When LEGO announced the Artemis Space Launch System (10341) as part of the Icons series, we knew this would be a centrepiece, not just for AFOL collectors, but for LEGO Cities, families, and museum builds everywhere. Inspired by NASA’s Artemis program, the real-world follow-up to Apollo, this towering tribute to modern space exploration delivers a vertical spectacle and deep play potential.
As the golden morning light poured into the kitchen at Redmond’s Forge, Sunday began with the hum of excitement and the clink of bricks. After Saturday’s thrilling build of The Attack on the Burrow, barbeque, trampolining, Quidditch, and movie marathon, we knew we needed something legendary to close out Harry Potter Weekend, and the LEGO 76405 Hogwarts Express – Collector’s Edition was the obvious choice.
There are some builds that bring out the inner child in every AFOL and inspire wonder in younger builders at the same time. For us, LEGO Harry Potter 75980: Attack on the Burrow was one such set, a magical centrepiece for our Harry Potter Weekend at Redmond’s Forge.
Some LEGO builds cast a long shadow, not just in bricks, but in nostalgia. LEGO 75955: Hogwarts Express is one such set. Although it’s been retired from shelves for a few years now, it still arrives with all the excitement of the magical train pulling into Platform 9¾. In June 2025, we were lucky enough to pick up a second-hand version in great condition, just as we began constructing the Harry Potter quarter of Redmond’s Forge LEGO City.
There’s something deeply nostalgic and powerfully evocative about Vikings in the LEGO universe. Whether you remember the short-lived but beloved 2005 LEGO Vikings theme or just have a fascination with longboats, horned helmets (yes, we know the historical debate), and village life under the northern lights, the LEGO Icons 21343 Viking Village is a triumphant return to a theme fans have been crying out for.
Fifteen years ago, I built one of the greatest LEGO sets of its generation, the LEGO Star Wars 10188: Death Star, in a two-bedroom apartment in Smithfield, with the low hum of city traffic outside and the quiet glow of December lights inside.
When LEGO announced the reimagining of Jabba’s Sail Barge (Set 75397) in 2025, it felt like a long-overdue return to one of Star Wars’ most iconic scenes. Combining nostalgic appeal with modern design sensibilities, this set quickly became one of the most talked-about releases in the LEGO Star Wars summer wave. Naturally, I had to build it the old-fashioned way, at the kitchen table, with scattered bags, a curious Rose peeking at the minifigs, and Luke asking whether he could stage a Sarlacc Pit battle before I’d even finished the hull.
Some builds are special, not just for their scale or detail, but for the stories that lead up to them. For my son Luke, now freshly 7 years old, the LEGO 76178 Daily Bugle wasn’t just another set. It was his dream build. A towering centerpiece of minifigure mayhem and Marvel storytelling, the Daily Bugle is a set he’s longed for since he was four. And now, with a birthday candle extinguished and LEGO City expanding at Redmond’s Forge, the time was finally right.
There’s something magical about lighthouses. The romance of the sea, the solitude of the tower, and the reliable flash of the beacon guiding sailors home. LEGO’s 21335 Motorized Lighthouse brings all of that to life with stunning accuracy and beautiful design. Released under the LEGO Ideas line, this set is a testament to fan creativity and LEGO engineering, and right now, it’s available at a huge discount for LEGO Insiders: €224.99 instead of the €299.99 RRP.
This morning’s kitchen table session was led by Luke and Rose, who wasted no time diving into the colourful bags of parts. At 215 pieces, 60343 is the perfect size for a morning build, not too long to lose focus, but detailed enough to feel rewarding. The instructions are clear and friendly, and as always, LEGO City sets have a charm that engages younger builders right from the first brick.