👋 Hi FingalEMers,

Welcome to the second Fingal East Media newsletter of the week — our weekend edition. This one covers Friday to Sunday (remember it's Father's day), with festivals, markets, family events, live music, workshops, local stories and plenty of things to do across Fingal East.

In this edition, we look at some of the main points from the June Fingal County Council meeting, including the visitor levy discussion, Flavours of Fingal, housing, road works and public realm projects. Our featured event is Lusk Summer Festival 2026, which takes over Orlynn Park this Saturday with music, local performers and a proper community day out.

The weekend calendar is busy too, with Kodaline at Malahide Castle, the Ballyboughal Summer & Heritage Festival, workshops at Swords Castle, family events at The Lark, and a packed programme at Ardgillan Castle and Gardens, who are also this week’s sponsor.

And finally, we have one of those “stuff from Fingal East we just like” stories, with a look at Jim FitzPatrick, the internationally renowned artist behind one of the most recognisable images of the 20th century, and his links to this part of Dublin.

You’ll also see the same quick poll from Monday about Culture House Fingal / Áras Cultúir Fhine Gall, which is due to open in Swords in 2027. If you already answered it, thank you — there’s no need to answer again. We’re keeping it here for anyone who missed it.

🏛️📝 What stood out from Fingal’s June Council meeting

The June 2026 Fingal County Council meeting covered a wide range of local issues, from tourism funding and major events to housing, public realm works and road infrastructure. One of the main early discussions focused on Fingal’s representatives for a Dublin-wide visitor / transient levy working group, which will look at whether a tourist-style levy could be introduced and how any future revenue might support local services.

After some procedural debate, Cllr James Humphreys and Cllr Tom O’Leary were agreed as Fingal’s representatives on the working group. Councillors raised questions about how the group would operate, whether Fingal would have an equal voice, and whether any future levy should support local government services rather than becoming another central government tax.

The meeting also approved the public event licence for Flavours of Fingal, which returns in a reimagined format for 2026. The event will keep its family, food, farming, equestrian and community focus, while changes have been made to reduce costs. Shuttle buses have been cut because of high costs, but the council said it is engaging with Irish Rail and Go-Ahead around transport options. The event will also retain its quiet and sensory space, delivered with AsIAm.

In the Chief Executive’s report, councillors heard that Fingal is in a busy events season and that major works are continuing in Swords, including the R132 project and Cultural Quarter public realm works. The council acknowledged the disruption these projects are causing, but said some works are being pushed through during the school holiday period and that Swords should see a significant transformation by the end of the year.

Housing was another major theme. The council said it expects to deliver around one and a half times its housing target this year, but councillors also raised concerns about the impact of recent council rent increases, particularly on lower-income tenants and HAP households. Other local issues raised included New Street in Malahide, abandoned vehicles, bus shelters, derelict sites, lifeguard cover, road reinstatement after utility works, and the future location of local events such as the Vintage Picnic.

Several motions were also discussed. A motion seeking action on long-standing graffiti visible along rail and industrial areas was passed, while a motion on the council’s EV charging strategy was deferred. Councillors also agreed to write to government seeking a practical solution for vulnerable residents who may be unable to access grants for gas boiler replacement.

See the entire meeting here

🎶🌟 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

Friday 19th June

• Rush | Rush Library | Mandala Art with Pankti Amin | Relaxed creative workshop inspired by nature and mandala patterns. | 10:00

• Donabate | Community Well | Baby Massage Course | Five-week course starting this Friday for parents and babies. | 10:00-11:00

• Naul | The Séamus Ennis Arts Centre | Alison Barry: A Storytelling | Wildlife-inspired exhibition open daily in the Easter Snow Gallery. | 10:00-16:00

• Balbriggan | Ardgillan Castle | Summer Solstice Scents & Sips | A calming herb tea workshop exploring seasonal scents and infusions. | 11:00-13:00

• Balbriggan | The Victory Garden, 7 Bremore Cottages | Garden Opening | Wander through the community garden during its summer open days. | 11:00-17:00

• Balbriggan | Ardgillan Castle | Flower Arranging Workshop | A relaxed, creative workshop making fresh floral arrangements. | 11:30-13:30

