Old vs New
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Dublin City Council Sensoria, Digital Depot Flea Market
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Hi!!
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I saw this week that the St Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre has received planning permission for a major redevelopment. In simple terms, the current building will be replaced with something new and more modern. https://www.rte.ie/news/dublin/2026/0423/1569852-stephens-green-redevelopment/
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Now, there is no doubt that the shopping centre itself is a bit dated. It has that slightly tired feel in places and probably doesn’t meet all the expectations of a modern retail space anymore. But at the same time, the building has something. It’s distinctive, recognisable and for many people it’s part of the character of the area. Almost a small landmark in its own right.
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So the question is: is this progress or are we slowly sanding off the edges that make Dublin feel like Dublin? Newer doesn’t always mean better, and “modern” can sometimes mean interchangeable.
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Cities change, of course they do. But it’s always worth asking what we gain and what we lose along the way.
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In the meantime, Dublin continues to offer plenty that hasn’t been redesigned yet.
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I’m still away, so the Dublin Event Guide continues in a shorter format for now and this week it is even much MUCH shorter because I wasn’t able to spend any time on it due to some personal reasons. Apologies! Back to normal soon enough.
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Let’s see what’s on this week.
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If you have friends or family or colleagues that also enjoy cultural events in Dublin, let them know that they can sign up for the free weekly Dublin Event Guide newsletter at https://getthislink.com/DEGSignup
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The working title for my video series on YouTube is the “Better You” videos, they are all about 5-7 minute long about how to better your life. Check out this video series if you want to achieve more in life, but are talking yourself out of it. https://www.youtube.com/@JoergSteegmueller
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Donations in May:
EUR 11
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(By the end of the month, this number has to reach or exceed EUR 200 to guarantee the continuation of the Dublin Event Guide.)
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If the Dublin Event Guide helps you to find out about free events in Dublin, please help with a donation.
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The counter here shows the current donation status. By the end of the month EUR 200 will be subtracted to pay the bills. If more money has been donated, the rest will be carried forward. If donations have stopped below the EUR 200, the missing amount will be carried over.
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Last week the wonderful people that helped to get the monthly donation appeal across the line were O.D. and Stephanie. Thanks a lot! Everybody’s help is welcome and appreciated AND needed! We made it once again and have a modest start for May. One worry off my mind! If you can help too, please do so!!
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Keeping the Dublin Event Guide going is quite low cost at just EUR 200 per month, but I need you to help getting the money together to cover the cost. Without that there will be no Dublin Event Guide!
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With the above counter you know at all times where we stand and when donating is needed. Donations keep the Dublin Event Guide alive and all donors will also get some additional bonuses.
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Here are some more details about donations:
Any amount is appreciated, but if you are looking for a recommendation, then I suggest a donation of 12 Euro per year. – That’s just one Euro per month and you get FOUR Dublin Event Guides for that Euro! If your funds are limited, but you still want to help, you can buy a virtual coffee for just EUR 4. All donations will be used in full for the Dublin Event Guide.
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To donate, use the Dublin Event Guide Donation Page here: https://gturl.eu/DEGdonate. It is really easy to use and uses Stripe’s trustworthy payment processing. You can even sign up for a yearly subscription on the donation page! Yearly subscriptions will give some important financial stability and reliability to the Dublin Event Guide and are therefore very much appreciated! (Look for the RED subscription buttons at the bottom of the Donation Page.)
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In case the donation page doesn’t work for you, the old links are here: You can donate via http://www.paypal.me/DublinEventGuide or for Revolut users among you, just use @joergbrb or now also https://revolut.me/joergbrb
(If possible, please send your full name and e-mail address as a message with the payment via PayPal or Revolut so that I can tell you about bonuses for donors when available.)
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To buy one or two or even three virtual coffees for the Dublin Event Guide, come to the “Buy Me a Coffee” page here https://www.buymeacoffee.com/DublinEventG
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And there is one other way to help and it is even free: If you come to http://www.DublinEventGuide.com and check out some of the ads and click on the ones that you find interesting, that also helps with a few cent! ?
Thank you!!
