Hi FingalEMers 👋,

Good morning — and welcome to the weekend!

We hope you managed to get outside and enjoy Wednesday evening’s solar eclipse. It was certainly something a little different for a midweek evening in Fingal East, and hopefully the clouds played ball wherever you were watching from.

This weekend also marks the start of National Heritage Week, and there’s plenty happening locally. From tours and exhibitions to traditional crafts, music and a chance to explore some of the history right on our doorstep, we’ve included a good selection of what’s happening across Fingal East in this weekend’s Events Calendar.

Our household poll is still running too. It’s helping us understand whether people read Fingal East Media just for themselves or whether one subscription is actually reaching a wider household or family. If you answered the poll in Monday’s newsletter, please don’t enter again — we only need one response from each subscriber. If you haven’t answered yet, we’d really appreciate a few seconds of your time.

Elsewhere, we’ve got the latest local stories, a packed weekend of events, and in Finally, stuff from Fingal East we just like, we meet Swords-raised actor Patrick Martins.

Enjoy the weekend, and we’ll talk again on Monday morning.

When you subscribe to Fingal East Media, who would you say you’re subscribing for?

Website

THIS WEEK'S FEATURED BUSINESS

Kore Energy

There are some businesses operating around Fingal East whose reach goes far beyond the local area, and Kore Energy in Donabate is a particularly good example. Based at Ballisk Business Park, the specialist energy consultancy was established in 2004 and has spent more than two decades helping some of Ireland’s large energy users navigate what can be an extraordinarily complicated market.

What does an energy consultancy actually do? For businesses spending significant amounts on electricity and gas, simply choosing a supplier is only part of the equation. Kore helps clients tender and negotiate energy contracts, manage exposure to changing wholesale prices and create strategies designed to give businesses greater certainty over future energy costs. It also provides market intelligence to help companies understand when and why electricity, gas, oil and carbon prices are moving.

Its work increasingly goes beyond simply buying energy. Kore also advises businesses on renewable energy and carbon management, helping organisations manage green energy supplies and reduce their exposure to carbon costs. The scale of the companies it deals with may surprise you too — Kore’s website features names including RTÉ, Dell, eir, Pfizer, Xerox, Intel and Glanbia.

And energy markets certainly don’t stand still. Kore regularly publishes updates examining how everything from international conflicts and oil supply routes to gas-field outages and changing weather conditions can feed through into wholesale energy prices. It’s highly specialised work — and another example of a business operating quietly from right here in Fingal East while working at a national level.

Find out more

News

Tracking all the developing stories that affect our community.

🚙💑 Portmarnock couple swap suburban life for winters around Ireland’s harbours

A Portmarnock couple reportedly took an extraordinary change of direction after selling their semi-detached home and converting a former horse lorry into a home on wheels. According to Farmers Forum, Orla and Cian left behind life in Portmarnock in favour of travelling around Ireland, choosing a different coastal harbour as their base each winter.

Their unusual new home began as a retired horse lorry bought in Meath. The couple converted it for year-round living, adding insulation, timber interiors, a stove, solar panels, water storage and sleeping space. Rather than following a fixed route around the country, their travels have been shaped by the coast, with Howth, Kinsale, Dingle and Dunmore East among the places where Farmers Forum reports they have spent winters.

The move has also meant finding new ways to earn a living while travelling. Orla is reported to sell artwork inspired by harbours and coastal scenes, while Cian has undertaken electrical work on boats. Their lifestyle is a considerable departure from the conventional suburban routine they had in Portmarnock, with the pair adapting to everything from winter storms and limited space to becoming part of different harbour communities around the country.

Read the original article

🔧🏆 Lusk plumber reaches national Screwfix competition semi-final

Lusk plumber Jamie Bermingham has been named as one of just 26 semi-finalists in the Screwfix Top Tradesperson 2026 competition, selected from more than 900 applicants across Ireland and the UK. Jamie, who runs EcoHeat Home Energy Solutions, is now competing for a place among the final 10, with the overall winner receiving a €20,000 package of tools, technology and training.

