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2026 promises to
be a big year for all in Fingal
With the first few weeks of 2026 already behind us, Fingal stands at an exciting crossroads, blending its rich heritage with a strong sense of momentum and ambition. From the coastal communities of Balbriggan, Rush, Lusk and Donabate to the thriving urban centre of Swords and the historic charm of Malahide, the year ahead promises growth, opportunity and renewed community spirit across the county.
Balbriggan continues to evolve as one of Fingal’s most dynamic towns. With ongoing regeneration projects, investment in public spaces and a growing cultural scene, 2026 looks set to further enhance its role as a vibrant coastal hub. Improved amenities and community-led initiatives are strengthening local pride while attracting new residents and businesses.
Swords remains the beating heart of Fingal, balancing its role as a major economic centre with the preservation of its historic identity. As the town continues to expand, 2026 will see further focus on sustainable development, transport connectivity and quality of life, ensuring that growth benefits both long-standing residents and newcomers alike.
Malahide, with its village atmosphere and renowned coastline, continues to look forward while respecting its past. Investment in local infrastructure, tourism and community facilities will help protect what makes Malahide special, while supporting a lively local economy and an active cultural calendar.
Along the coast, Rush, Lusk and Donabate are also poised for a positive year ahead. Rush’s fishing heritage and growing town centre, Lusk’s strong community roots, and Donabate’s unique blend of seaside living and village life all contribute to Fingal’s diverse character. In 2026, improved transport links, housing developments and environmental initiatives aim to support sustainable growth without losing the identity of each area.
Looking forward to 2026, Fingal is defined by balance: progress alongside preservation, growth guided by community, and development shaped by local voices. Together, these towns and villages reflect a county confident in its future—one that values connection, resilience and a shared sense of place.
The Locals Team
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Balbriggan Rejuvenation Programme of works continue at pace
Balbriggan’s €15m Quay Street and Harbour redevelopment is due to be completed in early 2027. It is part of the €54-57m Our Balbriggan Rejuvenation Programme, 2019-2030, one of the biggest urban renewal projects in the country. Image: Fingal Co Co.
Work will continue at pace on delivering the major economic, infrastructural and social elements of the Our Balbriggan Rejuvenation Programme in 2026, it has been confirmed, according to Dr David Begg, Chairperson of the Our Balbriggan Leadership Group, 2025 was one of momentous progress for the €54-57million plan.
The Our Balbriggan Rejuvenation Programme 2019-2030, is one of the biggest ongoing urban renewal projects in the country. It is led by Fingal County Council’s Economic, Enterprise, Tourism and Cultural Development Department.
According to Dr Begg, the plan’s locally-based leadership group will oversee see major change in the town across the next four years.
“The leadership group has adopted plans for its various pillar groups under the headings: Economic Development; Community Development; Education, Skills and Training, and Sustainability, Climate Action and Biodiversity,” he said.
“A key objective includes leveraging investment in the regeneration of Balbriggan by attracting new business, jobs and visitors. Strong collaborative networks have been established between the community and public and private sectors. The continued operation and
strengthening of these networks will enable an integrated and flexible approach to the resourcing and delivery of plans.
“These include a range of objectives and actions which will make a demonstrable, positive impact across a range of economic, social and environmental platforms,” he explained.
The Our Balbriggan Rejuvenation Programme is set to transform the town through public investment and has seen work commence and continue on a number of other key projects.
“Six years on from the launch of the Our Balbriggan Rejuvenation Programme 2019-2030, the transformation of Ireland’s youngest large town really is now taking shape,” said Dr Begg.
In 2025, plans for a €3.3m creative hub moved to tender stage. The development will deliver a dedicated space for arts, culture and innovation.
Fingal County Council has approved plans for the works at 2-4 Dublin Street, which are expected to be complete, pending the award of a tender, by the end of 2027.
Ensuring Balbriggan becomes a nationally renowned destination for arts and culture is a key part of the Our Balbriggan rejuvenation programme.
Fingal County Council has proposed a mixeduse commercial, community and residential
Dr David Begg, Chairperson of the Our Balbriggan Leadership Group, said work will continue at pace on delivering the major economic, infrastructural and social elements of the Our Balbriggan Rejuvenation Programme in 2026. Pic: Fintan Clarke/ Coalesce.
development, with the River Bracken at its heart.
The plan is to link Millpond Park to a new park entrance at 14 Bridge Street to facilitate a pedestrian and cyclist route down to the transformed Quay Street and Harbour area. It is estimated work will begin at the site in 2027.
The buildings are within an architectural conservation area. The front façade will be preserved.
The restoration and adaptation of the Historic Bath House and Boat House by the Martello Tower will continue to progress in 2026.
