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Irish Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Things for teens to do in Dublin city centre during the holidays
We're past the halfway point of the school summer holidays and boredom is setting in. The annual sun getaway abroad is behind many of us and most parents have to work full-time. Kids can do summer camps, but teens can be tricky - and costly - to keep entertained. These spirited youngsters want to do stuff on their own, which is handy; but it's also nice to join them occasionally, when time allows. Surprisingly, one of the best places for family activities to suit teens is Dublin city centre. With a number of new attractions, it's become a teen-friendly capital. It's now home to some brand-new top entertainment options. These attractions - all opened this year - have positioned Dublin as a great city for family fun. I went out with my son Luc, 15, and his pals, to try them out. Here's what we thought of them. (L-R Sarah Clancy, CEO Little Museum of Dublin, Mary Stack of Fáilte Ireland, Emma Blain, Lord Mayor and First Citizen of Dublin) Little Museum of Dublin The capital's quirkiest museum has just re-opened after a €4million renovation that took a year to complete. It's a new-look, modernised refit that brings the museum - located in a Georgian mansion on iconic St Stephen's Green - into the 21st century. However it has retained its ethos as a 'hospitable, historic and humorous welcome to Dublin.' Visitors are first brought into a special screening room for a fully immersive introduction video, which features a cheeky Molly Malone. The tour is a crash course in Dublin history, carried out with wit, wisdom, eccentricity and charm. It's an educational and entertaining activity for teens - a bit wacky and never boring. The tour is less than an hour, moves at pace and is easy to grasp, and explanations like how Dublin went from "Irish village, to Viking Town, to English city, to proud European capital." There's plenty of humour, and the teens were delighted by effervescent young guide Saul, a world-famous Irish dancer who treated us to a jig around the room. It's highly cultural, with plenty of mentions of some of the city's most impressive figures such as Brendan Behan, Oscar Wilde, Maureen O'Hara and Bono. It also reveals lesser-known tales of the city, such as how both the British and Irish sides in the 1916 Rising agreed to a ceasefire every day to allow the ducks to be fed in Stephen's Green. This one will amuse young culture vultures. I enjoyed the nostalgia of artefacts from the recent past, such as Callcards and Dublin Millennium milk bottles. Family tickets are €45; student entry is €16. Lane7 Stepping into Lane7 on Dublin's Clarendon Row is like stepping back into the 1980s. This is a bowling and gaming venue with a retro vibe, which the younger gang seem to find amusing. For me, it's nostalgia - for them, it's 'Leisureplex, but 80s' as they deemed it. Lane7 is far more swish than Leisureplex and is definitely set up for a night out, or a place to bring a date, or just a cool hangout. It's all graffiti walls and neon lights and funky bar areas. All the old-skool games are here, and many have an American flavour. There's a slick bowling lane, a photo booth called the Kissing Booth, and beer pong. There's also darts, which was the biggest hit with this competitive bunch, and it's interactive, so the board does the 'math' for you. Classic arcade games include Space Invaders and you can also shoot hoops in a basketball toss game or play ice hockey on a board. The bar serves food and drink - with a large cocktail menu - but has a very strict age policy for alcohol, so no worries there for younger visitors. The Dundrum venue is bigger and has more games such as pool and shuffleboard, but to have a place like this to go in the city centre is special. A great, budget-friendly place for young people to meet friends and have fun and more social teens in particular will love it. World of Illusion Dublin World of Illusion This is a place for young scientists, or those with curious minds. A trip to the World of Illusion at Dublin's Central Plaza will leave you fascinated by how our perceptions of the world can be changed by our environment - light, colour, patterns and movement. Up to 70 visual illusions and interactive exhibitions are here to experience, and some of them are mind-blowing. We all loved the Vortex Tunnel, which is simply a static bridge in a dark room. However, add swirling lights and it creates the illusion of movement. So those crossing it feel like they're being thrown about, even though nothing is moving. The infinity mirrors in the Infinity Room is mesmerising: you're in a room the size of a large cupboard, but it feels like it goes on forever. The large kaleidoscope allows you to see your face as a kaleidoscopic pattern, while in the Ames room, you appear to change size, depending on what position you're standing in. The gravity-defying exhibition makes it appear as though you're being blown vertically in the wind, while the head-on-a-platter installation makes it appear as though you're about to be eaten for dinner. The entire visit to the World of Illusion takes no more than an hour and a half, and there is plenty of wonder to discuss afterwards. Student entry is €18.70, while a family ticket is €63.75. For more information, see Sandbox VR It's amazing that a VR venue of such a size is in the city centre. Usually they're far out in the suburbs, involving a hike through traffic, so it's really convenient for it to be so accessible. But Sandbox is another level. It's not just some warehouse where you go to shoot up zombies, this is a social day out in the world's most advanced virtual reality experience. We played Red Light Green Light, based on the Netflix hit Squid Game, and it's all so hyper-real, it feels like you're inside the game. Teens who love tech and gaming adore this place. We were kitted out with the most high-tech VR headsets, 3-D precision body trackers, custom hardware, sensors and haptic vests. All you could hear from the room was the screams and shouts of six teenagers having the time of their lives. They hadn't even left the building when they were planning their next trip back. One of the big draws is Toni, Ireland's first robotic bartender. After the game, players can head for the comfortable bar area for a few cocktails and mocktails. As we drank them, we got to watch footage of our game, showing us both in the real world and the VR alternative universe. With a total capacity of 150 people, Sandbox occupies 11,000 square feet of the new development, Grafton Place, at 39 Nassau Street, just steps away from Grafton Street. Prices vary from €30 to €50 per person, depending on whether the visit is peak or off-peak. Sandbox VR opens from 10am until 11pm to 12pm, seven days a week. For more of the latest breaking news from the Irish Mirror check out our homepage by clicking here.
