Five Of The Most Iconic Events To Happen At The Bernard Shaw Over The Years

We here at Lovin are still not over the news that The Bernard Shaw will be closing at the end of October. It’s a regular after-work haunt for many office members, and I think it’s fair to say we’ll all feel the loss.

It’s been the home of countless nights out, weekend pints and pre-session pizzas. It’s seen people from all walks of life come in and out of its doors and has undoubtedly witnessed the start of many a romance. South Richmond Street is about to lose an absolute gem. (Read more here.)

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It’s with heavy hearts that we announce the end of our Bernard Shaw adventure. At the end of October 2019 we will close the Shaw, Eatyard, all organisational, art and performance spaces and everything else in the building and yards – for good. We’ve tried really hard over the last few months to renew the lease, stay on longer, or buy the place. A lot of things didn’t go our way over the last 12 months either, but it’s out of our hands now unfortunately. We’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who was part of this 13 year adventure. Our landlord, our neighbours & the council were by and large all brilliant and very helpful & supportive. The artists, makers, designers, bands, DJs, promoters, hustlers and lunatics who did their thing at the Shaw – we couldn’t have done it without you. We have had amazing, loyal customers, many who came, and left, and came back again over those 13 years as life got in the way while we were busy making plans and being busy fools. Above all we want to thank our crew. Past and present we have had incredible people work with us. Everything we do is about people…. their ideas, trying things out, making a mess of it, trying again, getting it right, having fun, making memories, and when the party’s over, lets plan another party. But parties weren’t meant to last… Dublin is changing, we can all see and feel it but we are going nowhere & we won’t go down without a fight. We’ll start something else, somewhere else [ plans are afoot ] , and keep fighting the good fight. There are so many young creative, clever, smart people in Dublin & Ireland at the moment – there’s lots to be optimistic about – but they need the spaces to meet each other, make plans, and make them happen! We’ll have more info, lineups, events, wakes, next steps out over the next few days & weeks…. until the end of October we’re open as normal, we’re ready for y’all and we’re gonna party like its….2019! Shaw & Shoddytonic Crew.

A post shared by The Bernard Shaw (@thebernardshaw) on Sep 9, 2019 at 6:50am PDT

Dublin has already gone into mourning with #bernardshawmemories popping up on Twitter to help us work through our grief.

So, in light of that, join me on a trip down memory lane as I remember five of the most iconic events to have happened there over the years.

Tinder Party 2015

This one spoke to the city’s singletons. Attendees were treated to a free glass of prosecco upon showing their Tinder app at the bar and well the rest is history as they say. A night of mingling and romance, the aim was to include the unlucky in love, so they didn’t feel left out on the dreaded Valentine’s Day. I’d swipe right on The Bernard Shaw.

World Coffee Throwing Championships 2016

I’d imagine this was just as fun as it sounds. Contestants in three different weight classes competed to see just how far they could throw their coffee kilos. Combine that with a completely arbitrary set of rules and you’ve got some high-quality entertainment right there.

We held the Irish Coffee Throwing Championships (??‍♂️) and then the World Coffee Championships @TheBernardShaw and had competitors from 20 countries around the world #bernardshawmemories pic.twitter.com/kPLnSUUTxA

— Colin Harmon (@dublinbarista) September 10, 2019

The ‘Random Disqualification Klaxon’, possibly my favourite rule of all, could see “the incumbent thrower” disqualified for no particular reason at any given time. Amazing.

Tim Burton Halloween Party 2017

Maybe it’s just me, but I find that there’s never anything good on to celebrate Halloween. Well, The Bernard Shaw certainly filled that gap in the market with their unreal Tim Burton themed party.

We’ve not one but TWO Halloween Parties this year and for the 2nd we’re goin all Tim Burton on yo a$$… https://t.co/JU9YqGvv9J pic.twitter.com/BoDMgUhxd5

— The Bernard Shaw (@TheBernardShaw) October 6, 2017

The usual clientele turned up donning costumes from one of Burton’s many hit flicks. Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands, the Corpse Bride…you name it, they probably made an appearance there that night.

Father Ted Day 2018

“That’s mad, Ted”.

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Incoming!!! Fr Ted Day on Dec 26th is almost as much an institution as the programme itself! Full deets in the bio!!!

A post shared by The Bernard Shaw (@thebernardshaw) on Dec 20, 2017 at 8:07am PST

Father Ted Day was a Shaw tradition and an annual event dedicated to paying tribute to an absolutely ICONIC piece of Irish television. So funny. So quotable. So Irish. There was a Lovely Girls competition judged by an “expert priest panel”, a Tea Tasting competition and even a Father’s Karaoke Caravan. All they were missing was perhaps another mass.

World Buckfast Day 2019

As self-dubbed ‘Buckfast Connoisseurs’, such an event could only be held at The Bernard Shaw. There was Buckfast Bottomless Brunch with pizza and ‘bucky’ cocktails, Buckfast 99 ice-creams and even a Buckfast inspired quiz.