It is intended to proceed to a Part 8 planning public consultation process in the second half of 2026, with completion in 2027.
Long-term, plans for a reinvigorated Railway Street will result in better connectivity between the beach and Quay Street.
Census figures report the population of Balbriggan increased by 215% between 1991 and 2002 to 27,300. Along with being the youngest large town in Ireland, 30% of its population were born outside the country.
“Building on its rich history, and its diverse and growing talent base, Balbriggan is an ambitious community which aims to be inclusive,” Dr Begg said.
“Community prosperity will come from harnessing social, economic and physical advantages.”
Lands at Stephenstown have been earmarked for industry, and further developments are planned for Bremore Castle and Regional Park which will enhance the proposed Fingal Coastal Way.
Do You Really have mortgage protection?
By Dave Kavanagh
Two important things to consider with both having and needing mortgage protection life cover. Firstly, there are those who have had mortgages for a number of years with mortgage protection life cover done in conjunction with it. For these people, it is well worth checking the current level of cover and remaining term on their mortgage protection and the same on their mortgage balance and term, to make sure there is sufficient cover. For example, in 2020 during the severe Covid lockdowns, many mortgage holders availed of a 6 month payment break. During this period, their mortgage protection cover will have continued to reduce, while their mortgage balances may have stayed level, or even increased if interest was capitalised. This could mean a shortfall in the event of a claim, meaning that the mortgage does not get fully cleared and there is a balance owing.
Possibly more important to consider, is people who are planning to get a mortgage soon, or in the near future. They have saved regularly to build a deposit, maintained stable employment, avoided taking out new loans (and made sure any existing or previous loan obligations were paid in full and on time), conducted their current accounts efficiently, etc. but sadly, they don’t get to proceed with their house/apartment purchase
(certainly not in the time frame they wanted to) because they cannot get their mortgage protection life cover accepted. This could be due to their current or past medical history, or something simple like they have been referred for a test that has not yet been done. It’s why many are arranging their mortgage protection cover well in advance of drawing down their mortgage. Once in place, any new medical issues are not relevant. It can even save them money, as 36 years paying a cheaper premium (before another birthday has passed) is cheaper than 35 years at the higher premium.
Dave Kavanagh QFA has been advising people financially for over 25 years. For quotes or information (with no cost or obligation) he can be contacted by emailing info@financialcompanion.ie or use the contact form on www.financialcompanion. ie or @Davekav_advice on Twitter and Instagram. Combined with his previous role of gym/nutrition adviser, he regularly gives talks and workshops at seminars and events for groups, companies and government departments on financial wellbeing, positivity and motivation. As heard on RTE 2FM, LMFM and TV3.
The Many Ways You Can Help Our Balbriggan Guide Dogs
Happy New Year from The Balbriggan/North County Dublin Branch of Guide Dogs, if some of your new year’s resolution include a clear out and you find something you no longer want, that could make a spot prize or help to fill a hamper, why not pass it on to our Branch of Guide Dogs who can use it to go towards raising funds for our branch. You can get in touch on the details below.
If you have any used postage stamps or coins which are no longer in circulation, please give them to us. We will turn them into Euros and lodge them to the guide dog’s account.’ We receive coins from all over the world and old postage stamps. In our guide dog boxes and enormous collection dogs we find coins from all over the world and from Europe that are no longer legal currency since the Euro came into place. We get paper notes of all sorts of denominations, coins and used stamps from our branch volunteers and friends, keep them coming they make good money for us. Remember also we always need new volunteers so give us a shout if you want to chat to us about it. Nothing ventured nothing gained. We also had a busy December in the
lead up to Christmas, Jim and Brendan in Cuddles Pet Store, Millfield held a hamper raffle on 17th December where Volunteer and Puppy Raiser Anne Mulligan attended with Guide Dog Pup in training Lulu, Assistance dog Gigi and ambassador dog Adel who got the royal ‘treat’-ment from Brendan and Jim. Tom and his Guide Dog Qeb, along with Anne and Lulu attended an after-school club in the Cottage Community Centre in Lusk to talk about puppies in training and guide dogs to the children who were big fans of Qeb and Lulu. A Christmas art exhibition also took place in Millfield Shopping Centre from 21 December to 23 December where plenty of great works and a bunch of new art was on show. The exhibition supports Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind annually with a donation for which we are very grateful. We want to say a big thank you to everyone who has supported us throughout 2025, and we look forward to seeing you all in 2026.
You can contact Balbriggan/North County Dublin Branch of Irish Guide Dogs by phone/text 0857663107, email: GuideDogsBalbriggan@ gmail.com or find us on Facebook at Balbriggan Branch of Guide Dogs.
