👋 Hi FingalEMers,

Welcome to the weekend edition — and this one is a bit of a monster. We have 97 events listed across Fingal East for Friday to Sunday, which is honestly a little bit crazy. From Skerries Trad Weekend and Mayor’s Fest to family activities, workshops, markets, music, fitness and community events, there is a lot going on.

You’ll also see the same quick poll that appeared in Monday’s newsletter. If you already filled it in, thank you — there’s no need to do it again, unless of "course", 😂 you’ve changed your mind . We’re keeping it here for anyone who missed it, as it helps us understand what our readers really want.

As always, have a scan through, see what’s happening near you, and maybe pick one thing you would not have known about otherwise.

Frank McGowan — furniture, flooring and local experience since 1979

Based in Airside Retail Park, Swords, Frank McGowan Furniture & Flooring is one of Fingal’s best-known home furnishing names. Originally founded as a carpet store in Malahide village, this Irish family-run business has grown into a major furniture and flooring showroom, offering everything from sofas, dining and bedroom furniture to beds, mattresses, rugs, carpets and flooring.

Their Summer Sale is now on, making it a great time for anyone planning to refresh a room, replace flooring or furnish a home, with decades of local experience, a large showroom to explore, and a focus on quality products, good service and competitive prices.

And don’t forget to tell them you’re a FingalEMer.

🏘️📝 360 Homes Proposed for Mooretown, Swords

Fingal County Council is seeking approval from An Coimisiún Pleanála for a major residential development at Mooretown, Swords. The proposal includes 360 homes, made up of 305 houses, 20 own-door duplex units and 35 apartments, ranging from two to five storeys. The site is near Rathbeale Road, Baile na Móna, Furzefield, Ormond Crescent and surrounding estates, with access via a link road connected to the permitted Mooretown Phase 1 development.

The plans also include a two-storey crèche, public open spaces, playgrounds, archaeological parks, a Multi-Use Games Area, pedestrian and cycle links, 580 car parking spaces and 1,009 cycle parking spaces. The application documents, including the Environmental Impact Assessment Report, are available for inspection from 3 June to 14 July 2026, with submissions to An Coimisiún Pleanála due by 5.30pm on 14 July 2026.

🌿🏆 Gold for Fingal at Bord Bia Bloom

There was a lovely win for Fingal at Bord Bia Bloom 2026, where the show garden “Fingal Nurturing Communities through Nature” was awarded Gold and also picked up the Most Sustainable Garden Award. The garden focuses on community growing, shared green spaces, wellbeing and sustainability, with a design that encourages people to come together, grow food and learn practical gardening skills.

The best part for local readers is that the garden is set to continue its life here in Fingal. After Bloom, it will be moved to Brackenstown Walled Garden in Swords, where it will form the basis of a new community gardening initiative. A local gardening group will be established to care for and develop the space, giving the award-winning garden a lasting role in the community.

🎪🎼 Featured Event: Mayor’s Fest at Skerries Mills

Our featured event this week is Mayor’s Fest at Skerries Mills, taking place on Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 June 2026, with festivities beginning from 2.00pm each day. Hosted by the Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Tom O’Leary, the two-day family festival promises a lively weekend of music, entertainment and community atmosphere in one of North County Dublin’s most scenic heritage settings.

The Saturday programme includes a Disney Princess Show and a Taylor Swift tribute act, while Sunday brings live performances from Smash Hits and Skerries favourites Risky Business. The event is free to attend, with no tickets required, and visitors will be able to enjoy food and refreshments from the on-site Windmill Café and additional food concessions throughout the weekend.

There is no parking on site, so visitors are encouraged to walk, cycle or use public transport where possible. The festival is also part of Explore Fingal, with families encouraged to make a day of it by enjoying Skerries’ coastal walks, heritage, shops, cafés and local businesses before or after the event.

