👋 Hi FingalEMers,

Welcome to this week’s Fingal East Media. We have a busy one for you, with local events, road changes, community updates, Malahide Castle concerts, a look ahead to Lusk Summer Festival, and Mary Coughlan & Ultan Conlon in Swords as our featured event.

Last week’s poll was about whether readers would be interested in eating-out discounts from local restaurants and cafés — and it really reinforced what we had already been hearing. 65% said yes, while another 27% said it would depend on the deal. So it looks like the appetite is there, provided the offers are genuinely useful and local.

This week also marks a few important moments in the calendar: Pride Month, celebrating LGBTQ+ equality; Volunteers’ Week, which ends on 7 June and recognises the people who give their time to local groups and community life; and World Oceans Day on 8 June, a timely reminder of how lucky we are to live beside such a beautiful coastline.

And this week’s poll is a quick one: should we include selected Dublin city centre events in the newsletter, or keep the focus strictly on Fingal East? Let us know what you think.

La Boulangerie Française — a little slice of France in Applewood

Based in Applewood Village, Swords, La Boulangerie Française is a much-loved local French bakery, café and delicatessen, known for freshly baked bread, croissants, pastries, cakes, coffee, lunches and savoury treats. It is the kind of place that feels like a proper local find — warm, welcoming and full of those little things that make a morning coffee, weekend treat or quick lunch feel a bit special.

Whether you are picking up fresh bread, choosing something sweet, grabbing a bite, or ordering for a family gathering or celebration, it is a lovely Applewood spot to keep in mind.

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

🎤🎵 Malahide Castle gears up for a busy June concert run

Malahide Castle is set for another big summer run this June, with eight outdoor concerts scheduled across the month. The castle grounds have become one of North Dublin’s best-known summer music venues, with a concert history stretching back over two decades: Andrea Bocelli performed there in 2005, while the modern run of large outdoor summer gigs really took shape from 2007, with acts such as Arctic Monkeys, Pink, Joe Cocker, Al Green and Bell X1 helping to establish Malahide as a major concert setting.

This year’s concerts are:

• Wednesday 10 June — Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds

• Saturday 13 June — Kingfishr — Sold out

• Saturday 20 June — Kodaline

• Tuesday 23 June — Teddy Swims

• Wednesday 24 June — Katy Perry

• Saturday 27 June — Michael Bublé

• Sunday 28 June — Calvin Harris

• Tuesday 30 June — Maroon 5

For Malahide and the wider Fingal East area, the concerts bring both a great local buzz and the usual pressure on roads, parking and public transport. With thousands expected for each show, local traffic plans and post-concert road closures will be part of the month, so anyone heading along — or travelling through Malahide on concert evenings — should plan ahead, allow extra time, and keep an eye on public transport arrangements.

🌱🏘️ Fingal communities get €1.3m climate action boost

Fingal County Council has announced a €1.3 million Community Climate Action Programme fund, aimed at helping local community groups, sports clubs, youth clubs and other organisations deliver practical projects that reduce emissions in their own areas. The funding forms part of the wider push to build low-carbon communities, with 55 applications approved from 75 received before the December deadline.

The successful projects cover a wide mix of everyday climate actions, including solar panels, battery systems, insulation, new doors and windows, LED lighting upgrades, bike parking, repair access, composting, local swap initiatives and fashion upcycling. Fingal examples mentioned include Skerries Sea Scouts, Balbriggan Meals on Wheels, River Valley Community Centre, St. Finian’s GAA and Fingallians GAA, showing how the programme reaches across both coastal and inland communities.

For Fingal East, the main point is that climate action is no longer just a large-scale national issue; it is increasingly happening through local clubs, centres and volunteer-led groups. Fingal’s first phase of the programme delivered 160 separate climate actions, and this new round should help more community buildings, shared spaces and local projects become cheaper to run, more energy efficient and better prepared for the future.

