Look — there's no easy way to start this Monday. The Dubs are relegated. Division 2 football next year for the first time since 2023. Manager sent off. Red cards. Seven unanswered points. A crowd of 9,274 watching it happen in Salthill. We'll get into the full drama below — but first, take a breath, and know that there is plenty more going on in this city worth reading about today too.

Southside · Tallaght / Clondalkin / D24

A significant row has broken out at South Dublin County Council this week. Sinn Féin councillor William Carey has accused SDCC of "unfairly" increasing rents for working families who rent council homes across Tallaght, Clondalkin and Lucan. Carey says the rent hikes are being applied to families on the Working Family Payment and modest incomes who simply cannot absorb the increases — many of whom are already stretched to the limit. He called on the council to reverse the increases immediately. SDCC have not yet formally responded. If you're a council tenant in South Dublin and have received a rent increase notice this month, this is the story to watch this week.

Dublin-Wide · Homeless Crisis

With homeless figures at 17,000 nationally and 12,198 in Dublin, the Government has committed €100 million in 2026 specifically to acquire second-hand properties to help families exit emergency accommodation and support the Housing First programme. A dedicated Child and Family Homelessness Action Plan is also being implemented, with a cross-departmental approach targeting child homelessness specifically. Opposition TDs — including Northside Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne and Sinn Féin's Eoin Ó Broin — say the Government's new rent legislation, which effectively ends Rent Pressure Zone protections for new tenancies from March, will drive the figures higher. The €100m fund is a step, but critics say it's nowhere near enough.

Northside · Finglas / Dublin 11

A Northside TD has extended a personal invitation to the Minister for Housing to come and see the level of dereliction in Finglas with his own eyes. Dublin People reported that a local representative issued the invite after growing frustration that vacant and derelict sites across Finglas Village and the surrounding area are not being tackled with any urgency — despite the housing shortage. Finglas is the area the Luas extension would serve, and locals feel the community is being deprioritised on multiple fronts simultaneously. The minister has not yet confirmed if he will visit.

Northside · Cabra / Dublin 7

Good news coming through for Cabra. The former Dominican Convent site on the Navan Road in Cabra is set to be transformed into 95 new homes — 15 one-beds, 67 two-beds and 13 three-beds — delivered by Focus Housing and CALF-funded through Dublin City Council. A tender has been completed and work is expected to commence on site in 2026 across two phases. For an area of the Northside that has been crying out for new housing stock, this is a very welcome development. One to watch for anyone looking for an AHB tenancy in D7.

Northside · Drumcondra / Marino · Blossom Watch

Today is one of the last dry days of the week before rain and possibly snow arrives on Wednesday — so if you haven't been up to Griffith Avenue yet for the cherry blossom, today is your window. The avenue is showing early colour now and should be in full spectacular bloom within the week. At 12°C this morning and dry all day, a lunchtime or afternoon walk is perfect. Take the 4, 9 or 16 bus up to Drumcondra, or the Northside DART to Clontarf Road and walk up. You will not regret it.

The Liffey Colours Result and a Brilliant Reminder About What Makes Dublin Special

On a weekend dominated by Dublin GAA's relegation, let's not forget what happened on the Liffey on Saturday morning. The 76th Dublin City Colours Boat Race took place in brilliant spring sunshine — thousands of Dubliners lined the quays from O'Connell Bridge to Victoria Quay to watch Trinity and UCD battle it out on the water. Free to attend, community-spirited, and a genuine piece of living Dublin tradition stretching back 76 years. That's the city we live in.

And while the GAA result was grim — Dublin GAA's women's football teams, hurling teams and club teams continue to perform brilliantly across the board. The sky is not falling. Come on Dublin.

The Gist: If your route takes you through North Dublin, take note of new road closures starting today.

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Rough Monday morning for Dublin GAA supporters — no getting around that. But the city moves on, as it always does. Get out for the blossom today while it's dry. Watch out for the SDCC rent row if you're a council tenant in South Dublin. And if you're heading to Grian Chatten tomorrow night in Vicar Street — that's a very good Tuesday. 🎤

Back tomorrow morning with Tuesday's edition. Have a good one, Dublin. Come on the Dubs for the Championship. 💙☘️

, The Dublin Scoop Team