Jamie began his career as a plumbing and heating apprentice and was named Rising Star of the Year at the Plumbing & Heating Awards in 2023. He has since completed a Level 7 BSc in Energy Management (Buildings) and developed expertise in gas, heating and renewable technologies. Outside his own business, he is a strong advocate for apprenticeships, has addressed an Oireachtas committee on the future of STEM education and apprenticeships, and has volunteered internationally on projects providing clean water to under-resourced communities. He is also the founder of TradeKonnect, which connects tradespeople and encourages knowledge sharing across the industry.

Speaking about reaching the semi-finals, Jamie said he was "incredibly proud to represent Lusk" and to showcase the quality of local tradespeople. The 26 semi-finalists will now compete for a place in the final, which will take place at Screwfix LIVE in September, where an industry panel will select the Screwfix Top Tradesperson 2026. 🤞 Good luck to Jamie.

Events Calendar

Things to do in the week ahead.

Website

✍️📜 Featured event: Book of Kells Style Writing Workshop

Create your own piece of Book of Kells-inspired artwork at Ardgillan Castle this Sunday, 16 August, from 10.30am–12.30pm.

In this relaxed two-hour workshop, you’ll create the first letter of your own name as an illuminated Celtic initial, before writing the remaining letters in traditional Cló Gaelach (Irish script). Using watercolour pencils and high-quality watercolour paper, you’ll add colour and detail to create your own personalised piece inspired by Ireland’s medieval manuscripts.

The workshop is led by Franco-Irish artist Clémence Prosen and is suitable for complete beginners — no drawing experience is required. All the materials you need are provided and there’s plenty of step-by-step guidance along the way. The workshop costs €45 per person, with an optional mount and frame available as an add-on.

It’s a lovely opportunity to try something a little different in one of Fingal East’s most historic settings — and to come away having created your own small piece of Celtic-inspired artwork.

View event details

Friday 14 August

• Naul | Easter Snow Gallery, The Séamus Ennis Arts Centre | A Storytelling — Alison Barry Exhibition | Wildlife-inspired exhibition exploring animals as individual characters; on show until 17 August | 10:00–16:00

• Rush | Rush Library | Chair Yoga with Enda Greene | Gentle chair-based yoga, breathwork and meditation | 10:00–11:00

• Balbriggan | Ardgillan Castle | Creative Kids Summer Art Camp | Final day of Ardgillan Castle’s week-long summer art camp for children | Runs 10–14 Aug

• Balbriggan | The Victory Garden, 7 Bremore Cottages | Garden Opening | Wander through this private ornamental garden during its summer open days. Open until the end of August. A member of the Dublin Garden Trail. | 11:00–17:00

• Balbriggan | The Lark Concert Hall | The Elvis Spectacular Show | Live nine-piece tribute celebrating the music and stagecraft of Elvis Presley | 20:00

• Donabate | Shoreline Hotel, Balcarrick | Friday DJ & Karaoke | Friday-night DJ followed by karaoke as part of the Shoreline’s summer entertainment | 20:00

Saturday 15 August

• Portrane | Martello Tower, The Quay | A Tour of Martello Tower Portrane | Heritage Week access to the historic coastal Martello Tower | 09:00–17:00

• Swords | Swords Castle | Explore Fingal Markets – Swords | Free-entry market with local food, seasonal produce and crafts | 10:00–15:00

• Malahide | Casino Model Railway Museum | Explore Fingal Markets – Malahide | Free-entry Saturday market featuring locally produced food, crafts and seasonal produce | 10:00–16:00

• Malahide | Malahide Library | Board Games with Eclecticats | Family-friendly board gaming with a wide selection of games for all ages | 10:00–16:00

• Malahide | St Sylvester’s Parish Centre | Iyengar Yoga with Sue | Weekly Iyengar yoga class with Sue, teaching locally for 20 years | 10:00–11:30

• Skerries | Skerries Mills | Skerries Mills Farmers Market | Local produce, breads, cakes, jams, farm produce and handcrafted goods | 10:00–15:00

• Swords | The Chapel, Swords Castle | Dressing for Dinner with Laura Fitzachary | Heritage Week talk on food, fashion and dining in the 18th and 19th-century big house | 11:00–12:00

• Balbriggan | Ardgillan Castle | Marianne Taylor Living History Tours | Bilingual living-history tours bringing Ardgillan’s past to life for National Heritage Week | 11:00–16:00

• Swords | St Colmcilles GFC | Annual Fun Day | Family fun day with face painting, inflatables, ice cream, BBQ, Charityoke, races, matches and more. | From 14:00

