TheCity

Author: thealexcloud

  • Ireland welcomes a wave of international visitors for the St. Patrick’s Day weekend festivities 

    Hundreds of thousands of international tourists are expected to travel to the country over the bank holiday weekend for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. 

    By Alex Cloud 

    Fáilte Ireland estimates that over 589,000 people attended the three-day St. Patrick’s Day festival last year, which generated €138 million in visitor revenue. 

    While the figures for the current year are undetermined, Dublin Live reported that over half a million people were in Dublin today for celebrations. 

    An Garda Siochana pledged over 1,000 members to the city centre to ensure all festivities went smoothly. 

    “The St. Patrick’s Festival represents a major opportunity to highlight Ireland on the global stage. It is one of our most recognisable national events and signals the start of the traditional tourism season. It’s when visitors from near and far come to enjoy our culture, creativity and warm hospitality,” Minister for Tourism, Enterprise and Employment Peter Burke T.D. told Fáilte Ireland. 

    “The 2026 Festival programme honours our national heritage through a vibrant mix of traditional and modern Irish culture. It supports local communities, artists and the tourism and hospitality sectors, while also generating valuable economic benefits for tourism SMEs throughout the county.” 

    Bands walking in the Dublin parade – Photo credit: Fáilte Ireland 

    The theme for this year’s festival was “Roots”, honouring Ireland’s rich history and folklore. 

    In addition to the Dublin festival, several were held across the country, in counties such as Cork, Kilkenny, Sligo and Waterford. Fáilte Ireland supports these regional festivities as key drivers for tourism. 

    “With an exciting programme of events across four days, this festival showcases the very best of Irish culture, entertainment and creativity, while delivering important economic benefits for tourism businesses and communities nationwide,” said Caroline Bocquel, CEO of Fáilte Ireland. 

    “The celebrations not only bring people into our cities, towns and villages, they also shine an international spotlight on Ireland as a must-visit destination. Through Fáilte Ireland’s support for St. Patrick’s Festival Dublin and regional events nationwide, we are helping create compelling visitor experiences that inspire people to come to Ireland and explore all we have to offer.”  

    Hosted by Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland, the country has welcomed 60 global print, broadcast and international media. Combined, the audience reach is expected to be 155 million. 

    St. Patrick’s Day and the celebrations held are used to promote Ireland as an amazing tourist destination. The media were invited to capture not only the holiday, but also the deep culture and natural beauty seen across the country. 

    International media were invited from various countries, including Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Italy, and France. 

    A pinnacle of the celebrations is the colourful performers and bands seen during the parade. This year, 14 international marching bands travelled to Ireland to join the celebrations. 

    “St. Patrick’s Day is a significant cultural moment in Ireland’s tourism calendar, and we’re so pleased to welcome thousands of domestic and international visitors to celebrate Ireland’s heritage, shared story and that céad mile fáilte we’re famous for,” said Bocquel. 

    The Dublin parade had over 3,000 entertainers, artists and musicians that were held together by 165 dedicated volunteers. 

    “The St. Patrick’s Festival represents a major opportunity to highlight Ireland on the global stage. It is one of our most recognisable national events and signals the start of the traditional tourism season, when visitors from near and far come to enjoy our culture, creativity and warm hospitality,” said Burke. 

  • ‘We finally have an international-level card show’: a Dublin Card Show photo essay 

    ‘We finally have an international-level card show’: a Dublin Card Show photo essay 

    The Dublin Card Show has established itself as the largest card convention held in Ireland to date with a headcount of nearly 5,000 people. 

    By Alex Cloud 

    The Dublin Card Show held on February 28th is quickly becoming a staple in the card collecting and hobbyist community. The show is amongst the first of its kind to host two floors in the Convention Centre Dublin to accommodate international sponsors and attendees.  

    “My background is in sports cards, and I would always have to tell vendors at international conventions that we didn’t believe the Irish scene was ready for a show on this large a scale. Through their support, we took a leap of faith,” said Jason Flynn, co-organiser of the Dublin Card Show. 

    The Convention Centre in Dublin has been used by the Dublin Card Show for the last two consecutive years in a row.

    Early entry attendees queued around the convention centre at 9:30am, eager to enter. 

    “Our first year, we had about 1,200 in attendance, and last year it was 2,800. This year, we had nearly 5,000. The tickets sold out, and we had to add afternoon tickets too,” said Flynn. 

