👋 Hi FingalEMers,

Good morning! Our birthday week continues, and we’re back with your weekend edition 🎂. Thank you to everyone who reads, shares an edition, sends us a story or lets us know about something coming up — you’ve all helped make this a community we’re delighted to be part of 🙌.

In this edition, we look at walking football at Swords Celtic and the friendships that can grow from getting together for a game. Our Featured Business is Malahide-based Snugz, whose storybooks and soft toy companions help little ones explore big feelings.

Our Featured Event, Pet Expo Ireland, returns to Swords this weekend, with animals, demonstrations and advice for pet owners — and free entry for children under 18 and dogs. You’ll also find our Friday–Sunday calendar below, followed by the story of Frances Power Cobbe and her connection to Newbridge House.

To close out the week, a little reminder that we’d love to hear how you’re enjoying Fingal East Media. If you haven’t answered this week’s poll yet, we’d really appreciate you taking a moment to share your thoughts — your feedback helps us shape future editions.

Now, let’s see what’s in store for Fingal East this weekend!

🧸 Snugz — Helping Little Ones Explore Big Feelings

Sometimes a favourite teddy or a familiar story can help a child find the words for something they are feeling. That idea is at the heart of Snugz, a Malahide-based children’s wellbeing brand founded by Fiona Synnott and Lisa Gilmartin. Drawing on their backgrounds in education, childcare and therapeutic play, the pair create illustrated storybooks and soft toy companions designed to encourage conversations about emotions.

Their collection includes Different is Magic – Jimbow’s Journey, which celebrates individuality and self-acceptance, and A Magic Net – Debbie’s Journey, a gentle story about worries. Accompanied by Jimbow the giraffe and Debbie the zebra, the books combine storytelling with guided questions for children and grown-ups to explore together. Snugz exhibited at Showcase 2026 and was one of five finalists in the 2026 Fingal Enterprise Awards.

It’s lovely to see a Fingal business giving storytime another purpose. Whether you’re a parent, grandparent or looking for a thoughtful Irish-designed gift, the Snugz collection is worth exploring.

Discover Snugz

If your family includes a much-loved pet — or someone who stops to greet every dog on a walk — this weekend’s featured event could be right up your street. Pet Expo Ireland returns to the National Show Centre in Swords on Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th October, bringing animals, demonstrations and plenty of ideas for pet owners together in one place!

There’s more to explore than pet shopping. The advertised attractions include a Dog Breed Village, a fun dog show, expert talks on pet health and training, and displays featuring reptiles and birds of prey. Families can also visit the petting farm, while the exhibitor stands offer a chance to browse pet products and chat to businesses and rescue organisations.

Children under 18 and dogs go free, and there’s free parking on site. Whether you’re looking for advice for your own pet or simply fancy an animal-filled family outing close to home, there should be plenty to keep you browsing.

📅 Saturday 17th & Sunday 18th October
🕗 11:00–18:00 each day
📍 National Show Centre, Stockhole Lane, Swords

Book tickets

Friday 16th October

• Balbriggan | Flemington Community Centre, Hamlet Lane | SH Fitways | A regular fitness session; contact the centre for places. | 10:00-11:00

• Balbriggan | Ardgillan Castle Gallery | Through Our Senses: Group Exhibition | Discover artworks exploring neurodivergent experience. | 10:00-17:00

• Rush | Rush Library | Sewing Club | Bring your sewing project for a friendly morning together. | 10:00-12:00

• Swords | Fingal Liam Rodgers Community Centre | Jo Jinglers — Ages 2+ | A cheerful music and movement class. Term booking required. | 10:30-11:15

• Balbriggan | Balbriggan Library | Mindfulness Through Movement | Gentle movement, breathwork and relaxation with Katrina Barker. Booking required. | 11:00-12:00

• Naul | Séamus Ennis Arts Centre | Céilí Beag: Halloween Spooky Pumpkins | Sensory play, music and movement for babies and toddlers aged 0–3. | 11:00-12:00

• Skerries | Skerries Sailing Club, Harbour Road | Tiny Jingles — Under 2s | Music and movement for babies and toddlers. Term booking required. | 11:30-12:15

• Rush | Rush Library | Community Art Group | Enjoy a sociable afternoon of art and creativity. | 14:00-16:00

