So, this is it, with brightness sticking around til 10 each evening, this is the…read moreonce-a-year-it-might-rain-or-it-might-not chance to get out there and do something with it. Besides the pub. Which you could maybe go to afterwards... In a quest to find some cool shizzle to do over the summer that won't leave me regretful and full of fear, I thought I'd give this SUP thing a bash. I tried it last year in Dollymount on one of the most amazing days, and it was sublime, as would anything be in that unexpected heat. So back I went over southside this time, on a not so amazing day, to see if stand up paddle boarding is still as fun when the sun is playing hide and go seek. I can now say, actually, yeah it is. We went for a bit of a cruise just around the jetty area, in and out of the boats, and along the inlet. We had the pleasure of seeing a massive seal dip in and out of the water next to us, and I even went for a few dips into the water (perhaps accidentally..!), but with the super-warm wetsuits we were given, I really didn't mind. Aboveboard itself is hidden down a bit of a higgledypiggeldy laneway just up from the Dun Laoighaire DART. It's been done up to be really super cute. They have a decking area on top of the building that you can sit on and look at the sea, and there are lots of little touches like artificial turf in the changing rooms, super cute bathrooms, and even a blistering hot heater that will blast you if you need it. As I said, the equipment is all top of the range - I've never been given wet suit shoe things before, and they're deadly. You hardly feel the water at all! The instructors and owners are all lovely, friendly, patient and fun. Just what you want when you're undertaking something like this. They also do kite surfing which I'd love to try, and I think I may like more than SUP to be honest. My problem with SUP is that it's a little too... calm for me. It was so nice to be out in the water though and I'll definitely do it again, but kite surfing will be next on the agenda. They do group sessions and one on ones. If you're looking for something different to do with your longer evenings, I'd highly recommend giving them a shout.

What better way to spend a bright summer evening while we have them. This watersports venue is…read morelocated just off the dart line, also with plenty of parking nearby. Its slightly hard to find at the back of a car parts yard but well worth the search. We tried the stand up paddle boarding and I loved loved loved it. We received a friendly welcome and demo on arrival, all very straightforward. We then had a short walk down to the west pier in our wet suits. Its quite nerve wracking as a first timer but once your in the water its really chilled with great views across the sea. The instructor is extremely helpful at giving you tips to not fall in, I wasn't in the humor for a swim that day..... (yes!!! I didn't go in haha). Give it a shot, will defo be back.

The sports centre is pretty handy for space... although as a person who once took exams there my…read morememories aren't all pleasant. Upstairs is the increasingly grubby Crunch Fitness, which does have low gym fees. The main areas on the ground floor are used by the various clubs for everything from fencing to wallclimbing to trampolening (always fun to watch when you're working out) and the facilities are quite cheap for students and staff although the price does go up for outsiders. There are also various squash and badminton courts in the building as well as changing rooms, lockers, showers and a sauna... Like the others said there's no pool yet, but there will soon be (well in several years) in an adjacent building. Outside the building are an array of all-weather pitches which are also put to good use - these are run by the sports centre

I did a rock climbing course here at the weekend…read more €25 get's you two hours on the beginners course where you learn all the essentials like how to tie yourself into your harness. Tying the figure eight knot. Belaying and learning lovely terms such as life rope and death rope. I'm not going to lie it was pretty knicker pissing stuff to climb to the top of the wall, I fell once and dangled like a crab but as I'm stubborn off I went again. I really am hooked to the rush now. As I am not a member of UCD nor a past student I can opt to pay €8 each time I go and €3 rental for the harness which I think is pretty decent as my schedule is all over the place and it allows me to see if I would rather buy membership, also €11 would go in a flash in a pub... The only way the Irish can verify good value. My issues were: 1. You have to pay the fee in person in cash which really is a nightmare and rather worrying that a place of higher education hasn't caught up to with modern payment options i.e the internet. 2. They really should say that you should come with a friend, not that my group weren't friendly. The issue is it's really a two person sport and even though or teacher said you could just rock up and ask to join someone, I dunno especially if you are a beginner like me.

