👋 Hi FingalEMers,
Good morning and welcome to a new week — and the start of September. We’ve another mix of local news, community updates and events from across Fingal East to get you through Monday to Thursday.
In keeping with our commitment to showcase talent from across Fingal East, this week’s opening image is a painting by Lavinia O’Leary from Art Alley in Malahide. There’s a huge amount of creative talent on our doorstep, and over the coming weeks we’ll be featuring more work from artists associated with Art Alley.
Thanks as well to everyone who took part in last week’s poll about what you’d like to see more of in Fingal East Media. There was no runaway winner, but Health, wellbeing and active living came out slightly ahead — covering things like walking groups, local activities, practical health information and services. The fact that the result was so close across the different choices was useful too, and we’ll be using that feedback as we shape what we cover in the months ahead.
Now, let’s see what’s happening across Fingal East this week…
If Fingal East Media could make ONE more local thing easier for you, which would be most useful?
THIS WEEK'S FEATURED BUSINESS
McNally Family Farm
McNally Family Farm is a 99-acre organic family farm at Balrickard in North County Dublin. Patrick and Jenny McNally began growing organically and selling directly to customers in 1997, and what started with the two of them has become a real family operation — today all five of their adult children are involved in running the farm, shop and business.
The farm has been certified organic for more than 25 years and grows over 50 varieties of seasonal vegetables and salads across its fields and polytunnels. What is available changes with the seasons — from tomatoes, peppers, chillies and salads during the warmer months to brassicas, root vegetables and cooking greens as the year moves on.
And you don't have to wait for a farmers market to try it. The farm shop and café are right there on the farm, selling freshly picked produce alongside goods made in their own kitchen and a selection from other small Irish food producers. McNally's also runs guided farm tours where visitors can explore the fields and polytunnels and learn more about organic and regenerative growing.
If you've never been, it's one of those places that is well worth knowing is on our doorstep — produce grown in Fingal, sold by the family who actually grew it, with a coffee and something to eat while you're there.
Opening hours:
Wednesday–Saturday: 8.30am–4pm
Sunday: 10am–3pm
News
Tracking all the developing stories that affect our community.
🔥 Two tyre-related fires near Ballyboughal — but no known connection between them
Ballyboughal has seen two significant fires involving tyres within less than three weeks, although there is currently no evidence to suggest the incidents were connected. The most recent happened on 24th August at an agricultural site near the village, where a large quantity of tyres caught fire. Five fire engines, a water tanker and a specialist foam unit attended, with nearby residents advised to keep windows and doors closed because of the smoke.
That followed a separate and much larger fire near Wimbletown on 6th August, when around 80–100 cars and a substantial quantity of tyres were reported to have burned at a scrapyard. Eight fire-service units attended that incident and some nearby homes were evacuated as a precaution. The two fires occurred at different locations and have been reported as separate incidents.
Given the relatively short period between them, the two fires are notable for the Ballyboughal area, particularly because tyre fires can produce dense smoke and can be difficult to extinguish. However, there is nothing in the information released so far to indicate any link between the two events, and the cause of the 24th August fire had not been established at the time of reporting.
🌊🛶 Six hours in a currach: the Skerries crew who rowed to Scotland
A group of rowers from Currachaí na Sceirí in Skerries have completed a remarkable journey across the North Channel, rowing two traditional currachs from Donaghadee in Co. Down to Portpatrick in Scotland. The crossing, known as Slí ár Sinséar – Voyage of the Ancestors, covered roughly 40km and took the crews just over six hours. Along the way they crossed busy shipping waters, battled the open sea and even had some company from dolphins as they approached Scotland.
The two boats were traditional working-style currachs — An Béal Deirg, a five-person North Mayo salmon-fishing currach, and Musha, an Aran Islands-style boat. The idea behind the crossing was to celebrate the long maritime connection between Ireland and Scotland and to get a sense of the type of journeys our ancestors may once have made in lightweight skin-covered boats. Modern currachs use canvas rather than animal hide, but the basic timber-frame design draws on a very old Irish boat-building tradition.
There was a personal side to the voyage too. Several of the rowers used the crossing to remember fathers and friends who had recently died, including Keith Gilbride, a close friend of crew member Cormac Quinn, whose wake was taking place back in Skerries that same day. It adds another layer to what was already an impressive achievement — a group that began by building and rowing currachs locally in Skerries has now taken those boats all the way across the sea to Scotland.
✈️🏖️ When Portmarnock Beach became a runway to North America
It’s difficult to imagine while walking the Velvet Strand today, but in the early 1930s Portmarnock Beach was used as the runway for two pioneering transatlantic flights. On 24th June 1930, Australian aviator Charles Kingsford Smith took off from the strand in the three-engined Southern Cross, accompanied by co-pilot Evert van Dyk, Irish navigator Captain Paddy Saul and radio operator John Stannage. Thousands gathered to watch them leave. Around 31½ hours later they landed at Harbour Grace in Newfoundland, completing the second non-stop east-to-west crossing of the North Atlantic. The first had been achieved two years earlier by the Bremen, which departed from Baldonnel.
