What was meant to be a quick spin to collect some LEGO minifigures turned into a 4 ½ hour epic journey across Leinster. Roads, roundabouts, traffic jams, and crates of bricks carried us through multiple counties, each stop adding another chapter to the growing story of the Redmond’s Forge LEGO Museum.

Day 14 brought something that felt both unexpected and inevitable, a reminder that the paths we take often circle back on themselves. This afternoon, I caught up with an old acquaintance from my kayaking days, someone I hadn’t seen in well over a decade. Back then, our lives revolved around rivers, rapids, and the simple thrill of the paddle. Today, the conversation flowed in a very different direction: LEGO, AI, and how he is developing his corner of Mill Lane in Palmerstown.

Some afternoons just fall together in the most magical of ways. Yesterday was one of those days, a perfect blend of family, travel, LEGO, and a surprise addition in the form of Sylvanian Families. What started as a plan for a LEGO pickup ended as an adventure that felt like we were living inside a Sylvanian Families playset, complete with Nana, the kids, and more toys than we knew how to fit into the car.

Sunday began in an unusual way, with a packed schedule and a strange mix of emotions. First up was Luke’s very first rugby training session with De La Salle Palmerstown, up at Kirwan Park for 9am. There was a buzz of excitement for him, but waiting for me afterwards was a challenge closer to home, quite literally parked in the driveway.

With football, LEGO, swimming, and a colourful Friends pickup to finish, Day 10 was packed from start to finish. Each stop carried its own special energy, from the cheers of Ballyogan Park to the creative buzz of Taney, the splashes at Dolphin Pool, and finally the quiet satisfaction of another successful addition to the collection. It was the kind of day that perfectly captures what Redmond’s Forge is all about: adventure, community, and the joy of building memories brick by brick.

After epic trips around Leinster and the memorable Ulster run, it was only fitting that Friday afternoon and night ended up with a Connaught adventure. This time, the roads led us west – with pickups in Westmeath and Roscommon, a car full of LEGO, and plenty of stories from the journey.

Wednesday was one of those days that will stand out in my memory, the kind of adventure that combines the joy of LEGO with the thrill of travel, discovery, and meeting new people. The destination was the grand opening of the brand-new LEGO Store in Victoria Square, Belfast, and it didn’t disappoint.