Historic Preservation

COST: FREE **YOU MUST GET YOUR OWN TICKET ON EVENTBRITE** Cone aand join us on a lovely walking tour of the Docklands Explore Dublin’s hidden gem on the Docklands Walking Tour, uncovering stories, bridges, and tucked‑away treasures along the River Liffey. *The Docklands are something of a hidden gem in Dublin, in that there is so much to explore in all the nooks and crannies – some of the most special treasures can be found on the bridges themselves, that connect the north and south side of the Liffey. With the Docklands Walking Tour, take your time exploring this historic part of Dublin*. Details: Meet by the on the quays by the Epic Museum at 2.45pm The walk last about an hour. After the walk we will go for coffee and a snack

Experience Dublin's mysterious legends and myths on this 90 minute walking tour. ***[GET YOUR TICKETS](https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/legends-ghosts-and-ghouls-of-dublin-walking-tour-tickets-1970375384817?aff=oddtdtcreator&_gl=1*t2jwxg*_up*MQ..*_ga*NDI5NDgxMzcwLjE3Nzc5NzM5MzY.*_ga_TQVES5V6SH*czE3Nzc5NzM5MzUkbzEkZzAkdDE3Nzc5NzM5MzUkajYwJGwwJGgw&keep_tld=true)*** ### **Legends, Ghosts, and Ghouls!** Ireland has a unique relationship with its legendary past. Kept alive in the histories of the Filí and the Seanchaidhe, Ireland’s gods were not destroyed but - in the words of Mark Williams - demoted to lesser beings. This is an important element of Ireland’s oral histories, which in turn have coloured its popular histories and left many legends for us to parse over today. On the other side of Irish history we have the ballrooms, the salons, and the private studies of Dublin’s litterati. The seances and unwrapping parties, the mysteries and the macabre, all combining into the secret esoteric orders that strove to unlock the secrets of existence. Come explore with us where these two elements fuse to create the wonderful world of Legends, Ghosts, and Ghouls that are just as much a part of Dublin’s history as any of its citizens and buildings… Our tour has over 100 excellent reviews online and is ranked in the top tours on Trip Advisor. **TOPICS** * Maud Gonne & WB Yeats * The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn * Huguenot Cemetery * The Ghost of the Shelbourne * St. Stephen’s Green’s Grizzly History * Bram Stoker * Graverobbers * Darkey Kelly * Dublin’s House of Horrors * Tenements * Justice in Dublin **PRIVATE TOURS** We are also now doing private tours for groups, if you want to host your own tour get in touch with us. We can do tours for friend groups, work parties, educational tours or community tours.👬🧑‍🤝‍🧑 **WHAT ELSE DO WE DO?** We host art nights, pottery, walking tours, workshops, rug tufting and lots of whacky events. Join us for Drink & Draw Ireland's art party or one of our many experiences.🎨 **SUPPORT LOCAL** After each tour we will send you a link to each artist featured and also bring you to a gallery where you can support artists by buying prints, paintings or commission them for work! ***FAQ?*** **What happens if I'm late?** We encourage anyone who is late to still join the tour, after you get a ticket you will get an email that will have instructions.📩 **What happens if it rains?** All tours proceed even if it's raining, please bring an umbrella or rain jacket just in case.☔ **Is this wheelchair accessible?** Unfortunately parts of the tour is not accessible, the first location is accessible to everyone. **Where does the tour start and end?** The tour starts at WB Yeats house and ends at Dublin Castle. **I can't attend? Can I get a refund?** We need 5 days notice to issue a refund so if you don't think you can attend please let us know as soon as possible. We are a small independent business and rely on small groups to make these tours possible. **Can I swap my ticket?** Again as a small business our guides rely on these tours to support their livelihood. We cannot swap tickets unless you give us 5 days notice. You can transfer your ticket to another person to attend in your place. **Should I Tip?** If you enjoy it you can tip your guide if you want! Our guides keep all tips from tours so it gives artists and creatives a chance to do something they love.