Just over two years later, Portmarnock was the starting point for an even more remarkable first. On 18th August 1932, Scottish pilot Jim Mollison left the strand alone in a single-engined de Havilland Puss Moth called Heart's Content. A contemporary report in Nature records that the aircraft's passenger seat had been replaced by additional fuel tanks. After more than 30 hours in the air, Mollison landed at Pennfield Ridge in New Brunswick and became the first pilot to cross the North Atlantic solo, non-stop, from east to west. Mollison's choice of Portmarnock wasn't accidental: he later explained that he needed an unusually long take-off run for the heavily fuelled aircraft, something conventional British airfields could not provide.
Portmarnock almost hosted another Atlantic departure in 1933, when Australian aviator Charles Ulm brought the three-engined Faith in Australia to the beach. According to the National Museum of Australia, the heavily loaded aircraft sank into the sand and was damaged; after repairs, continuing bad weather eventually forced Ulm to abandon the Atlantic attempt. The extraordinary role the Velvet Strand played in those pioneering years is now commemorated by Eccentric Orbit, the limestone globe overlooking the beach by artists Rachel Joynt and Remco de Fouw, whose bronze needle points towards the North Star. The original Southern Cross itself also survives and is preserved at Brisbane Airport. So the next time you're walking the Velvet Strand, there's a remarkable piece of history under your feet: this beach really was once used as a launch point for record-breaking flights across the Atlantic.
Civil
Planning decisions, road closures & community notices.
Planning
🏗️ Belcamp — 204 homes proposed at Belcamp Hall
Glenveagh Homes is seeking permission for a major redevelopment of an 8.4-hectare site at Belcamp Hall, west of the Malahide Road. The plans would provide 204 residential units, including 197 apartments across six new blocks of up to four storeys and seven apartments within the existing Belcamp House.
The proposal also includes the restoration and refurbishment of the protected Belcamp House and Chapel, with office, café and community uses planned for the lower floors. A childcare facility with outdoor play space and a separate café within the walled garden are also proposed. Reference: LRD0087/S2.
Traffic
Main roadworks, traffic changes and public-transport diversions across Fingal East from Monday 31 August–Thursday 3 September.
🚧 Swords
- North Street: Phase Two of the Swords public-realm works continues. North Street is operating as a single northbound lane between Main Street and Fingal Community College. Southbound traffic cannot continue from North Street onto Main Street and is being diverted via Watery Lane or the R132. Businesses remain open throughout the works.
- Routes 33, 41C and 43: City-bound services continue to divert from Balheary via Watery Lane and Bridge Street. Stops at North Street Park, North Street and Seatown West are not being served. A temporary stop is 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 currently not served.
- Seatown Road: The section between St Columcille’s Drive and North Street remains closed for construction of the Swords Cultural Quarter. The closure is scheduled to remain in place until March 2027, with signed diversions operating.
- Seatown Road–Estuary Road: Active-travel works continue around the M1 flyover, IDA Roundabout and Estuary Road. The northern footpath between the IDA and Estuary Road roundabouts remains closed, with alternative pedestrian routes provided. Drivers should expect local traffic management around the works.
- R132 / Dublin Airport: Construction on the R132 Connectivity Project continues, with a temporary 50km/h roadworks speed limit in place. Bus Éireann is also warning that Route 101 may experience delays and reduced reliability because of the works, while the outbound Seatown Villas stop remains temporarily relocated.
🚧 Donabate
- Portrane Road: The Portrane Road Enhancement Project continues between Carr’s Mill and the local primary schools. Works include wider footpaths, pedestrian crossings, traffic calming and a new bus lay-by. One lane of traffic is being maintained throughout the project, but local delays are possible around the works.
Traffic arrangements can change at short notice. Allow some extra time around active roadworks and check your public-transport service before travelling.
Events Calendar
Things to do in the week ahead.
🌿 Featured Event: A Creative Saturday in Lusk
Fancy spending a couple of hours doing something completely different? Local artist Kriti Khatri of Kriti_Kreatz is hosting two hands-on creative workshops in Lusk on Saturday, 5th September — and both are designed with complete beginners in mind.
🌱 Beginners: Botanical Tile Making Workshop
Start the day working with clay, leaves, flowers and natural textures to create your own decorative botanical tiles. You’ll explore simple imprinting, texture and composition techniques while creating a unique handmade piece inspired by nature.
🧶 Beginners: Punch Needle Workshop
Then in the afternoon, swap clay for textiles and discover punch needle — a wonderfully tactile form of fibre art. Learn the basics and create your own pattern to bring a little handmade colour and texture to your home.
Kriti is a multidisciplinary artist and experienced art educator based in Lusk, working across ceramics, textiles, drawing and print. So whether you’ve been looking for an excuse to try something creative or just fancy a relaxed couple of hours making something with your own hands, either workshop looks like a lovely way to spend part of your Saturday.
