👋 Hi FingalEMers,
It feels like summer has finally arrived across Fingal East, and this week’s Monday-to-Thursday edition has plenty to match the mood.
We have a busy few days ahead across the area, with local news, road changes, planning updates, community events and a packed events calendar.
We’ve also added a quick reader poll near the top of this edition. This week, we’re simply asking what age range you’re in. It helps us understand who is reading Fingal East Media and makes it easier for us to shape the newsletter around the people actually opening it each week.
A quick follow-up on last week’s poll about Culture House Fingal / Áras Cultúir Fhine Gall: among those who responded, 90% said they either didn’t know much about it or would like further information. That tells us there is a real information gap, so we’re going to look into it properly and prepare a clear summary explaining what is planned, what it will include, and what it could mean for Swords and the wider Fingal East community.
In this edition, we look at the new public artwork celebrating Balbriggan’s Harry Reynolds, the next stage of the Swords Main Street transformation plans, and a proposed 741-home development at Fosterstown in Swords.
We also have the latest road closures and transport changes across Swords, Lusk, Malahide, Portmarnock, Balbriggan and Skerries.
Our sponsor this week is Now Coco, a Ballyboughal-born Irish drinks brand bringing a little local sparkle to this week’s edition.
🥥 Now Coco brings a little sparkle to this week’s sponsor slot ✨
This week’s headline sponsor is Now Coco, a Ballyboughal-born Irish drinks brand that is putting a fresh twist on coconut water.
Founded by Marti Nulty, Now Coco has grown from a local idea into a brand now making its way onto shelves across Ireland. The range includes lightly sparkling coconut water in flavours such as Peach & Mango, Watermelon, and Strawberry & Kiwi, as well as 100% Pure Coconut Water.
It is made with real coconut water, real fruit juice, natural electrolytes and no added sugar, so it is a handy one to keep in mind after a walk, after the gym, at the beach, on the school run, during a busy workday, or just when you want something cold and refreshing that feels a little different.
Now Coco was also named the overall winner of the Fingal Enterprise Award 2026, which makes it a lovely local success story as well as a refreshing new name to watch.
Find your flavour and shop online at drinknowcoco.com — and, if you get the chance, tell them you’re a FingalEMer.
News
Tracking all the developing stories that affect our community.
🚴♂️🧱 Harry’s Wall celebrates one of Balbriggan’s great local figures
I thought this was a lovely local story worth sharing.
A new public artwork called Harry’s Wall is being created in Balbriggan to celebrate the life of Richard Henry “Harry” Reynolds, better known as The Balbriggan Flyer.
Reynolds was a legendary local cyclist, born in 1874, who became world champion in Copenhagen in 1896. But the artwork is not just about his cycling career. It also touches on the wider story of his life, including his links to Balbriggan, his swimming, his singing, his friendship with Oliver St John Gogarty and some of the more colourful stories connected to him.
The piece has been created by Irish artist John Kindness and is located at the Harry Reynolds Road Roundabout in Hampton Woods. Rather than being a large sculpture in the middle of the roundabout, the idea developed into something more intimate: a stone wall filled with ceramic tiles and details that people can walk up to, look at closely and explore.
The ceramic panels include references to Harry’s cycling career, his world championship win, old cycling adverts, Balbriggan stories and even a nod to him once appearing in court for cycling without lights.
The wider Harry Reynolds Road scheme is also significant for the town. It provides a 3km walking and cycling route between Drogheda Street and Hamilton Road, linking schools, shops, childcare facilities and community amenities.
It is a nice example of public art doing more than just decorating a space. It brings a piece of Balbriggan’s history back into view and gives people a reason to stop, look closer and maybe learn a little more about one of the town’s best-known sporting figures.
🏙️🚶 Swords Main Street transformation plans move forward
Work is already underway around Swords town centre, but local people still have a chance to learn more about what is planned and give feedback on the Swords Main Street Transformation Project.
Fingal County Council is progressing the design process for the project, which covers the stretch from County Hall to the Garda Station, along with nearby laneways. The project builds on the Sustainable Swords Strategy and the wider Swords Cultural Quarter works, with the aim of creating a more attractive, accessible and vibrant Main Street that supports local businesses, celebrates heritage and improves connectivity in the town centre.
The proposed upgrades could include more accessible street design, seating areas, play features, pocket parks, planting, sustainable drainage, heritage trails, improved laneways, better loading bays, more accessible parking and improved arrangements for bin collections.
Anyone who wants to find out more can attend the Drop-in Information Day at Carnegie Library on Wednesday 8 July. You can call in any time between 4pm and 7pm to hear from the project team, learn more about the project and provide your feedback. An online feedback form is also open until 31 July.
Civil
Planning decisions, road closures & community notices.
