👋 Hi FingalEMers,

Good morning and happy Friday! We're still hanging on to that beautiful autumn weather. With sunshine overhead and leaves still on the trees, it's hard to believe November is here. There’s plenty happening to tempt us out of the house this weekend, from live music and local theatre to art exhibitions, workshops and family activities. There’s a lovely mix to explore across Fingal East.

Our Featured Business takes us to Loughshinny, where Dave and Ber Kavanagh of Bare Acre Farm are bringing together locally grown food, home baking and a welcoming community spirit. In the news, we clear up the mystery of Toots the Malahide road train’s Halloween outing and take a look inside the refurbished Applegreen on North Street in Swords, now home to Taco Bell and M&S Food.

There’s plenty for the diary too, with How It’s Made bringing art and science together in Swords and Balbriggan, while Swords Theatre Company’s Unholy Trinity explores the people behind the Dracula story. Apparently, we’re not quite finished with the Halloween atmosphere just yet! We have 47 events in our calendar this weekend, with even more to discover over on the Events Directory.

And in Things We Like, we’re celebrating Ciarán Frawley, whose journey from Skerries rugby to the Ireland jersey gives us another local story to be proud of.

Whatever you’re planning, grab a cuppa, have a browse and enjoy everything our local communities have to offer this weekend! ☕

🌱 Bare Acre Farm — Growing More Than Just Vegetables in Loughshinny

What began as a small farming venture for Dave and Ber Kavanagh has grown into something rather special in Loughshinny. Bare Acre Farm is a working farm, shop and welcoming community space where locally grown food, flowers and home cooking all come together.

The couple grow seasonal vegetables and cut flowers using organic and regenerative farming methods, while Ber's homemade breads, cakes, jams and preserves have become firm favourites with visitors.

Their vegetable-box service has also taken off. In an October 31 update, the farm reported 360 customers on its books, with 140–170 boxes sold each week.

There's plenty to enjoy beyond the farm shop too. Visitors can stop for coffee and homemade treats, enjoy breakfast baps or gourmet burgers from the weekend food van, or meet the farm's pygmy goats and kunekune pigs. Bare Acre also hosts workshops and events, sharing skills in growing, cooking and crafting.

What makes Bare Acre particularly interesting is its emphasis on community. Dave and Ber want the farm to be somewhere people can slow down, learn where their food comes from and connect with others — not simply somewhere to shop.

Visit Bare Acre Farm

🚂 Toots wasn’t stolen. He just had a Halloween gig.

Malahide can stand down: Toots is safe. A Halloween-night video of the familiar road train travelling through Darndale Roundabout sparked online claims that it had been stolen. The explanation was considerably less dramatic: owner Michael Place was driving it home from work.

Speaking to Goosed.ie, Michael explained that Toots had been taking part in Dublin’s Halloween celebrations, including the Big Scream Parade and Dockers & Demons. The journey back to Malahide took him through the roundabout where the clip was filmed.

As for the apparently speedy getaway? Michael put the train’s pace at 24km/h. Not exactly the opening scene of The Fast and the Furious: Malahide Drift!

He also pushed back against negative comments about Darndale that followed the video. This was a working train heading home, with its rightful driver at the wheel.

Fancy a spin yourself? Toots normally links Malahide Castle, the village and the beach. Michael says he hopes to operate at weekends between now and Christmas. You can check out the Toots page below for booking details!

More about Toots

🌮 Taco Bell and M&S Food arrive at revamped Swords Applegreen

Applegreen on North Street has reopened following a refurbishment, bringing an M&S Food shop-in-shop and a new Taco Bell restaurant to Swords Village.

The additions join the station’s Bakewell deli, Braeburn Coffee Cart, Burger King dine-in and drive-through, and convenience store, expanding the options for a quick meal or grocery stop.

Taco Bell opened on Tuesday, November 3, as part of Applegreen’s four-site expansion across Ireland. Further restaurants are planned for Inchicore, Galway and Paulstown before the end of the year.

The North Street M&S Food outlet is separate from the existing offering at Applegreen Mountgorry.

Meanwhile, Fingal County Council says North Street businesses remain open during the ongoing street improvement works. Pedestrian access is maintained, with diversions in place for southbound traffic heading towards Main Street.

Full details

There's a fascinating story behind one of the world's most famous novels, and Swords Theatre Company is bringing it to life this November. Unholy Trinity, written by Tony Cash, explores the extraordinary relationships and Victorian intrigue surrounding Bram Stoker, the Dublin-born author of Dracula.

The play takes audiences into the world of Stoker, celebrated actor Henry Irving and actress Ellen Terry, whose intertwined lives helped shape the inspiration behind the legendary gothic novel. It's a tale of passion, ambition and complicated relationships, offering a glimpse into the real people behind a literary masterpiece.

