👋 Hi FingalEMers,

Well... we're still melting 🥵, but let's be honest, it's still better than the rain! Whether you've been making the most of the beaches, enjoying an evening stroll, or simply searching for the nearest bit of shade, we hope you're finding a way to enjoy the weather while it lasts.

A huge thank you to everyone who entered our giveaway for Soluna Sound and Movement’s Sound Bath at Swords Castle. Congratulations to Ian C from Swords, who was our lucky winner! 🎉 We hope you had a wonderfully relaxing experience.

Don't worry if you didn't win this time. We have more giveaways and local treats lined up over the coming weeks, so stay tuned and keep an eye on each newsletter.

This week’s poll is about our events calendar. We want to find out whether you’re finding it useful and whether it is helping you discover events you might otherwise have missed, so please take a moment to cast your vote.

Now, let’s see what’s happening across Fingal East this week.

🔥🚿 This week’s sponsor: Heat Merchants Swords

Whether you're planning a new bathroom, replacing your heating system, upgrading to a heat pump or simply tackling a home improvement project, Heat Merchants Swords has everything you need under one roof. Conveniently located in Turvey Business Park, the branch offers a huge range of heating, plumbing, bathroom and renewable energy products, backed by expert local advice.

Part of one of Ireland's leading heating and plumbing suppliers for almost 50 years, Heat Merchants is trusted by both trade professionals and homeowners alike. The experienced Swords team can help you find the right products for projects of every size, whether you're renovating a family bathroom or improving your home's energy efficiency.

If you're planning your next home improvement project, Heat Merchants Swords is well worth a visit. Drop into the showroom, speak with the team or browse their range online.

Visit Heat Merchants Swords

🏖️🌊 Three Fingal East beaches make EVOKE’s top day-trip list

Three of Fingal East’s best-loved beaches have been recognised by EVOKE as being among the eight best beaches within an hour of Dublin city centre.

Founded in 2015, EVOKE has grown into one of Ireland’s largest lifestyle websites, reaching more than 1.1 million readers every month. It is part of DMG Media Ireland, the publisher behind several well-known Irish media brands, making it a widely read and established source for lifestyle, travel and entertainment content.

The publication’s latest round-up highlights Velvet Strand in Portmarnock, Portrane Beach and Skerries North Beach as three of the best coastal spots for a day out close to Dublin.

Whether you are looking for a long walk, a family picnic, a swim or simply somewhere to relax with sea views, Fingal East is very well represented on the list.

With the summer holidays underway, it is another reminder that some of Ireland’s finest beaches are right on our doorstep.

🚲⚡ Swords residents get the chance to try an e-bike for free

A new Swords Bike Library is giving local residents the opportunity to experience life with an electric bike without the expense of buying one first.

Those taking part can borrow a bike free of charge for up to three months, giving them plenty of time to find out whether an e-bike could replace some of their regular car journeys.

There is more than one type of bike available too. The selection includes standard e-bikes, e-trikes, front-loading cargo bikes and longtail cargo bikes, catering for everything from commuting and shopping to carrying children or larger loads.

The initiative is designed to remove some of the uncertainty around switching to an e-bike. With many models representing a significant investment, being able to use one as part of everyday life should help participants decide whether it is a practical option for their household.

The programme also builds on Fingal County Council’s earlier Bike Library initiative in Ongar and is another interesting step towards making active travel more accessible across the county.

✈️🏠 Have your say on aircraft noise around Dublin Airport

The Aircraft Noise Competent Authority is seeking public views on proposed measures to manage the additional aircraft noise that could result from plans to increase Dublin Airport’s permitted capacity from 32 million to 40 million passengers a year. The proposals include measures intended to reduce the impact of noise on surrounding homes, alongside an amended noise-abatement objective aimed at reducing annoyance and sleep disturbance.

The consultation is particularly relevant to communities living close to the airport and beneath flight paths. Residents can review the proposed noise measures and environmental assessments and make a submission until 5pm on Thursday September 3rd, 2026.

🏗️ Golden Port Homes – Forest Road, Swords - Amendment to previously permitted development.

• Two House Type B homes would change from two-storey, three-bedroom mid-terrace houses to three-storey, four-bedroom mid-terrace houses, with related external design changes.
• Four House Type C homes would change from two-storey to three-storey, while remaining three-bedroom houses, with associated external changes.
• Four House Type E homes would also change from two-storey to three-storey, while remaining three-bedroom houses, with associated external changes.
• The entrances to 17 ground-floor duplex units would move from the front to the rear, with elevation changes affecting all 21 duplex units.
• The public open space would be revised, including changes to paths and landscaped mounding.
• A new underground pumping station would be provided, together with landscaping, infrastructure and vehicle access.
• The proposal also includes all associated site works, infrastructure and landscaping needed to support the development.

