👋 Hi FingalEMers.

As the working week draws towards a close, we’re turning our attention to the weekend and what’s happening across Fingal East. There’s a mix of local news, ideas for getting out and about, and a story connecting a familiar Irish name with our own area.

Our featured event takes us to Naul, where the Harvest Food Fair returns to The Séamus Ennis Arts Centre on Sunday. Hopefully we'll get more of this October sunshine, but you should probably wrap up!

We’re also putting the spotlight on Community Well Studio in Donabate. Regular readers may recognise it from our calendar! In local news, we look at the regeneration funding allocated to projects in Swords, Malahide and Skerries. To finish off for the week, we have an interesting Knocksedan connection for you!

Before you scroll on, please take a moment to answer our poll: how often do you head out locally on a Monday–Thursday evening? We’d love to hear how a local outing fits into your working week.

🌿 Community Well Studio — Donabate

If you regularly browse our events calendar, you’ll probably recognise Community Well. But you might be surprised by how much happens at this studio in Donabate. Based in Lambay House, Ballisk Court, beside Keeling’s Pub, it brings together a range of local teachers and practitioners, with opportunities to get moving, try something creative and meet people along the way.

Yoga is a familiar part of the timetable, including pregnancy and mum-and-baby classes, but there’s also Tai Chi and Qi Gong, meditation, baby massage and adult art courses. We particularly like the idea of the Yoga & Coffee mornings — a chance to make time for yourself and stay for a chat afterwards. Occasional workshops add more variety, from vision boards and journaling to Yin Yoga and sound baths.

You can also book individual treatments and appointments, including massage, reflexology, counselling and psychotherapy. Whether you fancy trying yoga, making time for something creative or finding a new way to connect locally, Community Well is worth a look.

Discover Community Well Donabate

If your idea of a good Sunday involves browsing food stalls and bringing home something delicious, this one is worth putting in the diary. The annual Harvest Food Fair returns to The Séamus Ennis Arts Centre in Naul on Sunday 11th October, bringing seasonal flavours and a sociable market atmosphere to the centre’s courtyard.

Local growers, artisan food producers, bakers and florists will be taking part, with seasonal fruit and vegetables, breads, farmhouse cheeses, handmade jams and chutneys among the advertised offerings. It also makes a lovely family outing: a chance to wander around together, introduce the children to different foods and chat to the people who grow, bake and make them. With the fair running from late morning into the afternoon, you can fit a visit around your family’s Sunday plans.

For anyone who usually heads towards the coast at the weekend, it’s a good reason to turn inland and spend some time in Naul instead. Bring a shopping bag, take your time around the stalls and leave room for a seasonal treat.

📅 Sunday 11th October
🕗 11:00–16:00
📍 The Séamus Ennis Arts Centre, Main Street, Naul

View event details

Friday 9th October

• Swords | Fingal Liam Rodgers Community Centre | Tiny Jingles — Under 2s | A cheerful music and movement class with Jo Jingles. Term booking required. | 09:30-10:15

• Skerries | Skerries Sailing Club, Harbour Road | Tiny Jingles — Under 2s | A cheerful music and movement class with Jo Jingles. Term booking required. | 09:30-10:15

• Balbriggan | Flemington Community Centre, Hamlet Lane | SH Fitways | A regular community session; contact the centre for places. | 10:00-11:00

• Rush | Rush Library | Sewing Club | Enjoy a friendly morning of sewing together. | 10:00-12:00

• Swords | Fingal Liam Rodgers Community Centre | Jo Jinglers — Ages 2+ | A cheerful music and movement class with Jo Jingles. Term booking required. | 10:30-11:15

• Balbriggan | Meet at Balbriggan Library | Healthy Steps Walk | Enjoy a friendly wellbeing walk with Thrive Balbriggan. | 11:00

• Balbriggan | Balbriggan Library | Mindfulness Through Movement | Gentle chair yoga, breathwork and relaxation with Katrina Barker. | 11:00-12:00