    A representative of the convention centre confirmed these figures. 

    Topps, a leading trading card and collectible manufacturer, has sponsored the event and brought the genuine Premier League golden boot trophy to showcase. 

    “They have been fantastic to work with and continue to support us as we have grown,” said Flynn. 

    Richie Elliot and his daughter Lacey donating a binder of cards to Titan TCG, a vendor at the event, so he may give them to other children who come to the stall. 

    “We don’t have a lot of space for collecting in Dublin, so seeing the community come together and giving back really makes you feel good,” said Thomas Cahill, vendor and owner of Titan TCG. 

    “It’s wild to think that we finally have an international level card show after all this time.” 

    Items from various collecting hobbies such as sports, Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh, Magic: The Gathering and more were showcased and available for purchase. 

    “We just brought our international sports card community here and were met with this really enthusiastic and indigenous trading card community,” said Flynn. 

    “Once we pulled off the first year, and word got out. It’s just taken on a life of its own.” 

    Young Alex Larkin ecstatic to show off his Pokémon collection and share with the community of like-minded individuals.  

    “This is by far the biggest event in Ireland to date for the collectors and it’s something adult collectors can share with their kids for sure,” said Cahill. 

    Although there was a designated trading area, attendees chose to sit in the heart of the action on the first floor, where the majority of vendors were based. 

    On the second floor of the convention, another partner who flew in internationally for the event, GTS Distribution, sponsored a live selling stage. 

    “People watching on the live stream can be at the Dublin Card Show without being physically there on the day,” Flynn said. 

    There were mini-games, raffles, spin-the-wheels and more activities available on the second floor of the venue next to the live selling stage. 

    The creative scene has also been given a spotlight, as various vendors who produce their own products were in attendance.  

    “We plan on making it even bigger and better in 2027, hopefully in a way that hasn’t been done before,” said Flynn. 

  • ‘We really want to give back to our community’: Notions restaurant taking care of those in the hospitality industry 

    ‘We really want to give back to our community’: Notions restaurant taking care of those in the hospitality industry 

    Photo Credit: Mayara Suzart

    The newly established Notions restaurant, based in Two Pups Café, Dublin 8, is offering 20% off on Tuesday evenings for anyone working in the hospitality industry – from bartenders, waitresses, nurses and more. 

    By Alex Cloud 

    Anyone who has worked in the hospitality industry can relate to the feeling of not having time on weekends to socialise or to go out and enjoy nice food that isn’t the standard pub grub or takeaways we’re all too familiar with. It is for this reason that the team at Notions has decided to offer a discount for anyone in the industry. 

    James Walsh, the head chef at Notions, explained: “My vision of hospitality is very much this collaborative community of passionate people coming together and enjoying what we all have to offer.” 

    “We’re a new restaurant, so engaging with each other is important and not to mention, powerful.” 

    Notions located in Two Pups Café on Francis Street, Dublin 8. Photo credit: Alex Cloud

    The team has used social media and word of mouth to try and advertise the discount. Walsh said: “Obviously, we hope people come and enjoy the food, but we want them to come back, and of course, tell their friends. Come and try! You know?” 

    The restaurant sources all its ingredients from local farms and Irish producers encapsulating the love they share for food and supporting local. Dishes including steak and pepper sauce, fresh gnocchi pasta and a special where customers can try one of every dish available on the menu. 

    Walsh recently travelled abroad, which he said inspired some of the items on the menu, and of course, the NO FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) special. “I was recently in Lisbon, and there was so much going on that we decided, let’s find a way to have people try it all,” said Walsh.  

    “My training has been quite formal as I’ve worked in Michelin-level restaurants – so this is kind of like having fun with it, while still having the techniques behind the dishes and the complexity. It’s food I like to eat!” 

    Walsh explained that Dublin 8 is a blooming area and that they hope the discount brings everyone in and together, even just to network with one another. “I like to think it’ll be a way for people to get to know each other and maybe meet people in other areas of the industry as well,” he said.  

    Head chef James Walsh. Photo credit: Mayara Suzart
    Dinner set up at Notions. Photo credit: Mayara Suzart

    “Obviously, I work in hospitality, and I love going out to eat, so I just feel like it’s so important to support each other.”  