• Swords | Peacocks Upstairs | Quiz Night | A friendly St Finians GAA quiz night for teams of four. | 20:00

Saturday 20th June

• Portmarnock | Velvet Strand | Beach Pilates, Swim & Sauna | Morning beach Pilates with a swim, sauna and chats. | 08:00-10:00

• Swords | National Show Centre, Cloghran | Swords & District Canine Society Double Show Weekend | A two-day dog show weekend for canine enthusiasts. | 09:00-18:00

• Donabate | Lambay House, Community Well | And Now, Yoga | Beginner-level Saturday yoga class with Tanvi. | 09:30-10:30

• Balbriggan | Ardgillan Castle | Bag Making Workshop with Sarah Daly | A creative workshop making your own bag at the festival. | 10:00-13:00

• Malahide | Casino Model Railway Museum | Explore Fingal Markets – Malahide | Food, craft and seasonal produce market in a heritage setting. | 10:00-16:00

• Malahide | St Sylvester’s Parish Centre | Iyengar Yoga with Sue | A welcoming weekly Iyengar yoga class led by Sue. | 10:00-11:30

• Naul | The Séamus Ennis Arts Centre | Alison Barry: A Storytelling | Wildlife-inspired exhibition open daily in the Easter Snow Gallery. | 10:00-16:00

• Portmarnock | 123 Strand Road | Fossil Walks, Dublin Coastline | Guided coastal fossil hunt with Nature Tales & Trails. | 10:00-11:30

• Swords | Swords Castle | Explore Fingal Markets – Swords | Local food, produce and craft market in the castle grounds. | 10:00-15:00

• Balbriggan | Flemington Community Centre | Indoor Hall Fair | Browse collectors’ pieces, crafts, jewellery, antiques and cakes. | 10:30-16:00

• Balbriggan | Ardgillan Castle | Drawing Workshop with Nunce McAuley | A relaxed drawing class with simple techniques and materials provided. | 11:00-13:00

• Balbriggan | Ardgillan Castle | Little Picassos Art Class | Children explore Cubism and colour in a playful art workshop. | 11:00-12:00

• Balbriggan | Ardgillan Castle | Solstice Clay Tile Workshop | Create and decorate a clay tile inspired by the summer solstice. | 11:00-13:00

• Balbriggan | Ardgillan Castle | Sunsongs & Spirals Chant and Movement | A Summer Solstice celebration through voice, rhythm and gentle movement. | 11:00-12:30

• Balbriggan | The Victory Garden, 7 Bremore Cottages | Garden Opening | Wander through the community garden during its summer open days. | 11:00-17:00

• Lusk | Orlynn Park Green | Lusk Summer Festival | A full-day local summer festival with community activities. | 11:00-20:00

• Naul | The Séamus Ennis Arts Centre | Irish Record Fair | Browse vinyl and music finds at this relaxed record fair. | 11:00-16:00

• Swords | Chapel, Swords Castle | Magical Pooka Plants | Family workshop designing magical Pooka Plants with creativity and imagination. | 11:00-12:00

• Donabate | Shoreline Hotel | Local Community Day on Terrace | Summer terrace opening with live music, kids’ entertainment, treats and DJ. | 12:00-20:00

• Swords | Chapel, Swords Castle | Monastic Ireland and the Cloister Gardens | Family workshop exploring medieval monastery gardens and herb traditions. | 13:00-14:30

• Balbriggan | Ardgillan Castle | Life Drawing Session with Marie Le Men | A Solstice-themed life drawing session with a costumed model. | 13:30-16:30

• Malahide | Malahide Library | Cooking for Freedom | Community talk on food, friendship and life in Direct Provision. | 14:00

• Balbriggan | Balbriggan Carnegie Library | Philippa Ryder – How I Learned to be True to Myself | Author talk sharing Philippa Ryder’s personal story and reflections. | 14:30

• Balbriggan | Ardgillan Castle | Eddie Lenihan – An Afternoon of Storytelling | A special storytelling afternoon with live music before the performance. | 15:00-17:00

• Skerries | Iona, South Strand | 3 Island Challenge | Currach event and island challenge on the Skerries coast. | 15:30

• Ballyboughal | The Bridge in the Village | Ballyboughal Summer & Heritage Festival | Community festival with parade, family fun, food and music. | 16:00