Friday 5th June

• Lusk | Orlynn Park | Parent and Child Tennis Tots | Tennis for ages 3-5 with a parent or guardian. | 16:00-17:00

• Skerries | Skerries Library | Harp Ensemble Recital | A free harp recital as part of Skerries Trad Weekend. | 16:00

• Skerries | Joe Mays Upstairs | Teen Session | A young musicians’ session hosted by N.E.A.R.T. | 19:00

• Skerries | The Snug | Traditional Music Session | A relaxed evening session with festival musicians. | 19:00

• Skerries | The Coast Inn | Rambling House | An evening of dance, music, songs and storytelling. | 20:00

• Skerries | The Little Theatre | Carlos Sweeney McCartin | Trad concert with support from Dónal Kearney & Sara Dennedy. | 20:00

• Skerries | The Bus Bar | Skerries Comedy Club June 5th | Comedy night with Karl Spain, Fred Cooke and Paul Marsh. | 20:30-22:30

• Skerries | Joe Mays | Traditional Music Session | A late evening session as part of Skerries Trad Weekend. | 21:00

• Skerries | The Brick House | Traditional Music Session | A lively Skerries Trad Weekend evening session. | 21:00

• Skerries | The Coast Inn | Traditional Music Session | Festival musicians gather for an evening trad session. | 21:00

Saturday 6th June

• Balbriggan | Ardgillan Castle & Demesne | Ardgillan 5k Parkrun | A free weekly 5k run or walk through the demesne. | 09:30

• Donabate | Community Well Studio | And Now, Yoga | A gentle beginner/intermediate yoga class with Tanvi. | 09:30-10:30

• Malahide | Hidden Acres-Malahide Escapes | Restorative Yoga and Wine Tasting | Restorative yoga retreat morning with wine tasting. | 10:00-13:00

• Malahide | St Sylvester’s Parish Centre | Iyengar Yoga with Sue | A weekly Iyengar yoga class with Sue, teaching locally for 20 years. | 10:00-11:30

• Naul | The Séamus Ennis Arts Centre | Bodhrán Making Workshop | A hands-on Cruinniú na nÓg workshop where young people make their own bodhrán. | 10:00-14:00

• Skerries | Prosper Fingal / The Little Theatre | Accordion Workshop with Johnny Óg Connolly | Morning workshop for intermediate and advanced players. | 10:00-13:00

• Skerries | Prosper Fingal / The Little Theatre | Banjo Workshop with Gerry O’Connor | Morning workshop for intermediate and advanced players. | 10:00-13:00

• Skerries | Prosper Fingal / The Little Theatre | Concertina Workshop with Mícheál Ó Raghallaigh | Morning workshop for intermediate and advanced players. | 10:00-13:00

• Skerries | Prosper Fingal / The Little Theatre | Fiddle Workshops with Bríd Harper & Sorcha Costello | Morning workshops for intermediate and advanced players. | 10:00-13:00

• Skerries | Prosper Fingal / The Little Theatre | Flute Workshops with Catherine McEvoy & Céin Sweeney | Morning workshops for intermediate and advanced players. | 10:00-13:00

• Skerries | Prosper Fingal / The Little Theatre | Harp Workshop with Colm McGonigle | Morning workshop for intermediate and advanced players. | 10:00-13:00

• Skerries | Prosper Fingal / The Little Theatre | Tin Whistle Workshops with Mary Bergin & Éamonn Galldubh | Morning workshops for intermediate and advanced players. | 10:00-13:00

• Skerries | Prosper Fingal / The Little Theatre | Uilleann Pipes Workshop with Néillidh Mulligan | Morning workshop for intermediate and advanced players. | 10:00-13:00

• Skerries | The Little Theatre | Set Dancing Workshop with Pádraig & Róisín McEneany | Morning set dancing workshop for Skerries Trad Weekend. | 10:00-13:00

• Balbriggan | Balbriggan Library | Kandi Bead Bracelets and Keychains | A creative workshop where children make bracelets and keychains. | 10:30-11:30

• Malahide | Malahide Library | Sensory Slime with Messy Adventures | A fun slime science and sensory workshop for ages 7+. | 10:30-11:30

• Naul | The Séamus Ennis Arts Centre | Shadow Puppetry Workshop | A creative workshop exploring shadow puppetry and small performances. | 10:30-12:30

• Rush | Rush Library | Bits and Bobs Orchestra | A playful classical music workshop for children aged 4-10. | 11:00-12:00

• Skerries | 33 Café | Traditional Music Session | A lunchtime session as Skerries Trad Weekend gets into full swing. | 11:00

• Swords | River Valley Community Centre | Swords Tidy Towns Clothes Swap & Repair Cafe | A summer clothes swap with a community repair corner. | 11:00-13:00

• Swords | Swords Library | Manga Illustration Workshop | A manga drawing workshop with illustrator John Carpenter for ages 8-12. | 11:00-12:00

