Some LEGO hauls take planning. Others are an exercise in patience, parenting, and perfect timing. This one was all three.
It began like many weekday evenings: full of logistics. Luke had Beavers in Balally for 6:45pm, and while he was crafting knots or badges, Rose and I dashed across to Dunnes at the Beacon for the weekly shop. Navigating crowded aisles and the ever-growing list of essentials, we didn’t make it back to the car until 7:50pm.
We scooped Luke up at 8pm, flew home to unload the shopping, and then hit the road again, this time northbound from Stepaside, around the M50, across to the Malahide Road, and finally into Coolock Village. The mission: a late-night LEGO pickup in the car park of the Bank of Ireland at 8:45pm sharp.
€130 later, we had four magical additions for our Harry Potter exhibit at Redmond’s Forge; each one well worth the journey:
🪄 75945 Expecto Patronum
Small but mighty, this scene features Harry’s iconic moment by the lake with his stag Patronus. It’s compact and mystical, a must for any diorama capturing the magic of spellwork.
🚂 75955 Hogwarts Express
A fan favourite! The legendary red steam engine complete with Platform 9¾. This one will become the centrepiece of the exhibit’s transport hub; especially beloved by kids who know the train is where the magic really begins.
⚰️ 75965 The Rise of Voldemort
Dramatic and dark, this set captures the infamous graveyard scene. While chilling in theme, it adds crucial depth to the Harry Potter narrative arc-perfect for showcasing the turning tide in the Wizarding World.
🔥 75980 Attack on the Burrow
One of the most dynamic and colourful HP sets, this depicts the Weasley home under siege. Even without the manuals, we’re confident we can download them and restore its rustic charm and action-packed detail to full glory for the exhibit.
While most people were winding down, we were chasing bricks across Dublin. That’s the magic of LEGO collecting; each set has a story, and often, so does the journey to find it.
This haul brings us one step closer to a full-scale Harry Potter LEGO Experience at the Forge, a blend of display, imagination, and the joy of building under the stars.
Stay tuned for more builds, more hauls, and maybe a Butterbeer or two along the way.
✨🧱 Redmond’s Forge – Where Magic Meets Brick
