Hi FingalEMers — 🙋♂️🙋♀️ Now that Storm Dave is past and spring has popped (not sprung yet), we can look forward to a reasonably dry, although slightly cloudy, week ahead, with temperatures ranging from 10-15 degrees. Yes, meh is the word (yes, it is a real word) you are looking for.
But Fingal East Media has a lot for you to do!
Firstly though, our poll. Last week, 90% of respondents said they wanted to see a monthly edition of the event calendar. You want us to keep it brief. We hear you and we are actively working on that.
This week’s poll is all about food. These polls help us shape the content and offers that you want to see, so please take the time to respond. It’s very much appreciated.
We’re working on a Fingal East Media reader perk! If we could land you significant discounts from local restaurants between Monday and Thursday, would you make use of it?
If you know of an upcoming event or a local story worth sharing, drop us a line & we’ll help spread the word with our fast-growing community: [email protected]
The sponsor of this week’s edition is:
Gourmet Food Parlour has built its reputation around flavour, hospitality and atmosphere, but its Swords branch, opened in 2008, holds particular significance in the group’s story. Having launched originally in 2006, the business has gone on to grow into a well-known Irish restaurant group with locations across Dublin and Galway, alongside a modern catering kitchen in Santry. More recently, in 2023, it expanded further with the opening of three distinct dining concepts inside Arnotts in Dublin.
The Swords location stands out as one of the earlier and more established parts of that journey, reflecting the brand’s long-standing presence in the area. Across the business, Gourmet Food Parlour places strong emphasis on fresh food and lasting relationships with Irish producers, with a focus on sourcing local ingredients through sustainable practices where possible. From our perspective, it presents itself as a brand that brings together quality, comfort and accessibility, with food designed to be fresh, nutritious and affordable. And we are delighted to be associated with it!
Pop along and don’t forget to tell them you’re a FingalEMer!
News
Tracking all the developing stories that affect our community.
🤝🏠 Fingal County Council has approved a change to its Development Plan that is designed to create capacity for around 5,000 additional homes across the county.
Fingal County Council has approved a change to its Development Plan that is designed to create capacity for around 5,000 additional homes across the county. The move follows updated national housing requirements and increases the plan’s overall housing capacity from roughly 35,000 homes to 40,000. While a large share of that extra capacity is linked to Dunsink in South Fingal, the council has also identified other locations including Skerries, Lusk, Malahide, Kinsealy and Balrothery.
For Fingal East, that means the change is relevant because some of the areas named are communities already familiar to many of our readers. Fingal says the additional zoning is intended to support compact, well-connected growth in places that can build on existing settlements, transport links and community infrastructure. In that sense, the council is presenting the variation as part of a broader response to housing demand and population growth across the county.
The local significance now is that places such as Malahide, Lusk and Skerries could see this updated housing capacity reflected in future proposals over time. For readers, the most useful thing to watch will be how these wider planning changes translate into specific local applications, and how services and infrastructure develop alongside them. The variation has now been approved following public consultation, so the next stage will be seeing how this added capacity begins to appear on the ground in parts of Fingal East.
🎾👷♀️ Disappointment for Swords Padel Plan, but MetroLink Remains the Bigger Priority
The proposed 10 padel courts beside the Pavilions in Swords, which we previously covered in the newsletter, have now been refused planning permission. The decision is linked directly to the MetroLink project, with the planned facility having been proposed as a temporary five-year development that would also have included reception, café and viewing space. It is disappointing to see a leisure project like this not go ahead, particularly as it would have added something new to the area.
The main issue was the site itself. Planning authorities said the land is required for MetroLink construction works, and Fingal County Council refused permission on that basis. So, although the proposal was only intended as a temporary use, it was still considered to conflict with the transport plans for the area. While that will be frustrating for those who liked the idea, MetroLink is ultimately the bigger priority here because of its long-term importance for Swords and the wider region.
The application had also attracted objections relating to issues such as design, support facilities and parking, while the applicant argued the development would have added a new leisure amenity and brought more activity into the town centre. In the end, though, this looks like one of those cases where a potentially welcome local development has had to give way to a much larger piece of infrastructure that will shape the area for decades.
🪧ℹ️ BELIEVE Balbriggan Expo Set to Showcase Community Life in the Town
BELIEVE Balbriggan Expo is a community event taking place at Flemington Community Centre on 11 April 2026. It brings together community organisations, businesses, education providers, sports clubs, cultural groups, public services and other local partners in one place. It is the first major event under the BELIEVE concept, which stands for Belonging, Empowerment, Living, Involvement, Enterprise, Volunteering and Engagement.