• Balbriggan | Flemington Community Centre, Hamlet Lane | Metropolitan School of Dance | Dance classes for children; contact the centre about age groups and places. | 15:00-18:30

• Donabate | Donabate Library | Junior Chess Club | Friendly chess for children aged 5–10. | 15:30-16:30

• Skerries | Skerries Library | Harp Recital: Skerries Harp Ensemble | Enjoy harp music from the ensemble led by Helen Lawlor. | 15:45

• Balbriggan | Flemington Community Centre, Hamlet Lane | Pickleball | Enjoy sociable court time; equipment supplied. | 16:00-18:00

• Balbriggan | Ring Road circus site, Harry Reynolds Road | Fossett’s Circus | A family circus show during the five-day visit. | 16:30

• Balbriggan | The Lark Concert Hall | Kirtan Circle | Join a welcoming evening of call-and-response devotional singing; no musical experience needed. | 18:00-20:00

• Malahide | Marina Green, opposite Starbucks | Free Community Pilates | Bring your mat for a friendly outdoor class with Laola Movement. All levels welcome. | 18:00

• Balbriggan | Flemington Community Centre, Hamlet Lane | Flemington Basketball | Join Coach G for a friendly basketball session. | 19:00

• Malahide | Tree of Life Counselling and Holistic Therapy Centre | An Evening with the Angels | An evening of meditation and angel-card messages with Alistair Coakley. | 19:00-21:00

• Malahide | Malahide Castle | The Traitorous Tale: A Ghoulish Feast | An adults-only theatrical castle tour and dining experience. | 19:00-20:30

• Donabate | Newbridge House & Farm | Pumpkins After Dark | Explore glowing pumpkin displays and seasonal entertainment. Book a timed entry slot. | 19:15

• Balbriggan | Ring Road circus site, Harry Reynolds Road | Fossett’s Circus | A family circus show during the five-day visit. | 19:30

• Balbriggan | The Lark | David O’Doherty: Highway to the David Zone | Comedy and songs as David returns for a third date. | 20:00

• Malahide | St Sylvester’s GAA Club | Pub Theatre | Malahide Musical & Dramatic Society presents scenes from Steel Magnolias, Golden Girls and more. Doors open 19:30. | 20:00

• Naul | Séamus Ennis Arts Centre | Gearóid Farrelly: No Pressure | An evening of stand-up exploring modern life and embracing imperfection. | 20:00-23:00

• Skerries | The Little Theatre | Brace Brace | Skerries Theatre Group presents Oli Forsyth’s gripping drama. | 20:15

Saturday 17th October

• Balbriggan | Ardgillan Demesne | Ardgillan parkrun | A free weekly 5 km walk, jog or run. Bring your barcode. | 09:30

• Donabate | Newbridge House & Farm | Donabate parkrun | A free weekly 5 km walk, jog or run. Bring your barcode. | 09:30

• Malahide | Malahide Castle grounds | Malahide parkrun | A free weekly 5 km walk, jog or run. Bring your barcode. | 09:30

• Swords | Broadmeadow Linear Park | Broadmeadow Linear parkrun | A free weekly 5 km walk, jog or run. Bring your barcode. | 09:30

• Swords | River Valley Park | River Valley parkrun | A free weekly 5 km walk, jog or run. Bring your barcode. | 09:30

• Balbriggan | Flemington Community Centre, Hamlet Lane | Pickleball | Enjoy sociable court time; equipment supplied. | 10:00-12:00

• Balbriggan | Flemington Community Centre, Hamlet Lane | SH Fitways | A regular fitness session; contact the centre for places. | 10:00-11:00

• Balbriggan | Ardgillan Castle Gallery | Through Our Senses: Group Exhibition | Discover artworks exploring neurodivergent experience. | 10:00-17:00

• Donabate | Community Well Studio, Lambay House | Play with Possibility: Vision Board Workshop | Create a personal vision board with journaling, meditation and Antoanela Safca. | 10:00-13:00

• Malahide | St Sylvester’s Parish Centre | Iyengar Yoga with Sue | A welcoming Saturday morning yoga practice. | 10:00-11:30

