👋 Hi FingalEMers,

Good morning and welcome to the weekend — and this is a particularly busy one across Fingal East.

Tonight is Culture Night, and there is an extraordinary amount happening locally. From Balbriggan and Lusk through Swords, Malahide, Donabate, Skerries and the Naul, libraries, historic buildings, studios and community spaces are opening their doors for music, art, workshops, tours and performances. We’ve pulled as much of it as we can into this weekend’s events calendar, alongside everything else happening through Saturday and Sunday.

We’ve also got another young Fingal East talent heading onto the international stage. Darragh Brett from Portrane/Donabate has been selected to represent Ireland in Joinery at the WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai later this month — one of just 16 young people chosen for Team Ireland.

And a quick follow-up on somebody we featured last week. Lisa Byrne didn’t take home the Emmy this time, but getting onto that stage in the first place was a remarkable achievement. We have a feeling it won’t be the last time we see her name appearing on an awards roster — and we’ll certainly be keeping an eye out for what comes next.

Finally, our “Things from Fingal East we just like” section takes us back more than 400 years to Francis Taylor of Swords — a man who rose from Swords Main Street to become Mayor of Dublin, spent the final years of his life imprisoned for his beliefs, and was eventually beatified by Pope John Paul II. It’s quite a story, and one with a surprising connection to a place thousands of us pass every week.

So, whether you’re heading out for Culture Night, looking for something to do over the weekend, or just catching up on what’s happening locally, there’s plenty to get through.

Let’s get started…

🧥☘️ Jack Murphy Clothing — From Skerries to an International Irish Fashion Brand

You might be surprised to discover that one of Ireland’s established heritage clothing brands is headquartered right here in Skerries. The story of Jack Murphy Clothing stretches back through three generations of the Murphy family. Jack Murphy moved to Skerries with his wife Frances and established a corsetry and lingerie business, bringing together his knowledge of garment construction with ideas drawn from practical military clothing. His son Michael later joined the business, learning everything from pattern-making and design to sales and distribution, before helping steer it towards the outdoor clothing for which the Jack Murphy name became known.

Today, Jack’s granddaughter Sarah Murphy leads the third generation of the family business, which remains based in Skerries but has grown far beyond North County Dublin. Jack Murphy specialises in tweed, waxed and waterproof outerwear, with its clothing sold both in Ireland and internationally. The company describes its approach as “slow fashion” — producing classically tailored garments designed to last rather than chasing short-lived trends. That approach has also gained national recognition: Jack Murphy was a finalist in both the Retail and Outstanding Small Business categories at the 2025 SFA National Small Business Awards, receiving a Highly Commended award in Retail, and was also one of six finalists in the 2025 Fingal Enterprise Awards.

And the Skerries business continues to evolve. This year, Jack Murphy collaborated with Adare Manor on an exclusive collection of Irish wool tweed coats and blazers, with designs inspired by the colours and landscape of the Adare estate and produced with specialist Irish weavers. It’s quite a journey from a small corsetry operation in Skerries to an Irish heritage brand with an international customer base — while the company’s home, customer care operation and headquarters remain in Hacketstown, Skerries. A great example of the kind of Fingal East business that can be operating on our doorstep while reaching customers around the world.

Visit Jack Murphy Clothing

There’s something a little different happening in Donabate this Thursday evening. Lambay Cinema Club returns for its Autumn/Winter season with a screening of DJ Ahmet, continuing its mission to bring some of the best international, independent and arthouse cinema directly to the Donabate–Portrane peninsula.

Founded by local residents in 2022, Lambay Cinema Club is a volunteer-run, not-for-profit community cinema which transforms the atmospheric St Patrick’s Church of Ireland in The Square, Donabate, into a pop-up cinema each month. It has developed a loyal local following by showing films that audiences may rarely get the opportunity to see in mainstream cinemas.

This month’s choice is DJ Ahmet, the acclaimed coming-of-age film from Macedonian director Georgi M. Unkovski. Set in a remote Yörük village in North Macedonia, it follows 15-year-old Ahmet as he finds freedom in music while dealing with his father’s expectations, the traditions of his community and his feelings for a girl who has already been promised to someone else. The film won both the World Cinema Dramatic Audience Award and the Special Jury Award for Creative Vision at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival.