At its core, the expo is designed to help people in Balbriggan better understand what is available in the town and who is providing it. The event aims to include building stronger links across different sectors, increasing awareness of services and supports, highlighting opportunities in areas such as employment, volunteering, training and partnership, and celebrating the diversity and leadership already present in the community. Visitors can expect stands, talks and workshops, giving people a chance to meet local groups and services directly rather than just hearing about them second-hand.
This is a very positive initiative for Balbriggan because it is focused on connection, participation and local pride. It is not just about showcasing organisations; it is also about making it easier for residents to find opportunities, get involved and see the range of activity already happening in the town. The wider BELIEVE Balbriggan programme is positioned as a longer-term community movement, so the expo looks designed not only to celebrate what is already there, but also to strengthen local relationships and encourage even more involvement in Balbriggan’s future. 👏👏
Civil
Planning decisions, road closures & community notices.
Planning applications & decisions
🏗️ KMAW Partnership - proposed development at Hamlet Lane, Balbriggan - F26A/0186E
A new part four-storey, part three-storey mixed-use building with two ground-floor commercial units, 12 apartments, bike/bin stores and a roof garden.
🏗️ Health Service Executive (HSE) - proposed development at 63 Rathbeale Road, Swords, Co Dublin - F25A/0412E
The HSE has applied for permission to demolish an existing house opposite JC’s (Dunnes Stores) Shopping Centre, Swords, and replace it with a two-storey, 10-bedroom step-down healthcare facility with shared resident spaces, staff/support areas, parking, landscaping, bike/bin storage, a substation kiosk, and upgraded vehicle and pedestrian access onto Rathbeale Road. Final date for third party observations/submissions is 14th April 2026.
Road closures & changes planned
🚧 Main Road Closures & Works
Swords
R132 (Estuary Roundabout to Pinnock Hill) : Major junction upgrades and lane restrictions; 50km/h speed limit in effect : Start: 1 March 2026 - End: 28 February 2027
North Street : Temporary southbound closure and diversions toward Main Street for Swords Cultural Quarter works : Start: April 2026 - End: Late 2026
Balheary Road : One-lane closure and traffic management for wastewater pipeline installation : Start: January 2026 - End: Summer 2026
Seatown Road : Temporary closure between St. Columcille’s Drive and North Street; shuttle system in place : Start: 1 July 2024 - End: 30 June 2026
Balbriggan
Mill Street to George's Hill : Full road closure to facilitate drinking water connection for RNLI Boathouse : Start: Monday 13 April 2026 08:00 - End: Monday 13 April 2026 18:00
Flemington Lane Junction (R132) : Junction upgrades and resurfacing; expect intermittent delays : Start: 18 March 2026 - End: 15 April 2026
Malahide
Townyard Lane : Full road closure at the junction with The Green for wastewater connection works : Start: Monday 13 April 2026 19:00 - End: Tuesday 14 April 2026 05:00
Residential Closures (Playful Streets)
Lusk (Racecourse Green) : Temporary road closure adjacent to the large green for community events : Start: Monday 6 April 2026 - End: Sunday 12 April 2026
Rush (St. Catherines Lawn) : Temporary road closure outside houses 10-20 for community events : Start: Monday 6 April 2026 - End: Sunday 12 April 2026
Oldtown (Clonmethan Green) : Temporary road closure at the left side of the green for community events : Start: Monday 6 April 2026 - End: Sunday 12 April 2026
Events Calendar
Things to do in the week ahead.
