👋 Hi FingalEMers,

Welcome to the first Fingal East Media newsletter of the week. We have a busy few days ahead across the area, with local news, road changes, planning updates, community events and plenty happening from Monday to Thursday.

In this edition, we look at Fingal’s new Mayor, celebrate Rush Musical Society’s national success at the AIMS Awards, and note a proposed 123-home development in Balbriggan. We also have the latest road closures and transport changes, including ongoing works in Swords, Lusk, Donabate and beyond.

We haven’t included any updates on the bathing-water situation around Fingal East this morning, because it’s still a fairly fluid situation — 🤣🤣 Sorry! 😳

Our featured event this week is Lusk Summer Festival 2026, which takes place this Saturday, and our sponsor is Ardgillan Castle and Gardens, a brilliant local spot for walks, castle visits, family days out and year-round events.

This week’s poll is about Culture House Fingal / Áras Cultúir Fhine Gall, which is due to open in Swords in the first half of 2027. We’re asking how much people already know about what it will offer the community, ahead of a future article explaining what is planned.

🏛️ 🤝 Fingal Has a New Mayor

Cllr Tony Murphy has been elected as the 21st Mayor of Fingal following the council’s 2026 Annual General Meeting at County Hall in Swords. The Independent councillor takes on the role after first being elected to Fingal County Council in 2014.

Murphy is known for his work in areas such as community development, local enterprise, infrastructure and sustainable growth. His election was accompanied by the appointment of Cllr Luke Corkery of Fine Gael as Deputy Mayor of Fingal.

In setting out his priorities, the new Mayor placed a strong emphasis on collaboration and making sure communities across the county feel represented. His areas of focus for the year ahead include housing, infrastructure, public services, local facilities and continued support for local businesses.

The AGM also marked the end of Cllr Tom O’Leary’s term as Mayor, with members acknowledging his contribution over the past year. New chairs were also appointed for Fingal’s local area committees, including Cllr Tom O’Leary for Balbriggan/Rush-Lusk/Swords, Cllr Eimear Carbone-Mangan for Blanchardstown-Mulhuddart/Castleknock/Ongar, and Cllr Aoibhinn Tormey for Howth-Malahide.

🎭🏆 Rush Musical Society takes national honours at AIMS

Rush Musical Society’s 2026 production of The Drowsy Chaperone has become a major local arts success story. Staged at The Millbank Theatre in Rush from 19–28 March 2026, the production was directed by Wilfie Pyper, with Sarah Lynch Barrett as musical director and Eimear Sheridan as choreographer. The show went on to earn national recognition at the AIMS Awards 2025/2026, with Wilfie Pyper winning Best Director and Simon Pyper winning Best Comedian for his role as Man in Chair.

Rush Musical Society has been part of the local arts scene since 1988 and has grown into one of Ireland’s leading community-based musical societies. With more than 60 adult and youth members, the society has staged over 40 fully staged musicals, as well as pantomimes and concerts. Its success with The Drowsy Chaperone continues a strong tradition of award-winning local theatre based in Rush and centred around The Millbank Theatre.

The AIMS review praised Pyper’s direction as clear, intelligent and well judged, while Simon Pyper’s performance was highlighted as natural, nuanced and emotionally engaging. For Fingal East, this is more than an awards story — it is a reminder that community arts in places like Rush can compete and succeed on a national stage, powered by local talent, volunteers, audiences and a deep love of theatre.

Find out more about Rush Musical Society

Castdale Limited is seeking planning permission for a 123-home Large-scale Residential Development in Clogheder and Tankardstown, Balbriggan, near Clonard Road, Stephenstown Link Road and Millfield Shopping Centre.

The proposed scheme includes 62 houses, 61 apartments / duplex apartments, and a new childcare facility of around 150 sq. m.