    The general manager of the establishment, Moses Rurwendwa, said: “I started off in Greystones and have since moved all the way up to Dublin. Since then, I’ve made so many connections – there is so much community here.” 

    “I love building on to this community for the future generations, the way it was given to me when I was coming up.” 

    Moses Rurwendwa behind the counter, setting up for the evening ahead. Photo credit: Alex Cloud 

    “It’s an amazing industry, but it’s hard, it’s not glamorous, there can sometimes be no thanks,” Walsh said. 

    The discount is available every Tuesday after 5pm, and anyone who works in hospitality can avail of it. The team even encourages anyone who comes in to try the NO FOMO menu. Rurwendwa explained that patrons can avail of the discount if they can prove they work in hospitality.  

    “Just come in and see what you miss out on while working weekends,” said Rurwenda. “Come enjoy yourself, with some good food, just the way everyone else does when we’re looking after them.” 

  • ‘It felt like we were just pretty girls on wheels’: 50 First Skates reveal the challenges of being a female-focused organisation 

    ‘It felt like we were just pretty girls on wheels’: 50 First Skates reveal the challenges of being a female-focused organisation 

    Dublin-based skating group 50 First Skates rolls into the new year, bigger and better than ever. They hope to have more safe spaces for expression and creativity while confronting challenges.  

    By Alex Cloud 

    The skating group has expressed their experiences with random people showing up to skate meetings and making the members feel uncomfortable. 

    Nicole Douglas, also known as Ballsy Wallsy on Instagram, explains that her skating group 50 First Skates was born out of the need for creative and safe spaces in Dublin.  

    The group has faced adversity, leading to the implementation of strict rules to join.  

    “We have had people show up and just watch us skate or record us practising. Now, we don’t publicise where we skate anymore,” said Douglas.  

    50 First Skates members sharing a laugh during a skate meet – photo credit: Nicole Douglas

    She revealed that the group have had issues with strangers showing up to meets, leaving members feeling unsafe. They have had to implement measures to prevent any further occurrences.  

    “It needed to be organised in such a way that we could control who was coming to the meet so that nobody was uncomfortable.”  

    “We have a rule that if you bring someone with you, you need to be able to vouch for them. When you join our WhatsApp group, we ask you to send a photo of your skates so we can verify you’re here for the right reasons,” she said.  

    50 First Skates originally began as a strictly female and pro-LGBTQA+ group. However, Douglas explained that they have recently allowed men to attend the meets after they have been vouched for.  

    “If a guy asked to join beforehand, I would refer him to another skating group. But now we’ve opened it up much more,” she said.  

    The Instagram account for 50 First Skates currently boasts nearly seven thousand followers.  

    “Setting up a club had never been on my agenda; it was never something I had even thought about doing,” Douglas said. 

    “The more I skated, and the more people saw me, the more people wanted to join in. This club is for the gays, the gals and non-binary pals first and forever.”  

    50 First Skates has also been featured in Dublin Live, where Douglas explained that their meet location has been leaked before, leading to problems for the group.  

    “I know someone from another skate group that got stalked because their WhatsApp link was public and anyone could join,” she said. She’d post where their skate meet was, and people would follow her there.”  

    Outside of unsettling encounters the members have faced while skating, Douglas explained that it has been nearly impossible to find a venue willing to host them.  

    “Most venues in the City Centre have shut us down just because we have wheels on our feet. They claim it damages the wood, even though the wheel’s purpose is to be non-invasive – and they think we’re doing roller derby when that’s not it at all,” she said.  

    The group hosts a weekly skate meet in a hall located in the Dublin suburbs. The location is always confirmed through their WhatsApp channel to avoid any unexpected guests.  

    “This is adult play. Everyone works so hard, earns so little and pays so much to live – nobody has anywhere they can just go,” Douglas said. 

    Nicole Douglas, a.k.a. Ballsy Wallsy- photo credit: Nicole Douglas  

    Douglas found her passion for skating through grief.  

    “When my dogs passed, I would go to a car park and listen to downtempo music and just go for it. It is something you can connect with emotionally,” she explained.  

    “Taking what you’re dealing with, and with the music that you love while processing your emotions through motion – it’s amazing.”  

    Douglas works with an administration team of three people. They host skating workshops for all levels.  

    “Our hope for the new year is to be insured to teach under-18s. The demand is insane, they really want to come skate with us – and I really hope to teach them.”