👋 Hi FingalEMers,
Good morning! After such a busy week across Fingal East, the events calendar is a little quieter over the next few days — although there are still some good reasons to get out and about.
First, congratulations to JacintaL and MurphyD, the winners of our Mike Power book giveaway. We’ll be in touch with you both shortly to arrange delivery of your books.
Mike Power will also be running a special three-week local-history workshop in Swords Library during September. Stay tuned — we’ll have more details in an upcoming edition.
This week’s poll is a little different. As Fingal East Media continues to grow, we want to make sure the newsletter reflects what you are interested in. We’ve suggested a few areas we could cover more often, but you can also add your own idea. Please make sure you have your say — your answers will help shape future editions.
And make sure you check out this week’s Featured Business Roche Windows, which has created a unique offer exclusively for Fingal East Media readers.
Now, let’s see what’s happening across Fingal East this week…
Have your say! Tell us what would you like to see more of in Fingal East Media?
- Local history and memories (stories, old photos & how our towns have changed)
- Health, wellbeing and active living (Walking groups, local activities, practical health information and services.)
- Home, garden and property (Gardening, home improvements, interiors and useful advice for homeowners.)
- Food, shopping and local discoveries (Restaurants, cafés, independent shops, new openings and places worth knowing.)
- Something else — tell us what (Add your suggestion.)
THIS WEEK'S FEATURED BUSINESS
Roche Windows
Roche Windows is a family-owned Dublin business supplying and fitting windows and doors across Leinster, backed by more than 25 years of hands-on fitting experience. The team works with homeowners looking to replace older windows, improve energy efficiency or simply make their homes warmer and more comfortable.
Roche Windows supplies bespoke double- and triple-glazed windows and doors, with designs tailored to individual homes. They can also advise customers on the SEAI grant process, helping homeowners understand the options available when planning an energy-efficiency upgrade.
For a limited time, Roche Windows is offering Fingal East Media readers a FREE upgrade from double glazing to triple glazing. Customers placing an order before December 2026 will also receive a €100 Pavilions Shopping Centre voucher. A complimentary home consultation is included, and orders booked now can be installed before Christmas.
If upgrading your windows or doors has been on the list for a while, this could be a good opportunity to explore what is possible and get some advice on the best options for your home.
News
Tracking all the developing stories that affect our community.
☀️🌱 Solar Farm Proposed for North County Dublin Could Power 25,000 Homes
An 85-hectare solar farm has been proposed for lands at Shallon, Broghan and Bishopswood in The Ward, near Swords. The planning application from Shallon Solar Farm Limited includes battery-storage facilities and estimates that the development could generate enough renewable electricity to supply approximately 25,000 homes. If approved, it could become the first commercial-scale solar farm operating in County Dublin.
Supporters argue that generating renewable electricity close to Dublin — where demand is particularly high — could ease pressure on the national grid and reduce the amount of energy lost or rejected when production exceeds available capacity. Battery storage would allow some electricity to be retained for later use. Ireland’s solar capacity has grown rapidly in recent years, but the Climate Change Advisory Council says renewable-energy development will need to accelerate considerably if national targets are to be achieved.
The proposed location is within Fingal’s greenbelt, and the application has prompted concerns about its scale and proximity to existing homes. Objections have raised questions about the development’s visual impact, possible glare from the panels and the wider effect of placing a major energy installation in a rural landscape. The developer’s assessments conclude that significant glare or reflection problems are not expected, leaving Fingal County Council to weigh the potential renewable-energy benefits against residents’ concerns and the protection of the surrounding greenbelt.
🧠🏫 Could Axon School Offer a New Approach to Primary Education?
A new fee-paying independent primary school is being planned for Malahide, promising a rather different approach to the traditional classroom. Formerly known as Neurture and now rebranded as Axon School, it hopes to welcome its first group of children in September 2026 at St James’s Terrace. The initial class would be limited to children aged five and six, with the school gradually expanding to cater for pupils up to the age of twelve.