Monday 6th April
Balbriggan | Man O'War Gfc | Hop to It! – Juvenile Run & Fun | Juvenile sponsored run and fun. Plus stick around for balloon popping raffle. A great day out for all the kids—bring your runners and your Easter spirit! | 16:00-18:00
Tuesday 7th April
Naul | The Séamus Ennis Arts Centre | Music Generation Fingal DJ Camp | A 4-day intensive DJ programme, providing an exciting and engaging introduction to DJ'ing, genre appreciation, and beat making. | 10:00-14:00
Skerries | Skerries Library | Art Classes | 11:00-12:00
Balbriggan | Balbriggan Library | Dementia Awareness Training | Join Dementia Awareness Training and learn how we can better support people living with dementia and their families. | 11:00-13:00
Skerries | Skerries Library | Be Media Smart | 18:30-19:30
Donabate | Donabate-Portrane Community Centre | Craft, Coffee & Connect | Bring your own craft or just yourself. We have some project ideas too for the future which we are very excited about. | 19:30-21:00
Balbriggan | The Lark | Dublin High School Orchestra & Wind Ensemble in collaboration with GLEAS (IIMS) | Join us for a collaborative concert featuring the Dublin High School Wind Ensemble and Orchestra alongside GLEAS (from The Irish Institute of Music & Song)! | 20:00-22:30
Wednesday 8th April
Swords | Swords Library | Easter Quiz | 14:30-15:30
Malahide | Malahide Library | Easter Crafts | 15:30-16:30
Thursday 9th April
Balbriggan | Balbriggan Library | Dave’s Jungle | 11:00-12:00
Malahide | Tea Rooms | Teen makeup & Skincare workshop - Easter Midterm Special | In this interactive workshop, teens will learn how to build a simple & effective skincare routine, understanding skin types & product basics, natural everyday makeup step-by-step brush + tool basics, light glam looks using age-appropriate techniques, hygiene, safety and proper removal | 14:00-16:00
Malahide | Malahide Library | Easter Crafts | 15:30-16:30
Skerries | Skerries Library | Herbs for Health | 18:00-19:00
Online | Online | Start Your Own Business | Evening workshop on starting a business. | 18:30-21:30
Skerries | St. Patrick's Church | Songs of Hope - Skerries Easter Concert | Songs of Hope shares music that heals, unites, and ignites the spirit. Whether you come to sing along, reflect, or simply feel the music, this concert promises to lift your heart and fill your soul. | 19:00-20:00
Naul | The Séamus Ennis Arts Centre | Holy Cow (Cinema) | 18-year-old Totone spends most of his time drinking beer and partying in the Jura region with his group of friends until reality catches up with him when he has to take care of his 7-year-old sister and find a way to make a living. | 20:00-22:30
Balbriggan | The Lark | Emma Doran: Emmaculate | Smash hit Irish comedian, best-selling author, podcast host and viral online star Emma Doran hits the road once again taking her brand-new stand-up show Emmaculate across the UK and Ireland in 2025/26. | 20:00-22:30
Friday 10th April
Naul | The Séamus Ennis Arts Centre | The Pure Drop - Traditional Irish Music Series | Pádraig Rynne and Mícheál Ó Raghallaigh are two of Ireland’s most distinctive and influential concertina players, bringing together deep-rooted tradition and expansive contemporary vision in a compelling duet collaboration. | 20:00-22:30
Balbriggan | The Lark | Neil Delamere – Reinventing The Neil | Neil returns with a brand new standup show, packed to the brim of tall tales and hilarious stories. | 20:00-22:30
Skerries | Skerries Rugby Club | The Galloping Goats Racing Festival | A cracking night of racing, laughs, and club craic guaranteed. Round up your mates, back a winner and join us for a brilliant night at the club! | 20:00-23:30
Saturday 11th April
Skerries | Skerries Library | Musical Tots | 10:30-11:30
Balbriggan | Balbriggan Library | Be Media Smart: a talk with journalist and broadcaster Aoife Barry | Adult FREE event. During this talk, Aoife, a freelance journalist and broadcaster, will explore topics such as AI, verifying information and protecting our data, as well as avoiding digital pitfalls like scams and misinformation. | 11:00-12:00
Donabate | Donabate Library | Spring into Storytime | 11:00-12:00
Malahide | Malahide Library | Irish Mythology in Contemporary Writing | 11:00-12:00
Malahide | Malahide Library | Punch Needle Workshop | 11:00-12:00
Balbriggan | Balbriggan Library | Johnny Cash playing at the film club | Fancy coming along to our Film Club? Balbriggan Library are showing a film featuring Reese Witherspoon and Joaquin Phoenix about the life and times of a legendary country music star. | 11:00-13:00
Balbriggan | Flemington Community Centre | BELIEVE Balbriggan Expo | The BELIEVE Balbriggan Expo will bring together community organisations, businesses, education providers, sports clubs, cultural groups, and public services to create a space for connection, collaboration, and shared opportunity. The expo is the first major event under the BELIEVE Concept and will be a celebration of everything positive, inspiring, and innovative in our town. | 12:00-17:00
