It’s a bit quieter this week — that’s Twixmas for you! Things should ramp up again next week, so we’ll have plenty more events coming into the calendar. And believe it or not, the next time we’re in your inbox it’ll be 2026 😬😬 (where did the time go?!)
As always, if you know of an upcoming event or a local story worth sharing, just drop us a line and we’ll help spread the word with our fast-growing community: [email protected]
The sponsor of this week’s edition is:
Professional, Reliable & High Quality Furniture Upholstery & Restoration In Dublin
Located just five minutes from Dublin Airport, James Young Interior Design & Upholstery operates from a North County Dublin workshop, serving domestic and commercial clients across Dublin with upholstery, reupholstery, and furniture restoration. With over 25 years’ experience, their skilled team takes pride in restoring both new and antique pieces to their former glory. Thanks to James and the team. 👏👏
Events Calendar
Things to do in the week ahead.
Monday 29th December
Skerries | Beside Eurospar | Day 8 of the 12 runs of Christmas | Day 8 of the 12 Days of Christmas…. Let’s put on a big push to break the 100. Everyone young and old welcome to run, walk or jog. | 10:00-11:00
Balbriggan | The Lark Concert | Jack and the beanstalk | Join Jack, Jill, Glammy and everyone’s best pal Dan de Man, as they try to save their beloved cow from the clutches of the Evil Trumpingtons! | 14:30-16:30 & 18:30-20:30
Tuesday 30th December
Balbriggan | The Lark Concert | Jack and the beanstalk | Join Jack, Jill, Glammy and everyone’s best pal Dan de Man, as they try to save their beloved cow from the clutches of the Evil Trumpingtons! | 14:30-16:30 & 18:30-20:30
Wednesday 31st December
Howth | Howth Harbour | New Year’s Eve Firework Display | A spectacular display of fireworks set to music with viewing from Howth Harbour and other areas along harbour road | 19:00-21:00
Dublin City Centre | Main Hall National Concert Hall | New Year's Eve: A Century of Song, Swing and Soul | Expect show-stopping party pieces by Louis Armstrong, Benny Goodman, Frank Sinatra, Percy Mayfield, Fats Domino, Aretha Franklin, Etta James, Al Green, Prince, Paloma Faith and more. | 22:00-00:00
Thursday 1st January (New Year’s Day)
Donabate | Newbridge House | Poc Fada | Start 2026 the right way 💪. Join us for our New Year’s Morning Poc Fada. 🕥 10:30am – Adult🕚 11:00am – Family🏑 Open to adults, boys & girls (U9–U15). A great way to kick off the year with friends, family and a bit of healthy competition. | 10:30-12:30
Friday 2nd January
Malahide | Malahide Train Station | A walking tour of Malahide | Explore Malahide village on foot with a small group walking tour led by local historians, Brian and Frank who will bring to life the surprising stories and eventful past of Malahide. | 11:00-13:00
Saturday 3rd January
Malahide | Malahide Train Station | A walking tour of Malahide | Explore Malahide village on foot with a small group walking tour led by local historians, Brian and Frank who will bring to life the surprising stories and eventful past of Malahide. | 11:00-13:00
Sunday 4th January
Dublin | 3Arena | The dedication: Phil Lynnott Tribute | The Dedication will feature performances from former Thin Lizzy members Eric Bell and Darren Wharton, along with Lawrence Archer and Grand Slam, Ricky Warwick (The Black Star Riders, The Almighty, Thin Lizzy), Marco Mendoza (Dead Daisies, Whitesnake, Thin Lizzy), and Richard Fortus (Guns N’ Roses). Supported by the RTÉ Concert Orchestra | 19:00-23:00
News
Tracking all the developing stories that affect us.
Fingal East communities receive over €500,000 to help rejuvenate town centres 🏛️
The Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, announced funding of €26 million for 116 projects in rural communities across the country under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS). In Fingal East, there is €513,275 of funding being invested in Ballyboughal, Balrothery, Lusk and Rush.
Ballyboughal has received €218,700 which is allocated for village-centre improvements including seating, enhanced lighting and landmark illumination, plus a wayfinding strategy featuring a new “Fingal Camino” route.
Balrothery receives €49,500 to redevelop the historic Fair Green in a heritage-sensitive way.
Lusk is allocated €195,075 for public realm enhancements such as wayfinding, public art and an “edible landscape” that better connects people to the medieval town core.
Rush receives €50,000 to develop a public realm plan from Lower Main Street to the Harbour, including a civic space at the Tayleur Memorial, designed to support things like a farmers’ market, cultural events and marine tourism.