## Overview *** Paint A Neon Canvas. Music. UV Lights. Prizes. No Experience Needed To Take Part. Paint A Canvas Using Florescent Paint With Music And Prizes! Our team will take each person step by step into creating a masterpiece with no experience necessary. Create a painting under UV Lights and do something very different. *[GET YOUR TICKET ](https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/neon-painting-disco-ball-tickets-1985992379669?aff=oddtdtcreator&_gl=1*9in2t5*_up*MQ..*_ga*MTMzNDk3ODkxMy4xNzc3OTc0MDY4*_ga_TQVES5V6SH*czE3Nzc5NzQwNjckbzEkZzAkdDE3Nzc5NzQwNjckajYwJGwwJGgw&keep_tld=true)* **WHAT TO EXPECT?** * Artist (to help you paint) * Themed Painting * Prizes * Music * UV Lights **DO YOU DO PRIVATE EVENTS?** Yes, we host private events, brand events, hen parties, and work parties. Contact us on bookings@alternativeexperiences.ie **WHERE IS THE VENUE LOCATED?** The new space is located in Pawn Shop on Dame Street. **IS THERE ALCOHOL?** Yes, the bar has alcohol for sale. There is no BYOB option. **IS IT WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE?** Unfortunately not, this venue is not wheelchair accessible but we do events in other venues which are. **HOW DO I FIND OUT ABOUT EVENTS?** Signup to our weekly newsletter [here](https://www.alternativedublincity.com/newsletter-signup/ "https://www.alternativedublincity.com/newsletter-signup/") **LOCATION:** Pawn Shop, 15 Dame St, Dublin 2, D02 KD74

You'll meet your local guide at the meeting point a little before 11AM and show your booking. Then we'll commence a fascinating walking tour through the streets, sights, and sounds of Dublin old and new. You'll get an unrivalled insight to the history and culture that has shaped the capital you see today - warts and all, discover the lesser-known, intriguing oddities of our city, and get unique insider tips for the rest of your stay. Sites and topics covered include: Dublin Castle, Christchurch, Viking & Medieval Dublin, Temple Bar, fables, folklore and mythology, Trinity College, Stephen's Green, risings and rebellions, writers & rogues and so, so much more... please remember, places are limited and you must book your spot via: https://www.generationtours.com/dublin See you soon!

**Explore Ballycorus and Carrickgollan Hill.** **Meeting Point : Dawson Street Luas Stop (Beside Pret A Manger).** **Time : 10:30 AM.** **When : Friday 15th of May.** **We will be meeting at Dawson Street Luas Stop at 10:30 AM (Beside Pret A Manger).** Waiting 5 Minutes and taking the **Southbound Green Line Luas from Dawson Street** and getting **off at Renelagh Luas Stop.** After getting off the Luas, we will walk for 1 minute to the Dublin **Ranelagh Luas Bus Stop (Bus Stop Number 2814), (Dublin Bus).** When we are at the Bus Stop we will be taking the **44 Dublin Bus to Enniskerry at 11:03 AM.** **Bus Duration 41 Minutes (45 Stops)** also goes past Dundrum for those who want to get on from there. We will be getting of the **Bus at Monastery House Bus Stop (Stop Number 4091), 11:44AM (Estimated Time)** Then walking **42 Minutes (2.7KM) to Carrickgollan Forest Trail (Estimated Arrival Time 12:26PM)** **Duration : 2 Hours 30 Minutes to 3 Hours** **Length : 8.2KM** **OR** **We can go to Enniskerry and Start from there, they have Coffee shops NEARLY and TOILETS.** Every event is 5 Euro's, you can pay by using Revolut or Cash. I hope to see you there. Many Thanks Thomas

🔐 **Hack and Chill – Weekly Meetup** 🔐 📍 **Tog Hackerspace** \| 🕖 **Fridays, 7–9 PM** *(Except the first Friday of the month – we’re at 2600 Dublin then!)* Are you into cybersecurity, hardware hacking, or just love the hacker mindset? Bring your laptop, your curiosity, and your latest digital mischief to our chill Friday night sessions. No talks, no pressure — just hacking, learning, and chatting with like-minded folks in a relaxed space. 💻 BYO projects, hacks, and war stories ☕ Tea, tools, and toggers provided 💬 New faces always welcome Come hang out. We don’t bite — unless you’re a vulnerable service. https://www.tog.ie/2025/08/new-weekly-group-night-hack-and-chill/

