Hey Blanch, let’s kick off 2026 the right way! ✍️
Check out our first edition of the Blanch Bulletin - looking at health, wellness, fitness, saving money, things to eat/do, and more this month. 🔋 💶
In The Community 🏡
Community Centre Events
13th January: Irish Classes (9:30-11am - Beginners) (11:30am-1pm - Advanced)
14th January: 10 Weeks Men’s Fitness Classes (10-11am)
16th January: Women’s Chair Exercise Classes (12:15-1:15pm)
24th January: Mindfulness & Breathwork Morning (10am-12pm)
28th January: St Brigid’s Day Cross Making (12-1pm)
Tuesdays: Zumba (7:30pm)
Mondays: Chair Pilates (10am)
Health, Fitness & Wellness 🔋
Looking to start running in 2026? 🏃🏃♀️
Running became a craze across the world in 2025. Plenty of us (myself included) will be looking to start the year right with a healthy hobby after the festive period and running is a low barrier to entry option!
Best of all, there’s plenty of options around the area for a range of runners from complete beginners to more experienced. I am fairly new to running and tried a couple out last year so you don’t have to!
Blanch Bulletin recommends:
Park Run: I tried my local one (Hartstown Parkrun) last summer and it was a fantastic experience. It took place at 9:30am on a Saturday morning and is 5km total.
There was an extremely varied group of runners, walkers and joggers from every age group, including even some participants with prams. I would recommend this to any level of runner.
You can find a Park Run near you here.
Prefer to run alone?
I’m on your side. I much prefer to run alone myself as it gives much more flexibility around when I run, how far I run, and what pace I run at.
If this sounds like you, I would recommend downloading Strava (free version available), and hitting the Phoenix Park. There is as many routes as you can possibly imagine with beautiful backdrops.
Just watch out for the deer! 🦌
Competitive?
Check out organised medalled runs throughout the area - plenty of GAA clubs and other organisations do fundraising runs throughout the year!
Looking super local?
Check out the D15 Running Club on Facebook!
Looking for more than just a new healthy hobby?
Sole Mates Running Club: This run club, featured on RTÉ, has been organising monthly single runs, giving young to middle-aged adults a unique and active way to meet.
Their motto is ‘your pace or mine’ and is for a varied range of runners.
It’s not just for meeting a potential partner - it’s also a great way to meet new friends.
Check out their Instagram to see events coming up!
Hartstown Parkrun. Image Credit: parkrun.ie
Movies 🍿
Marty Supreme & The House Maid now in cinemas 🎥
Looking for something to see in the pictures?
I saw both Marty Supreme (Timothee Chalamet) and The House Maid (Sydney Sweeney) at the end of December and here’s the verdict.
Marty Supreme: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (8/10)
Timothee Chalamet is phenomenal in a fairly peculiar tale of an aspiring ping-pong player in 1950s New York.
The movie only misses out on a 9/10 due to some storylines being left unanswered but Chalamet continues on his quest to keep cinema alive with another wonderful performance.
ℹ️ Blanch Bulletin Tip: My girlfriend and I went to see this in the Lighthouse Cinema in Smithfield. This was our first time going here and couldn’t recommend it more.
It’s cheaper than ODEON in Blanchardstown and a better and more unique experience versus the usual cookie-cutter cinema layouts.
Plus there’s plenty of nice things to do around the area before or after!
The House Maid: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (9/10)
This psychological thriller starring Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried delivers slow-burning tension with a jaw-dropping twist that genuinely catches you off guard.
Slick, unsettling, and perfectly paced — one of those films that stays with you long after the credits roll.
Lighthouse Cinema. Image Credit: Alison Cruz
Food 🍱
Musashi & Bonobos for sushi & pizza 🍕
Looking for something new and different to eat?
Musashi: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (9/10)
A very underrated gem tucked away in Blanchardstown just beside Boojum (where XtraVision used to be 💭).
Musashi scores a 9/10 for me — affordable, generous portions, and I always leave feeling full but good, not heavy.
The service is consistently excellent, the interior has a really cool, calm vibe, and it somehow still flies under the radar.
ℹ️ Blanch Bulletin tip: always get the edamame. No exceptions. 🫛
Bonobo’s: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (8.5/10)
Some of the best pizza in Dublin, full stop.
An 8.5/10 with a laid-back atmosphere, friendly bartenders, and a great buzz without being chaotic. Some great alcohol-free options for those doing dry January - I would recommend the NA version of Radler!
Perfectly located if you’re heading to the Lighthouse Cinema, and a bonus for board-game fans who want to hang around a bit longer. Ideal for casual nights that accidentally turn into late ones.
Musashi Blanchardstown. Photo Credit: Blanch Bulletin
Health, Fitness & Wellness 🔋
Taking on Dry January? 🍺
Thinking about giving alcohol a break this January? You’re in good company!
Dry January is all about resetting your body, saving some cash, and trying new experiences around Blanchardstown and Dublin — without needing a drink in hand.
Why go dry?
Boost energy and improve sleep
Give your liver a rest after the festive season
Stay social while exploring new activities and hobbies
Blanch Bulletin’s tips:
Check out some events below organised by the Dry January Festival!
Get Creative 🎨
There’s plenty to do around Dublin that’s dry-friendly, social, and fun:
Tuft Your Own Handbag – Thu 15 Jan: Learn a unique craft and create your own custom bag.
Clothes Swap Shop – Wed 21 Jan: Refresh your wardrobe sustainably and affordably.
Explore the City 🏙️
Combine culture and exercise while staying alcohol-free:
Alternative Dublin Tour – Sun 25 Jan: Discover hidden stories and alternative history across Dublin.
Street Art of Dublin – Sat 17 & 24 Jan: Learn the secrets behind Dublin’s urban art scene.
Gallery Crawl – Sat 24 Jan: Explore Irish art and support local galleries.
Socialise Without Alcohol 🗣️
Meet people and have fun without drinking:
Speed Friending – Sat 24 Jan: Make new friends quickly and easily.
Dublin Storytelling Club – Thu 29 Jan: Share and listen to stories in a friendly environment.
Bike Rave – Fri 30 Jan: Get active and social on a unique city bike ride.
Keep it Active 💃
Pair your Dry January with some movement for extra energy:
Skate Lessons – Tue 13 Jan: Learn to skate with beginners’ lessons in a supportive setting.
Set Dancing for Beginners – Mon 12 Jan: Get moving, learn a new skill, and have fun.
See more details on each event here: Dry January Festival
That’s it for this week and our first edition.
We hope you liked it and if you have any feedback or stuff you’d like added we’d love to hear it!
Alternatively, if you have:
a local business to promote 🔊
a news story or review 🗞️
or someone special who’s story deserves to be told 📖
Reach out to us here with the details and we can discuss getting it into the next issue!