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Weekend Edition | June 20-22, 2025 | Issue #48

Weekend Edition | June 20-22, 2025 | Issue #48

Dirk Lauf
June 20, 2025

📬 HELLO THERE, GORGEOUS NEIGHBOUR!

Welcome to the weekend that feels like the official start of summer! With the summer solstice hitting us tomorrow (Saturday, June 21st at 3:42am), we're about to experience the longest day of 2025. And honestly? We couldn't have asked for better timing.

While the rest of Ireland is preparing for Zach Bryan's massive concert in Phoenix Park on Saturday, we'll be living our best coastal life right here in paradise. From sunrise swims to sunset cocktails, this weekend is packed with more local magic than you can shake a seaweed-covered stick at!

☀️ QUICK WEEKEND WEATHER CHECK: Glorious sunshine with temperatures hitting 22°C – perfect for those harbour walks we actually WILL do this time!

🎯 THIS WEEKEND'S MUST-KNOWS:

Why Saturday's summer solstice will give you the ultimate golden hour photos
The theatrical treasure that's bringing Joyce to life right in our backyard
Property news that'll make you feel like a coastal property genius
Plus: The weekend events that prove we live in Dublin's most cultured corner

Grab your coffee (or celebratory Buck's Fizz – it's nearly summer!) and let's dive in...

🎪 WEEKEND EVENTS: THE SOLSTICE SPECTACULAR

FRIDAY FEELS

🎭 MURDER SHE WROTE MADNESS
Friday, June 20 | Pavilion Theatre
Join live superfan Tim Benzie and supersleuth Jessica Fletcher for a unique and hilarious interactive screening featuring games, prizes and audience participation. The cult hit event comes to Dún Laoghaire for the first time!
Why You'll Love It: Interactive cinema that's way more fun than Netflix and chill
Pro Tip: Dress up as your favourite Cabot Cove character for extra points!
📍 More Info: Pavilion Theatre

SATURDAY SOLSTICE SPECIAL

☀️ SUMMER SOLSTICE SUNRISE MAGIC
Saturday, June 21 | 3:42am | Everywhere
The June solstice (summer solstice) in Dublin is at 3:42 am on Saturday, June 21, 2025. In terms of daylight, this day is 9 hours, 30 minutes longer than the December solstice. The earliest sunrise is actually June 17th, but the latest sunset is June 24th!
Local Insider Moves:

East Pier for unbeatable sunrise shots (4:55am)
Dalkey Quarry for mountain-meets-sea vibes
Killiney Hill for the ultimate panoramic solstice experience

🎵 ZACH BRYAN OVERFLOW PARTY
Saturday, June 21 | Phoenix Park Concert
While Zach Bryan performs at Phoenix Park, smart locals will be avoiding the crowds and enjoying our peaceful coastal paradise. Perfect day for a harbour walk while 80,000 people battle Dublin traffic!

SUNDAY SERENITY

🌊 POST-SOLSTICE BEACH BLISS
Sunday, June 22 | All Day | Every Beach
The perfect recovery day. Killiney Beach, Sandycove, or the Forty Foot – take your pick for the ultimate Sunday reset.

🎭 CULTURAL CORNER: JOYCE IS ALIVE AND WELL

THE THEATRICAL TREAT YOU CAN'T MISS

While Dublin tourists battle crowds at the city centre attractions, we've got world-class theatre literally on our doorstep. The Pavilion Theatre continues to prove why we're the cultural heart of Dublin's coastline.

This Weekend's Highlights:

Murder She Wrote interactive screening (Friday)
Live music performances throughout the weekend
The venue that keeps proving Dún Laoghaire is Dublin's best-kept cultural secret

Fun Fact: The Pavilion Theatre has hosted more world-class acts this year than most venues in the city centre – and we can walk home afterwards!

📍 Get Tickets: Pavilion Theatre

🍽️ FOODIE FLASH: SUMMER DINING PERFECTION

THE COASTAL DINING ADVANTAGE

This weekend's perfect weather means one thing: our restaurants with sea views are about to become the most coveted tables in Dublin. Here's where to book NOW:

THE HARBOUR VIEW HEROES:

Hartley's: Located right near the pier on Harbour Road, Hartley's Restaurant is arguably the most unique of the many Dun Laoghaire restaurants, and that's all thanks to its sea views
Casper & Giumbini's: Positioned on the promenade at The Pavillion, where it's known to dish up the best of modern Irish food

WEEKEND SPECIAL MENTION: DopeTapas at 46 Lower George's Street, housed in the historic Lambs Fish and Poultry building, blending tradition and modern flair. Perfect for post-solstice Spanish vibes!