What might make Axon different? Its founders describe it as “neuroscience-informed” and inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach, with children learning through projects, exploration and practical activities. Literacy and numeracy would remain central, but the proposed programme also includes social and emotional learning, gardening, weekly excursions, science, art and a MakerSpace. Classes would have a maximum ratio of one educator to every ten children, allowing greater scope to follow individual interests and learning needs.
As a fee-paying school operating without Department of Education funding, Axon would offer local families another choice alongside existing primary schools. The Malahide location is intended to be its first home, with longer-term plans for a larger primary-school campus at the former Bostik site in Swords from September 2027. With the Malahide planning process still under consideration, there are details to be finalised, but Axon’s plans raise an interesting question: could a smaller, project-led school offer children a genuinely different way to learn?
Civil
Planning decisions, road closures & community notices.
Planning
🏗️ Malahide — Proposed Axon School
An application seeks to change a protected three-storey building at No. 12 James’ Terrace from office to educational use. The proposed Axon School would accommodate up to 40 pupils.
The plans include minor garden and patio works, alterations to sanitary facilities, redecoration and three signs. Additional information was received on 11 August, with a decision due by 7 September 2026. Reference: F26A/0435E.
Traffic
Main roadworks, traffic changes and public-transport diversions across Fingal East from Monday 24–Thursday 27 August.
🚧 Swords
- North Street: Phase Two of the public-realm works continues, with businesses remaining open. Southbound bus services are diverted while work takes place.
- Routes 33, 41C and 43: City-bound services divert from Balheary via Watery Lane and Bridge Street. Stops at North Street Park, North Street and Seatown West are closed, with a temporary stop available on Watery Lane after the fire station. Northbound services operate normally.
- Routes 33A and 33B: Services travelling towards Swords remain diverted because of the North Street works, with stops 3690, 3689 and 3751 not served.
- Seatown Road–Estuary Road: Works continue beneath the M1 flyover and around the IDA Roundabout. Two-way daytime traffic will be maintained, but the northern footpath between the IDA and Estuary Road roundabouts remains closed, with alternative pedestrian routes provided.
- Seatown Road: The section between St Columcille’s Drive and North Street remains closed as part of the Swords Cultural Quarter development, with signed diversions in place.
🚧 Donabate
- Portrane Road: The long-term enhancement project continues, including wider footpaths, new pedestrian crossings, traffic-calming measures and a bus lay-by. At least one traffic lane is expected to remain available, but local delays are possible around the works.
🚧 Balbriggan
- Flemington Road/R132: Junction-upgrade works for improved pedestrian and cycling facilities remain ongoing. Drivers should watch for local traffic management around the Flemington Lane junction.
Events Calendar
Things to do in the week ahead.
🌾🎉 Featured event: Skerries Mills Harvest Time Festival
Skerries Mills is holding its Harvest Time Festival this Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 August — a free, family-friendly celebration of the harvest in the fields beside the historic mills.
It is built around the arrival of the crop harvest, with music, demonstrations, animals, stalls, food and activities for all ages. Saturday opens at 11am and includes live afternoon music, while Sunday begins at 10.30am. The festival finishes at approximately 5.45pm each day.
The regular Skerries Mills Farmers Market will run on Saturday, while Sunday brings a small craft market. The Watermill Café, outdoor terrace and food vendors in the crop field will also be available, making it an easy place to spend a few hours rather than simply call in.
Entry is free, although there is a small charge for face painting. Parking will be limited, so the organisers are encouraging visitors to walk, cycle or use the train — Skerries Mills is about a six-minute walk from the station. Entry is through the Mill Hill Park gates between the two windmills.