• Donabate | Donabate Library | Céilí Teaghlaigh le Mairéad | A family céilí with live traditional music and dancing. | 11:30-12:30

• Skerries | Skerries Library | Air Dry Clay with Aida | A hands-on clay workshop for children aged 9-12. | 11:30-12:30

• Skerries | K34 N443 | Meet Your Local Advisor in Skerries | A free local Thermomix advisor session. | 12:00

• Skerries | Skerries Library | Creative Sensory Play with Fingal Additional Needs | A sensory-friendly creative space for children and families. | 12:00-16:00

• Ballyboughal | Ballyboughal Community Hub | Vintage & Craft Market | Unique vintage clothes, handmade goods and hidden gems from local vendors, with coffee, toasties and pastries. | 12:00-16:00

• Rush | Martins Shop (RMYF), K56 CC90 | Sports Wear & Equipment Swap Shop | Bring clean sports clothes and equipment to swap; refreshments will be served. | 13:00-15:00

• Naul | The Séamus Ennis Arts Centre | Shadow Puppetry Workshop | A second creative shadow puppetry session for young participants. | 13:00-15:00

• Skerries | Joe Mays | Traditional Music Session | An afternoon session with festival musicians. | 13:00

• Skerries | The Rock Bakery | Traditional Music Session | An afternoon trad session in the heart of the town. | 13:00

• Skerries | The Snug Lounge | Mary Staunton, Julie Langan & Noel O’Grady Recital | A lunchtime recital as part of Skerries Trad Weekend. | 13:00

• Balbriggan | Balbriggan Library | Face Painting & Balloon Modelling | Drop-in face painting and balloon modelling with Really Cool Parties. | 14:00-16:00

• Skerries | Skerries Library | Bits and Bobs Orchestra | A playful classical music workshop for children aged 4-10. | 14:00-15:00

• Skerries | Skerries Mills | Mayor’s Fest | A family festival afternoon with Disney Princess Show and Taylor Swift tribute. | 14:00-18:00

• Skerries | The Coast Inn | Traditional Music Session | An afternoon Skerries Trad Weekend session. | 14:00

• Skerries | The Snug | Traditional Music Session | A relaxed afternoon trad session for players and listeners. | 14:00

• Malahide | Malahide Library | Manga Illustration Workshop | A manga drawing workshop with illustrator John Carpenter for ages 8-12. | 14:30-15:30

• Skerries | Café Jacques | Reelin’ in the Years Session | A themed session with Clare Maloney and friends. | 15:00

• Skerries | Joe Mays Upstairs | Singing Session with Skerries Folk Club | A Saturday afternoon singing session with local folk voices. | 15:00

• Skerries | The Snug Lounge | Open Intermediate Session | A welcoming intermediate session for traditional musicians. | 15:00

• Balbriggan | Balbriggan Library | Motorised Lego Bricks Challenge Workshop | A short creative Lego challenge for young makers. | 16:00-16:15

• Skerries | Cornerstone Church | Mícheál Ó Raghallaigh & MacDara Ó Raghallaigh Recital | A traditional music recital from two renowned players. | 16:00

• Skerries | La Scarpetta | Harp Recital | A free harp recital as part of Skerries Trad Weekend. | 16:00

• Skerries | The Bus Bar | Traditional Music Session | A late afternoon session with festival musicians. | 16:00

• Swords | Swords Castle | All Abilities Ireland at We Own The Castle | A calm creative sensory tent for young people and families. | 16:00-17:00

• Swords | Swords Castle | Festival Graffiti Workshop with Street Art Ink | A hands-on street art and graffiti workshop. | 16:00-17:00

• Swords | Swords Castle | Tie-Dye Workshop with Lollipop Apparel | A colourful tie-dye workshop in the Creative Village. | 16:00-17:00

• Swords | Swords Castle | We Own The Castle | A live teen music festival with young musicians and creative activity. | 16:00-21:00

• Swords | Swords Castle Chapel | Wavin’ Words Youth Poetry Slam | Youth poetry, performance and spoken word in the castle chapel. | 16:00-19:30

• Skerries | Nealons | Traditional Music Session | An early evening Skerries Trad Weekend session. | 17:00

• Skerries | The Brick House | Traditional Music Session | A late afternoon session as the festival continues. | 17:00

• Skerries | Joe Mays | Traditional Music Session | An evening session as part of Skerries Trad Weekend. | 18:00