• Malahide | Malahide Castle | Open House: Castle Tours | Explore 800 years of history on a 45-minute tour; advance booking required. | 10:00; last tour starts 12:00

• Swords | Swords Library | Saturday Board Games Time | Drop in for a friendly morning of board games. | 10:00-13:00

• Lusk | Community Cultural Centre | Sound Bath with Jacqui | Settle in for a relaxing singing-bowl session; contact Jacqui to book. | 10:30-11:30

• Malahide | Malahide Rugby Club, Estuary Road | FEEL Dublin | DJ-led meditation, breathwork, yoga and HIIT, followed by a coffee rave. | 10:30

• Donabate | Donabate Library | Gaeilge le Chéile | Enjoy Irish conversation in a welcoming group. | 11:00-13:00

• Malahide | Malahide Library | Eckhart Tolle Meditation | A quiet hour of reflection and meditation. | 11:00-12:00

• Swords | River Valley Community Centre, upstairs bar | Halloween Swap, Make & Reuse | Swap clothes, plants, seeds and costumes, and try sustainable Halloween crafts. | 11:00-14:00

• Swords | National Show Centre, Stockhole Lane | Pet Expo Ireland 2026 | Meet animals, browse pet stalls and enjoy demonstrations. Under-18s and dogs go free. | 11:00-18:00

• Skerries | Skerries Harps GAA Club, Dublin Road | The Sinking of the RMS Leinster | Niall O’Reilly shares the story of the 1918 mailboat tragedy. Free and open to all. | 11:15

• Balbriggan | Flemington Community Centre, Hamlet Lane | Spleodar | A regular youth session; contact the centre for places. | 12:00-14:00

• Donabate | Donabate Portrane Community Centre | Halloween Swap Shop | Give a pre-loved costume a new outing; donations accepted at reception before the event. | 12:00-15:00

• Lusk | Community Cultural Centre | Sound Bath with Jacqui | Settle in for a relaxing singing-bowl session; contact Jacqui to book. | 12:00-13:00

• Malahide | Malahide Castle & Gardens | The Haunted Trail: Day Experience | Explore a playful woodland trail and discover Samhain traditions. | Entry times from 12:00-16:30

• Malahide | Malahide Castle Sports Pavilion | Pumpkin Painting Party | A colourful Halloween art session with Zila Art & Design for ages 4–8. Booking required. | 13:00-14:30

• Balbriggan | Ring Road circus site, Harry Reynolds Road | Fossett’s Circus | A family circus show during the five-day visit. | 14:00

• Naul | Séamus Ennis Arts Centre | Lá na Cruite: Harp Day | Harp-making with Sean Smyth and a performance by Alannah Thornburgh. | 14:00-16:00

• Swords | Swords Celtic FC | Walking Football | A friendly, slower-paced version of football offering exercise, social connection and plenty of craic, particularly for older men. | 15:00-17:00

• Malahide | Malahide Castle & Gardens | The Haunted Trail: Night Experience | An atmospheric trail with storytelling and live Celtic music at the Samhain Gathering. | Entry times from 16:45-20:00

• Balbriggan | Ring Road circus site, Harry Reynolds Road | Fossett’s Circus | A family circus show during the five-day visit. | 17:00

• Donabate | Newbridge House & Farm | Pumpkins After Dark | Explore glowing pumpkin displays and seasonal entertainment. Book a timed entry slot. | 19:15

• Malahide | Tree of Life | Self Care Soundbath | Unwind with Orna Bissett in a candlelit evening of singing bowls and gentle sounds. | 19:30-21:00

• Balbriggan | The Lark | U2 Tribute: Rattle and Hum | A live celebration of U2’s music. | 20:00

• Malahide | St Sylvester’s GAA Club | Pub Theatre | Malahide Musical & Dramatic Society presents scenes from Steel Magnolias, Golden Girls and more. Doors open 19:30. | 20:00

• Skerries | The Bus Bar | Cabin Fever | Live covers from Fleetwood Mac, The Smiths, Blur and more. Free admission. | 20:00

• Swords | K Sixty Seven, North Street | Bingo Loco | An adults-only night of bingo, music, dance-offs and prizes. Doors open 18:30. | 20:00-23:00