• Malahide | Malahide Castle | Kodaline | Farewell outdoor concert at Malahide Castle. | 16:00

• Swords | River Valley Community Centre | Darts Exhibition – Gary Anderson | A lively darts exhibition evening with Gary Anderson. | 17:30

• Skerries | Otter Space, Holmpatrick Shopping Centre | Warhammer 11th Edition Launch Event | Local games launch with Warhammer offers and a free miniature while stocks last. | Time not stated

• Swords | National Show Centre, Cloghran | The Poodle Club of Ireland Breed Championship Show | Breed championship show at the National Show Centre. | Time not stated

• Swords | National Show Centre, Cloghran | Boxer Society of Ireland Breed Championship Show | Breed championship show at the National Show Centre. | Time not stated

Sunday 21st June

• Swords | National Show Centre, Cloghran | Swords & District Canine Society Double Show Weekend | A two-day dog show weekend for canine enthusiasts. | 09:00-18:00

• Swords | Fingallians GAA Club | Two County Challenge 2026 40th Anniversary | Choice of 70km or 120km cycle routes supporting CASA. | 09:00

• Balbriggan | Ardgillan Castle | Modular Jewellery Making | Make contemporary jewellery inspired by the summer solstice. | 10:00-11:30

• Naul | The Séamus Ennis Arts Centre | Alison Barry: A Storytelling | Wildlife-inspired exhibition open daily in the Easter Snow Gallery. | 10:00-16:00

• Balbriggan | Ardgillan Castle | Illuminated Letters Workshop | Create a personalised artwork inspired by the Book of Kells. | 10:30-12:30

• Balbriggan | 25 Dublin Street | Yoga Nidra and Soundbath | Deeply relaxing guided rest with soothing sound vibrations. | 11:00

• Swords | Chapel, Swords Castle | Midsummer Sound Bath at Swords Castle | Gentle sound bath to unwind and reconnect in a historic setting. | 12:00-13:30

• Balbriggan | Stephenstown Industrial Park | EEC Hardware Beginners DIY Workshop | Hands-on workshop to build DIY confidence and learn practical skills. | 12:00-16:00

• Balbriggan | Ardgillan Castle | A Deck of Tales by Enda Brady | Free art exhibition opening as part of An Ghrian Arts Festival. | 14:00-16:00

• Balbriggan | The Lark | The Speks | A lively family show of nursery rhymes and sing-along Irish music. | 14:00

• Swords | Swords Manor FC pitches | End of Mini Leagues & End of Season Awards | Club awards celebration for young players and families. | 15:00

• Balbriggan | Ardgillan Castle | Craft Your Own Mosaic Coaster | Make two mosaic coasters in a beginner-friendly workshop. | 15:00-16:30

📢 Finally, stuff from Fingal East we just like — internationally renowned artist Jim FitzPatrick

Jim FitzPatrick is one of those Irish artists whose work is far better known around the world than many people realise. Born in Dublin, FitzPatrick spent his earliest childhood in Skerries before his family later moved to Glasnevin. That gives Fingal East a small but genuine connection to an artist whose most famous image would go on to travel far beyond Ireland.

FitzPatrick is best known as the creator of the iconic 1968 image of Che Guevara, often known as Viva Che. Based on a photograph by Cuban photographer Alberto Korda, FitzPatrick’s bold red-and-black version became one of the most recognisable political images of the 20th century. It appeared on posters, T-shirts, badges, protest banners and even an Irish postage stamp, becoming a global symbol of rebellion, protest and counterculture.

His local links did not end with Skerries. FitzPatrick later lived and worked by the coast in Sutton, close to Howth, an area he has spoken warmly about for its village feel, sea views and sense of history. Alongside the Che image, his work includes Celtic mythological art and album artwork connected with internationally recognised acts such as Thin Lizzy and Sinéad O’Connor. From Skerries childhood roots to a studio near Howth, Jim FitzPatrick’s career is a reminder that this part of Dublin has connections to cultural stories that reach right across the world.

Well done, Jim. 👏👏

Photo: Rain front, Skerries by Rob Hurson, licensed under CC BY-SA 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 weekend, and we’ll talk again on Monday morning.