• Skerries | Skerries Sailing Club, Harbour Road | Tiny Jingles — Under 2s | A cheerful music and movement class with Jo Jingles. Term booking required. | 11:30-12:15

• Balbriggan | La-La Café | Connect Café | Share a cuppa and a relaxed chat. Free; reserve a place. | 12:00

• Rush | Rush Library | Community Art Group | Enjoy a sociable afternoon of art and creativity. | 14:00-16:00

• Balbriggan | Flemington Community Centre, Hamlet Lane | Metropolitan School of Dance | A regular community session; contact the centre for places. | 15:00-18:30

• Donabate | Donabate Library | Junior Chess Club | A friendly chess session for young players. Ages 5–10. | 15:30-16:30

• Balbriggan | Flemington Community Centre, Hamlet Lane | Pickleball | A regular community session; contact the centre for places. | 16:00-18:00

• Balbriggan | Flemington Community Centre, Hamlet Lane | Flemington Basketball | A regular community session; contact the centre for places. | 19:00

• Malahide | Malahide Castle | The Traitorous Tale: A Ghoulish Feast | An after-dark castle tour, theatrical mystery and dinner. | 19:00-21:30

• Donabate | Newbridge House & Farm | Pumpkins After Dark | Wander an illuminated pumpkin trail with seasonal entertainment. | 19:15

• Skerries | The Little Theatre | Brace Brace | Skerries Theatre Group presents Oli Forsyth’s gripping drama. | 20:15

Saturday 10th October

• Portmarnock | Portmarnock Beach | Beach Pilates, Sea Swim & Sauna | Start your weekend with movement, a sea dip and a warming sauna. Booking required. | 08:00-10:00

• Balbriggan | Ardgillan Demesne | Ardgillan parkrun | A free, friendly 5 km walk, jog or run. Bring your barcode. | 09:30

• Donabate | Newbridge House & Farm | Donabate parkrun | A free, friendly 5 km walk, jog or run. Bring your barcode. | 09:30

• Malahide | Malahide Castle grounds | Malahide parkrun | A free, friendly 5 km walk, jog or run. Bring your barcode. | 09:30

• Swords | Broadmeadow Linear Park | Broadmeadow Linear parkrun | A free, friendly 5 km walk, jog or run. Bring your barcode. | 09:30

• Swords | River Valley Park | River Valley parkrun | A free, friendly 5 km walk, jog or run. Bring your barcode. | 09:30

• Balbriggan | Flemington Community Centre, Hamlet Lane | SH Fitways | A regular community session; contact the centre for places. | 10:00-11:00

• Malahide | St Sylvester’s Parish Centre | Iyengar Yoga with Sue | A Saturday morning practice to stretch and reset. | 10:00-11:30

• Balbriggan | Flemington Community Centre, Hamlet Lane | Pickleball | A regular community session; contact the centre for places. | 10:00-12:00

• Balbriggan | Balbriggan Library | Children’s Halloween Costume Swap | Pick up a pre-loved costume for your little one. Ages 0–12. | 10:00-12:45

• Swords | Swords Library | Saturday Board Games Time | Drop in for a friendly morning of board games. | 10:00-13:00

• Swords | Fingal County Childcare Committee Office, Balheary Road | Soil Studio | For early childhood educators: explore nature through art and forest school activities. | 10:00-13:00

• Skerries | Skerries Mills | Farmers Market | Browse local food, fresh produce and friendly stalls. | 10:00-15:00

• Balbriggan | Millfield Shopping Centre | Free Electrical Recycling Drop-off | Bring household electrical items, batteries and used vapes for recycling. | 10:00-16:00

• Malahide | Hidden Acres, Back Road | Release & Rebalance | Slow down with gentle yoga, meditation, journaling and time to unwind. Booking required. | 10:30-13:30

• Balbriggan | Balbriggan Library | Getting Started with Tracing Your Family History | Explore free resources and first steps with genealogist Brian Kavanagh. | 11:00-12:00