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Free events in Dublin this weekend…
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Saturday 25 April
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+ Variety of Public Tours at the National Gallery https://www.nationalgallery.ie/whats-on
+ Variety of Tours and talks at the National Museums in Kildare Street and at Collins Barracks https://www.museum.ie/en-ie/eventcalendar
+ Saturdays at Buddy’s Farmers Market 08:30-14:30 Unit D, Ballymun Industrial Park, 16 Carton Rd, Dublin 11 https://www.facebook.com/dublinartisanmarket/
+ Airfield Estate Farmers’ Market 09:00-14:30 Airfield Estate, Overend Ave, Dundrum, Dublin 14 https://www.airfield.ie/farmers-market-at-airfield-estate
+ Supernatural Food Market – Food & Farmer’s Market 09:00-15:00 St Andrew’s Resource Centre, 114-116 Pearse St., Dublin 2 https://www.facebook.com/thesupernaturalfoodmarket
+ St. Anne’s City Farm – Visit this community farm, run by volunteers 10:00-15:00 St. Anne’s Park, Raheny, Dublin 5 https://www.facebook.com/Stannescityfarm/
+ Jobs Expo Dublin – Employers, Career Clinic, Seminar 10:00-16:00 RDS, Merrion Road, Dublin 4 https://www.jobsexpo.ie (Booking required)
++ Dublin City Council Sensoria – Neurodivergent-friendly Festival for All – multi-sensory programme – Music, Magic, Dance, Performance 10:00-12:00 / 12:30-14:30 / 15:00-17:00 Merrion Square, Dublin 2 https://bookings.scopetickets.com/event/13983 (Booking required)
+ Blackrock Market 11:00-17:30 Main Street, Blackrock, Co. Dublin https://www.facebook.com/BlackrockMarket/
+ Parenting with Confidence: Sing & Sign Workshop 11:00 Charleville Mall Library, North Strand, Dublin 1 https://dublinlearningcity.ie/event/parenting-with-confidence-sing-sign-workshop/ (Booking required)
+ Setting the Scene: Ireland in the 1950s. Fintan O’Toole in conversation with Catriona Crowe – One Dublin One Book 12:00 dlr Lexicon, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin https://www.dublincityofliterature.ie/whats-on/setting-the-scene-ireland-in-the-1950s-fintan-otoole-in-conversation-with-catriona-crowe (Booking required)
+ Gauche Market – The Art of Gaming Edition 12:00-17:00 Wigwam, 54 Middle Abbey Street, Dublin 1 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1986761412868
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+ Bully’s Acre Cemetery Tour 14:00 Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Military Road, Dublin 8 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1986129557973 (Booking required)
+ Chester Beatty Museum Tour 14:00 Chester Beatty Museum, Gardens of Dublin Castle, Dame Street, Dublin 2 https://chesterbeatty.ie/whats-on/free-public-tours/ (R)
+ Kirtan Jam – Bhakti Marga Ireland 15:00-17:00 St Andrews Community Centre, 468 South Circular Road, Rialto, Dublin 8 https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/1986707575840 (Booking required)
+ Mixed Music Karaoke Nights 18:00-23:30 Kalabasa Market, 60-61 Middle Abbey Street, Dublin 1 https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/1983997125811
+ Live Gypsy Jazz – Gig 19:30-23:00 Mother Reilly’s, 26-32 Upper Rathmines Road, Dublin 6 https://www.facebook.com/events/772554088564616
+ Maiden Eire (Tribute to Iron Maiden) – Gig – plus support 20:00 Fibber Magees, 81 Parnell Street, Dublin 1 https://web.facebook.com/events/1254222856823564/
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Sunday 26 April
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+ Variety of Public Tours at the National Gallery https://www.nationalgallery.ie/whats-on
+ Variety of Tours and talks at the National Museums in Kildare Street and at Collins Barracks https://www.museum.ie/en-ie/eventcalendar
+ St. Anne’s City Farm – Visit this community farm, run by volunteers 10:00-15:00 St. Anne’s Park, Raheny, Dublin 5 https://www.facebook.com/Stannescityfarm/ (R)
++ Dublin City Council Sensoria – Neurodivergent-friendly Festival for All – multi-sensory programme – Music, Magic, Dance, Performance 10:00-12:00 / 12:30-14:30 / 15:00-17:00 Merrion Square, Dublin 2 https://bookings.scopetickets.com/event/13983 (Booking required)
+ Run Talk Run – Phoenix Park Run of Mental Health Peer Support Group for adults 10:50 Phoenix Park Visitor Centre, Phoenix Park, Dublin 8 https://bit.ly/RTRDublin
(Booking required)
+ St. Patrick’s Park Market – Books, gifts and crafts 11:00-17:30 St. Patrick’s Park, next to St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin 8 https://www.facebook.com/stpatricksparkmarket/
+ Blackrock Market 11:00-17:30 Main Street, Blackrock, Co. Dublin https://www.facebook.com/BlackrockMarket/ (R)