Perth Now
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Dele Alli offered new career by Milton Keynes bowling alley
From pitch to pins – Dele Alli offered new career at 'The Dele Alley' bowling lane Former England player Dele Alli has been offered the chance to swap football for bowling. The ex-Spurs and current Como 1907 midfielder has had a lane named after him in his hometown of Milton Keynes… and it comes with a job offer. Top UK bowling chain Lane7 is launching 'The Dele Alley' – complete with customised bowling balls featuring Dele's face, personalised shoes and a commemorative plaque. Dele, 29, has had Lane 8 named is his honour, which is his current squad number for the Italian Serie A team, which is managed by Cesc Fàbregas. The tongue-in-cheek tribute opens on June 23, and Lane 7 has invited Dele to pop down and cut the ribbon and accept an offer of free bowling lessons so he could potentially switch sports. Managing Director Gavin Hughes said: 'Dele Alli is a hero to Milton Keynes. His time at MK Dons, Tottenham and England saw his status rise, so much so that he deserves a bowling alley named in his honour. 'Why have a statue when you can have your own bowling alley, Alli??' With a whopping 9.3 million followers online, Dele's officially been crowned Milton Keynes' biggest star – ahead of Arsenal Lioness Leah Williamson, darts queen Fallon Sherrock and even Olympic legend Greg Rutherford. And while Greg got a statue, Dele's getting bowling balls with his face on them. Gavin added: 'Things haven't gone perfect for Dele at Como 1907 so we thought we'd reach out and offer him the chance to come home. 'Dele, if you see this – the bowling and tuition is on us. Let's see if you can replicate your football success on the lanes!' Lane7 has reached out to both Dele and his club Como 1907 to invite him to open Lane 8 – but so far, the soccer star has yet to respond.
Irish Daily Mirror
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Lane 7 opens new Dublin venue, with bowling lanes, immersive darts and more
Dublin's newest bowling alley has officially launched in the city centre, offering beer pong, arcade games and more for punters. Following the unparalleled success of the launch of its first Irish venue in Dundrum last year, Lane7 is doubling down in Dublin with an even bigger, bolder, badder entertainment space on Chatham Street. The new venue sports eight state-of-the-art bowling lanes, beer pong, immersive darts, retro arcade games, and a seriously slick cocktail bar. "Dundrum was just the warm-up,' Gavin Hughes, Managing Director of Lane7, said. 'We've seen how much Dubliners love what we do, so we're bringing the heat to the city centre. Lane7 Chatham Street isn't just a bowling alley—it's a place where nights out take on a life of their own. 'Whether it's pre-drinks before hitting town, a wild work do, or just a casual Tuesday that got kicked up a notch, we've got it covered." Lane7 isn't here to do ordinary. Every venue is a little different, infused with graffiti-clad energy and a vibe that's as unpredictable as your aim after a few cocktails. No two nights are the same, but one thing's guaranteed—you won't want to leave. Bookings are now open, so grab your mates and claim your spot. Book now here and follow @Lane7_ie to stay in the loop.
The Sun
15-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Iconic Debenhams store is transformed into huge entertainment zone with 12-lane bowling alley, dancefloor & roller rink
AN iconic Debenhams store has been given a new lease of life after being transformed into an entertainment venue. After the business went into administration in 2020, hundreds of the huge department stores were left empty on UK high streets. 4 4 4 Now, one of the abandoned stores has been completely transformed into the ultimate entertainment space. The Debenhams in Midsummer Place, Milton Keynes has been revamped by entertainment company Lane 7. The 40,000 square foot space has been kitted out with a bowling alley, roller skating rink, golf simulators, bumper cars, pool tables and a gaming experience. Lane 7's Luke Harvey said: "The culture of what people want from their nights out has changed a lot recently, the shift from being a drinking culture has stopped a little bit, especially for 18-24 year olds. "People want a little more from their nights out; they don't necessarily want to go to a nightclub anymore. "They want something fun and something they can do with a range of different friends and families." Since opening in March, the venue has seen about 2,300 visitors on its busiest days which are usually Friday nights and evenings. The entertainment company has taken over the ground floor, while Sports Direct occupies the upper floors. Although shoppers can still buy from Debenhams online, all of its 124 beloved high street stores closed down because of falling profits and rising debt. The financial problems were triggered by a combination of consumers moving online, as well as Covid lockdowns which stalled profits. Across the country, councils and developers have been repurposing former Debenhams stores. One in Northampton was demolished and replaced by student housing in October 2024, a fate that will follow for the two other stores left in the city. Similar plans are going ahead in Guildford, with 185 new homes replacing the former Debenhams store. Other empty stores, including the ex-BHS and Marks and Spencer buildings on Abington Street, Northampton, will also be converted into flats to try and meet growing housing needs. In Ipswich, the borough council have described the empty four story building as a "blight" on the town centre, overlooking the newly revamped Cornhill square. The council claims the building's owner has rejected several applications from "well-known retailers" to take over the site. A store in Norwich faces an uncertain future, with plans to demolish the shop to be rebuilt as student accommodation being fought by Historic England given its proximity to Norwich Castle. Like the Milton Keynes store, some former Debenhams' have undergone an exciting revival. A store in the Grafton Centre, Cambridge, is due to be converted into office and lab space for life science studies. Redevelopment work is being undertaken by Corstorphine and Wright who said they had: "identified areas that could be removed to allow for new development, including a vacant flagship Debenhams store and an underused entrance plaza." 4