Planning applications & decisions
MKN Properties is seeking 10-year permission for 741 homes at Fosterstown, Swords, including apartments, houses, a creche and two retail units.
The plan also includes the Fosterstown Link Road, road upgrades, open space, parking, cycle spaces and demolition of Kylemore House.
Road closures & changes planned
- Swords
- Seatown Road remains closed between North Street and St Columcille’s Drive for Swords Cultural Quarter works : 01 Jul 2024 08:00 - 30 Jun 2026 17:00
- Seatown Road to Estuary Road Active Travel works continue, with footpath, drainage and ducting works, pedestrian diversions and two-way traffic maintained : 22 Jun 2026 - 26 Jun 2026
- R132 Connectivity Project works continue at Estuary Roundabout and Bostik Junction, including 50km/h roadworks speed limit and off-peak lane restrictions : 12 Jun 2026 10:00 - 26 Jun 2026 16:00
- Dublin Bus routes 41x, 41c and 43 continue to operate local diversions around Seatown Road / North Street works : 12 Jul 2024 12:00 - 31 Dec 2027 12:00
- City-centre diversions may affect Routes 33, 41, 41b and 41c due to roadworks and Dublin Pride : 24 Jun 2026 19:30 - 27 Jun 2026 11:30
- Balbriggan
- Dublin Bus Route 33 journeys to and from Balbriggan affected by Station Road, Lusk works and city-centre diversions : 15 Jun 2026 12:00 - 03 Jul 2026 11:59
- Malahide
- Malahide Castle concert egress: Malahide village road closures and Routes 42, H2 and 102 diversions on 23, 24, 27 and 28 June : 23 Jun 2026 21:30 - 29 Jun 2026 00:30
- Fairview Park event diversions may affect Routes 42 and H2 to and from Malahide on 24, 25, 27 and 28 June : 24 Jun 2026 22:00 - 28 Jun 2026 23:00
- Portmarnock
- Route 42 Portmarnock services affected by Malahide Castle and Fairview Park event diversions : 23 Jun 2026 22:00 - 28 Jun 2026 23:45
- Lusk
- Station Road closed for storm-water line works; Dublin Bus Route 33 and Go-Ahead Route 33A diverted : 15 Jun 2026 - 03 Jul 2026
- Skerries
- Go-Ahead Route 33A Balbriggan / Skerries to Swords / Dublin Airport affected by Station Road, Lusk diversion : 15 Jun 2026 - 03 Jul 2026
Events Calendar
Things to do in the week ahead.
Monday 22nd June
• Donabate | Lambay House | Mum & Baby Yoga with Katie | A nurturing postnatal yoga class for mums and babies. | 09:30-10:30
• Donabate | Lambay House | Pregnancy Yoga Course In-Studio | Prenatal yoga course at Community Well. | 18:30-19:30
• Malahide | Paddy’s Hill | Outdoor Pilates | Outdoor Pilates class overlooking the coast. | 19:00
• Swords | Thornleigh ETNS | Zumba Class | A friendly dance-fitness class for everybody, with no experience needed. | 19:00
• Balbriggan | Glebe North FC Clubhouse, Hugh Reilly Park | Glebe North FC Annual General Meeting | AGM evening for club members and supporters. | 19:00
• Malahide | St Andrew’s Church | Cór Fingal Open Rehearsal | Open rehearsal for tenors and basses who would like to sing with the choir. | 19:00
• Swords | Swords Castle Entrance | Swords Men’s Walk & Talk Group | A relaxed Monday evening walk for local men, usually around 5km to 6km. | 19:15
• Donabate | Lambay House | Pregnancy Yoga | Second evening prenatal yoga session at Community Well. | 20:00-21:00
• Swords | Holywell Community Centre | Self-Protection Training | A practical self-protection class focused on confidence, awareness and personal safety. | 20:00
Tuesday 23rd June
• Swords | Swords Parish Centre Brackenstown | Hatha Yoga | Gentle Hatha Yoga class with Calmness with Caroline. | 09:30-10:45
• Swords | Office 3, Burgundy Court | Product Upskill Course | Practical upskilling course for product, sales and manufacturing teams. | 10:00-14:00
• Donabate | Lambay House | Yoga & Coffee Morning with Aisling | Yoga and breathwork session followed by coffee. | 10:00-11:00
• Swords | Swords Parish Centre Brackenstown | Chair Yoga | Gentle chair-based yoga class with Calmness with Caroline. | 11:15-12:15
• Donabate | Donabate Portrane Community Centre | Blood Donation Clinic | Local blood donation clinic; check eligibility and book ahead. | 15:45-20:00
• Malahide | Malahide Castle | Teddy Swims | Major outdoor summer concert at Malahide Castle. | 17:00
• Malahide | Low Rock Beach | The GreenPlan Malahide Meeting 4, Clean&Create | Beach clean-up and creative community session at Low Rock. | 17:00-18:00
• Rush | Rush National School | Zumba Class | A friendly dance-fitness class for everybody, with no experience needed. | 19:00