++ Digital Depot Flea Market 11:00-16:00 Digital Hub, Thomas Street, Dublin 8 https://web.facebook.com/WeLovePopUpMarkets
+ Sunday Family Drop-in Workshop 11:30-13:30 National Gallery, Merrion Square, Dublin 2 https://www.nationalgallery.ie/whats-on/
+ Fade Street Flea Market 12:30-18:00 Market Bar, 14 Fade Street, Dublin 2 https://www.facebook.com/pages/The%20Market%20Bar%20&%20Restaurant/102874844838763/
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+ Hugh Lane Gallery Sunday Concert Series: Evlana Ensemble (Duo) 13:00 Abbey Presbyterian Church, Parnell Square North, Dublin 1 https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/1983684086502 (Booking required)
+ Classical Musicians Network: ‘Flutes of fancy’ 14:00 Dublin Unitarian Church, 112 Saint Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2 https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/1986889107807 (Booking required)
+ Chester Beatty Museum Tour 15:00 Chester Beatty Museum, Gardens of Dublin Castle, Dame Street, Dublin 2 https://chesterbeatty.ie/whats-on/free-public-tours/ (R)
+ Mexican Night with Karaoke 18:00-23:30 Kalabasa Market, 60-61 Middle Abbey Street, Dublin 1 https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/1987570392548
+ Organ Freeman – Weekly Jazz Sundays 18:00-20:30 The Big Romance, 98 Parnell Street, Dublin 1 https://www.jazzireland.ie/jazz-events/residency/organ-freeman-weekly-jazz-sundays-39.html (R)
+ Jawbone: Acoustic Blues & Folk Commune 20:00 Arthur’s Blues & Jazz Club, 28 Thomas Street, Dublin 8 https://www.facebook.com/events/2884885621692568/2884885678359229 (R)
+ The Comedy Crunch – Comedy 21:00-22:45 Stag’s Head, 1 Dame Court, Dublin 2 https://www.facebook.com/thecomedycrunch (R)
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And the free events for next week….
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Please note: To speed up the creation of the weekday section of the Dublin Event Guide, I am experimenting with a few minor changes. One is that I am not adding the full address of the venue to all events anymore (for now). If you don’t know where the venue is, you will find it by checking the event link.
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Monday 27 April
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+ Variety of Tours and talks at the National Museums in Kildare Street and at Collins Barracks https://www.museum.ie/en-ie/eventcalendar
+ Variety of Public Tours at the National Gallery https://www.nationalgallery.ie/whats-on
?+ Song Cycle – Singer Songwriter Night – Open Night with special guests – Little Whelan’s 21:00 Whelan’s, 25 Wexford Street, Dublin 2 https://www.whelanslive.com/event/song-cycle/
+ The Comedy Crunch – Comedy 21:00-22:45 Stag’s Head, 1 Dame Court, Dublin 2 https://www.facebook.com/thecomedycrunch
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Tuesday 28 April
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+ Variety of Tours and talks at the National Museums in Kildare Street and at Collins Barracks https://www.museum.ie/en-ie/eventcalendar
+ Variety of Public Tours at the National Gallery https://www.nationalgallery.ie/whats-on
+ Crime Fiction Writing Workshop with Gill Perdue – One Dublin One Book 18:00-19:30 Skerries Library https://www.dublincityofliterature.ie/whats-on/crime-fiction-writing-workshop-with-gill-perdue (Booking required)
+ Songs In The Long Room – Acoustic Open Mic Session 20:00-23:00 Hynes Bar, 79 Prussia Street, Stoneybatter, Dublin 7 https://www.facebook.com/events/472368905228630
+ Darkey Kelly’s Tuesday Singer Songwriter Night 19:00-22:30 Darkey Kelly’s, Harding Hotel, Fishamble Street, Dublin 8 https://www.facebook.com/groups/915434861959818
+ Downtown Blues Dancing – Weekly Drop-in Classes & Social Dancing 20:00-23:00 Mind the Step Cafe, 24 Strand Street Great, Dublin 1 https://www.downtownbluesdublin.com/blues-dancing
+ Ukulele Tuesday – Weekly Ukulele Meetup 20:00 Stag’s Head, 1 Dame Court, Dublin 2 https://www.facebook.com/UkuleleTuesday/
+ The Comedy Crunch – Comedy 21:00-22:45 Stag’s Head, 1 Dame Court, Dublin 2 https://www.facebook.com/thecomedycrunch
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Dublin Event Guide (for Free Events)
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?+++ Government Digital Wallet: Share your Views
The Irish Government is currently exploring the idea of introducing a “Government Digital Wallet”, a system/app that could allow people to store official documents like ID, licences and possibly other credentials on their phone.
