Outdoors

Meeting at Ticknock car park (at the mountain bike shop. biking.ie in Google maps) Meeting at 9:40am, outside the bike shop cafe (at entrance of car park), hike will commence immediately thereafter, this hike will cover forest tracks, small section of road and some boggy terrain. Distance: 22km You may bring lunch, snacks and drinks of your choice. Coffee afterwards in the cafe in car park for those who wish and have the time.

### **Let’s Reconnect & Play** (Paid event) \#\#\# Hello everyone\, and welcome to our community\! Our daily lives can get so stressful and overwhelming between work, study, and endless adult responsibilities. We created this group because we wanted to design a safe space to just be, enjoy the present moment, and disconnect from all the digital noise—social media, algorithms, and daily anxiety. After our first session success, We are happy to announce our second session. This is a special, intimate gathering to try out our dynamics before we launch our regular events to the general public. **What to expect:** * A gentle grounding and meditation practice: A space to arrive, breathe, and leave the rush of the city behind. * Original group games & creative activities: Fun, low-pressure dynamics designed to break the ice, laugh, and reconnect with your "inner child." * A cozy space for reflection: A moment to share how we feel and build authentic human connections. **The details:** 📅 **When:** June 7th 12:00 PM **Capacity:** Limited to 15 spots per session 📍 **Where:** National Botanical Gardens (Meeting point will be disclosed once the payment confirmation has been done) 🎟️ **Fee:** 15€ ( Due to limited spots and prep costs, all workshop ticket sales are final and no refunds will be issued) **All you have to bring is great attitude and your yoga mat!** The limited number of spots is to keep the group small, safe, and meaningful. If you feel like you need a "digital detox" and a bit of genuine play in your life, RSVP to secure your spot! Once you sign up, I will send you a private message with the payment details (Revolut) to confirm your attendance. Can't wait to meet you all and share this experience! ✨

Swim + Coffee Check back later and I will add details ! If you are a regular you already know what we're doing Francois

**Ticknock Forest Via Belarmine, Fernhill Park.** **Meeting Point : Tara Street Train Station.** **When : Sunday, 7th of June.** **Time 13:30 PM.** We will be meeting at Tara Train Station at 13:30 PM PM (Waiting 5 Minutes) on Sunday Afternoon. At 13:35 PM, we will be walking to the Green Line Tram (Luas) from Marlborough Luas Stop. we will be taking the Scheduled tram to (towards) Brides Glen. We will be getting off the Tram (Luas) at Glencairn Stop (estimated 14:16 PM, (Duration 32 Minutes, 17 Stops). When we get off the Luas (Tram) we will be walking to 20 Minutes (1.4KM) to Belarmine. Arrival Time to Belarmine 14:36 PM (Estimated Time). When we reach Belarmine, there is a Fresh Store and Fire & Stone Eatery both sell Coffee and Food, Fire & Stone have bathroom facilites. Loop Duration 2-3 Hours. When we finish the will be going The Blue Light Pub, after that we can walk back to Belarmine or get the 44 Bus to Dublin or take the Luas back. Every event is 5 Euro's you can pay by using Revolut or Cash. I hope to see you there, Many Thanks Thomas.

During social tennis, you’ll play several matches and rally, meet new people… and play a wide range of playing abilities with those who have played tennis before! It is suitable to all players but if you have not played before, please consider joining at least one group lesson before considering social tennis… 😊 Please join my group chat for social tennis below 👇 Https://chat.whatsapp.com/G60iuOQFYm3E6p5yogUo21?mode=ems_copy_t

Join me outside in Sandycove for an outdoor yoga class every Sunday from 24 May. Everyone is welcome, from absolute beginners to more experienced practitioners. Come solo or bring a friend, we’ll be grabbing a coffee nearby after class too if you would like to join. Classes take place rain or shine, so come dressed in layers and bring your own mat. All you need is yourself and a willingness to move and breathe in the fresh air.

**Hands in the Soil: Community Growing, Learning & Craic** This first gathering will be a relaxed mix of **hands-on garden work, shared learning, and good conversation**. It’s about getting together in a real space, doing something practical, and seeing what ideas and connections might grow from there. On the day, we’ll: * Get our **hands dirty** with some light garden work and soil prep * Do some **seed sowing** and talk about what grows well locally * **Make kombucha together** and chat about fermentation, food, and simple home practices * Share knowledge, questions, and experiences around growing food * Enjoy some **fellowship, chats, and a bit of craic** along the way.Alongside the practical side, we’ll also have an open, informal discussion about a bigger idea: * The possibility of **small community “park farms” or gardens** in underused green spaces around Dublin * What that might look like, what’s realistic, and whether others feel drawn to exploring it further There’s no pressure, no expertise required, and no expectation beyond showing up with curiosity and a willingness to pitch in. Whether you’re experienced with gardening or completely new, you’re very welcome. Bring clothes you don’t mind getting muddy, and if you have them, gloves. Everything else will be very low-key. This is just a **first step** — a chance to meet, work, talk, and see if there’s a shared appetite to keep growing something together.