📅 Monday 24 August
Balbriggan | Balbriggan Beach | Beach Yoga | Free guided yoga session by the sea for adults. Bring your own mat; weather and tide dependent. | 7.30pm–8.15pm
Balbriggan | ASTER Family Support Centre | Wellness Café | Drop-in space offering company, conversation and wellbeing support. | 2pm–6pm
Swords | Thornleigh Educate Together NS | Zumba | An energetic group dance-fitness class. | 7pm
Swords | Swords Castle entrance | Men’s Walk & Talk | A relaxed community walk offering exercise, conversation and connection. | 7.15pm
Swords | Holywell Community Centre | Self-Protection Class | Practical training focused on awareness, confidence and personal safety. | 8pm
📅 Tuesday 25 August
Swords | Swords Parish Centre, Brackenstown | Hatha Yoga | A morning yoga class combining movement, breathing and relaxation. | 9.30am–10.45am
Swords | Swords Men’s Shed, Seatown Road | Vintage Coffee Morning | A vintage-themed community coffee morning in aid of St Francis Hospice. | 10am
Swords | Swords Parish Centre, Brackenstown | Chair Yoga | A gentle and accessible seated yoga class. | 11.15am–12.15pm
Balbriggan | Balbriggan Library | Summer Stars Party | A celebratory afternoon for children taking part in the Summer Stars reading programme. | 2pm
Swords | Peacocks Bar, Rivervalley | Salsa Class | A sociable evening class covering salsa steps and partner dancing. | 7pm
Rush | Rush National School | Zumba | A lively dance-fitness class suitable for a range of abilities. | 7pm
Malahide | Bridgefield Car Park | Green Nuts Men’s Walk & Talk | An informal community walk supporting exercise and positive conversation. | 7pm
Donabate | Triangle Coffee Co. | Craft & Connect | Bring along a craft project and enjoy a relaxed, sociable evening with other makers. | 7.30pm
📅 Wednesday 26 August
Swords | Rivervalley Community Centre | Iyengar Yoga | A structured yoga class focusing on alignment, balance and controlled movement. | 10am–11am
Donabate | Unit 16, Donabate Town Centre | Therapeutic Yoga | A gentle class supporting movement, relaxation and overall wellbeing. | 10am–11am
Donabate | Donabate Parish Hall | Strength & Conditioning | A supervised fitness session focused on strength, mobility and conditioning. | 5pm–6pm
Swords | Swords Library | Irish Conversation and Practice | An informal opportunity to practise spoken Irish in a welcoming group setting. | 6.30pm
Rush | The Strand Family Bar and Restaurant | Board Games Evening | A sociable evening of modern and traditional board games. | 7pm
Lusk | Lusk Community Cultural Centre | Beginners: Textures in Clay | Adult hand-building workshop exploring different textures in clay. | 7pm–9pm
Swords | Thornleigh Educate Together NS | Zumba | An upbeat group dance-fitness class. | 7pm
Swords | The Cock Tavern | Pop-Up Gaeltacht | A friendly evening for speaking and practising Irish in an informal setting. | 8pm
📅 Thursday 27 August
Donabate | Donabate Library | Final Days of Summer Stars Quiz | A children’s quiz marking the closing days of the Summer Stars reading programme. | 3pm
Donabate | Shoreline Hotel | Kids’ Disco | Music, dancing and games for children, with adult supervision required. | 6pm–10pm
Swords | Swords Parish Centre, Brackenstown | Hatha Yoga | An evening class combining yoga postures, breathing and relaxation. | 7pm–8.15pm
Malahide | Malahide | Global Business Spanish | A conversational Spanish session with an emphasis on professional and business communication. | 7pm–8pm
Swords | Holywell Community Centre | Combat Cardio | A high-energy fitness session incorporating combat-inspired exercises. | 8pm
Donabate | Donabate Portrane Community Centre | Community Bingo | A friendly weekly bingo night for the local community. | 8.30pm
Balbriggan | Man O’War | The Show-Off Sessions | An open performance night showcasing local musical and creative talent. | 8.30pm
Swords | Rivervalley Community Centre | Badminton | A social evening badminton session for local players. | 9pm–10pm
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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