Performed in the intimate surroundings of Peacocks Lounge in River Valley, it's a great opportunity to enjoy local theatre and discover a side of the Dracula story you may never have heard before. With four remaining performances this November, there’s still plenty of opportunity to catch the show.

📅 Wednesday 11th, Thursday 12th, Wednesday 18th & Thursday 19th November
🕗 20:30
📍 Peacocks Lounge, Swords

Find out more

Friday 6th November 2026

• Malahide | Malahide Library | Art Exhibition by Séamus Ó Dúill | Discover original paintings with an astro-mystical feeling by Séamus Ó Dúill. | 09:45-13:00

• Balbriggan | SuperValu | Irish Guide Dogs Christmas Stall | Browse charity merchandise, Christmas cards and calendars. | 10:00-18:00

• Donabate | Community Well Studio | Baby Massage Course | A welcoming parent-and-baby course; booking required. | 10:00-11:00

• Swords | Swords Castle | How It’s Made: Exhibition & Experiences | Discover creative responses to water and science. | 10:00-17:00

• Lusk | Lusk Cultural Centre | Eclectic: Painting Exhibition | An exhibition of paintings by Margaret Dobinson, Bernadette Galloghly and Liam Kearns at Katie Hunt’s Cottage. | 11:00-16:00

• Lusk | The Cottage | Tea Together Seniors | Tea Together Seniors sessions. | 11:00-13:00

• Swords | 31 Main St | The Cock Tavern 10th Anniversary — Coinneach Farrell, followed by Rake the Ashes | The advertised start is for the first performance; the following act’s start and the overall finish are not stated. | From 18:00

• Donabate | Triangle Coffee Co | Evening of Spoken Word & Music | Poetry, prose and music with The Bleeding Pig; adults only. | 18:30-19:30

• Donabate | Donabate Parish Hall | Junior Slow Session | A relaxed traditional Irish music session for junior members and beginners. | 18:45-19:30

• Portmarnock | Portmarnock Sports and Leisure Club | Live Music with Malaidh Larkin | Live music with Malaidh Larkin, featuring old favourites, new hits, country and pop. | 19:30-20:30

• Naul | The Séamus Ennis Arts Centre | Andy Irvine & Quilty | Traditional songs and tunes with Andy Irvine and Quilty. | 20:00-23:00

• Lusk | Round Towers GAA Club | Poker Night — Lusk Senior Citizens Fundraiser | Enjoy a poker night raising funds for Lusk Senior Citizens Committee. | 20:30-21:30

• Rush | Millbank Theatre | Reunion by Mark O’Rowe | Rush Dramatic Society’s family drama with darkly comic moments; adults only. | 20:30-21:30

Saturday 7th November 2026

• Malahide | St Sylvester's Parish Pastoral Centre | The Next Chapter: Life-Planning Workshop | Two days of guided reflection and practical planning for your next stage. | 09:30-16:30

• Malahide | Malahide Library | Art Exhibition by Séamus Ó Dúill | Discover original paintings with an astro-mystical feeling by Séamus Ó Dúill. | 09:45-13:00

• Balbriggan | SuperValu | Irish Guide Dogs Christmas Stall | Browse charity merchandise, Christmas cards and calendars. | 10:00-18:00

• Balbriggan | Ardgillan Castle | Christmas Ceramic Wreath Workshop | Create a ceramic Christmas wreath from scratch at Ardgillan Castle with Stories by Ola. | 10:00-12:30

• Skerries | Skerries Mills | Skerries Mills Farmers Market | Browse the weekly farmers market. | 10:00-15:00

• Swords | Swords Castle | How It’s Made: Exhibition & Experiences | Discover creative responses to water and science. | 10:00-17:00

• Rush | Rush Library | Free Women’s Self-Protection Workshop | A free non-physical self-protection workshop with Hard Target coaches Aidan Carroll and Orina Leong. | 10:30-12:30

• Lusk | Lusk Cultural Centre | Eclectic: Painting Exhibition | An exhibition of paintings by Margaret Dobinson, Bernadette Galloghly and Liam Kearns at Katie Hunt’s Cottage. | 11:00-16:00

• Naul Village | The Séamus Ennis Arts Centre | Vinyl in the Courtyard | Browse vinyl records and CDs across all genres at the Séamus Ennis Arts Centre in Naul. | 11:00-15:30

• Portmarnock | Strand Road | Your Best Life Christmas Party | Festive fashion, food and entertainment with Maura Derrane and James Patrice. | 13:00-18:00

• Balbriggan | Balbriggan Library | Film Club | Enjoy a shared film and friendly conversation at the library. | 14:00-16:00

• Naul Village | The Séamus Ennis Arts Centre | Discover the Uilleann Pipes at TSEAC | Get hands-on with Ireland’s distinctive traditional instrument. | 14:00-16:00

• Malahide | St Sylvester's Parish Pastoral Centre | Winter Warming Wellness Workshop for Women | Spaces limited. | 14:00-17:00