• Swords | Peacock’s Bar & Lounge | The 4 of Us | Enjoy a live performance from the Irish band. | 20:00

• Skerries | The Little Theatre | Brace Brace | Skerries Theatre Group presents Oli Forsyth’s gripping drama. | 20:15

Sunday 18th October

• Balbriggan | Bremore Castle Park | Balbriggan junior parkrun | A free weekly 2 km event for children aged 4–14. Bring your barcode. | 09:30

• Donabate | Newbridge House & Farm | Newbridge House junior parkrun | A free weekly 2 km event for children aged 4–14. Bring your barcode. | 09:30

• Malahide | Malahide Castle grounds | Malahide Castle junior parkrun | A free weekly 2 km event for children aged 4–14. Bring your barcode. | 09:30

• Rush | Kenure Woods | Rush junior parkrun | A free weekly 2 km event for children aged 4–14. Bring your barcode. | 09:30

• Swords | River Valley Park | River Valley junior parkrun | A free weekly 2 km event for children aged 4–14. Bring your barcode. | 09:30

• Balbriggan | Ardgillan Castle Gallery | Through Our Senses: Group Exhibition | Discover artworks exploring neurodivergent experience. | 10:00-17:00

• Donabate | Community Well Studio, Lambay House | Yoga & Coffee Morning with Aisling | Enjoy a welcoming morning yoga session and time for a chat. | 10:00-11:00

• Naul | Whitestown House | Stories of Samhain | Creative writing, storytelling and a seasonal lunch with Jane Gormley of CRAICLY Stories. | 10:30-16:00

• Skerries | Skerries Mills Community Garden | Scarecrow Festival | Family fun with storytelling, face painting, crafts and a costume competition. | 11:00-16:30

• Swords | National Show Centre, Stockhole Lane | Pet Expo Ireland 2026 | Meet animals, browse pet stalls and enjoy demonstrations. Under-18s and dogs go free. | 11:00-18:00

• Balbriggan | Flemington Community Centre, Hamlet Lane | Pickleball | Enjoy sociable court time; equipment supplied. | 11:30-13:30

• Malahide | Malahide Castle & Gardens | The Haunted Trail: Day Experience | Explore a playful woodland trail and discover Samhain traditions. | Entry times from 12:00-16:30

• Balbriggan | Ring Road circus site, Harry Reynolds Road | Fossett’s Circus | A family circus show during the five-day visit. | 14:00

• Naul | Séamus Ennis Arts Centre | Seisiún Óige: Young Musicians’ Session | An opportunity for young musicians to gather, play and connect. | 15:00-16:00

• Malahide | Malahide Castle & Gardens | The Haunted Trail: Night Experience | An atmospheric trail with storytelling and live Celtic music at the Samhain Gathering. | Entry times from 16:45-20:00

• Naul | Séamus Ennis Arts Centre | Traditional Irish Music Slow Session | Enjoy a traditional music session with Paudie O’Connor. | 19:00-21:30

• Donabate | Newbridge House & Farm | Pumpkins After Dark | Explore glowing pumpkin displays and seasonal entertainment. Book a timed entry slot. | 19:15

📢 Finally, stuff from Fingal East we just like — Frances Power Cobbe — From Newbridge to a Life of Campaigning

Many of us know Newbridge House in Donabate for its walks, farm and Georgian rooms. Less familiar is the story of Frances Power Cobbe (1822–1904), a member of the Cobbe family who became a prominent journalist, feminist and social reformer. According to Fingal’s heritage account, she ran Newbridge Demesne for almost twenty years, introducing farming methods intended to alleviate tenants’ suffering during the Famine.

After her father’s death in 1857, Frances travelled extensively before establishing a career in Britain. She campaigned for women’s access to university, voting rights and married women’s property rights, while writing for leading Victorian publications, including the London Echo. Her campaigning against domestic violence helped influence the Matrimonial Causes Act of 1878, which strengthened the legal options available to women suffering abuse.

She also became a leading opponent of vivisection — experiments on living animals — founding an animal-protection society in 1875 and the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection in 1898. It’s a remarkable connection between a familiar Fingal landmark and the wider history of women’s rights and animal welfare. Next time you’re walking through Newbridge, there’s another life from its past worth remembering.

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