The Dublin Minute / Wednesday 18th June
Protest, arson, and affordability, all in today's issue...
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High flier. Pól Ó Conghaile reviews “Platinum VIP”, Dublin Airport’s little-known private terminal, costing an extra €475 for regular punters. For that price you’d something a little more tasteful than what looks like a midrange chain hotel.
Pól Ó Conghaile, Irish Independent
Moving pictures. There was a full house at The Stella Cinema, Rathmines for the cinematic debut of a series of 17 short animated films made by the children of Gaza in the most difficult of circumstances. More than 200 guests attended the special ‘Gaza in Colour’ screening of these films, officially opened by The Ambassador of Palestine, Dr Jilan Wahba Abdalmajid and organised by Shauna Cullen of Jam Media, with additional support from Animation Ireland and Avalon Films.
Dublin People
Ag pumpála iarann. Barry’s Gym has opened its first outlet in Ireland, on Dawson Street of all places. The gym was founded in 1998 in Los Angeles, and has branches all across the world.
Adrianna Wrona, Irish Independent
Costly glow-up. More than €150,000 was spent on design consultancy services to rebrand South Dublin County Council (SDCC).
Liam Coates, Irish Independent
Huh? Dublin is the fifth most expensive capital in Europe for living costs. But it’s also the 13th most affordable when average wages are accounted for, a report finds.
Colin Gleeson, Irish Times
No I said I won’t no. Climate activists with Extinction Rebellion Ireland conducted a short, silent protest in Blackrock Village Centre in the pre-show lead-up to a Zurich-sponsored dramatised adaptation of James Joyce’s Ulysses. A banner read “Divest our Pensions from Fossil Fuels” and the placards included quotes from Ulysses.
Padraig Conlon, Dublin People
Hole in none. Tolka Valley Pitch and Putt on Ballyboggan Road faces permanent closure, prompting strong criticism from local TD Paul McAuliffe.
Padraig Conlon, Dublin People
World’s smallest violin. A Church of Ireland bishop has criticised the decision of Dublin’s Christ Church Cathedral to invite an American lesbian bishop to be guest preacher at its annual Pride service last Friday.
Patsy McGarry, Irish Times
Meanwhile Dublin has been named the second most LGBTQ+ friendly city in the world. Eva Osborne, BreakingNews.ie
Feet of flames. An apparent arson attack destroyed a martial arts centre on Townsend Street, in Dublin 2, in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
Tim O’Brien, Irish Times
Wagamama-mia! Wagamama is set to return to Dublin this weekend, following the closure of its three outlets in the city last September. The Asian restaurant chain will open in Liffey Valley this weekend and its branch in Dundrum Town Centre will reopen in mid-August. To celebrate its return, Wagamama is offering 1,000 complimentary meals from this Thursday (June 19th) to Sunday (June 22nd). Fans who wish to attend the first tasting of the menu must sign up online to secure their spot.
Katie Mellett, Irish Times
Get checked. Next week, the Irish Cancer Society’s ‘Your Health Matters’ Roadshow will be in the Northside Shopping Centre from 9am to 6pm on Wednesday June 25th and Thursday June 26th, free of charge.
Padraig Conlon, Dublin People
Housing estate limbo. Completing the taking in charge process for an estate in Citywest has been “impossible,” said SDCC, as the original developer has gone into receivership. The residents of Corbally estate previously told The Echo they feel “forgotten” as the estate has been built 30 years ago but hasn’t been fully taken in charge (TIC) by the local authority yet.
Alessia Micalizzi, The Echo
Get crafty. The 2025 RDS Craft Awards are now open for entries, celebrating excellence in Irish craft with a €60,000 prize fund. Winners will be showcased at Gifted Fair (3–7 December) and announced at the RDS Foundation Arts Award Ceremony on 8th December.
Totally Dublin
Onwards and upwards. Over 200 children across Tallaght primary schools benefited from a programme that helped them having a better transition from preschool. ‘Active Start’ was developed by Rosanne Kavanagh and Lorraine Riddell from the St Dominic’s Old Bawn School Completion Programme (SCP). It came as the CSO reported in March that 70pc of parents believe the social development of at least one of their children has been negatively impacted by early childcare services closures during the Covid-19 pandemic, which impacted the transition to school.
Alessia Micalizzi, The Echo
Electric avenue. Electric vehicle charging points in the new Lucan Leisure Centre car park will be able to fully charge cars while customers are using the gym or pool when it opens.
Ellen Gough, The Echo
Generally dry and sunny for most today. Highest temperatures of 18 to 21 degrees and light winds.
Dry with long clear spells overnight. Lowest temperatures of 10 to 13 degrees in light variable breezes, becoming southeasterly by morning.
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