• Skerries | Joe Mays Upstairs | Open Intermediate Session | A welcoming intermediate trad session. | 18:00

• Skerries | The Snug | Traditional Music Session | An evening session for traditional music fans. | 18:00

• Balbriggan | The Lark Theatre | Téada | A headline Skerries Trad Weekend concert with Téada. | 20:00

• Skerries | Joe Mays | Traditional Music Session | A late evening festival session. | 21:00

• Skerries | Skerries Harps | Traditional Music Session | A late evening trad session in Skerries Harps. | 21:00

• Skerries | The Brick House | Traditional Music Session | A late evening session to round off the Saturday programme. | 21:00

• Skerries | The Coast Inn | Traditional Music Session | A late Skerries Trad Weekend session. | 21:00

• Skerries | The Gladstone | Traditional Music Session | An evening session with Skerries Trad Weekend musicians. | 21:00

Sunday 7th June

• Balbriggan | Unit 23 Balbriggan Business Park | Summer Craft Fair & Coffee Morning | A free craft fair and coffee morning from Balbriggan Cancer Support Group. | 10:00-14:00

• Malahide | Malahide Castle & Gardens | Yoga in the Park Summer Finale | Outdoor yoga with Stefania in the castle grounds. | 10:30-11:30

• Swords | Swords Castle | MOVE at Swords Castle | A free community wellbeing and fitness event with classes, talks and healthy snacks. | 11:30-15:00

• Skerries | 33 Café | Traditional Music Recital | A Sunday lunchtime recital as part of Skerries Trad Weekend. | 12:00

• Balbriggan | The Warehouse | Community Art Workshop | A creative community workshop led by Anita Doolan. | 13:00-15:00

• Skerries | The Coast Inn | Fiddle Session | A dedicated fiddle session for trad players and listeners. | 13:00

• Skerries | The Rock Bakery | Traditional Music Session | A Sunday afternoon Skerries Trad Weekend session. | 13:00

• Skerries | The Snug Lounge | Singing Session with The Gladstone Band | A Sunday singing session with The Gladstone Band. | 13:00

• Balbriggan | Ardgillan Castle | Sorcha Costello Recital | A Sunday afternoon recital from acclaimed fiddle player Sorcha Costello. | 14:00

• Skerries | Skerries Mills | Mayor’s Fest | A family festival afternoon with live music from Smash Hits and Risky Business. | 14:00-18:00

• Skerries | The Snug | Traditional Music Session | A Sunday afternoon trad session. | 14:00

• Skerries | Community Centre | Afternoon Céilí with Kilfenora Céilí Band | A Sunday afternoon céilí with one of Ireland’s great céilí bands. | 15:00

• Skerries | Joe Mays | Traditional Music Session | An afternoon session as Skerries Trad Weekend continues. | 15:00

• Skerries | Café Jacques | East Coast Composers Focus Session | A session celebrating east coast traditional composers. | 15:00

• Skerries | The Brick House | Open Intermediate Session | A welcoming intermediate session for traditional musicians. | 15:00

• Skerries | The Bridge Club | Gerry O’Connor Recital | A Sunday recital from renowned banjo player Gerry O’Connor. | 16:00

• Skerries | The Bus Bar | Traditional Music Session | A late afternoon Skerries Trad Weekend session. | 16:00

• Malahide | Hidden Acres | Release • Reset • Reconnect | An immersive breathwork and sound bath experience. | 17:00-20:00

• Skerries | Joe Mays Upstairs | Family Session | A family-friendly traditional music session. | 17:00

• Skerries | Nealons | Traditional Music Session | An early evening Sunday festival session. | 17:00

• Skerries | The Coast Inn | Traditional Music Session | An evening trad session with festival musicians. | 18:00

• Balbriggan | The Lark | The Legends of the 60's Show | A nostalgic live music show celebrating classic 60s hits. | 19:00

• Donabate | Community Well Studio | Weekly Shamanic Drumming Meditation Group | A gentle weekly gathering with drumming, meditation and connection. | 19:00-21:00

• Skerries | Joe Mays Upstairs | Adult Slow Session | A slower-paced adult session for traditional musicians. | 19:00

• Skerries | The Snug | Traditional Music Session | An evening session in The Snug. | 19:00

• Skerries | Joe Mays | Traditional Music Session | A final Sunday evening Skerries Trad Weekend session. | 20:00

Photo: Broadmeadows Lake by Andrea Fearon, no license required.