Drink & Draw Ireland's paint party. Win Prizes. Create A Masterpiece. Music & craic! Absolutely no painting experience is necessary. This event is open to everyone, bring a loved one, a friend or come alone🎨 No experience is needed and in under two hours you will create a painting of your very own masterpiece ***[Get your Tickets](https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/drink-draw-sugarloaf-mountain-byob-tickets-1985727794287)*** **What you get with your ticket?** ☀ 1 x Canvas to keep ☀ All the painting materials necessary ☀ Instructor to help guide you ☀ Patterns and designs to inspire you ☀ Custom playlist with feel good tunes ☀ Win prizes! **FAQs:** **I'M NO GOOD AT ART AND HAVEN'T PAINTED SINCE SCHOOL?** Drink & Draw is a super fun event designed so you can have a good time, we aren't about perfection we want you to relax and create. We have instructors who will help guide you to creating your own masterpiece. It doesn't matter if you can't paint this about relaxing. **WHAT IF I GET PAINT ON MY CLOTHES?** We use non-toxic paint that can be machine washed. **DO YOU DO PRIVATE EVENTS?** Yes, we host private events, brand events, hen parties, and work parties. Contact us on bookings@alternativeexperiences.ie **HOW DO I FIND OUT ABOUT EVENTS?** Signup to our weekly newsletter [here](https://www.alternativedublincity.com/newsletter-signup/ "https://www.alternativedublincity.com/newsletter-signup/") **IS ALCOHOL PROVIDED AT THIS EVENT?** This event is a BYOB event to make it a cheap and fun event for you!

IMPORTANT: If you RSVP a particular event, then ensure that you attend, as their may be other members relying on you for company on the run.

It's National Bike Week from Saturday 9th – Sunday 17th May 2026. Join us at Tog on the afternoon of Saturday 16th May from 3pm, for a bicycle maintenance and advice meetup. Many of us at Tog are keen cyclists and e-bikers. Tinkering with our bikes is business-as-usual for us. We have plenty of tools at Tog to do most basic bicycle maintenance, cleaning, lubrication & adjusting. Even if your bike is running well and you just want to pop in for a bit of advice, we'd be delighted to see you. We'll be continuing our Saturday from 7pm that same day with our regular monthly Open Social event. You're welcome to stick around or drop back in later. Expect the usual pizza, good chat and craic.... and of course we'll be willing to talk all things cycling.

Grand Canal Way in County Kildare. * Meeting Point : Hueston Station * When : 12:30 AM, 17th of May. Meeting in Dublin Hueston Train Station for 12:30 AM (Inside beside Pret A Manger), Waiting 10 Minutes. At 12:40, we will going to take the Commuter train which is Scheduled for 12:50 AM to Portlaoise. We will be getting off the train at Sallins and Naas 13:22 PM. This Train Serves Park West and Cherry Orchard, Clondalkin Fonthill, Kishoge, Adamstown, Hazelhatch and Celbridge. When we reach Sallins and Naas Train Station, there is a coffee shop called Hey Darling Sallins and Coffee Express Trailor at the train station. It is a 6 minute walk to the start of the trail, this is a easy walk and you might see some boat passing by on the canal. Trail Duration is 2 to 2 in a half hour walking loop, 7.9 KM. Every event is 5 Euro's you can pay by using Revolut or Cash. I hope to see you thre.

