👋 Hi FingalEMers,

This week’s edition is a little quieter on the events front, which is probably no surprise as lots of clubs and groups have now moved into summer camp mode. The weather looks a little mixed this week, but it is expected to turn much warmer next week, so we may be heading back into proper summer mode soon.

There are still plenty of local bits to keep an eye on between now and Thursday, and then we’re heading towards one of the bigger weekends of the summer with Flavours of Fingal returning to Newbridge House and Farm in Donabate.

In this edition, we look at the new HSE surgical hub in Swords, the return of Flavours of Fingal, the latest road closures and transport changes, and the usual round-up of local events from Monday to Thursday.

We’ve also included a quick poll near the top of the newsletter. We recently covered what is planned for the Swords Cultural Quarter. We’d love to know whether the article was useful, clear, or needed more detail.

And finally, a big thank you to this week’s headline sponsor, Camile, who are supporting this edition.

🍜🥢 This week’s headline sponsor: Camile

This week’s newsletter is proudly supported by Camile, bringing fresh Thai food to homes across much of Fingal East.

Whether it is a quick midweek dinner, a Friday night takeaway, or food for a busy family weekend, Camile offers Thai favourites for delivery, collection and dine-in from its local outlets, including Swords and Skerries.

Camile’s menu includes curries, stir-fries, noodles, rice dishes, vegetarian and vegan options, along with macro-counted meals for anyone who likes to keep an eye on nutrition. Their Swords outlet serves areas including Swords, Malahide, Portmarnock, Lusk and Donabate, while Skerries covers Skerries, Rush and Balbriggan.

So, if dinner is one thing you do not want to think too hard about this week, Camile might be a handy one to keep in mind.

🏥🩺 New surgical hub opens in Swords

The HSE Dublin and North East Surgical Hub opened in Swords on Monday (June 22nd). It was opened by Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD and is part of the HSE’s national elective care programme, which is rolling out public surgical hubs to increase planned-care capacity.

The Swords hub is designed for day-case surgery and minor procedures. It includes four operating theatres, two minor procedure rooms, an 11-bay post-anaesthetic care unit, a 21-bay day ward and 10 outpatient assessment rooms. The services listed include general surgery, dermatology, gynaecology, ophthalmology, ENT, orthopaedics and urology, with other specialties to be agreed locally.

According to the HSE, the hub is intended to separate scheduled day surgery from emergency and unscheduled hospital care. The stated aim is to allow suitable planned procedures to go ahead in a dedicated setting, while acute hospitals retain more capacity for urgent and complex inpatient cases.

🌾🍓 Flavours of Fingal returns to Donabate

Flavours of Fingal returns to Newbridge House and Farm in Donabate on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 July, and this year it sounds like the event is being brought back to what people enjoy most about it: family, food, farming, local producers, music and community.

I listened back to a Near FM interview with Ciaran Staunton from Fingal County Council’s tourism team, and the main message was that this year’s event is being reimagined with a renewed focus on its local roots.

This is not just a food festival. It is very much a county-show style day out, with livestock, sheepdog trials, equestrian events, farming displays, machinery, horticulture, children’s entertainment and live music all part of the mix. For families, especially those with younger children, it is also a chance to see the farming side of Fingal up close.

The food side should be a major part of the weekend too, with local growers, makers, chefs and producers involved through the Fingal Food Village and Fingal Food Circle. Expect cookery demonstrations, food stalls and opportunities to hear more from the people behind some of the food being grown and made around Fingal.

There will also be a dedicated family fun area, a Walled Garden with music and food, and a Quiet Zone for anyone who needs a calmer space during the day. That last point is worth noting, because big family events can be overwhelming, and it is good to see that being thought about.

One practical thing to watch: dedicated event buses are not running this year, so plan the journey in advance. Public transport, walking or cycling are being encouraged, and if you are driving, booking parking early looks like the sensible move.

Overall, it sounds like Flavours of Fingal is leaning back into its roots: local food, farming, family and community. For anyone in Donabate, Swords, Malahide, Portmarnock, Rush, Lusk, Skerries, Balbriggan or nearby, it is probably one of the bigger local weekends of the summer.

🏗️ No significant planning events this week.