Please PREPAY for this game either by Revolut https://revolut.me/davidandl or Paypal ([kenna.david@gmail.com](http://kenna.david@gmail.com/)) √ We have just 60 minutes to play so please come along a few minutes early to ensure we can start on time. √ The maximum number of players is 18. Please be sure you show up. Places are in high demand so unfortunately, failure to show will result in you being automatically removed from the group. √ As always, you participate in these games at your own risk and an agreement to indemnify the organisers from any injury, loss, claim, or infection.

If you’re new to tennis or have only had a handful of lessons, please join this lesson 🎾 Lessons work on a pay as you go system with each lesson costing €20 with your sixth lesson free, making it €100 for 6 lessons that can attend occasionally or weekly… Also, if you haven’t already join my group lessons WhatsApp group at the link below 👇 https://chat.whatsapp.com/CKXCPrOmQIcDepGYCZYZXu For more info on lessons, prices and equipment that you can borrow for free, click the link below 👇 Www.Ellistennisdublin.Com/info

**History** [Chestnut Ridge Metro Park](https://www.metroparks.net/parks-and-trails/chestnut-ridge/) is historically significant because it sits on a 300-million-year-old outcropping of Blackhand sandstone. Geographically recognized as the very first foothill of the Appalachian Mountains, the ridge rises 1,116 feet above sea level. Long before European settlement, the land served as a sacred site for ancient civilizations. The park contains the Old Maid's Orchard Mound, an eight-foot-tall burial mound constructed by the Adena culture between 1000 B.C. and 100 B.C. This ancient landmark has remained largely intact and is now protected on the National Register of Historic Places. The documented modern history of the land began with an official survey conducted by Ebenezer Buckingham in 1801. Original land deeds of sale from this period notably bear the signatures of United States Presidents Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. In the 1830s, Irish laborers arrived at the ridge to quarry its rich Blackhand sandstone. The blocks they hewed were used to build the crucial locks for the nearby Ohio and Erie Canal. Remnants of this early sandstone quarrying operation can still be spotted by sharp-eyed hikers along the modern trails. Agricultural transformation defined the ridge throughout the mid-to-late 19th century. Settlers discovered that the high elevation created a natural air flow that prevented late-season frost damage to crops. Extensive fruit orchards were planted across the slopes between 1860 and 1880. One notable orchard was established by John Wagner, a Spanish-American War veteran who chose the ridge specifically for its proximity to the bustling Columbus market. The park's current name pays homage to the massive American chestnut trees that once dominated the ridgeline before a devastating ecological blight wiped them out in the early 20th century. The conservation story of the modern 486-acre park began in March 1962. The Metro Parks board announced land acquisition plans to block developers from building a residential housing development called Chestnut Heights. Director-Secretary Walter A. Tucker advocated heavily for the purchase, citing the ridge's immense value as a scenic overlook for central Ohio. The district systematically purchased multiple agricultural parcels over the next two decades. After operating strictly as undeveloped farmland through the 1970s, Chestnut Ridge Metro Park officially opened to the public on December 18, 1988. In recent decades, the park has evolved from a quiet hiking spot into a premier regional destination for outdoor sports. A major turning point occurred in 2010 when the Central Ohio Mountain Biking Organization (COMBO) partnered with the park district to develop new infrastructure. Volunteers worked extensively to construct a single-track mountain bike trail, which officially opened in October 2011. An expert gravity and flow trail featuring advanced jumps was later integrated into the loop in 2016. Today, the park successfully balances its deep ancient, industrial, and agricultural history with active recreation. **Map of the Park** Here is a [map of Chestnut Ridge](https://www.metroparks.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/CHR_map_1980px_2026.jpg). **Summary** For this event, we will hike the Ridge, Meadows, and Homesite Trails, and Law's Lane, which is unmarked on some maps. None of these trails is individually very long, so we will hike a few permutations and loops until we get in 4-5 miles. The hike will be moderately strenuous. **Where We'll Meet** Drive to the rearmost picnic area at the back of the park. There's a latrine here, but there's no water fountain here or anywhere else at Chestnut Ridge. I strongly recommend you bring some water of your own, at least for after the hike. Cell service at the park is spotty, although your GPS will get you there just fine. The map pin I've provided here is exactly where we'll be meeting and should be able to be used directly in Google Maps, although Chestnut Ridge isn't big and you're unlikely to get lost here. **After the Hike** Afterward, we'll head over to [BrewDog DogTap](https://drink.brewdog.com/usa/brewdog-dogtap-columbus) for [drinks](https://usa.brewdog.com/pages/brewdog-lineup) and [food](https://usa.brewdog.com/cdn/shop/files/DogTap_Menu_2025_65e1ff8b-97d4-4f26-80f1-68321d482025.pdf?v=17356939232910340498). They also have an outdoor area that's extremely popular. I've had their burgers and their pizza, and I think they're both very good. I also really like their [Cold Beer](https://usa.brewdog.com/products/cold-beer-2024) (that's its actual name), which is their American light lager. BrewDog's actual address is [96 Gender Rd, Canal Winchester, OH 43110](https://www.google.com/maps/place/96+Gender+Rd,+Canal+Winchester,+OH+43110/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x88387c06afa21a85:0x804c611d373d8c54?sa=X&ved=1t:242&ictx=111), and they have a large, free parking lot. We should be there by 5 if you can't make the hike and just want to join us for drinks.