On the surface, this sounds convenient. Many countries are moving in this direction and having your documents available digitally could make everyday interactions a little bit smoother, from dealing with public services to verifying your identity when needed.
However, given Ireland’s mixed track record with digital identity systems, caution is required.
The rollout of the Public Services Card led to significant concerns raised by the Data Protection Commission, particularly around how personal data was collected and used. That history means that trust in new systems like a digital wallet should not come automatically.
The government has opened a public consultation and is actively asking for feedback.
You can share your views here:
https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-public-expenditure-infrastructure-public-service-reform-and-digitalisation/forms/government-digital-wallet/
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+++ Dublin Learning City Festival
The Dublin Learning City Festival from 22-25 April (Wednesday – Saturday) is open to everyone and this year there is a focus on Connecting with one another, Creating meaningful learning communities through these connections, and Changing our communities in a positive way through encouraging lifelong learning. Talks, lectures and classes are all free and are online or in person. The website at https://dublinlearningcity.ie/festival/whats-on-all-events/ lists all events.
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+++ One Dublin One Book: Christine Falls by John Banville
April is the month of “One Dublin One Book”. Dublin City Libraries and Dublin UNESCO City of Literature are selecting one book every year that they suggest everyone should read in April. This year the book is “Christine Falls” by John Banville, a crime fiction book.
Every year there are lots of events in connection with the book and you will find all events at http://www.onedublinonebook.ie/
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+++ Dublin City Council Culture Company
Every week, the Dublin City Council Culture Company organises cultural events in venues in Dublin. They are events in addition to the normal events in museums, galleries and other venues. All events are free, but access is by registration only. And these events are POPULAR!! So when I get to checking them out on the Friday before they take place, the most interesting ones are usually already booked out. If you are interested, check them out here https://cultureclubdublin.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows
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+++ LEARN A NEW SKILL WITH ONLINE COURSES
Is there ever a wrong time for learning a new skill or enhancing what you are already interested in? Maybe it is a language or an instrument or some technical skills? Or something completely different? Nearly every subject is there! Check out Udemy via the link below, they have thousands of courses and there is good chance that what you are looking for is available. Nearly all the courses are REALLY affordable!
The lowest price most of the time is EUR 12.99. Sometimes it even goes down further to EUR 9.99 and when that happens (about once or twice a year), I will tell you. But even 12.99 is definitely a good price for what you get! – Check out the website at https://www.getthislink.com/Udemy22 And if you buy through that link, you also help the Dublin Event Guide! :-)
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+++ IKEA Crafting / Music / Cooking Workshops
Ikea in Ballymun runs a variety of crafting, music and cooking workshops it is always worh checking out. The workshops are free and usually go for 45 minutes. They are always for children, but the age is often not fixed. There are specific Toddler and baby workshops at times as well. Check them out on https://www.ikea.com/ie/en/stores/events/ikea-ballymun/
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+++ Some more events:
Find Library events here https://www.dublincity.ie/events and Trinity College Events here https://www.tcd.ie/news_events/events/?day=18&month=03&year=2024&search=week
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+++ Storytelling and Toddler Groups at Dublin City Libraries
The Dublin City Libraries have published a list of Storytelling and Toddler groups for age 0-4 across the Dublin City Libraries. You can find it here https://www.dublincity.ie/library/blog/storytelling-and-toddler-groups-dublin-city-libraries
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And this is it for another week! Have a great weekend and good new week.
Take care,
Go to https://rte.ie
–Joerg (dublineventguide@gmail.com) |
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Go to https://rte.ie
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Copyright 2026 by Joerg Steegmueller |
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