🚧🚦 Road closures & changes planned

• Swords
  • Windmill Lands will close continuously for ESB duct installation, with diversions via Brackenstown Road, Brackenstown Avenue and Rathbeale Road; local access will be maintained : 13 July 2026, 00:00 - 27 July 2026, time not stated
  • Seatown Road is closed between the St Columcille’s Drive junction and North Street for the Swords Cultural Quarter, public realm and residential development; signed diversions are in place and there is no through access for vehicles, pedestrians or cyclists : 30 June 2026, 17:01 - 31 March 2027, 17:00
  • A temporary 50km/h roadworks speed limit applies on sections of the R132, R106 Malahide Road, Swords Road, Drynam Road and the approaches to the Estuary, Malahide and Seatown roundabouts for the R132 Connectivity Project : 1 March 2026, time not stated - 28 February 2027, time not stated
• Lusk
  • The R127 between Lusk and Balcunniun, Skerries, will close nightly for resurfacing, with local and emergency access maintained; traffic will be diverted through Rush using the R128 and L1285 : 13 July 2026, 19:00 - 31 July 2026, 05:00
• Rush
  • Night-time diversions for the R127 resurfacing closure will direct northbound and southbound traffic through the R128 and Main Street in Rush : 13 July 2026, 19:00 - 31 July 2026, 05:00
• Skerries
  • The R127 between Balcunniun, Skerries, and Lusk will close nightly for resurfacing, with local and emergency access maintained and diversions through Rush : 13 July 2026, 19:00 - 31 July 2026, 05:00
  • Night-time railway activity involving access, loading and unloading of heavy on-track machinery is scheduled near Skerries : 13 July 2026, 00:00 - 18 July 2026, 06:00
• Portmarnock
  • Night-time railway activity involving access, loading and unloading of heavy on-track machinery is scheduled near Portmarnock : 14 July 2026, 00:00 - 18 July 2026, 06:00
  • Essential night-time track maintenance, including spoil removal and track repairs, is scheduled between Portmarnock and Malahide : 14 July 2026, 00:00 - 18 July 2026, 06:00
• Malahide
  • Essential night-time track maintenance, including spoil removal and track repairs, is scheduled on the railway between Portmarnock and Malahide : 14 July 2026, 00:00 - 18 July 2026, 06:00

🎶🚐 Featured event: Festival in a Van comes to Balbriggan

Festival in a Van arrives at Taylor Hill Estate, Balbriggan on Saturday July 18th at 3pm.

The specially adapted van opens into a mobile stage, bringing live music directly into the community. This free outdoor performance features Theresa McKenna and multilingual acoustic duo Claudio & Matilde.

Bring a picnic blanket or folding chair and enjoy an afternoon of live music close to home.

View event details

Monday 13th July

• Swords | Swords Library | Getting to Know Your Android Smartphone | A practical session to help adults get more from an Android phone. | 10:00

• Rush | Rush Library | Sashiko Mending Workshop | Learn the decorative Japanese stitching technique used to mend and strengthen fabric. | 10:00

• Balbriggan | EEC Homevalue Hardware | Free Lunchtime Yoga | A free Moonshine Studio Yoga class, with men, women and babies welcome. | 12:00-12:45

• Balbriggan | ASTER Family Resource Centre | You First Wellness Café | A free, informal peer-led space for a cuppa, a chat and wellbeing support. | 14:00-18:00

• Swords | Thornleigh ETNS | Zumba Class | A friendly dance-fitness class for all abilities, with no experience needed. | 19:00

• Swords | Swords Castle Entrance | Swords Men’s Walk & Talk Group | A relaxed evening walk for local men, usually covering around 5km to 6km. | 19:15

• Swords | Holywell Community Centre | Self-Protection Training | Practical training focused on confidence, awareness and personal safety. | 20:00

Tuesday 14th July

• Swords | Swords Parish Centre, Brackenstown | Hatha Yoga | A gentle morning Hatha yoga class with Calmness with Caroline. | 09:30-10:45

• Donabate | Donabate Library | Chair Yoga | A gentle seated yoga session offering movement and relaxation. | 10:00

• Swords | Swords Parish Centre, Brackenstown | Chair Yoga | A gentle chair-based yoga class with Calmness with Caroline. | 11:15-12:15

