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Weekend Edition | June 27-29, 2025 | Issue #49

Weekend Edition | June 27-29, 2025 | Issue #49

Dirk Lauf
June 27, 2025

📬 HELLO THERE, GORGEOUS NEIGHBOUR!

Welcome back to your weekend dose of pure DLR brilliance – the newsletter that gets why you never want to live anywhere else in Dublin!

Summer is officially heating up, and while the rest of Ireland is planning their holidays to somewhere coastal, we're already living the dream. From the buzz around the upcoming Summerfest preparations to quiet coffee mornings with harbour views, this weekend is serving up exactly the kind of magic that makes tourists jealous and locals grateful.

☀️ QUICK WEEKEND WEATHER CHECK: Bright spells with scattered showers – perfect Irish summer weather for those layered looks we've mastered!

🎯 THIS WEEKEND'S MUST-KNOWS:

Why the DLR Connector could transform your cycling commute forever
The property milestone that proves we picked the right postcode
Festival preparations that have us counting down to July
Plus: The weekend discoveries that make Monday bearable

Grab your reusable coffee cup (we're eco-conscious around here) and let's dive in...

🎪 WEEKEND EVENTS: THE GOOD STUFF

SATURDAY SPOTLIGHT

🎵 FESTIVAL OF VOICE VIBES
Saturday, June 28 | Various Dublin Venues
What: NCH's inaugural Festival of Voice, supported by IPUT Real Estate Dublin and Sing Ireland, takes place from Friday 27th June to Sunday 29th June 2025, dedicated to the power, beauty, and universality of the human voice
Why You'll Love It: This first-of-its-kind festival offers an inclusive weekend filled with main stage concerts, intimate performances, and pop-up events around the city.
Local Angle: Easy DART access to the city centre means you can enjoy world-class vocals and still be home for sunset harbour walks.
📍 More Info: NCH Festival of Voice

📚 BADGER BOOKS SCAVENGER HUNT
Saturday, June 28 | DLR Libraries
What: Family & Children Library Event
Why You Should Go: Free family fun that gets the kids excited about reading while giving you a chance to explore our incredible library network.
Pro Parent Move: Perfect excuse to finally check out that new children's section everyone's been raving about.
📍 More Info: DLR Events

SUNDAY SITUATION

🎭 FÉILE SEÓ BEO CONTINUES
Sunday, June 29 | Áras Chrónáin
What: The festival continues under a stretch tent in the beautiful gardens from Thursday 26th to Sunday 29th June 2025, featuring SADHBH KEANE & Banna at 4.00pm on Saturday 28th
Why It Matters: This celebration of Irish music and culture brings together wonderful guests in an intimate garden setting.
Insider Tip: These outdoor festivals have become the highlight of the summer cultural calendar.

Sunday's looking perfectly relaxed otherwise, which means:

Leisurely seafront brunches without the weekday rush ✅
Beach time before the July festival crowds arrive ✅
That book you've been meaning to finish ✅

🚴 TRANSPORT TALK: THE BIG CONNECTOR NEWS

CYCLING REVOLUTION ON THE HORIZON

THE DLR CONNECTOR TAKES SHAPE
The future of cycling in our area just got a major upgrade! The new infrastructure will bridge the gap between current and planned active travel routes, resulting in the delivery of 8.5km of continuous cycling and walking facilities from Dún Laoghaire to Dundrum

What This Means for You:

6km of new, high-quality, segregated cycle lanes, joining up with existing infrastructure
Ten significant junction upgrades along the route with improved layouts for pedestrians, cyclists, public transport and general vehicular flow
10,000 m2 of new or enhanced green space will be created for tree planting, recreation, biodiversity and Sustainable Urban Drainage/Rain Gardens

The Consultation: The closing date for receipt of submissions is 15th July, 2025 – your chance to shape the future of getting around our neighbourhood car-free.

Local Buzz: Cllr Justin Moylan called it "exciting to finally see design options for the long awaited DLR Connector project, which will create a safe cycling link between Dún Laoghaire and Dundrum"

This follows DLR's incredible success with the Coastal Mobility Route, which won the first Cycling Infrastructure Award 2022 from the European Cycling Federation

📍 Have Your Say: DLR Connector Consultation

🏠 PROPERTY PULSE: THE NUMBERS GAME

THE FIGURES THAT MAKE US FEEL LIKE GENIUSES

Remember when people said coastal property was "overpriced"? Well, about that...

The Latest Numbers:

The highest median price for a dwelling in the 12 months to January 2025 was €662,349 in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown
In the year to February, the Eircode area with the highest median price for household dwelling purchases was A94 'Blackrock' (€747,750)
The second most expensive Eircode area was A96 'Glenageary', where the median price was €725,000

Translation: If you already own in DLR, you're basically a property prophet who saw the future coming.

Market Reality Check:
Property prices across Ireland rose by 8.1% in the 12 months to January 2025, but experts predict more moderate growth ahead as interest rates are falling, stock is gradually increasing, and prices — while still high — are not accelerating as quickly as in recent years

The Local Advantage:
Estate agents confirm that "Family homes in areas like Dun Laoghaire or Dublin 6 are still going to competitive bidding" – proof that our neighbourhoods remain the gold standard.