📅 Thursday 17 September
🕗 20:00
📍 St Patrick’s Church of Ireland, The Square, Donabate, K36 Y521
🎟️ €10 | €8 students/OAPs

And in keeping with the community cinema atmosphere, you can even bring your own cup for free tea and coffee — with the biscuits supplied.

Book Tickets

Friday 18th September

• Naul | The Séamus Ennis Arts Centre | Céilí Beag | A playful music-and-movement session for babies and toddlers aged 0–3. | 11:00-12:00

• Balbriggan | George’s Square | Wellness & Treat Fest | A lunchtime community event with wellness, treats and local activity. | 12:00-15:00

• Balbriggan | Balbriggan Library | Warehouse Writers | A friendly weekly writing group for adults. | 14:30-16:00

• Malahide | Malahide Castle & Gardens | Tour of Thinning the Veil with the Castle Curator | A Culture Night curator-led look at the contemporary art exhibition inside the castle. | 15:00-17:00

• Rush | Rush Library | Community Art Group | A relaxed afternoon art session for local adults. | 15:00-17:00

• Donabate | Donabate Library | Junior Chess | A welcoming weekly chess hour for younger players. | 15:30-16:30

• Swords | Applewood Community Centre | Open Day & Information Day | Drop in to meet local groups, discover activities and see what the centre offers. | 16:00-18:00

• Malahide | Casino Model Railway Museum | Culture Night Self-Guided Tour | Explore the museum and its detailed miniature railway collection after hours. | 17:00-19:00

• Donabate | Newbridge House & Farm | Culture Night Guided House Tour | A special Culture Night visit inside the historic Georgian house. | 17:00

• Balbriggan | Bracken Court Hotel, Martello Room | Our People – Our Places – Our Past | Launch of a local-history book and twelve-song album celebrating Balbriggan. | 17:00-19:30

• Balbriggan | Touch Design Ceramics | Pottery Studio Experience – Open Studio | Step inside a working ceramics studio for an evening of making and creativity. | 17:00-21:00

• Skerries | Skerries Mills | Culture Night at Skerries Mills | Two guided evening tours through the historic windmills and watermill. | 17:30 & 18:30

• Malahide | Malahide Library | Culture Night at Malahide Library | Face painting, young-reader celebrations, live music, food history, eServices, 3D printing and more. | 17:30-20:00

• Balbriggan | Ardgillan Castle & Gardens | Making Waves with Creative Places Balbriggan | A Culture Night showcase bringing local music, art and creativity to Ardgillan. | 18:00-19:00

• Balbriggan | Balbriggan Library | Culture Night at Balbriggan Library | Face painting, balloon modelling, Dungeons & Dragons, Lighthouse Voices and a No Code 7 dance performance. | 18:00-20:15

• Lusk | Ballough Place Artist Studio | Beet, Woad & Rust | An open-studio event exploring natural colour, dye and creative process. | 18:00-20:00

• Swords | Carnegie Library, North Street | Along the Coast and Through the Trees | Pamela Leonard’s exhibition opens for a Culture Night evening viewing. | 18:00-21:00

• Balbriggan | Stories by Ola Studio | Open Studio | Drop in for an evening of visual art and creative conversation. | 18:00-20:00

• Swords | Swords Library | Culture Night at Swords Library | Face painting, birdhouse making and a comic-creation workshop inspired by Effie is Offline. | 18:00-20:00

• Swords | Fingal Local Studies & Archives | Open Night & Genealogy Advice Clinic | Explore local history collections and get friendly genealogy guidance. | 18:00-21:00

• Skerries | Skerries Library | Culture Night at Skerries Library | Magic, balloon modelling, face painting and a lively percussion workshop. | 18:00-20:00

• Balbriggan | The Central – Mrs. O’s | Sketchbound at The Central | An open drawing and visual-expression session for Culture Night. | 18:00-20:00

• Lusk | Clay Cottage | Glenn Matthews Art Exhibition Opening | Culture Night opening of a new local exhibition, running for four weeks. | 18:00-21:00