🚧🚦 Road closures & changes planned

• Swords
  • Seatown Road between North Street and St Columcille’s Drive closed for Swords Cultural Quarter works; diversions and parking changes remain in place : 1 July 2024 08:00 - 30 June 2026 17:00
  • R132 road works speed limit reduced to 50km/h for the Connectivity Project : 1 March 2026 time not stated - 28 February 2027 time not stated
  • Balheary Road wastewater network works with stop/go traffic management, temporary bus stop relocation and localised Balheary Park footpath closures : January 2026 time not stated - summer 2026 time not stated
  • Routes 41c, 41x and 43 towards the city diverted via Watery Lane, Rathbeale Road, Bridge Street and Swords Main Street; North Street and Seatown stops not served : 10 February 2026 10:00 - 31 December 2027 12:00
  • Route 41x selected morning departures divert via Swords Main Street, Malahide Road and Swords Bypass instead of Seatown Road; Seatown Road and Swords Park stops not served : 12 July 2024 12:00 - 30 June 2026 11:59
• Malahide
  • Malahide Castle concert egress road closures and local parking restrictions for Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds : 10 June 2026 time not stated - 10 June 2026 time not stated
  • Routes 42 and H2 diverted after the Malahide Castle concert : 10 June 2026 22:00 - 10 June 2026 23:45
  • Malahide Castle concert egress road closures and local parking restrictions for Kingfishr : 13 June 2026 time not stated - 13 June 2026 time not stated
  • Routes 42 and H2 diverted after the Malahide Castle concert : 13 June 2026 22:00 - 13 June 2026 23:45
  • Route 32x towards UCD diverted due to Howth Road and James Larkin Road works; Malahide-bound direction normal : 16 March 2026 06:00 - 16 June 2026 11:59
• Donabate
  • Turvey Avenue closed for road surfacing; traffic diverted via R132, Lissenhall Interchange and R127 Hearse Road : 2 June 2026 time not stated - 19 June 2026 time not stated
  • Route 33e towards Skerries diverts via Hearse Road and Jordanstown Road; Turvey Avenue stop 7721 not served : 2 June 2026 time not stated - 19 June 2026 11:59

🎤🎶 Featured Event: Mary Coughlan & Ultan Conlon in Swords

Mary Coughlan & Ultan Conlon come to Peacocks Bar & Lounge in Swords on Friday 12 June for what should be a very special night of live music. Mary Coughlan is one of Ireland’s most distinctive voices, known for songs that move between jazz, blues, folk and deeply personal storytelling.

She will be joined by Ultan Conlon, the Galway singer-songwriter whose warm, lyrical style makes him a natural fit for an intimate local venue. For anyone who enjoys strong Irish songwriting, characterful vocals and a proper live-room atmosphere, this is a lovely one to have in the diary.

When: Friday 12 June, 20:00
Where: Peacocks Bar & Lounge, River Valley, Swords
What: Mary Coughlan & Ultan Conlon live in concert

Book tickets

Monday 8th June

• Donabate | Community Well, Lambay House | Mum & Baby Yoga with Katie | Gentle postnatal yoga and connection time for mums and babies. | 09:30-10:30

• Naul | The Séamus Ennis Arts Centre | Alison Barry Exhibition | Gallery exhibition open daily at TSEAC. | 10:00-16:00

• Donabate | Community Well, Lambay House | Pregnancy Yoga | Prenatal yoga course focused on strength, relaxation and preparation for birth. | 18:30-19:30

• Malahide | Paddy’s Hill | Outdoor Pilates | Outdoor evening Pilates with Laola Movement. | 19:00

• Malahide | St Andrew’s Church | Cór Fingal Open Rehearsal | Open rehearsal welcoming tenors and basses. | 19:00

• Swords | Thornleigh ETNS | Zumba Class | Friendly dance-fitness class for all levels. | 19:00

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

• Donabate | Community Well, Lambay House | Pregnancy Yoga | Prenatal yoga course focused on strength, relaxation and preparation for birth. | 20:00-21:00

• Swords | Holywell Community Centre | Self-Protection Training | Practical self-protection class for confidence, awareness and personal safety. | 20:00