View the planning application

🚧🚦 Road closures & changes planned

• Swords
  • Seatown Road remains closed for Swords Cultural Quarter works until 30 Jun 2026 17:00.
  • Dublin Bus Route 41x remains diverted from Seatown Road until 30 Jun 2026 11:59.
  • R132 Connectivity Project temporary 50 km/h road works speed limit continues until 28 Feb 2027.
  • R132 Estuary & Bostik works: northbound right-turn into Bostik closed and one-lane off-peak restrictions until 26 Jun 2026 16:00.
  • Seatown Road to Estuary Road Active Travel works continue until approx Jan 2027.
  • Swords Cultural Quarter Main Street works include relocated County Hall bus stops and parking changes for up to 12 weeks.
  • North Street traffic changes remain in place until end 2026; southbound traffic cannot continue to Main Street.
  • Dublin Bus Fairview Park diversions may affect Swords-bound routes on 16 and 17 Jun, approx 22:00-23:00.
• Balbriggan
  • Flemington Road Junction active-travel upgrade works continue on the western R132 from Hamlet Lane to Harry Reynolds Road.
• Malahide & Portmarnock
  • Malahide Castle concert traffic will affect Malahide village, Route 102 and Dublin Bus Routes 42/H2 on 20 Jun, approx 21:30-00:30.
  • Dublin Bus Fairview Park diversions may affect Malahide and Portmarnock-bound routes on 16 and 17 Jun, approx 22:00-23:00.
  • Dublin Bus Route 32x towards UCD remains diverted until 16 Jun 2026 11:59; Malahide-bound trips operate as normal.
• Lusk
  • Station Road is closed for storm-water works until 03 Jul 2026.
  • Dublin Bus Route 33 is diverted; Station Road and Orlynn Park stops are not served until 03 Jul 2026 08:00.
• Skerries
  • Strand Street section closed for Uisce Éireann wastewater connection works until 16 Jun 2026 20:00.
• Donabate
  • Turvey Avenue is closed for road surfacing works until 19 Jun 2026.
  • Dublin Bus Route 33e is diverted due to roadworks affecting Donabate Station services until 19 Jun 2026.

🎶🌟 Featured Event: Lusk Summer Festival 2026

Lusk Summer Festival 2026 takes over Orlynn Park in Lusk on Saturday 20 June 2026 for a full day of live music, local talent, community performances and festival atmosphere in the heart of the town. The festival opens from 11am, with the Main Stage programme running from midday through to the evening.

The Main Stage lineup includes RCCG Assembly of Praise, Rosey Stars Dancers, Ebandz & Guests, Ethan Grimes, Max Turner & Guests, Medlife Crisis, Ella Clarke and Eva Campbell, before the festival closes at 8pm. It looks like a lovely community day out, with something for families, friends, music fans and anyone who just wants to bring a picnic blanket and enjoy the atmosphere.

For Fingal East, this is exactly the kind of local summer event we like to see — a full day of music, dance, local performers and community spirit, all happening in one of the area’s growing towns. Bring the family, meet up with friends, pack the picnic blanket and enjoy a proper festival day in Lusk.

Find out more about Lusk Summer Festival

Monday 15th June

• Donabate | Lambay House | Mum & Baby Yoga with Katie | Postnatal yoga class for mums and babies. | 09:30-10:30

• Balbriggan | Balbriggan Library | Through the System: An LGBT+ Journey to Asylum | Refugee Week talk exploring an LGBT+ journey to asylum. | 18:00

• Malahide | Malahide Library | Author Talk: Roxana Manouchehri | Refugee Week author talk with the Irish-Iranian artist and writer. | 18:30

• Donabate | Lambay House | Pregnancy Yoga Course In-Studio | Prenatal yoga focused on strength, relaxation and preparation for birth. | 18:30-19:30

• Malahide | Paddy's Hill | Outdoor Pilates | Outdoor Pilates session with Laola Movement. | 19:00

• Malahide | St Andrew's Church | Cór Fingal Open Rehearsal | Open rehearsal welcoming tenors and basses. | 19:00