📍 Sources: CSO Property Price Index, Global Property Guide

🍴 FOODIE FLASH: NEW FLAVOURS INCOMING

THE RESTAURANT SCENE HEATS UP

While we're all waiting for French Revolution, the Romanian chain famous for making "exceedingly pretty eclairs," with the word from some Insiders being that they're eyeing up a Dun Laoghaire location, the broader Dublin food scene is absolutely booming.

What's New Nearby:

John and Sandy Wyer introduced Forêt to their collection in November - a casual French bistro with seriously fine food, set one floor above M. O'Brien's pub on Sussex Terrace (right beside Forest Avenue)
American hot chicken restaurant Firebyrd is expanding and opening a new spot in Dún Laoghaire, stating they plan to launch before the end of the year

Still Amazing Right Here:
Let's not forget our current gems – from the incredible Little Forest in Blackrock to all the harbour-view spots that make every meal feel like a mini-vacation.

The Fish & Chips Champion:
The Fish Shack chain (Sandycove and Dun Laoghaire Pier) has a well-deserved reputation for fantastic fish and chips, and their seafood chowder is not too shabby either

📍 Sources: AllTheFood.ie, RTÉ Food Guide

🎭 COMING ATTRACTIONS: MARK YOUR CALENDARS

SUMMERFEST COUNTDOWN

Featuring over 70 acts performing at this year's Dun Laoghaire Summerfest, the events will take place at various venues around Dun Laoghaire over a two week period from Friday 4th to Sunday 13th of July 2025

Star Power Confirmed:
Headline artists include The Beat (UK), The 4 of Us, Mik Pyro, Sack, The Frank & Walters, David Kitt, Phelim Drew, Harvest, New Jackson, Daft Punk Experience, George Michael Experience and more

Comedy Corner:
Also the very best in stand up comedy featuring Joe Rooney, Enya Martin, Aideen McQueen, Pat McDonnell, Emma Doran and more

ALSO COMING UP:

Coastival: Brings art, history, games, culture, sailing, family fun, music and more to the shore in Dún Laoghaire from 5th July - 13th July 2025
The Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta: Will take place from the 10th - 13th of July
Dalkey Lobster Festival: Will take place on 23rd and 24th August

📍 More Info: DLR Tourism Events

🏘️ NEIGHBOUR SPOTLIGHT: WEEKEND DISCOVERIES

PLACES WORTH YOUR TIME

For the Active Types:
The Pump Track at Apna Park - a multi-use sports track capable of use by bicycles, skateboards and in line skates, suitable for all ages

For the Contemplative Souls:
Try the 50 minutes of pure silence with friends or family. Go within and feel your feelings and let them pass by like the waves. They are only thoughts

For the Culture Seekers:
The Dun Laoghaire Anseo urban art trail - the word Anseo is the Irish/Gaelic word for "here"

For the History Buffs:
An iconic Harbour built over 200 years ago. Discover the stories of this Dublin gem & walk its incredible walls for the best views of Dublin Bay

🎯 WEEKEND INSIDER TIPS

SATURDAY SUCCESS STRATEGY

Morning Magic (9-11am):

Beat the crowds to your favourite café – Saturday morning locals vs weekend visitors is a thing
Library event for families – free entertainment that actually works
Coastal walk before the city daytrippers arrive

Afternoon Adventures (12-4pm):

Explore that art trail you keep meaning to check out
Harbour dining with a view (because you live here, why not?)
Festival venue scouting for July's madness

SUNDAY PERFECTION PLAN

The Ideal Sunday Formula:

Sleep in (you've earned it after this week)
Brunch somewhere with harbour views
Beach time without Saturday's energy
Sunday roast at home or your local with the papers

🌟 COMMUNITY CORNER

RANDOM ACTS OF LOCAL BRILLIANCE

Because good news travels fast around here:

Spotted: Someone organized an impromptu beach clean-up at Seapoint
Local café owner paying it forward with free coffee for anyone having a tough day
Mysterious benefactor left books and magazines at the DART station waiting area

KEEP AN EYE OUT

The summer markets are ramping up – perfect for local produce and that community feeling
Beach safety reminders as the water gets warmer and more inviting

🎪 NEXT WEEK PREVIEW

Why you should absolutely stick around for next weekend...

July Prep Mode:

Summerfest venue guides and insider tips
Summer dining al fresco recommendations
Festival survival strategies for locals

Rumour Has It:

Something exciting brewing at the harbour for summer visitors
Possible new weekend market announcements
Mystery food truck location reveals

💌 CLOSING THOUGHTS

Here's what strikes me about living in DLR – we get to be simultaneously locals and tourists in our own neighbourhood. This weekend, whether you're checking out the voice festival in town, cycling new routes, or just enjoying coffee with that view that never gets old, remember that we're living in the place that others save up all year to visit for a week.

The property numbers prove it, the transport investments show it, and the cultural calendar confirms it: we're not just residents, we're the lucky ones who get to call this slice of coastal paradise home.

Weekend Challenge: Take a photo of your favourite local spot that tourists always miss, and share it with someone who doesn't live here. Let them know what they're missing (but not too much – we like our community just the size it is).

🔔 Stay Connected with SouthSide Scoop

Spotted something happening in our corner of paradise? Got the inside scoop on new openings? Have thoughts on the DLR Connector plans?

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

Next week: Summerfest survival guide, new cycling route reviews, and the summer dining spots that make every meal special.

Until then, enjoy your weekend 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.