• Malahide | Bridgefield Car Park | Green Nuts Men’s Group – Walk & Talk | A relaxed local walk-and-talk group for men. | 19:00
• Donabate | Lambay House | Replenish - 4 weeks Yoga Course | Gentle in-studio yoga course to unwind and reset. | 19:00-20:00
• Donabate | Lambay House | Replenish - 4 weeks Yoga Course | Later evening gentle yoga course to unwind and reset. | 20:30-21:30
Wednesday 24th June
• Swords | River Valley Community Centre | Iyengar Yoga with Sue | A weekly Iyengar yoga class with Sue, teaching locally for 20 years. | 10:00-11:00
• Donabate | Unit 16, Donabate Town Centre | Therapeutic Yoga Donabate | A gentle one-hour therapeutic yoga class. | 10:00-11:00
• Balbriggan | O’Dwyers GAA | O’Dwyers GAA Next Level Hurling & Camogie Camp | Elite coaching camp for young hurling and camogie players. | 10:00-13:00
• Balbriggan | Bracken Court Hotel | Balbriggan Energy & Mobility Workshop | Workshop on climate-neutral solutions and future mobility ideas. | 14:00-18:00
• Skerries | The Obelisk | Prosper Group Careers Open Evening | Meet the Prosper team and learn about local career opportunities. | 16:00-19:00
• Donabate | Parish Hall | Strength & Conditioning Classes | A weekly class focused on strength, fitness and conditioning in a welcoming local setting. | 17:00-18:00
• Malahide | Malahide Castle | Katy Perry | Major outdoor summer concert at Malahide Castle. | 17:00
• Lusk | Murray’s Lounge | After Work Social & Board Games Night for Remote & Hybrid Workers | Casual after-work meetup with games for remote and hybrid workers. | 18:30-23:30
• Donabate | Lambay House | Tai Chi & Qi Gong with Grace | Gentle movement and breathwork class. | 19:30-20:30
• Swords | Swords Castle Chapel | Sing Fingal Concert | Fundraising concert in support of UNICEF. | 19:30
• Swords | Thornleigh ETNS, Applewood | Zumba with Gill | A midweek Zumba class in Applewood. | 19:00
• Skerries | Skerries RFC Clubhouse | Skerries Rugby Club Annual General Meeting | Club AGM for members at the clubhouse. | 20:00
Thursday 25th June
• Donabate | Lambay House | Baby Massage Course | Five-week baby massage course for parents and babies. | 10:00-11:00
• Balbriggan | O’Dwyers GAA | O’Dwyers GAA Next Level Hurling & Camogie Camp | Second day of the elite coaching camp for young players. | 10:00-13:00
• Balbriggan | Balbriggan Library | T-Shirt Tie Dye | Creative library workshop for young makers. | 15:00-16:00
• Balbriggan | The Harvest | Mix and Mingle after work with Balbriggan Chamber | After-work networking evening with Balbriggan Chamber. | 17:45-19:00
• Swords | Swords Library | Teen Advisory Group | Help shape what happens for teens in Swords Library. | 18:00-19:00
• Skerries | Little Theatre, Skerries Community Centre | SEAI Retrofit Grants | Open session on home retrofit grants, followed by refreshments. | 18:30-19:30
• Balbriggan | The Lark | NT Live – The Playboy of the Western World | Screening of the National Theatre Live production. | 19:00
• Balbriggan | Flemington Community Centre | Women’s Healing Circle - Balbriggan | A reflective evening circle for connection and wellbeing. | 19:00-21:00
• Swords | St Colmcille’s GAA Club | Swords Women’s Shed Summer Social Night | Summer social night with music, dancing and nibbles. | 19:00
• Swords | Swords Parish Centre Brackenstown | Hatha Yoga | Gentle Hatha Yoga class with Calmness with Caroline. | 19:00-20:15
• Malahide | Malahide RFC | Malahide Parent First Aid Class | Practical first aid class for parents and carers. | 19:30-21:30
• Donabate | Lambay House | Restorative Breathwork & Ogham Healing | Gentle breathwork and restorative practice. | 19:30-21:00
• Swords | Holywell Community Centre | Combat Cardio | A high-energy strength and conditioning session with SELF Protection Academy. | 20:00
• Skerries | Little Theatre, Skerries Community Centre | Skerries Community Association AGM | Annual general meeting for the Skerries Community Association. | 20:00
• Donabate | Donabate Portrane Community Centre | DPCC Community Bingo | A friendly community bingo night with weekly prize winnings and a social atmosphere. | 20:30
• Swords | Rivervalley Community Centre | Badminton | A new local badminton session starting in Rivervalley. | 21:00-22:00
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.
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