Tuesday 9th June

• Online | LEO Fingal | AI & Digital Leadership for SMEs | Practical online programme for SME leaders exploring AI, automation and digital transformation. | 09:30-12:30

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

• Donabate | Community Well, Lambay House | Yoga & Coffee Morning with Aisling | Yoga and breathwork followed by coffee in Donabate. | 10:00-11:00

• Naul | The Séamus Ennis Arts Centre | Alison Barry Exhibition | Gallery exhibition open daily at TSEAC. | 10:00-16:00

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

• Malahide | Malahide Cricket Club | CL Boys U16/17 Coaching Sessions | Cricket Leinster four-session coaching programme for boys U16/17. | 12:00-14:00

• Balbriggan | Flemington Community Centre | Stott Pilates 6-Week Course | Pilates course with Dance Arts Pilates Centre. | 19:00-20:00

• Malahide | Paddy’s Hill | Outdoor Pilates | Outdoor evening Pilates with Laola Movement. | 19:00

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

• Rush | Rush National School | Zumba Class | Friendly dance-fitness class for all levels. | 19:00

• Donabate | Community Well, Lambay House | Replenish Yoga Course | Gentle four-week yoga course to release tension and reset. | 19:00-20:00

• Donabate | Community Well, Lambay House | Replenish Yoga Course | Gentle four-week yoga course to release tension and reset. | 20:30-21:30

Wednesday 10th June

• Swords | Swords Library | ALONE Information Visit | Drop-in visit for older people, volunteers and anyone interested in ALONE’s local supports. | 10:00-12:00

• Donabate | Vibe Yoga Studio, Unit 16 Donabate Town Centre | Therapeutic Yoga Donabate | Restorative yoga session designed for relaxation and comfort. | 10:00-11:00

• Swords | River Valley Community Centre | Iyengar Yoga with Sue | Local Iyengar yoga class with an experienced teacher. | 10:00-11:00

• Naul | The Séamus Ennis Arts Centre | Alison Barry Exhibition | Gallery exhibition open daily at TSEAC. | 10:00-16:00

• Skerries | Skerries Harps GAA | Forget Me Not Café | Dementia-friendly café for families, carers and friends. | 11:00-13:00

• Swords | Holywell Community Centre | June GYMnastics FUNdamentals Sessions - Youth & Family Group | Playful movement session for young people and families. | 16:30-17:30

• Malahide | Malahide Castle | Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds | Headline outdoor concert at Malahide Castle. | 17:00

• Donabate | Parish Hall | Strength & Conditioning Classes | Welcoming strength, fitness and conditioning class. | 17:00-18:00

• Swords | Holywell Community Centre | June GYMnastics FUNdamentals Sessions - Adults | Inclusive confidence-building movement class for adults. | 17:30-18:30

• Balbriggan | Flemington Community Centre | Outcomers LGBTQ Social Gathering | Friendly Pride Week social gathering and chat. | 19:00

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

• Balbriggan | The Warehouse, Vauxhall Street | Pride Kickoff Event | Brigg Bus Featured Artist Series and Scéal Collective opening Pride Week. | 20:00

Thursday 11th June

• Donabate | Community Well, Lambay House | Baby Massage Course | Five-week baby massage course beginning on Thursday morning. | 10:00-11:00

• Naul | The Séamus Ennis Arts Centre | Alison Barry Exhibition | Gallery exhibition open daily at TSEAC. | 10:00-16:00

• Malahide | Malahide Cricket Club | CL Boys U16/17 Coaching Sessions | Cricket Leinster four-session coaching programme for boys U16/17. | 12:00-14:00

• Donabate | Community Well, Lambay House | Restorative Breathwork & Ogham Healing | Gentle breathwork and restorative poses for body and mind. | 19:30-21:00

• Balbriggan | The Milestone Inn | Balbriggan Meals on Wheels Table Quiz | Fundraising table quiz supporting Balbriggan Meals on Wheels. | 20:00

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

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

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

Photo: “Father and daughter, color street photography - Dublin, Ireland” by Giuseppe Milo, used under CC BY 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.