Let’s team up for a chill Literati Dublin meetup at the International Literature Festival Dublin. We’ll hang out in Merrion Square Park, soak up the good weather, and enjoy a full day of talks, readings, and creative events together. No pressure, just good vibes, books, and interesting conversations. **Bring a blanket**, and get ready to spend a relaxed day in the park surrounded by stories and inspiring people ☀️ Perfect chance to connect, discover new authors, and enjoy Dublin at its best. **The area will have chairs to sit, bars, food trucks, bookshop and libraries.** The events are listed here :) https://ilfdublin.com/whats-on/festival/ See you there 💚

Hi :) 🐝 Finish-a-thon – let’s get the things we’ve been putting off done ✅ 📌 Rathmines Library (upstairs) Saturday, 16 May 2026 🕰️ 11AM-3PM We all have that project we have been putting off for a bit or that one to do we just can’t seem to cross off our to do list. Whether it is a craft project stuck in your drawer for too long, a book you’ve been meaning to get to or some course work you need to catch up on – getting things done is much easier in community. So come along and beat the procrastination impulse. We will provide tea, coffee and light snacks.

**History** The history of [Blendon Woods Metro Park](https://www.metroparks.net/parks-and-trails/blendon-woods/) began long before its 1951 opening, rooted in a landscape of rugged ridges and deep ravines that made the land unsuitable for traditional farming. In 1945, a report proposing a metropolitan park system for Franklin County specifically highlighted these cliffs of Bedford Shale as some of the "wildest land in the vicinity". Following this recommendation, the recently formed park district purchased the first 229 acres in early 1949. Because the terrain was so uneven, developers had to cut a mile-and-a-half-long roadway through dense woods just to bring in heavy equipment. This initial preservation effort ensured that the mature second-growth hardwood forests remained largely untouched by the urban expansion spreading toward Westerville. Opening day arrived on Labor Day, September 3, 1951, marking Blendon Woods as the second park in the Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks system. The final push to open was a frantic race; the State Highway Department only finished the primary gravel access road four days before the gates opened. Early staff members, consisting of just four full-time employees, had to hand-dig pit toilets and learn construction skills on the fly to build the first picnic shelters. Despite the dusty conditions and limited facilities, the park was an immediate success, drawing massive crowds from across Central Ohio. By the end of the 1950s, annual visitation had already climbed to over 190,000 people. As the surrounding suburbs grew in the 1960s, the park faced severe overcrowding that threatened its natural habitats. In response, Franklin County voters passed the first Metro Parks levy in 1960, providing the funds necessary for a decade of steady expansion. During this era, the park nearly doubled in size, growing from 264 acres to over 570 acres by 1968. Planners also addressed a critical water shortage by collaborating with the U.S. Soil and Conservation Service to build a lake in 1964. This body of water originally served as a temporary reservoir before its role shifted toward conservation and wildlife support. The 1970s marked a transition toward the specialized wildlife and educational focus for which the park is known today. In 1971, the Walden Waterfowl Refuge was established around the 11-acre Thoreau Lake, creating a sanctuary that remains restricted to provide a quiet habitat for migratory birds. A formal nature center was also developed during this period, expanding on the guided Sunday walks that had been a park staple since the early 1950s. The park’s famous "Monarch Mansion" also became a prominent fixture, starting a long tradition of raising and releasing thousands of monarch butterflies each September. These initiatives cemented the park’s reputation as a premier destination for birders and nature enthusiasts. In more recent decades, Blendon Woods has continued to modernize while maintaining its wilderness character. The 10-acre Natural Play Area was added in 2017, encouraging kids to explore the ravines and woods off-trail. This was followed by the opening of a $1.5 million inclusive playground in April 2025, designed to accommodate children of all physical abilities. The nature center also underwent major renovations to include immersive, three-dimensional exhibits and a new butterfly house. Today, the park encompasses 653 acres, preserving a unique geologic and biological corridor amidst the bustling Westerville and Northeast Columbus area. **Map of the Park** Here is a map of [Blendon Woods](https://www.metroparks.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/BLN_map_Inclusive-Playground-and-Butterfly-Trail_May-2025_1980px.png). **Summary** For this event, we will hike the Lake View, Hickory Ridge, Ripple Rock, Overlook, Brookside, and Sugarbush Trails. This sounds like a lot, but it will really be only a little over five miles. Blendon Woods has a few hills here and there, but it's not one of the more strenuous metro parks. **Where We'll Meet** We'll meet just in front of the Nature Center. This is about a mile into the park from the main entrance. You have to go past the Ranger Station and the Shadblow Reservable Area to get to it, so don't stop too early at the Ranger Station and get it confused with the Nature Center. **After the Hike** Afterward, we will head over to [Forbidden Root Restaurant & Brewery](https://forbiddenroot.com/restaurants/columbus-ohio/) at Easton for [drinks](https://forbiddenroot.com/restaurants/columbus-ohio/#dinner-menu) and [food](https://forbiddenroot.com/wp-content/uploads/Cbus-Food.pdf). We should be there by 5 if you can't make the hike and just want to join us for drinks. The brewery's actual address is [4080 Worth Ave, Columbus, OH 43219](https://www.google.com/maps/place/4080+Worth+Ave,+Columbus,+OH+43219/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x88388a86d10b6619:0x4d42b470a5cf11d3?sa=X&ved=1t:242&ictx=111); however, I recommend pointing your GPS to the [Worth Garage](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Worth+Garage/@40.0542293,-82.9137962,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x88388b4df6082825:0x17582f0eccd9dda1!8m2!3d40.0542293!4d-82.9137962!16s%2Fg%2F11rzfvvv8b?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDQxNS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D) across the street. Parking in this garage is free as long as you're not on the first floor, and it is literally right next to the brewery.