New DART Carriages Ordered to Complete Replacement of 1984 Fleet 🚆
The Department of Transport has placed an order for 100 new, energy-efficient DART carriages to complete the replacement of the original trains that have been operating since the service began in 1984. This follows two earlier procurement rounds and brings overall state investment in new electric DART rolling stock to roughly €670 million.
The first two orders cover 95 carriages (due mainly on the Dublin–Drogheda line from the first half of 2027) and 90 carriages (expected from 2028). The latest €173.9m order is intended to replace the older fleet used on the coastal Greystones to Malahide/Howth corridor. Altogether, the three orders total 285 carriages, equating to 57 five-car trains, with the purchase managed by Iarnród Éireann through the National Transport Authority and supplied by Alstom.
The announcement is framed as a response to record demand, with around 23 million journeys projected on the Greystones–Malahide/Howth DART services in 2025. The new trains are positioned as supporting better efficiency and reliability, along with improved accessibility and comfort, and as a key element of the wider DART+ programme. That broader programme—combining new fleet and major infrastructure projects across multiple corridors—aims to significantly increase rail capacity across the Greater Dublin Area.
Civil
Planning decisions, road closures & community notices.
Estuary Recycling Centre - Opening Times Over Christmas ♻️
29th December – 8.00am – 6.00pm (Last vehicle entry is 5.30pm)
30th December – 8.00am – 6.00pm (Last vehicle entry is 5.30pm)
31st December - 8.00am to 12.00pm (Last vehicle entry is 11.30am)
1st January – Closed
2nd January – Resume Usual Opening Hours
Usual Opening Hours:
Monday – Friday 8.00am-8.00pm (Last vehicle entry is 7.30pm)
Saturday 8.00am – 6.00pm (Last vehicle entry is 5.30pm)
Christmas Tree Collection points 2nd - 16th January 🌲
Balbriggan - Bath Road Car Park,
Balbriggan - Barnageeragh Carpark
Rush - Hayestown Open Space
Lusk - Orlynn Park Entrance (Access from Dublin Road)
Swords - Rathingle Playing Fields Car Park
Swords - Manor pitches
Donabate - Community Centre Car Park (Formerly The Square ,Donabate)
Portrane - The Brook
Malahide - Public Car Park, Back Road, Malahide Demesne
Malahide - The Banks Car Park
Kinsealy - Kettles Park
Portmarnock - Public Car Park, Strand Road
Fingal Casual Trading Bye-Laws & Applications 🎪
Fingal County Council has designated Casual Trading Areas under the Casual Trading Byelaws 2021 which allows for the sale of specified goods at a place (including a public road) to which the public have access as of right and any other place that is a designated Casual Trading Area.
If you wish to apply for a pitch to engage in any of the following business ventures during 2026 then you can see more detail here.
Mobile sauna (off-season)
Coffee / snacks
Hot food
Ice-cream
Flowers & crafts
Road closures & changes planned
🚧 Main Road Closures & Works
🚦 Fingal East: Traffic / roadworks (Mon 28th Dec → Sun 4th Jan 2026)
Balbriggan: Link Road (Viaduct) & Harbour Road — reconstruction/resurfacing ongoing (in force 16 Jul 2025 → 16 Jan 2026). Expect local diversions/access changes and delays around the viaduct/harbour area.
🚌 Public transport impacts this week
Irish Rail: Revised schedules apply from 28th Dec 2025 → 1 Jan 2026 (check the journey planner for exact trains).
📢Finally, stuff from Fingal East we just like …….The Fingal Camino Way, what is it?
The “emerging preferred route” for the Fingal Coastal Way — a planned 32km greenway designed for walking and cycling that would link Donabate, Rush, Loughshinny, Skerries and Balbriggan. The route follows a public consultation on earlier options, and the Council says this version reflects the feedback received so far.
If delivered, the greenway would start at Newbridge House and run along Fingal’s coastline, passing through the Rogerstown area and its nature reserve (highlighted as a spot for birdwatching), with coastal views between Donabate and Rush. The route also points to heritage highlights along the way including Martello towers, Drumanagh Fort, and the Loughshinny shoreline, before continuing into Skerries.
Fingal County Council says the plan is for a safe, smooth surfaced route suitable for a wide range of ages and mobility levels, supporting both everyday trips (work, school, sport) and leisure. The proposed route finishes near Fingal’s northern boundary by Bremore Castle in the Balbriggan area, and it is now open for public consultation, with residents invited to have their say on the emerging preferred route.
To see the full route check out this YouTube video.
Image Credits
Image credit: Photo: “SWORDS TOWN PARK [FEBRUARY 2019]-148895” © William Murphy (infomatique). Licence (CC BY 2.0): Source: No changed made.
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