• Malahide | Malahide Library | Eckhart Tolle Meditation | A quiet hour of reflection and meditation. | 11:00-12:00

• Skerries | Skerries Library | Tai Chi | Enjoy a gentle beginners’ session with Mario McCormick. | 11:00-12:00

• Donabate | Donabate Library | Gaeilge le Chéile | Enjoy Irish conversation in a welcoming group. | 11:00-13:00

• Naul | The Séamus Ennis Arts Centre | Soy Candle & Wax Melts Workshop | Make your own scented candle and wax melts with Emma Hyland. | 11:00-13:00

• Donabate | Donabate Library | Seó Draíochta agus Puipéad | Enjoy a playful bilingual magic and puppet show. | 11:30-12:15

• Balbriggan | Flemington Community Centre, Hamlet Lane | Spleodar | A regular community session; contact the centre for places. | 12:00-14:00

• Malahide | The Studio, Malahide Castle Sports Pavilion | Mellow Yellow for Kids — Ages 4–6 | Music, movement and mindfulness for children. | 13:15

• Balbriggan | Ardgillan Castle | Kids’ Halloween Art Workshop | Create a Dracula-inspired artwork. Booking required. | 13:30-14:30

• Balbriggan | Ardgillan Castle | Ogham Name on Clay Workshop | Make your name in Ogham on clay. Ages 9–12. | 14:00-15:30

• Malahide | The Studio, Malahide Castle Sports Pavilion | Mellow Yellow for Kids — Ages 7–9 | Music, movement and mindfulness for children. | 14:15

• Rush | Rush Library | Celtic Design Workshop | Create an illuminated letter inspired by medieval Ireland. Ages 7–12. | 14:30-15:30

• Malahide | The Studio, Malahide Castle Sports Pavilion | Mellow Yellow for Kids — Ages 10–12 | Music, movement and mindfulness for children. | 15:15

• Donabate | Newbridge House & Farm | Pumpkins After Dark | Wander an illuminated pumpkin trail with seasonal entertainment. | 19:15

• Balbriggan | The Lark | Andrew Ryan: Honest Capacity | Enjoy an evening of stand-up comedy. | 20:00

• Naul | The Séamus Ennis Arts Centre | Declan Sinnott & Evelyn Kallansee | An intimate evening of songs, guitar and voice. | 20:00-23:00

• Malahide | Malahide Rugby Club, Estuary Road | Mini Rugby Social Fundraiser Night | Live music, company and a fundraiser for mini rugby. | 20:00-23:59

• Skerries | The Little Theatre | Brace Brace | Skerries Theatre Group presents Oli Forsyth’s gripping drama. | 20:15

• Balbriggan | Bracken Court Hotel | Lusk ICA 60th Anniversary Celebration | Celebrate six decades of friendship and community with the guild. | Time not stated

Sunday 11th October

• Portmarnock | Portmarnock Beach shelters | Swim in Pink | Wear pink for a sunrise dip, swim or splash supporting breast cancer research. | 07:30

• Balbriggan | Bremore Castle Park | Balbriggan junior parkrun | A free 2 km event for children aged 4–14. | 09:30

• Donabate | Newbridge House & Farm | Newbridge House junior parkrun | A free 2 km event for children aged 4–14. Bring your barcode. | 09:30

• Malahide | Malahide Castle grounds | Malahide Castle junior parkrun | A free 2 km event for children aged 4–14. Bring your barcode. | 09:30

• Rush | Kenure Woods | Rush junior parkrun | A free 2 km event for children aged 4–14. | 09:30

• Swords | River Valley Park | River Valley junior parkrun | A free 2 km event for children aged 4–14. | 09:30

• Donabate | Community Well Studio, Lambay House | Yoga & Coffee Morning with Aisling | Enjoy a welcoming session with the studio’s local team. | 10:00-11:00

