEEKEND DINING DECODED

UNIQUE WEEKEND EXPERIENCES 🍄 Mushroom Foraging Adventure

Available Date: Tickets are on sale for Mushroom Foraging with Bill and Musha (his dog)! There are a couple of dates available to book - 20th July, 27th July, 10th August, 17th August, 24th August

Why It's Brilliant: Learn to forage safely while exploring our local woodlands – it's like a nature documentary you can participate in.

Sunday Perfect: Combines beautifully with market visits for a full local food experience.

Summer Programme Continues: 📍 Airfield Estate Family Fun

What: This summer from 1st July to Thursday, 14th August, Airfield Estate are running a special Summer Programme every Tuesday and Thursday, designed especially for families.

Plus: Every day from 5pm to 7:30pm, enjoy the freedom of Airfield Estate's beautiful 38-acre estate for just €5.

📍 Book Now: Airfield Estate

🎭 COMING ATTRACTIONS: MARK YOUR CALENDARS

Next Week's Highlights: Tuesday, August 13: Final day for Shanganagh Castle affordable housing applications

August's Big Events: 🦞 Dalkey Lobster Festival When: The renowned Dalkey Lobster Festival, proudly sponsored for the second time by Guinness and Tanqueray, is set to return to the picturesque coastal town in south Dublin from the 23rd – 24th August. Prepare for a weekend of culinary indulgence, live music, street entertainment, and artisan exhibits, all before the children go back to school.

🎵 Ukulele Hooley 2025 When: It's the 14th Ukulele Hooley, and they're really excited to bring you a fun filled musical weekend in August 2025! The Ukulele Hooley is Ireland's International Ukulele Festival in the lovely seaside town of Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin and will take place over the weekend of 23th and 24th

September Preview: 🎭 Music in Monkstown Festival Expected: September 19-21 for classical music in stunning church settings

📍 Festival Info: DLR Tourism

🎯 WEEKEND STRATEGY GUIDE

Friday Wine & Cheese Launch Evening Plan (6-9pm):

Early Bernard Shaw arrival for optimal wine selection
Strategic tasting approach (start light, build complexity)
Book dinner reservation nearby for post-tasting sustenance

Saturday Sophistication The Balanced Approach:

Morning: Airfield Farmers Market (9-11am)
Midday: RDS Horse Show glamour (12-4pm)
Evening: Wine & Cheese Festival continuation

Sunday Perfection The Ultimate Local Weekend:

Morning: Dún Laoghaire CoCo Market browsing (10am-12pm)
Afternoon: Comic Con exploration or Woodbrook DART station opening celebration
Evening: Sunset harbour walk to digest all weekend adventures

This Week's Trending Topics:

🔥 Hot Takes:

"Is the Wine & Cheese Festival better than any Temple Bar experience?"
"Comic Con in Dublin is officially mainstream and we love it"
"New DART station means even better property values"

📸 Instagram Gold:

Wine and cheese pairing shots (#WineAndCheeseWeekend)
Comic Con cosplay creativity (#DublinComicCon2025)
New Woodbrook station opening day (#NewDARTStation)
Market haul photography (#LocalMarketFinds)

🌟 COMMUNITY CORNER

Random Acts of Weekend Brilliance:

Local cafés offering Comic Con character discounts
Wine festival vendors sharing pairing knowledge with genuine enthusiasm
DART staff excited about the new Woodbrook station opening
Market vendors creating special weekend bundles

Lost & Found Weekend Watch:

Comic Con badges and lanyards (check venue lost property)
Wine festival glasses (The Bernard Shaw staff are collecting them)

🎪 NEXT WEEK PREVIEW

Why You Should Stick Around:

Final Shanganagh Castle application push
Summer programme endings creating nostalgia
Lobster Festival preparation buzz building
Back-to-school shopping with a local twist

Rumour Mill:

Whispers about autumn festival announcements
Possible new restaurant scouting in Dalkey
Mystery events being planned for late August

💌 CLOSING THOUGHTS

Here's what strikes me about this weekend – we've got international wine culture, geek chic comic conventions, world-class equestrian events, and brand new transport infrastructure all happening within a 10-kilometer radius of our homes. While other parts of Dublin are arguing about parking or complaining about crowds, we're casually choosing between wine tastings and comic book adventures.

This weekend perfectly captures the DLR advantage: we're close enough to access Dublin's best culture, sophisticated enough to create our own premium experiences, and connected enough that everything is accessible without the city centre hassles.

Weekend Challenge: Take one photo that captures the variety of experiences available in our neighborhood this weekend – wine, comics, horses, markets, or trains – and share it with someone who still thinks Dublin city centre is where all the action happens.

Here's to living where others wish they could weekend! 🌊

🔔 Stay Connected with SouthSide Scoop

Got weekend intel? Spotted celebrity wine tasting? Know about secret Comic Con after-parties?

📧 Drop us a line: [email protected]
📱 Follow us: @SouthSideScoop
🔄 Share this newsletter: Because great neighbors share great weekend tips

Next week: Lobster Festival preparation guide, affordable housing application final tips, and the market vendors everyone's talking about.

Until then, weekend like the local legend you are! 🍷🦸‍♀️

SouthSide Scoop is written by locals, for locals, with just enough insider weekend knowledge to make you feel like a VIP and just enough community spirit to make you want to share the discoveries.