• Balbriggan | Castleland Community Centre | Music Generation Live Karaoke Band | Take the mic with a live backing band for a lively Culture Night session. | 18:30-20:00

• Lusk | Lusk Community Cultural Centre | Local Stories, Music, Drama & Poetry | A community Culture Night evening celebrating local creativity in many forms. | 19:00-21:00

• Naul | The Séamus Ennis Arts Centre | See the Music, Hear the Art | A Culture Night event bringing visual art and live music together. | 20:00-21:00

• Balbriggan | The Lark | Keith Barry: Unhinged – The Final Shows | The mentalist and illusionist brings his hit live show back to Balbriggan. | 20:00

• Naul | The Séamus Ennis Arts Centre | TRAD | A late Culture Night screening of the Irish music-centred film. | 21:00-23:00

Saturday 19th September

• Balbriggan | Ardgillan Castle & Demesne | Ardgillan parkrun | A free weekly 5km community run, jog or walk. | 09:30

• Donabate | Newbridge House & Farm | Newbridge House parkrun/parkwalk – Grow Remote Meetup | Join remote workers for the weekly 5km, followed by coffee and a chat. | 09:30-12:00

• Malahide | Malahide Castle | Malahide parkrun | A free weekly 5km community run, jog or walk through the castle grounds. | 09:30

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

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

• Malahide | St Sylvester’s Parish Centre | Autumn Mindfulness Workshop | A gentle morning workshop for slowing down, resetting and welcoming autumn. | 10:00-12:30

• Skerries | Skerries Mills | Skerries Mills Farmers Market | Browse local food, produce, crafts and artisan stalls beside the historic mills. | 10:00-14:00

• Swords | Swords Castle | Explore Fingal Market – Swords | Local makers, food producers and artisan stalls in the castle grounds. | 10:00-15:00

• Malahide | Casino Model Railway Museum | Explore Fingal Market – Malahide | Browse local makers, crafts and food at the final Malahide market of the season. | 10:00-16:00

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

• Balbriggan | Flemington Community Hall | Indoor Craft Fair | Browse a range of local craft and handmade stalls indoors. | 11:00-16:00

• Malahide | Malahide Library | Eckhart Tolle Meditation | A quiet weekly meditation session inspired by Eckhart Tolle’s teachings. | 11:00-12:00

• Balbriggan | 14 Hampton Street | Balbriggan Meals on Wheels Sale of Work | Vintage clothes, books, raffles, bric-a-brac and refreshments supporting a local service. | 12:00-14:00

• Rush | Rush South Beach Car Park | Big Beach Clean – Rush South Beach | Join local volunteers for a community beach clean; equipment is provided. | 13:00

• Lusk | Clonrath Hill | Beginners Punch & Needle Workshop | A beginner-friendly two-hour textile workshop creating a punch-needle piece. | 14:00-16:00

• Portmarnock | Portmarnock Beach kiosk | Big Beach Clean – Portmarnock | A two-hour community clean-up helping care for the local coastline. | 14:00-16:00

• Malahide | Malahide Castle & Gardens | Whiskey Tour & Taste | A premium castle tour pairing local history with an Irish whiskey tasting. | 16:30

• Donabate | Donabate Golf Club | Donabate Portrane Dramatic Society 90th Anniversary Gala Night | A celebratory community gala marking 90 years of local drama. | Time not stated

• Balbriggan | The Lark | Paddy Casey | An intimate live show from one of Ireland’s best-known singer-songwriters. | 20:00

Sunday 20th September

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

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

• Lusk | Lusk Sports Hub | Lusk Sports Hub junior parkrun | A free weekly 2km event for children aged 4–14. | 09:30

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

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

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

• Donabate | Triangle Coffee Co | Sunday Yoga & Coffee with Aisling | Yoga and breathwork followed by coffee and conversation. | 10:00-11:00

• Malahide | Malahide Castle | Alzheimer’s Memory Walk – Malahide | A 5km community walk supporting the Alzheimer Society of Ireland. | 11:00

• Skerries | Skerries Mills Community Garden | Soil, Seed and Soul – Week 3: Dyeing with Plants | Week three of the free gardening course, exploring natural dyes with plants. | 11:00-12:30

