We are finally getting contactless payment in Dublin bus

It’s Friday, Dublin.

☀ High 17C. Low 9C

Good morning Dublin. No major rain forecast today, however, the wind will be strong. Be careful if you are driving and take a windbreaker (or two).

👀 What’s on the news today:

• Kate Bush enthusiasts at it again

• Bray's eyesore at 2 Main Street will get a makeover.

• We are finally getting contactless payment in Dublin bus

& more.

NEWS

Kate Bush enthusiasts are invited to gather at Fairview Park, Dublin, on Saturday, 20th July for a group performance of the iconic "Wuthering Heights" dance.

The event, inspired by a 2013 gathering in Brighton, UK, includes rehearsal time, a picnic, and a final group performance starting at 12pm.

Participants, encouraged to wear wigs and red dresses, will rehearse from 12:15pm to 1:15pm, picnic until 1:45pm, and then perform. The event supports Women's Aid, with a €10 registration fee and options for additional donations. Public transport options include the DART and buses. Note: it's a no-alcohol event and will be filmed.

Wicklow County Council has approved the conversion of 2 Main Street, Bray, into a boutique guest house.

Vacant since a 2019 fire, the three-storey building will be transformed into a 17-room guest house by Architecture Ink for Multilane Limited, a Duggan family subsidiary.

The Duggans own popular Bray spots like Frank Duff’s and Platform Pizza. The ground floor, previously a pharmacy, was unaffected by the fire. The building’s historic brick façade will be preserved, while the interior will be fully renovated to provide much-needed tourist accommodation. The project aims to restore and enhance this central town location.

A Spanish company, Indra, has been chosen by the National Transport Authority (NTA) to introduce contactless payment technology on Dublin Bus.

Indra will modernize the payment system for buses, trams, and rail services, enabling passengers to pay with bank cards or mobile phones.

Part of the BusConnects Programme, this upgrade will first target the Greater Dublin Area, aiming to reduce delays from cash transactions. The full rollout is expected to take three to four years. Fine Gael senator John McGahon emphasizes the need for faster implementation, noting the record 308 million public transport journeys in 2023 and the benefits of reliable and accessible transport links.

What to Do This Week

• The National Gallery of Ireland is doing a “silent city” show - explore the history of the urban landscape in Ireland - since the beginning. It is free to attend.

• Epic Museum is doing a Bristh + Ireland history exhibition. Entry is around 18 eur/person.

• The 45 minute Dublin River Cruise is still on sale here. This might be a weekend activity for you (only if there’s no rain and tolerable wild)

Have a wonderful weekend. We chat Monday.

If you have enjoyed this week’s newsletters, please hit the reply. I really enjoy reading your replies.

Thanks, Khalid.