Don’t forget to get down to the Docklands this weekend! The June bank holiday weekend 4th – 7th means you have three days to ride on the ships, listen to music and eat of course. It will be busy – over 150,000 people went last year so get there early! Highlights include:

• Some crazy people will jump into the River Liffey on Saturday at 5pm and they will swim 1.1 km up river from the IFSC
• Every day there is live music and most acts are FREE
• Beautiful sailing ships including the Famine Ship from the 1840s are open for viewing
• The Outdoor Market is the largest in Dublin with food, drinks and crafts on offer for the three days. Jewellry and art work from all over the world is waiting for you too.
• Bring your Children too – George’s Dock is packed with fair rides, face painting and games for younger kids
• Ride a boat up the river (like in the photo) on a Sea Safari. This costs €12

Click this link to find out how to get to the Dublin Docklands by public transport.

Reserve Free Luas Tickets on the Luas website.

Read the Dublin Maritime Festival website here for more information! Have fun:)
Weekend Tips
If you’re prefer to spend the day in Phoenix Park, the Bloom festival is on there this week until Monday. Daily tickets are €20 Food, cooking and gardening! Book online at Bloom in the Park for discounts!
After class tonight why not head around the corner to Shebeen Chic for an Urban African Special – great music for free!

Happy New Year everyone! Chinese people in Dublin have been celebrating New Year since February 12th and the party will go on to February 21st.  You don’t have to be from China to enjoy the dancing and festival food.  This year is the Year of the Tiger so if you know people born in 1974, 1986, 1998 or 2010 they will be optimistic, energetic and courageous!
Our favourite things to do in Dublin this year are:

• Follow the Asian Trail at Dublin Zoo this weekend
• Visit the exhibitions at the Chester Beatty Library. This goes on until April 27th
• Look at Chinese fashion at the Treasury Holdings Art Space, Ground floor, Burlington road, Dublin 2  Today’s the last day!
• See photographs from Chinese and Irish photographers at 15-19 Essex Street West, Temple Bar,
• Eating yummy Chinese food on Parnell Street and Capel Street.

Get more information on the Dublin City website here

What are you doing this weekend? Let us know!

Photo is Chinese New Year at Smithfield by informatique

What's Behind the Door at Abbey College?

Yes, it’s time for a change at Abbey! Your student room is really too small for so many people and we know it can be difficult to get in there sometimes. Now it’s all changed!

• It’s Bigger; more than two times the size of the old room with a large window at the end so you check the weather before you leave
• More Sofas; lots of comfortable sofas and chairs for you to sit on.  Plus a table with chairs and stools so you can eat or read books.
• Eating Time;   The coffee machine is being joined by a vending machine with drinks and snacks.

You’ll have more space to chill out in-between classes or even after class.  Nicola, the General Manager says she hopes this new room will help you feel more at home here.  The new Students’ Room will be open from Monday January 18th.   Check back here for some photos!

WEEKEND TIP

We hope you’ve been enjoying the snow students! And that you haven’t had any slips or falls on the ice. It looks beautiful but we all need to be careful when walking or driving outside these days.

If you’re feeling the cold, why not learn to knit? Warm hats and gloves are easy  to make at the This is Knit classes in the Powerscourt centre. Only €10 for Beginners!

Hop on the Red Luas to the Irish Museum of Modern Art. Some great exhibions are running there now including Pictures of New York and Philippe Parreno.  It’s all free!

Green door by BrianForbes37