Jimmy V's Grill & Pub in Grandview Heights. You are responsible for your own meal/drinks. We usually don't have any agenda other than eat, drink and talk. :) If the weather is nice we will be on the back patio, otherwise we are in the cigar room. This group has been meeting every Tuesday evening for over a decade. Many attendees do not RSVP on meetup. Please don't let the small number here discourage you. Anyone/everyone is welcome to come. We'd love to have you join us. COTA bus #5 comes to W. 5th and Wyandotte Rd. And it's a minute walk to the restaurant.

Let’s meet and wander the galleries! General admission on Sundays is free.

Customer identity resolution becomes increasingly complex as organizations scale across multiple systems, regions, and data formats. Traditional rule-based approaches often fail to keep up with data variability, require constant manual tuning, and struggle with real-time processing needs. This session presents a practical approach to building a scalable identity resolution pipeline using AWS services and modern AI techniques. The architecture combines data ingestion through Amazon S3 and AWS Glue, transformation pipelines using Spark on EMR, and machine learning models deployed via SageMaker for entity matching and standardization. Graph-based relationship modeling is implemented using Amazon Neptune to improve resolution accuracy by incorporating household and shared attribute context. We will walk through how machine learning models can be used for name and address normalization, how intelligent blocking strategies improve matching efficiency, and how feedback loops can be introduced to continuously improve accuracy. The session also highlights how serverless components such as AWS Lambda can be used for orchestration and real-time processing. **SPEAKER BIO** Mosaic Syed is a Senior Data Engineering and Cloud Solutions Architect with over 20 years of experience designing and delivering scalable, secure, and high-performance data solutions across global enterprise environments. https://www.linkedin.com/in/mosaic-basha-syed-92300856 **CALL FOR SPEAKERS** Learn more: [https://www.awscolumbus.com/get-involved/](https://www.awscolumbus.com/get-involved/) **THANK YOU** *VEEAM* for hosting our meetup! To learn more about *Veeam*, please visit their website: [https://www.veeam.com/](https://www.veeam.com/) **DIRECTIONS** 8800 Lyra Dr #450 · Columbus, OH go to 4th floor. **Want to sponsor the pizza and/or bar tab?** Please contact me if you would like to sponsor this meetup's pizza and/or bar tab: angelo@mandato.com

