Good morning, South Dublin!
It’s "Thirsty Thursday," but maybe not in the way you think. The city is buzzing with prep for what might be the busiest weekend of the year: Valentine's Day colliding with a home Six Nations match. Good luck getting a taxi this Saturday! Today, we’re focusing on a major win for cyclists and the cultural hits taking over the city.
⛅ WEATHER Today:
Today: 🌥️ Bright & Breezy | High: 9°C | Low: 4°C
The vibe: A solid, dry winter day. Perfect for testing out the new cycle lanes (more on that below).
📣 THE BIG SCOOP The Dodder Greenway: A Valentine's Gift to Commuters
The Gist: It’s been a long road (literally), but South Dublin County Council and Dublin City Council have jointly announced that the Milltown to Dundrum section of the Dodder Greenway is officially entering its final "snagging" phase, with full opening scheduled for next month.
The Details:
The Upgrade: This critical link connects the leafy suburbs of D6 and D14 directly to the tech hubs of D4, allowing for a mostly off-road commute from Rathfarnham to the Silicon Docks.
The Impact: For residents in Milltown, this means the end of the "temporary" barriers that have squeezed traffic on the lower road for months.
The Vision: Once complete in late 2026, you’ll be able to cycle from the Dublin Mountains to the sea at Grand Canal Dock without fighting a bus for space.
Why it matters: If you commute via Clonskeagh or Milltown, your morning run (or cycle) is about to get a whole lot safer.
📰 SOUTH SIDE SNIPPETS
Rugby Fever: The Irish squad is in final prep mode for the Ireland vs. Italy clash this Saturday (Valentine's Day) at the Aviva. Local pubs in Ballsbridge like The Bridge 1859 are already reporting "fully booked" tables for pre-match lunch.
Hospitality Expo: Today is the final day of the Hospitality Expo at the RDS. Expect heavy traffic around Anglesea Road as 4,000+ industry pros wrap up the event.
Dining Panic: Speaking of Valentine's... if you haven't booked a table yet, you might be out of luck. Reports from Ranelagh suggest that spots like Host and Nightmarket have been booked out since January. Time to pivot to a "romantic" takeaway?
Tallaght Buzz: Following yesterday's concert news, Tallaght Stadium has confirmed they are in talks with a "major promoter" for a July 2026 date. Watch this space.
In case you missed it
📅 WHAT'S ON (The Wednesday Planner)
The Event: Aaron Sorkin’s massive Broadway hit "To Kill a Mockingbird" has just opened at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre and reviews are already glowing.
Scene + Heard Festival @ Smock Alley | 6:30 PM | The "Festival of New Work" continues with bold new comedy and theatre experiments.
Drink & Draw: Paint Your Own Cocktail @ This Must Be The Place | 7:30 PM | A fun, low-stakes creative night in the city center.
📢 WHAT’S THE SCOOP ON YOUR STREET?
Spotted a new planning sign? Noticed a shop closing? Send to this email [email protected] Help us keep the Southside informed! 🤫
👋 WRAP UP
Whether you're prepping for the match or the romance (or both), good luck with the planning! See you tomorrow for the big Weekend Guide.
— The Dublin Scoop Team