🚧🚦 Road closures & changes planned

• Swords
  • Seatown Road remains closed between St Columcille’s Drive/Seatown Road and North Street/Seatown Road for Swords Cultural Quarter public realm and residential works : 01 Jul 2024 08:00 - 31 Mar 2027 17:00
  • R132 Connectivity Project works continue at Estuary Roundabout, Seatown Roundabout and Bostik Junction; the northbound right-turn lane into Bostik is temporarily closed with signed diversions via Swords Food Park : 26 Jun 2026 - 10 Jul 2026
  • R132 reduced to one lane outside peak hours to facilitate Estuary Roundabout works and works between Seatown Roundabout and Bostik Junction : 26 Jun 2026 10:00 - 10 Jul 2026 16:00
  • R132 roadworks speed limit reduced to 50km/h for the Connectivity Project : 01 Mar 2026 - 28 Feb 2027
  • Magilstown Road / Balheary Road and Windmill Road / Balheary Avenue may close for 1 to 5 days at intervals for resurfacing works : 02 Jul 2026 - 01 Dec 2026
  • Dublin Bus route 41x departures that normally use Seatown Road continue to divert via Swords Main Street, Malahide Road and Swords Bypass; Seatown Road stops are not in use : 13 Jun 2024 - until further notice
• Malahide
  • Dublin Bus route H2 diversion after the Malahide Castle concert; towards Malahide via Blackwood Lane, The Hill and Church Road : 30 Jun 2026 22:00 - 30 Jun 2026 23:45
  • Go-Ahead route 102 diversion after the Malahide Castle concert; affected stops include 3634, 3635, 3636, 905, 3643, 3583, 3584 and 3585 : 30 Jun 2026 21:30 - 30 Jun 2026 23:30
• Portmarnock
  • Dublin Bus route 42 diversion after the Malahide Castle concert; towards Portmarnock via Malahide Road, Back Road and The Hill R124 : 30 Jun 2026 22:00 - 30 Jun 2026 23:45
• Donabate / Portrane
  • Flavours of Fingal event traffic management around Newbridge House; from 10:00 to 18:00 on Saturday and Sunday, Turvey Avenue is for event traffic/local residents only, there is no exit from Donabate/Portrane on Turvey, and exit is via Hearse Road only : 04 Jul 2026 10:00 - 05 Jul 2026 18:00
• Lusk
  • Station Road closed for storm-water line installation : 15 Jun 2026 - 03 Jul 2026
  • Dublin Bus route 33 diverted due to Station Road roadworks, with Station Road and Orlynn Park stops not in use : 15 Jun 2026 09:00 - 03 Jul 2026 08:00
  • Go-Ahead route 33A diverted due to Station Road roadworks; stops 3764, 3765 and 3853 affected : 15 Jun 2026 - 03 Jul 2026
  • Church Road may close for 1 to 5 days at intervals for resurfacing works : 02 Jul 2026 - 01 Dec 2026
• Skerries
  • Public roads in the Skerries area closed for the Skerries 100 road race : 04 Jul 2026 12:00 - 04 Jul 2026 20:30
  • Public roads in the Skerries area closed for the Skerries 100 road race : 05 Jul 2026 08:00 - 05 Jul 2026 18:30
  • Cross of The Cage may close for 1 to 5 days at intervals for resurfacing works : 02 Jul 2026 - 01 Dec 2026
• Rush
  • Old Barrack Road may close for 1 to 5 days at intervals for resurfacing works : 02 Jul 2026 - 01 Dec 2026
• Balbriggan
  • White Hart Road may close for 1 to 5 days at intervals for resurfacing works : 02 Jul 2026 - 01 Dec 2026

🏊‍♀️🌊 Featured event: Open Water at Low Rock

This week’s featured event is Swim Ireland’s Open Water - Malahide - LowRock - Competitive Teens session, with the next session taking place on Tuesday (June 30th) at 7pm.

The programme is aimed at teens in a competitive club setting who are preparing for open-water swimming events this summer. Qualified Swim Ireland coaches and lifeguards will guide participants through a safe and structured session at Low Rock.

There are also further sessions listed for Tuesday July 7th and Tuesday July 21st, both at 7pm.

Monday 29th June

• Donabate | Community Well | Mum and Baby Yoga with Katie | Baby-friendly morning yoga class. | 09:30-10:30

• Swords | Holy Family NS Swords | Uniform Donation Drop | Drop off clean, good-quality school uniforms for the school community. | 10:00-11:00

• Swords | St Finians Community College | Woodworking Summer Camp | Hands-on woodworking camp suitable for all experience levels. | 10:00-13:00

• Swords | Swords Library | Getting to Know Your Android Smartphone | A free library session for adults learning everyday smartphone basics. | 10:00

• Donabate | Community Well | Pregnancy Yoga | Evening pregnancy yoga session. | 18:30-19:30

• Swords | Thornleigh ETNS | Zumba Class | Friendly dance-fitness class with no experience needed. | 19:00

• Swords | Swords Castle Entrance | Swords Men’s Walk & Talk Group | Relaxed evening walk for local men, usually around 5km to 6km. | 19:15

• Donabate | Community Well | Pregnancy Yoga | Later pregnancy yoga session. | 20:00-21:00

• Swords | Holywell Community Centre | Self-Protection Training | Practical self-protection class focused on confidence and awareness. | 20:00

• Malahide | Malahide Castle Sports Pavilion | Mini Picasso Art Camp | Creative art camp for children aged 4 to 8. | Time not stated

Tuesday 30th June

• Swords | Swords Parish Centre Brackenstown | Hatha Yoga | Gentle Hatha Yoga class with Calmness with Caroline. | 09:30-10:45