• Swords | Swords Library | Introduction to Dungeons & Dragons for Children | An introduction to the classic role-playing game for children aged 8–12. | 14:30-16:00

• Balbriggan | The Warehouse | How It’s Made: Balbriggan Launch | Art, water discussions and a musical evening. | 18:30-22:00

• Rush | Donamar | Rush Sailing Club Laying Up Supper | Join the club’s end-of-season supper and prize-giving celebrating sailing, rowing and snooker. | 19:00-20:00

• Swords | 31 Main St | The Cock Tavern 10th Anniversary — Iann Brennan, followed by Adrian Reilly as Garth Brooks | The advertised start is for the first performance; the following act’s start and the overall finish are not stated. | From 19:00

• Balbriggan | Bracken Court Hotel | Saint Patrick’s Brass & Reed Band Gala Concert | Celebrate 50 years under Larry Dunne with Saint Patrick’s Brass and Reed Band and guests Irish National Foresters Brass Band, Navan. | 19:30-20:30

• Balbriggan | The Lark | Queen Tribute: Magic Queen | A live tribute packed with Queen favourites. | 20:00-21:00

• Swords | Peacocks Bar & Lounge, Rivervalley Shopping Centre | Music Bingo Night at Peacocks | Music bingo in Peacocks lounge, Rivervalley. | 20:30-21:30

• Rush | Millbank Theatre | Reunion by Mark O’Rowe | Rush Dramatic Society’s family drama with darkly comic moments; adults only. | 20:30-21:30

Sunday 8th November 2026

• Balbriggan | Bremore Castle | Balbriggan junior parkrun | Free weekly 2 km community parkrun for juniors aged 4–14 and their families. | 09:30-10:30

• Donabate | Newbridge House & Farm | Newbridge House junior parkrun | Free weekly 2 km community parkrun for juniors aged 4–14 and their families. | 09:30-10:30

• Malahide | Malahide Castle & Gardens | Malahide Castle junior parkrun | Free weekly 2 km community parkrun for juniors aged 4–14 and their families. | 09:30-10:30

• Malahide | St Sylvester's Parish Pastoral Centre | The Next Chapter: Life-Planning Workshop | Two days of guided reflection and practical planning for your next stage. | 09:30-16:30

• Rush | Kenure Park | Rush junior parkrun | Free weekly 2 km community parkrun for juniors aged 4–14 and their families. | 09:30-10:30

• Swords | River Valley Road | River Valley junior parkrun | Free weekly 2 km community parkrun for juniors aged 4–14 and their families. | 09:30-10:30

• Malahide | St Sylvester's Parish Pastoral Centre | Winter Warming Wellness Workshop for Women | Spaces limited. | 09:45-12:45

• Donabate | Community Well Studio | Yoga & Coffee Morning with Aisling | Yoga and breathwork, followed by coffee at Triangle Coffee Co. | 10:00-11:00

• Swords | Swords Castle, Bridge Street | How It’s Made: Exhibition & Experiences | Discover creative responses to water and science. | 10:00-17:00

• Lusk | Lusk Cultural Centre | Eclectic: Painting Exhibition | An exhibition of paintings by Margaret Dobinson, Bernadette Galloghly and Liam Kearns at Katie Hunt’s Cottage. | 11:00-16:00

• Balbriggan | The Lark | How It’s Made: Exhibition & Experiences | Discover creative responses to water and science. | 12:00-20:00

• Malahide | Lamorlaye | The Sunday Slow Down | Settle into a restorative afternoon of sound, relaxation and rest with Orna Bissett. | 12:00-13:30

• Swords | 31 Main St | The Cock Tavern 10th Anniversary — Sunday Trad, followed by The Legend of Luke Kelly | The advertised start is for the first performance; the following act’s start and the overall finish are not stated. | From 16:00

Did you know that Ireland international Ciarán Frawley learned his rugby right here in Skerries? A product of Skerries RFC and Skerries Community College, his journey from local underage teams to the international stage is one his hometown can take plenty of pride in.

Ciarán was part of the Skerries side that won the U17 All-Ireland title in 2014, before progressing through the representative ranks. When he earned his Ireland U20 selection in 2017, he became the club’s fifth player to reach that level in five years — a lovely testament to the coaches, volunteers and families behind the scenes.

His senior Ireland debut followed against Italy in 2023, but many will remember him best for those two late drop goals against South Africa in Durban in 2024, helping Ireland win the second Test and draw the series. A proud evening for Skerries, even if it wasn’t particularly good for anyone’s blood pressure.

Now at Connacht for the 2026/27 season after more than 100 appearances for Leinster, Ciarán has another chapter underway. Different provincial colours, but the same local roots — and a lovely reminder of where a community club can help a young player go!

Haven’t found what you’re looking for?
There’s more happening this week and in the weeks ahead.

Browse Our Full Events Directory

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 weekend, and we’ll talk again on Monday morning.

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