• Swords | Violet Sky Studio, Airside | Release into Rest – Sound Healing | A restorative sound-healing session designed for deep relaxation. | 11:30-13:00

• Balbriggan | Balbriggan FC Clubhouse | Balbriggan Memory Walk | A 5km local walk raising funds and awareness for the Alzheimer Society of Ireland. | 14:00

• Naul | The Séamus Ennis Arts Centre | Seisiún Óige – A Session for Young Musicians | A welcoming traditional music session for young players. | 15:00-16:00

• Balbriggan | George’s Square | Sack of Balbriggan Commemoration | The annual local commemoration marking the events of September 1920. | 16:00

• Swords | Violet Sky Studio, Airside | Harvest Monthly Sound Bath & Meditation | An evening sound bath and guided meditation for the autumn season. | 18:00-19:00

• Naul | The Séamus Ennis Arts Centre | Traditional Irish Music Slow Session with Paudie O’Connor | A welcoming traditional session played at a gentler pace for learners and returners. | 19:00-21:30

• Donabate | Community Well Studio, Lambay House | Rest & Restore – Cacao, Journaling & Restorative Yoga | A charity evening of cacao, journaling, breathwork, restorative yoga and meditation. | 19:00-20:30

• Rush | Rush Community Centre | Come From Away – Auditions | Open auditions for Rush Musical Society’s upcoming production. | Time not stated

📢 Finally, stuff from Fingal East we just like — Francis Taylor — the Swords man who became Mayor of Dublin.

One of the things we enjoy about doing this section is discovering people whose stories are much bigger than we expected. Francis Taylor of Swords is definitely one of them.

Born in Swords around 1550, Taylor came from a prosperous local merchant family with remarkably deep roots in the town. His father was Robert Taylor of Swords, while his mother, Elizabeth Golding, came from the Grange in Portmarnock — giving his story connections to two parts of Fingal East.

The Taylor family home was Swords House, which once stood at the northern end of Main Street. Today, Fingal County Hall occupies the site.

Taylor went on to become one of Dublin's leading citizens. He was a sheriff, alderman and city treasurer before being elected Mayor of Dublin in 1595–96. In 1597, he was even one of two representatives sent on behalf of Dublin to put the city's case directly before Queen Elizabeth I.

But it was religion and politics that ultimately made his life extraordinary.

Taylor was a Catholic at a time when the English administration was attempting to establish religious conformity in Ireland. By the early 1600s, many of Dublin's leading Catholic citizens were resisting requirements to conform to the established church.

In 1613, Dublin's freemen chose Taylor and fellow Catholic alderman Thomas Allen to represent the city in the Irish Parliament. Their election was subsequently overturned following government intervention. The episode formed part of a much wider struggle involving religion, political representation and the traditional rights of Dublin's citizens.

Taylor was imprisoned around 1614 and spent roughly the final seven years of his life in Dublin Castle, dying there in January 1621. Contemporary and later accounts regarded his imprisonment and death as the consequence of his refusal to abandon his Catholic beliefs.

Remarkably, within only eight years of his death, an account presenting Taylor as a martyr had already been published in Paris.

More than 370 years later, on 27 September 1992, Pope John Paul II beatified Francis Taylor alongside Margaret Ball and fifteen other Irish martyrs. A bronze memorial to Taylor and Ball now stands outside St Mary's Pro-Cathedral in Dublin.

And there is a particularly nice Fingal connection still hiding in plain sight.

The Swords Heritage Trail records that Fingal County Hall stands where Swords House once stood, the home of the Taylor family and, according to local history, of Francis himself. The house survived for centuries before becoming derelict and eventually burning down in the 1980s.

So the next time you're passing County Hall on Swords Main Street, it's worth remembering that more than four centuries ago a man raised on that site went on to become Mayor of Dublin, became caught up in one of the great religious and political struggles of his age, spent seven years imprisoned for his beliefs — and is now officially recognised as Blessed Francis Taylor.

That's a fairly extraordinary bit of Swords history hiding behind a very familiar part of Main Street.

Read more about Francis Taylor

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.