• Malahide | Bright Sparks Early Intervention, Kinsealy Lane | Kids’ Halloween Art Workshop — Ages 8–12 | Create colourful Halloween art in a friendly workshop. | 10:00-13:00

• Naul | The Séamus Ennis Arts Centre | Harvest Food Fair | Browse artisan food stalls in the covered courtyard. | 11:00-16:00

• Skerries | Skerries Mills Community Garden | Soil, Seed and Soul — Week 6 | Mark McManus explores turning a suburban garden into a place of calm. | 11:00-12:30

• Balbriggan | Flemington Community Centre, Hamlet Lane | Pickleball | A regular community session; contact the centre for places. | 11:30-13:30

• Naul | The Séamus Ennis Arts Centre | Family Sourdough Pizza Making Workshop | Make a pizza together and discover the journey from soil to slice. | 13:00-15:00

• Donabate | Shoreline Hotel | Wedding Showcase | Meet the team and explore ideas for your big day. | 13:00-17:00

• Swords | Fingal Liam Rodgers Community Centre | Mellow Yellow for Kids — Ages 4–6 | Music, movement and mindfulness for children. | 13:15

• Malahide | Bright Sparks Early Intervention, Kinsealy Lane | Kids’ Halloween Art Workshop — Ages 4–7 | A playful Halloween art workshop for younger children. | 13:30-15:00

• Balbriggan | Ardgillan Castle | Ardgillan Writers’ 35th Anniversary | Celebrate 35 years with an afternoon of poetry, prose and music. | 14:00-16:00

• Rush | Meet at Rush Community Centre | 1926 Census: The Families of Rush Then… and Now | Join John Walsh for a guided walk connecting local families across a century. | 14:00-16:00

• Swords | Fingal Liam Rodgers Community Centre | Mellow Yellow for Kids — Ages 7–9 | Music, movement and mindfulness for children. | 14:15

• Swords | Fingal Liam Rodgers Community Centre | Mellow Yellow for Kids — Ages 10–12 | Music, movement and mindfulness for children. | 15:15

• Donabate | Community Well Studio, Lambay House | Yin Yoga and Sound Bath with Sharon | Enjoy a welcoming session with the studio’s local team. | 18:00-20:00

• Rush | Zen Soul Studio, 48 Upper Main Street | Sound Bath | Unwind with a gentle evening of sound and relaxation. | 18:30-19:30

• Donabate | Newbridge House & Farm | Pumpkins After Dark | Enjoy the sensory-friendly evening on the illuminated pumpkin trail. | 19:15

• Swords | Applewood Community Centre | Fingal International Dance Festival | Enjoy a day of ballroom and Latin dance competition. | Time not stated

📢 Finally, stuff from Fingal East we just like — Paddy Bewley - the Knocksedan connection behind your coffee

Swords / Knocksedan — Bewley’s is closely associated with Dublin’s Grafton Street, but part of its story begins on a farm near Swords. Patrick “Paddy” Bewley grew up at Knocksedan House, where his father Joe kept Jersey cows. According to his Irish Times obituary, their milk and cream supplied the family’s cafés and bakery—a direct connection between the local farm and the famous Dublin business.

Paddy initially pursued accountancy before joining Bewley’s in 1965, aged 21. He started making coffee behind the counter at its Westmoreland Street café and eventually served as managing director from 1977 to 2003.

According to his Irish Times obituary, his lasting contribution was developing coffee sales to other organisations, with Arnotts and Trinity College among the early customers. The approach included providing coffee-making equipment to customers who bought Bewley’s coffee supplies, helping take the brand beyond its own cafés.

During his tenure as managing director, Bewley’s imported Ireland’s first Fairtrade-certified coffee in 1996. The Irish Fair Trade Network’s own records date that first shipment to November that year.

From his upbringing at Knocksedan to his work expanding Bewley’s coffee business, Paddy’s story connects Fingal East with one of Ireland’s best-known brands.

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.