The rose gardens at this moment in time are blooming gorgeous. Tended with loving care not a weed…read moreis in sight. Red roses rub noses with white yellow and pink. And the birds and the bees are as happy as can be.

Located in the far corner of St Anne's Park - just ask anyone for the Rose gardens and they'll tell…read moreyou - this is a hidden wonderland, in the midst of a lovely park on Dublin's Northside. If you want to take the dog for a walk, bring the kids for a bit of exercise and nature study, or just have a ramble yourself, this is the place!! You will behold the most exquisite rose gardens, laid out in a symmetrical way, manicured as if a Gardening/Flora competition is just around the corner! With each rose, trimmed and cared for, that there's no risk of the rose buds withering away in the test of time. It will give you a new appreciation, not only for nature but botany, flora, the sweet rose in particular and you'll realise what a fantastic floral display can be achieved with just a little care and time!

So, I popped in here recently to meet my cousins for a couple of drinks…read more I'm not really a GAA club kinda drinker but the vibe was great. It was packed with locals! My cousins are well known, so I was quickly accepted. The bar staff were great (they even let me pick some of the tunes later in the night!) The lounge staff were super friendly, the music was good, the beer was fresh and delicious. They had a musician in from around 8, he sang and played guitar first then moved on to singing and playing the sax. Awesome! They have a little enclosed smoking area out the back, which is great for when it's raining. I actually really enjoyed myself here, I think my cousins will be seeing more of me now :)

Wanderers FC was founded in 1870 which means it is one of the oldest Rugby clubs in Dublin. They…read morecurrently compete in Division 3 of the AIL, but like most other clubs they have more than one team including an under-20s team. I've seen a few of their matches, and because it's Rugby they're great fun to watch and support is always welcome. Even though at this time of year it's pretty darn cold when you're standing around for close to 2 hours watching the lads in their shorts, so you might want to wear a lot of layers. The club is hard to miss, being right at Merrion Road, and it's also easy to get to by bus or DART. The clubhouse is warm and welcoming and the club organises a few events a year as well. The grounds were also used by the Australian National team for training when they were here for the Autumn Internationals, and the club also opens up their parking lot during the day for people working in the area or visiting the RDS.

I have grown up around the corner from this park, so I know it better than most people. Apart from…read moreseeming slightly smaller each year as I grow older, not much has changed. There is still a little wooden hut that entertained myself, sisters and friends for hours on end. It could be used for a variety of activities such as; make believe tea partys, indians and hiding in it when it was time to go! There are also the usual swings and slide and brightly coloured climbing frames. All that is in the playground, but there is also a large open space in which you can play football, tag rugby or just sunbathe. A walk around the park shows beautiful flowers and a rock pool. This is the perfect place to spend a Sunday with the family, or an afternoon with friends. Bring your dog also. They are supposed to be kept on leashes, but if yours likes to be free, the park keeper turns a blind eye if it is well behaved.

Well GAA encompasses everything community....and Na Fianna is no different!…read moreMy son joined recently and only then did I realise all the community activities I've missed out on. The Club host a number of events from junior movie nights, christmas markets, Pantos to name but a few. The extensive grounds include a large pitch area, 2 all weather pitches and a clubhouse. The clubhouse has shop, a handball alley, a large hall and 2 spacious bars. The smoking area is lovely, overlooking the pitches. This would make a fabulous room for a party....

This building was built a few years ago to house the 127th group of beavers, cubs, scouts and…read moreadventurers. The location is in corpus christi church grounds just off griffith Avenue and homefarm road in Drumcondra. There used to be a division between boy scouts and girl guides but now the scouts take boys and girls here and a lot of my nieces and nephews as well as my own two kids go there They go camping regularly around larch hill and other various scouting events. Reminds me of when I was in girl guides.