• Lusk | Lusk Round Tower & Belfry | Round Tower & Belfry Tours | Free guided tours of Lusk’s medieval tower and historic belfry; places are first-come, first-served | 11:00, 13:00 & 15:00

• Lusk | Lusk Community Cultural Centre | Medieval Bronze Hand Bell Casting | Demonstration of traditional bronze hand-bell making, with a bell-ringing talk from 14:00–15:00 and live casting at 16:00 | 11:00–17:00

• Lusk | Lusk Community Cultural Centre | Collaborative Design & Build Heritage Project | Short talk on Lusk’s new community social-space project using reclaimed stone and traditional lime mortar | 12:15–12:45

• Swords | Brownstown, Balheary | Ploughathon 2026 | Project Espwa’s community Ploughathon in Brownstown, Balheary | From 14:00

• Lusk | Lusk Community Cultural Centre | Talk on Hand Bells and Bell Ringing in the Early Irish Church | Cormac Bourke explores the heritage of bells and bell ringing in the early Irish church as part of Lusk Community Heritage Festival | 14:00–15:00

• Malahide | Malahide Castle | The Hunt Dinner Party | Immersive 18th-century dinner-theatre experience with a four-course meal, wine and live theatrical intrigue | 18:30–21:00

Sunday 16 August

• Portrane | Martello Tower, The Quay | A Tour of Martello Tower Portrane | Heritage Week access to the historic coastal Martello Tower | 09:00–17:00

• Balbriggan | Ardgillan Castle | Book of Kells Style Writing Workshop | Two-hour workshop creating an illuminated Celtic initial and writing your name in traditional Cló Gaelach | 10:30–12:30

• Balbriggan | The Lark Concert Hall | ClassicalKids.ie Interactive Kids Concert – Opera | Interactive live-music session introducing opera to children aged 0–8 and their families | 11:00

• Lusk | Lusk Community Cultural Centre | Medieval Bronze Hand Bell Casting | Heritage Week demonstration of traditional bronze hand-bell making, with live castings at 12:00 and 14:00 | 11:00–17:00

• Balbriggan | The Lark Concert Hall | Sing Social Club | Relaxed community singing with no auditions, no commitment and no sheet music | 13:00

• Naul | The Séamus Ennis Arts Centre | Martha Spencer & The Wonderland Band | Appalachian and bluegrass music from Martha Spencer and The Wonderland Band | 14:00

• Swords | Swords Castle | Symbol of Hope Exhibition: Discover Cultural Unity | Free exhibition celebrating Irish and Ukrainian traditional craftsmanship, history and cultural resilience | 14:00–16:00

• Balbriggan | Ardgillan Castle, Drawing Room | Traditional Irish Music Recital | Free Heritage Week recital featuring uilleann pipes, tin whistle, traditional flute and concertina | 14:30–15:45

• Donabate | Shoreline Hotel, Balcarrick | Sunday Music Bingo | Sunday-night music bingo as part of the Shoreline’s summer entertainment programme | 20:00

📢 Finally, stuff from Fingal East we just like — Patrick Martins - From Swords to the screen

Patrick Martins

We always like finding people from Fingal East doing interesting things, and Patrick Martins is definitely one of them. Born in Lagos and raised in Swords, Patrick attended Fingal Community College before going on to study acting at Liberties College and then The Lir Academy at Trinity College Dublin. It wasn't necessarily an obvious career path at the beginning, but it has turned into a pretty impressive one.

Since graduating, Patrick has built up a strong list of theatre and screen credits. He has appeared at the Abbey Theatre, including a critically praised performance in An Octoroon, and his television and film work includes Redemption, The Confessions of Frannie Langton, Northern Lights, Baltimore and The Problem with People. More recently, he appeared alongside Christina Hendricks and Paddy Considine in Chris O'Dowd's Sky series Small Town, Big Story. In 2023, he was also selected as one of Screen International's Rising Stars Ireland.

What we particularly like is that Patrick hasn't forgotten where he came from. He has spoken in interviews about being “a guy from Swords” and about the importance of younger people seeing someone from their own area making a career in the industry. From Fingal Community College to the Abbey Theatre and international film and television — that's quite a journey. Well done, Patrick! 👏👏 .

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.