• Donabate | Community Well | Yoga & Coffee Morning with Aisling | Morning yoga followed by coffee and community time. | 10:00-11:00

• Swords | St Finians Community College | Woodworking Summer Camp | Hands-on woodworking camp suitable for all experience levels. | 10:00-13:00

• Swords | Swords Parish Centre Brackenstown | Chair Yoga | Gentle chair-based yoga class with Calmness with Caroline. | 11:15-12:15

• Malahide | Malahide Castle | Maroon 5 | Outdoor summer concert with special guests Jess Glynne & VOILÀ. | 17:00

• Online | LEO Fingal | Start Your Own Business | Session 5 of LEO Fingal’s start-up course, delivered online. | 18:30-21:30

• Donabate | Community Well | Replenish - 4 Weeks Yoga Course | Evening yoga course session focused on movement and rest. | 19:00-20:00

• Malahide | Bridgefield Car Park | Green Nuts Men’s Group - Walk & Talk | Friendly evening walk and talk for local men. | 19:00

• Malahide | Low Rock | Open Water - Malahide - LowRock - Competitive Teens | Swim Ireland open-water coaching session for competitive teens. | 19:00

• Rush | Rush National School | Zumba Class | Friendly dance-fitness class with no experience needed. | 19:00

• Donabate | Community Well | Replenish - 4 Weeks Yoga Course | Later evening yoga course session. | 20:30-21:30

• Malahide | Malahide Castle Sports Pavilion | Mini Picasso Art Camp | Creative art camp for children aged 4 to 8. | Time not stated

Wednesday 1st July

• Balbriggan | Millfield Shopping Centre | Magic, Bubbles & Bright Smiles: Millfield Mini-makers | Magical morning with bubbles, puppets and face painting for little ones. | 10:00-11:30

• Donabate | Community Well | Baby Moves with Dora | Gentle developmental movement class for babies. | 10:00-11:00

• Donabate | Unit 16, Donabate Town Centre | Therapeutic Yoga Donabate | Gentle one-hour therapeutic yoga class. | 10:00-11:00

• Rush | St Maurs GAA | St Maurs Advanced Camp | Teen GAA camp with hurling, camogie, football, training and conditioning. | 10:00-13:00

• Swords | River Valley Community Centre | Iyengar Yoga with Sue | Weekly Iyengar yoga class with Sue. | 10:00-11:00

• Swords | St Finians Community College | Woodworking Summer Camp | Hands-on woodworking camp suitable for all experience levels. | 10:00-13:00

• Donabate | Parish Hall | Strength & Conditioning Classes | Strength, fitness and conditioning class in a welcoming local setting. | 17:00-18:00

• Balbriggan | Balbriggan Library | Summer Swap Shop | Circular living swap event at the library. | 17:30

• Swords | Thornleigh ETNS, Applewood | Zumba with Gill | Midweek Zumba class in Applewood. | 19:00

• Donabate | Community Well | Tai Chi & Qi Gong with Grace | Gentle evening movement and breathing class. | 19:30-20:30

• Malahide | Malahide Castle Sports Pavilion | Mini Picasso Art Camp | Creative art camp for children aged 4 to 8. | Time not stated

Thursday 2nd July

• Dublin Airport | Maldron Hotel Dublin Airport | First Aid Response - Dublin | One-day first aid response course at the airport hotel. | 09:30-19:30

• Donabate | Community Well | Baby Massage Course | Baby massage course session. | 10:00-11:00

• Rush | St Maurs GAA | St Maurs Advanced Camp | Teen GAA camp with hurling, camogie, football, training and conditioning. | 10:00-13:00

• Swords | St Finians Community College | Woodworking Summer Camp | Hands-on woodworking camp suitable for all experience levels. | 10:00-13:00

• Balbriggan | Balbriggan Library | Dungeons & Dragons | Library summer club session for young players. | 14:30

• Rush | Rush Library | eServices Clinic | Help with online library and digital services. | 14:30

• Skerries | Skerries Library | Beaded Jewellery Workshop | Creative summer workshop at the library. | 14:30

• Swords | Swords Parish Centre Brackenstown | Hatha Yoga | Gentle Hatha Yoga class with Calmness with Caroline. | 19:00-20:15

• Donabate | Community Well | Restorative Breathwork & Ogham Healing | Restorative evening course session. | 19:30-21:00

• Swords | Holywell Community Centre | Combat Cardio | High-energy strength and conditioning session. | 20:00

• Donabate | Donabate Portrane Community Centre | DPCC Community Bingo | Community bingo night with weekly prizes and a social atmosphere. | 20:30

• Swords | Rivervalley Community Centre | Badminton | Evening badminton session in Rivervalley. | 21:00-22:00

• Malahide | Malahide Castle Sports Pavilion | Mini Picasso Art Camp | Creative art camp for children aged 4 to 8. | Time not stated

Image: Boating In Malahide [Ireland] Ref-119 by William Murphy / infomatique, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.

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.