**History** The [Franklin Park Conservatory](https://www.fpconservatory.org/)’s roots trace back to 1852 when the Franklin County Agricultural Society purchased 88 acres of land to host the Ohio State Fair. After the fair moved to its permanent home, the city of Columbus transformed the grounds into Franklin Park in 1884. This transition shifted the space from a temporary event site to a dedicated public green space for the growing community. The park became a central hub for outdoor recreation and early civic gatherings in the neighborhood. In 1895, the landmark Victorian-style Palm House opened its doors, drawing heavy inspiration from the Glass Palace of the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. This iron and glass structure became an immediate icon, housing exotic plants that residents would otherwise never see in the Midwest. It remains the oldest part of the facility and serves as a primary link to the conservatory’s 19th-century origins. For decades, it stood as a singular testament to grand horticultural architecture in Central Ohio. A major turning point arrived in 1992 when Columbus hosted AmeriFlora '92, an international horticultural exhibition. This massive event prompted a $16 million renovation and expansion, adding significantly more greenhouse space and the Dorothy M. Davis Showhouse. The festival put the conservatory on the international map and fundamentally changed its scale and ambition. Following the event, the facility transitioned from a city-run park to a private, non-profit organization. In 2003, the conservatory’s identity was further defined through a long-term partnership with world-renowned glass artist Dale Chihuly. After a successful exhibition, the Friends of the Conservatory purchased most of the glass installations, creating the largest permanent collection of Chihuly’s work in a botanical setting. These vibrant glass sculptures are now woven throughout the biomes, blending art with nature. This addition helped cement the conservatory as a premier cultural destination rather than just a botanical garden. Recent years have seen the site expand beyond the glass walls to emphasize community engagement and outdoor education. The 2018 opening of the Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation Children’s Garden added two acres of interactive landscape designed for hands-on learning. The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company Community Garden Campus also provides local residents with space to grow their own food and learn sustainable practices. Today, the conservatory balances its historic Victorian charm with modern commitments to local ecology and the Columbus community. **Maps of the Conservatory** Here is the [main map](https://www.fpconservatory.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/franklin-park-zones-scaled.jpg) of the Conservatory grounds. Here's a [map of the areas](https://www.fpconservatory.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/ConstructionMap-2026.jpg) in which the Conservatory has ongoing construction (see below). **Summary** For this event, we'll explore Columbus's highly-rated and very popular Conservatory. As mentioned above, the Conservatory is doing renovations on parts of the facility. These renovations are scheduled to be ongoing until the Fall of next year. Basically, no matter when you go to the Conservatory over the next 18 months, you're going to see some metaphorical orange barrels. So let's just go now. **Tickets and pricing** On the first Sunday of every month, the Conservatory is free for residents of Franklin County and the city of Columbus. You must bring an ID to receive this discount. (Yes, they do check.) Otherwise, tickets are $25.20. Members of the Columbus Zoo (of which I am one) do get a discount on tickets, though I have never actually bought a ticket to the Conservatory (I've always gone on free days). I believe the discount is $4. Parking is always free. If you have additional questions about pricing or whether and for what you qualify, you can reach the Conservatory at 614-715-8000. **Where we'll meet** We will meet just outside the main entrance. I guarantee there's going to be a line. The Conservatory is always popular on free days, and especially in nice weather. **Your GPS is stupid!** Be careful simply typing "Franklin Park Conservatory" in your GPS and going where it tells you. The only way to access the parking lot to the Conservatory is off of Broad Street. Unfortunately, since Google Maps is unable to find its way out of a wet paper bag, it has a tendency to want to take people to a mythical, non-existent Conservatory entrance on Nelson Road. If your GPS does this, just drive to the north side of the Conservatory along Broad Street. Your GPS should then redirect you to the main Conservatory entrance. If your GPS doesn't, then throw your phone away\* and look for the big Conservatory sign on the south side of Broad Street between Nelson Road and Franklin Park West. You also should be able to use the map pin I've provided, below, and it should properly direct you to where you need to drive. \* Don't really do this. **After the event** After stopping to smell the roses, for those that are interested, we'll head to the nearby [Columbus Brewing Company Beer Hall](https://columbusbrewing.com/location/beer-hall/) for [drinks](https://columbusbrewing.com/location/beer-hall/#draft-list) and [lunch](https://columbusbrewing.com/location/beer-hall/#food-menu). The Beer Hall's actual address is [200 Kelton Ave, Columbus, OH 43205](https://www.google.com/maps/place/200+Kelton+Ave,+Columbus,+OH+43205/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x883889a94ac4acad:0xadb2e60240dbc38b?sa=X&ved=1t:242&ictx=111) (it's literally just on the south side of the Conservatory). Be sure this is where your GPS is taking you when you use it, as the Brewing Company has a taproom on Harrison Avenue that is *not* what you want for this event. We should be at the Beer Hall by 1 if you can't make the Conservatory and just want to join us for drinks.