Community Backyards Workshop Join us at the Ohio Herb Center in Gahanna to learn about sustainable home gardening. We can make small changes in our yards to make a BIG impact for a better environment and healthier waterways while saving money. This workshop is presented by Friends of Alum Creek and hosted by Ohio Herb Center. By attending, any participating community resident can receive a voucher for a rain barrel, compost bin, or native plants for attending. Vouchers are limited to one per household per year. Registration in advance is encouraged but NOT required. Click here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/65f65aw (Free Workshop Registration: Registration is free. Registering in advance provides your information to Franklin Soil and Water ahead of time, so when you come to the workshop, we will have your voucher ready for you when you arrive) * Location: Ohio Herb Center, 110 Mill St, Gahanna, OH 43230 * Date and time: Sat, May 23, 2026 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM * Organizer: The Community Backyards Program, (614) 486-9613, communitybackyards@franklinswcd.org **FAQs** **Our Community Backyards workshops are FREE and a great way to participate in the rebate program. Our workshops are typically 1 to 1 and a half hours long and held in-person. Our workshops cover the same content as the online course, but they are more detailed and allow the chance to ask questions and have discussions with the presenters and other residents. We occassionally have "advanced topics" classes where you dive deeper into one topic of Community Backyards such as invasive vs. native plants or rain gardens.** **Registration is encouraged but not required.** You can register in advance to receive your voucher at the workshop. If you don't register in advance, that's okay - you can still show up (unless otherwise noted - which is very rare) and sign up for a voucher at the class, and we will send you one via email or mail within a few business days after the workshop. **"Do I have to be a resident of that community to attend that workshop?"** Nope! Our workshops are open to everyone (unless otherwise noted - which is extremely rare). You can attend a workshop that best suits your schedule even if it is in a different community than your own. **"Why is registration closed?** Can I just show up?" Yes, you can show up without registering! We close registration typically 1-2 days before the workshop to give the vouchers and materials to the presenters. However, you are always welcome to just show up and fill out a short form to request a voucher at the workshop. If eligible, we will send one to you within 1-2 business days after the workshop. **Voucher note**: Classes are free for everyone but vouchers are for residents of Franklin county or participating community (list here: https://www.communitybackyards.org/participate) 2026 Participating Vendors: City Folk's Farm Shop, Fisher's Gardens, Leaves for Wildlife, Scioto Gardens, Hoover Gardens & Gift Center, and the FSWCD/SWACO Compost Bin Sale. *when redeeming your voucher at a vendor, Please bring a physical copy of your voucher to receive an immediate discount on your purchase. Additionally, to keep up with number of vouchers that are given out, we have changed the expiration date on the vouchers to 30 days

Rev. Steven Clevenger is an ordained spiritualist minister with over 40 years experience as a Spiritual Healer, Clairvoyant and Spiritual Teacher, educated and trained at the White Lily Chapel. Rev. Siobhan Wolf Shaffer is an ordained spiritualist minister and certified medium and healer with over 20 years experience. She began her development in 1988 in Pennsylvania and continued when she moved to Ohio in 1998 where she studied at Rays of Lights Church with Rev. Steven Clevenger. Our full worship services consist of an inspirational lecture, healing meditation, and messages from the spirit world that serve to demonstrate evidence of eternal life. Please visit our Official Church Website (http://raysoflightchurch.com) for more information.

Open to public: Friday, 5/15/26: 12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Saturday 5/16/26: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Hosted by OSU The 2026 Chadwick Arboretum Spring Plant Sale and Auction Fundraiser Location: Lawn area south of the Nationwide and Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center 2201 Fred Taylor Dr, Columbus, OH 43210 Spring Plant Sale Spring into greenery at Chadwick Arboretum & Learning Gardens! Join us for our annual Spring Plant Sale Fundraiser and dive into a lush world of botanical delights. With over 16,000 fresh, exotic, and time-tested edible and ornamental plants, there's something for every green thumb! Experience the thrill of our tree and shrub auctions, where you can bid on unique specimens to enhance your garden sanctuary. Step into our Learning Lab, where engaging educational demonstrations on various garden topics will unfold throughout the three-day sale, enriching your knowledge and inspiring your green endeavors. Take part in an exciting, live auction offered each day, as well as a silent auction on Thursday and Friday. Explore vendor booths brimming with gardening essentials and delightful treasures. And while you shop 'til you drop, indulge in delectable treats from a delicious, local food truck. Proceeds from this event go directly to The Ohio State Chadwick Arboretum, student organizations, and local businesses alike. Come one, come all! Let's cultivate a brighter, greener future together. Credit/debit cards only.