Rush | The Millbank Theatre | Open Mic @ The Millbank | This is your time to shine on stage at the Millbank | 14:00-15:00
Skerries | Skerries Library | Demystifying the Personal Essay | 14:00-15:00
Swords | St. Cronan's Church Brackenstown Pastoral Centre | Swords - History & Mysteries By Mike Power - Book Launch | Join us for an afternoon exploring the history & mysteries of Swords as part of Mike’s book. | 14:00-16:00
Donabate | Donabate Library | Ceardlann Rince Sean Nóis | 15:00-16:00
Rush | The Millbank Theatre | Meet Me At The Altar | See 10 performers from the 'Meet me at the altar' (Rush Library) series | 15:30-17:00
Rush | Millbank Theatre | Rush Cultural Extravaganza Gala Concert | Community gala concert in Rush. | 18:30-19:30
Rush | The Millbank Theatre | Rush Musical & Society & Special Guests | Music & song from local folk, traditional and popular group. | 18:30-20:30
Malahide | Malahide Rugby Club | Malahide Fingal Hockey Club hosting a Table Quiz night | A very special and exciting table quiz night to fundraise for our favourite club MFHC!! This will be a lovely night to show your support for your club and have a great night of fun. | 19:00-23:30
Balbriggan | The Lark | Nights On Broadway: The Bee Gees Story | The Bee Gees Story is a live concert experience that celebrates the incredible music of the Bee Gees, one of the most iconic bands in music history. Formed by Maurice, Barry, and Robin Gibb in 1958, the Bee Gees produced hits across four decades, and their music remains as popular today as ever. | 20:00-22:30
Portmarnock | Portmarnock Sports & Leisure Club | Night out PSLC | A great night out with live music from the very talented Keel Collective. Dancing guaranteed! | 20:00-23:30
Swords | Envy Nightclub | Switch Disco | Get ready for Switch Disco, one of the UK’s most exciting house music acts. | 22:30-Late
Swords | Swords Castle | Ancestral Nest - Swords Castle / Vikings & Slavs Festival | You are invited to the Polish-Irish Heritage Festival – Ancestral Nest - Battle of Clontarf, to celebrate cultures: Polish History with Irish Heritage & Vikings Connection. The event will last all day, bringing together the local community, the Polish diaspora, and friends of culture — until the final medieval drumbeat unites us around midnight. | 10:00-00:00
Sunday 12th April
Naul | The Séamus Ennis Arts Centre | Crafternoon Tea - Decoupage Workshop | Join Martina for a relaxing and inspiring creative session, where sustainability meets imagination. In this upcycling workshop, participants will transform everyday discarded items into beautiful, bespoke pieces using chalk paint and the art of decoupage. | 11:00-14:00
Laytown | Sonairte Ecology Centre | Foraging walk & herbal medicine workshop | Explore wild plants in the morning and create herbal remedies in the afternoon. | 11:30-16:30
📢Finally, stuff from Fingal East we just like - Ciara McCabe - a warm heart in a cold endeavour!
Ciara McCabe | Malahide
Ciara McCabe from Malahide is another great example of someone from Fingal East doing something genuinely extraordinary. Ciara was one of four Dublin women who recently took part in a demanding week-long Arctic Challenge in support of the Irish Heart Foundation, travelling 350km north of the Arctic Circle and trekking across a frozen lake while hauling their own equipment and camping outdoors in subzero temperatures. It was no small undertaking, and it speaks volumes about the determination involved.
What makes Ciara’s story even stronger is that this was all done to raise funds and awareness around heart disease, stroke and other cardiac conditions. Each participant committed to raising at least €6,500, with the four Dublin women together raising more than €30,000, and the full group bringing in close to €112,000 so far. To date Ciara alone has raised over €7,500. Those funds go towards supports including counselling services, a nurse support line, support groups and other programmes for people affected by heart conditions and stroke.
Ciara busy at work
Ciara’s involvement is exactly the kind of story worth celebrating. It is another reminder that people from Fingal East are making an impact far beyond their own doorstep, whether that is through sport, business, community work or charity. Taking on a challenge like this in such extreme conditions is impressive in itself, but doing it to help others makes it even more inspiring. Well done to Ciara 👏👏
Have a great week, but don’t leave the jacket at home just yet! 😉
Image Credits
Photo: “Swords Castle” by Sasha. No license required.
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