The French Revolution Update: Still no official word on the Romanian chain French Revolution making "exceedingly pretty eclairs" potentially coming to Dun Laoghaire, but our spies remain optimistic!

🏠 PROPERTY PULSE: COASTAL PROPERTY WIZARDRY

YOU'RE BASICALLY A GENIUS

Remember when people said "seaside property is overpriced"? This weekend's perfect weather will remind everyone why we made the smartest move in Dublin.

THE NUMBERS THAT MATTER:

€880,000 in grants have been drawn down in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown so far in 2025
A total of €5,449,158 has been issued on completion of works in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown since the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant was launched in 2022
27 applications have been approved in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown

Translation: More properties are being brought back to life, creating more homes for people who want to live where we vacation daily.

Weekend Reality Check: While tourists spend €150+ on hotels to stay near the coast for one night, we get to wake up to sea views every morning. Talk about winning the property lottery!

🚴 TRANSPORT TALK: SUMMER CYCLING BLISS

PERFECT WEEKEND FOR THE DLR CONNECTOR DREAMS

With this weekend's gorgeous weather, you'll definitely be thinking about that perfect cycle from Dundrum to the coast. Good news: the DLR Connector consultation is ongoing, and this weather proves exactly why we need safe cycling infrastructure.

This Weekend's Cycling Reality:

Take extra care on existing routes
Enjoy the coastal cycle path from Dún Laoghaire to Dalkey
Dream about the future 8km continuous cycle route while you ride

Summer Cycling Pro Tip: Start early (before 10am) to avoid the weekend cyclists who only emerge when the weather's perfect!

🎯 WEEKEND INSIDER TIPS

FRIDAY STRATEGY

Evening Excellence (6-9pm):

Early dinner with a harbour view (beat the weekend rush)
Pavilion Theatre for Murder She Wrote madness
Late drink somewhere with outdoor seating (because summer!)

SATURDAY SOLSTICE SUCCESS

Early Bird Mission (4-8am):

Sunrise at East Pier (if you're feeling ambitious)
Coffee and pastries while the city centre sleeps
Beach walk with zero crowds

Golden Hour Glory (7-9pm):

Dinner somewhere with western views
Sunset drinks at a rooftop bar
Remember: longest day = maximum golden hour magic

SUNDAY RECOVERY

Perfect Sunday Formula:

Sleep in (you've earned it)
Brunch somewhere with sea views
Beach time without Saturday's crowds
Sunday roast somewhere cosy

🌟 COMMUNITY CORNER

WEEKEND KINDNESS SPOTTING

Because good news deserves sharing:

Spotted: Local restaurant offering free ice water stations during the warm weather
Noticed: More "Little Free Library" boxes appearing around Blackrock Park
Community Win: Local cafés staying open later for the summer evening crowd

SOLSTICE PHOTO CHALLENGE

This weekend's Instagram challenge: #DLRSolstice

Best sunrise shot from the East Pier
Most creative solstice celebration
Perfect golden hour harbour photo

Prize: Social media bragging rights and proof you live in the most photogenic part of Dublin!

🎪 NEXT WEEK PREVIEW

WHY STICK AROUND FOR NEXT WEEKEND...

Coming Up:

Dún Laoghaire Summerfest prep begins (July 4-13)
Coastival planning intensifies (July 5-13)
Summer restaurant outdoor seating reaches peak perfection

Rumour Mill:

Whispers of pop-up summer markets in the harbour area
Possible outdoor cinema announcements for People's Park
Secret scouting for surprise summer events

💌 CLOSING THOUGHTS

Here's the thing about this weekend – while 80,000 people trek to Phoenix Park for Zach Bryan, and thousands more battle traffic to get to "summer destinations," we get to celebrate the solstice exactly where we belong: in Ireland's most beautiful corner.

This Saturday, as you watch the longest day unfold over Dublin Bay, remember that we didn't just choose a place to live – we chose a lifestyle. We chose morning swims over morning commutes, harbour walks over shopping centres, and sunset cocktails with a view that most people see once a year on holidays.

Weekend Challenge: Share one perfect solstice moment from our little corner of paradise. Show the world (but not too much – we don't want everyone moving here) why living by the bay is the ultimate summer lifestyle.

🔔 Stay Connected with SouthSide Scoop

See something happening in our neck of the woods? Spot a new opening? Have gossip about local developments?

Drop us a line: [email protected]
Follow us: @SouthSideScoop
Share this newsletter: Because good neighbours share good news

Next week: Summerfest prep insider tips, summer dining guides, and why our local restaurants are booked solid all season.

Until then, enjoy the longest day of the year by the bay! ☀️

SouthSide Scoop is written by locals, for locals, with just enough insider knowledge to make you feel special and just enough community spirit to make you want to share it.