📅 When: Saturday, 5th September
🌱 Botanical Tile Making: 10:00am–12:00pm
🧶 Punch Needle: 2:00pm–4:00pm
📍 Where: Clonrath Hill, Lusk
Monday 31st August
Balbriggan | ASTER Family Resource Centre | Wellness Café | Free informal peer-led drop-in for a cuppa, conversation and wellbeing support. | 14:00–18:00
Lusk | Murray's Car Park | Men's Walk & Talk | Weekly community walk for men. | 18:45
Swords | Thornleigh Educate Together NS | Zumba | Friendly dance-fitness class for everybody, with no experience needed. | 19:00
Donabate | Shoreline Hotel | Full Moon Sound Bath & Sauna | Evening experience combining a relaxing sound bath with a sauna session. | 19:00–21:00
Swords | Swords Castle Entrance | Swords Men's Walk & Talk Group | Relaxed Monday evening walk for local men, usually around 5km to 6km. | 19:15
Swords | Holywell Community Centre | Self-Protection Training | Practical class focused on confidence, awareness and personal safety. | 20:00
Malahide | Malahide Castle & Gardens | Thinning the Veil | Contemporary-art exhibition featuring six Fingal artists throughout the castle. The exhibition continues until 22 November; viewing is included through castle tours.
Balbriggan | Balbriggan Library | Fingal Art Collective Exhibition | Exhibition featuring paintings by 12 local artists. Opens 31 August and continues until 28 September.
Tuesday 1st September
Swords | Pavilions Shopping Centre | Sensory Friendly Shopping Hour | Reduced lighting and music and a quieter shopping environment. | 09:30–10:30
Swords | Swords Parish Centre, Brackenstown | Hatha Yoga | Gentle morning Hatha yoga with Calmness with Caroline. | 09:30–10:45
Swords | Violet Sky | Yin Yoga with Soul Glow | Slow, nourishing yin yoga class designed to help you relax, release tension and reconnect. All levels welcome; no experience needed. | 10:00–11:00
Swords | Swords Parish Centre, Brackenstown | Chair Yoga | Gentle accessible chair-based yoga with Calmness with Caroline. | 11:15–12:15
Malahide | Grand Hotel | Global Business Spanish | Conversational Spanish with a professional/business focus. | 18:30–19:30
Swords | Peacocks Bar, Rivervalley | Salsa Classes | Cuban salsa; intermediate class followed by beginners/improvers. | 19:00–21:00
Rush | Rush National School | Zumba | Friendly dance-fitness class for everybody, with no experience needed. | 19:00
Malahide | Bridgefield Car Park | Green Nuts Men's Walk & Talk | Weekly informal community walk. | 19:00
Rush | Rush Community Centre | Yin Yoga with Soul Glow | Evening yin yoga class designed to help you slow down, soften and reset. All levels welcome; no experience needed. | 19:30–20:30
Swords | St Cronan's Parish Centre, Brackenstown | North Dublin Toastmasters | Public-speaking and communication meeting; visitors can attend without having to speak. | 19:45–21:45
Rush | Kenure Park | Men's Walk & Talk | Weekly community walk. | 20:00
Wednesday 2nd September
Online | Fingal Local Enterprise Office | Business Support Briefing | Online session covering supports available to existing businesses, start-ups and people developing a new business idea. | 09:30–11:00
Swords | Rivervalley Community Centre | Iyengar Yoga with Sue | Weekly morning Iyengar yoga class. | 10:00–11:00
Donabate | Unit 16, Donabate Town Centre | Therapeutic Yoga Donabate | Gentle one-hour therapeutic yoga class. | 10:00–11:00
Donabate | Donabate Parish Hall | Strength & Conditioning | Weekly class focused on strength, fitness and conditioning. | 17:00–18:00
Swords | Swords Library | Irish Conversation & Practice | Informal Irish-language conversation and practice session. | 18:30
Skerries | Otter Space, Holmpatrick Shopping Centre | Otter Hours Coffee Social | Free 18+ social meetup centred on coffee, conversation and meeting new people. | 19:00–21:00
Swords | Thornleigh Educate Together NS, Applewood | Zumba with Gill | Midweek Zumba class in Applewood. | 19:00
Rush | St Maur's GAA Club | Yoga with Lynsey | Start of the new six-week club yoga term. | 20:00
Balbriggan | Glebe North Football Club | Céilí | Social céilí dancing evening. | 20:30–23:30
Thursday 3rd September
Swords | Swords Library | The Stones of Swords: New Perspectives in Local History | First session of a three-week course with local historian Mike Power exploring the local heritage, stone remains and artefacts of Swords and Fingal. Booking required: [email protected] | 18:00–19:30
Donabate | The Shoreline Hotel | Kids' Disco | Kids' disco with DJs, karaoke and games. | 18:00–21:00
Swords | Swords Parish Centre, Brackenstown | Hatha Yoga | Gentle evening Hatha yoga with Calmness with Caroline. | 19:00–20:15
Malahide | Grand Hotel | Global Business Spanish | Conversational Spanish session with a professional/business emphasis. | 19:00–20:00
Swords | Holywell Community Centre | Combat Cardio | High-energy combat-inspired fitness class. | 20:00
Donabate | Donabate Portrane Community Centre | Community Bingo | Friendly community bingo night with weekly prizes and a social atmosphere. | 20:30
Swords | Rivervalley Community Centre | Badminton | Social evening badminton session. | 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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