• Skerries | Mourne View Community Centre | Community Event Fitness Games 2026 | A family-friendly fitness games event for ages 12 and over, with families welcome. | 12:00

• Balbriggan | Balbriggan Library | Family Bake-off | A fun family baking activity as part of the library summer programme. | 14:00

• Swords | Swords Library | Summer Stars Storytime | A welcoming summer story session for younger readers. | 14:30

• Skerries | Skerries Library | Dried Flowers Workshop | A creative workshop using dried flowers to make something special. | 14:30

• Malahide | Malahide Library | Summer Stars Crafts | A fun afternoon craft session for children during the summer holidays. | 15:30

• Swords | Swords Library | Summer Poetry Workshop for Teens | A creative writing session for teenagers interested in poetry. | 18:00

• Rush | Rush National School | Zumba Class | A lively dance-fitness class suitable for all abilities. | 19:00

• Malahide | Bridgefield Car Park | Green Nuts Men’s Walk & Talk | A friendly evening walk offering fresh air, conversation and connection. | 19:00

Wednesday 15th July

• Swords | River Valley Community Centre | Iyengar Yoga with Sue | A weekly Iyengar yoga class led by an experienced local teacher. | 10:00-11:00

• Donabate | Unit 16, Donabate Town Centre | Therapeutic Yoga Donabate | A gentle one-hour therapeutic yoga class in a welcoming setting. | 10:00-11:00

• Balbriggan | Balbriggan Library | Meet the Cello | A lunchtime recital with Ailbhe McDonagh and Cliodhna Ní Aodáin, with a chance to try the cello. | 13:00

• Swords | Swords Library | Introduction to Dungeons & Dragons for Children | A beginner-friendly introduction to imaginative tabletop role-playing. | 14:30

• Donabate | Donabate Parish Hall | Strength & Conditioning Classes | A weekly session focused on building strength, fitness and confidence. | 17:00-18:00

• Skerries | Skerries Library | Mandala Art | A relaxing creative session exploring colourful mandala designs. | 17:30

• Swords | Thornleigh ETNS, Applewood | Zumba with Gill | A lively midweek Zumba class in Applewood. | 19:00

• Donabate | Lambay House | Tai Chi & Qi Gong with Grace | A calming midweek class combining gentle movement, breath and relaxation. | 19:30-20:30

• Swords | Holywell Community Centre | Parent Support Meeting | A supportive space for parents navigating autism diagnosis and family life. | 19:30-20:30

Thursday 16th July

• Online | Local Enterprise Office Fingal webinar | Digital Boost: LEO’s Digital Toolkit for Success | A free webinar introducing digital supports available to small businesses. | 09:30-11:30

• Skerries | Skerries Library | Chair Yoga | A gentle seated yoga session designed to support movement and wellbeing. | 10:00

• Balbriggan | ASTER Family Resource Centre | Coffee Morning with Aoibhneas | Drop in for a cuppa, a chat and friendly community connections. | 10:00-11:30

• Swords | Swords Library | Ellora McGee Drawalong | A guided drawing session with illustrator Úna Woods. | 11:00

• Balbriggan | Balbriggan Library | Dungeons & Dragons | A library tabletop role-playing session for fantasy fans. | 14:30

• Skerries | Skerries Library | Make a Beaded Star | A hands-on craft workshop creating a decorative beaded star. | 14:30

• Donabate | The Shoreline Hotel | Kids’ Disco | An evening of DJs, karaoke, games and dancing for children. | 18:00-21:00

• Swords | Swords Parish Centre, Brackenstown | Hatha Yoga | A gentle evening Hatha yoga class with Calmness with Caroline. | 19:00-20:15

• Balbriggan | The Lark | NT Live – The Playboy of the Western World | A National Theatre Live cinema screening of J. M. Synge’s celebrated Irish play. | 19:00

• Swords | Holywell Community Centre | Combat Cardio | A high-energy strength and conditioning session welcoming new participants. | 20:00

• Donabate | Donabate Portrane Community Centre | DPCC Community Bingo | A friendly community bingo night with weekly prizes and a social atmosphere. | 20:30

• Balbriggan | Man O’War Gastro Pub | The Show-off Sessions | A welcoming showcase for musicians, poets and spoken-word performers. | 20:30

• Swords | Rivervalley Community Centre | Badminton | A local evening badminton session in Rivervalley. | 21:00-22:00

Thanks for reading and for being part of this growing Fingal East community. Every share, reply and recommendation helps us reach more local people and shine a light on what’s happening around us.

Enjoy the next few days, and we’ll talk again on Thursday morning.