• Swords | St Colmcille's GAA Club | Féírla Women in Sport Evening | Health, performance and sportswear evening supporting women in sport. | 19:00

• Swords | Thornleigh ETNS | Zumba Class | Friendly dance-fitness class for everybody, with no experience needed. | 19:00

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

• Swords | Fingallians GAA Club | 4 Week Beginners Jive Class | Beginners jive class followed by improvers jive and social dancing. | 19:30-22:30

• Donabate | Lambay House | Pregnancy Yoga Course In-Studio | Prenatal yoga focused on strength, relaxation and preparation for birth. | 20:00-21:00

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

• Balbriggan | Ardgillan Gallery | A Deck of Tales Exhibition | Enda Brady art exhibition running at Ardgillan Gallery. | 14:00-16:00

Tuesday 16th June

• Swords | Swords Parish Centre Brackenstown | Hatha Yoga | Gentle Hatha Yoga class with Calmness with Caroline. | 09:30-10:45

• Donabate | Lambay House | Yoga & Coffee Morning with Aisling | Yoga and breathwork session followed by coffee. | 10:00-11:00

• Balbriggan | O’Dwyers New Club House | Seaview Memory Café | Welcoming café for people with memory difficulties, friends and family. | 11:00-13:00

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

• Donabate | Lambay House | Replenish - 4 Weeks Yoga Course | Gentle grounding yoga course to release tension and reset. | 19:00-20:00

• Rush | Rush National School | Zumba Class | Friendly dance-fitness class for everybody, with no experience needed. | 19:00

• Malahide | Bridgefield Car Park | Green Nuts Men’s Group – Walk & Talk | Friendly walk-and-talk for local men. | 19:00

• Swords | Pavilions Swords | Coffee Evening for Neurodivergent Adults | Informal coffee evening for adults in the neurodivergent community. | 20:00-21:30

• Donabate | Lambay House | Replenish - 4 Weeks Yoga Course | Evening yoga course to unwind, reset and create space. | 20:30-21:30

Wednesday 17th June

• Online | LEO Fingal | Business Supports Briefing | Online briefing on supports for Fingal businesses and start-ups. | 09:30-11:00

• Donabate | Lambay House | Baby Moves by Dora | Gentle developmental movement class for babies under one year. | 10:00-11:00

• Swords | Swords Library | ALONE Information Visit | Drop-in information visit about ALONE services and volunteering. | 10:00-12:00

• Swords | River Valley Community Centre | Iyengar Yoga with Sue | Weekly Iyengar yoga class with Sue, teaching locally for 20 years. | 10:00-11:00

• Swords | Fingal Local Studies & Archives | Getting Started with your Family History | Workshop on tracing family history using library resources. | 14:30

• Skerries | Skerries Library | Children’s Chess Tournament | Chess tournament for children aged 8–12; basic level needed. | 15:00

• Donabate | Parish Hall | Strength & Conditioning Classes | Weekly class focused on strength, fitness and conditioning. | 17:00-18:00

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

Thursday 18th June

• Donabate | Lambay House | Baby Massage Course | Five-week infant massage course supporting bonding and gentle touch. | 10:00-11:00

• Swords | Fingallians GAA Club | Swords Memory Café | Dementia-friendly café with live music from Malahide Choir. | 10:30-12:30

• Balbriggan | Balbriggan Library | Fathers’ Day Crafts | Creative craft session for children aged 5–8. | 15:00-16:00

• Swords | Swords Parish Centre Brackenstown | Hatha Yoga | Gentle Hatha Yoga class with Calmness with Caroline. | 19:00-20:15

• Donabate | Lambay House | Restorative Breathwork & Ogham Healing | Gentle breathwork and restorative practice for deep relaxation. | 19:30-21:00

• Swords | Holywell Community Centre | Combat Cardio | High-energy strength and conditioning session with SELF Protection Academy. | 20:00

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

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

Photo: Skerries HDR by pics by brian, licensed under CC BY 2.0. No changes made.

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.