Ambassador dog Adel at Cuddles Pet Store for the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind Christmas hamper prize draw on 17 December 2025
A Chaotic Ping-Pong Masterpiece
By Jack Shanley
In the chaotic, neon-veined world of Josh Safdie’s Marty Supreme, the humblest of sports—table tennis—is elevated to a high-stakes blood sport. It is a film that breathes with a frantic, jittery energy, feeling less like a traditional biopic and more like a two-hour-long panic attack that you somehow never want to end.
At the centre of this whirlwind is Timothée Chalamet, who delivers a performance so kinetic it feels like he’s physically vibrating off the screen. Playing Marty Mauser, a fictionalized version of the real-life ping-pong hustler Marty Reisman, Chalamet sheds his usual “boyish charm” for something far more jagged. He is a man possessed by a singular, borderlinedelusional ambition: to make the world respect a game played with celluloid balls and wooden paddles.
Working for the first time without his brother Benny, Josh Safdie proves his solo voice is just as loud and uncompromising. The film is set in a grimy, tactile 1950s New York, but it’s scored with anachronistic 80s synth-pop and edited with a modern, “grind set” ferocity. It’s a sensory overload that perfectly mirrors Marty’s internal state. He is a hustler, a salesman, and—at times—a deeply frustrating narcissist who treats his loved ones like obstacles to be bypassed.
The supporting cast is nothing but fantastic. We see great performances all round but especially from Gwyneth Paltrow and Tyler, the Creator.
What makes Marty Supreme linger is its refusal to apologize for its protagonist. Marty is not a “hero” in the classic sense; he is a man who steals from his uncle and neglects his pregnant girlfriend (Odessa A’zion) to chase a trophy in London or a match in Japan. In a sense he’s essentially the ultimate ‘antihero’.
The film asks a difficult question: Does greatness require a level of selfishness that verges on the sociopathic? By the time the credits roll to a pulsing needle drop, you might not like Marty, but you’ve been thoroughly seduced by his momentum. It’s a messy, loud, and brilliantly original piece of cinema that captures the “American Dream” not in a romantic fantasy way, but as a relentless, sweaty, and singular obsession.
I’d recommend checking out ‘Marty Supreme’ and see what you think of it; I shall give it a score of FOUR Stars. You can go check it out at your local cinema today. Director Josh Safdie – Rating: 15A – Genre: Sport/ Drama – Run Time: 2h 29m Language: English. For more film content please follow @movies4fanatics on Instagram.
Remember Us thanks all who donated
or
volunteered in 2025
Remember us would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year and express our sincere gratitude to everyone who supported us in 2025.
We had a very successful year and our membership grew.
We continue to look for people to go on CE/TUS schemes and volunteers to help us continue and grow.
We look forward to 2026 and even bigger and better things to happen. Watch this space!!!
Give us a ring on 0860457003 or drop us an email at hello@ rememberus.ie if you are interested in supporting us in anyway or if you would like to become a volunteer etc.
Treat your nearest and dearest this February
Love is in the air…. February is a time to treat yourself and those you love. I’m taking my daughters to Arc Cinema Drogheda on Galentine’s day for their 90’s throwback movie marathon. For Valentine’s Day, my husband and I usually stay in to watch a movie and have a nice dinner together and we’ll go out for dinner on a night when its not so busy. Or if we’re lucky, we might manage a romantic night away to somewhere special like Farnham Estate in Cavan, that’s one of our favourite places. There are some great shows coming up in The Lark Balbriggan and we might book into Bracken Court for dinner and B&B to make an overnight trip out of it. Any chance to carve out a little romance!
If you are looking to get a cool gift for someone special, www.wanapix. ie have a wide range of personalised gifts. Use code MAMSWANAPIX26 for 10% off. I got my husband a personalised glass and he loves it, he uses it every day. He got me a pink heart shaped mouse mat, which I use every day! Their snow globes are very cute – they even have one that is filled with little love hearts. Their
personalised calendars are brill gifts. My Mam is already dropping hints that she’d like a calendar for Mother’s day, so we know what to get her!
Hampers & Co. have lots of fabulous hampers. Chocolate Garden of Ireland has lovely chocolate goodies. Tipperary Crystal have beautiful handbags and jewellery and they are all Irish companies, which we love.
For a romantic day out, take a walk with Andean Alpacas in Mullingar. Alpacas are gorgeous animals and it’s such a peaceful experience.
National Concert Hall has lots of shows coming up; tickets to a concert is a wonderful Valentine’s gift
Coffee is a clever gift idea and Irish brand, Artessa, roasts delicious fusion blends here in Ireland. Great gift for coffee lovers.
If you are on a tight budget don’t worry, most Mammies are happy to lounge in a bubble bath without interruption and have dinner made for them. If you can stretch to a takeaway, even better! A little ‘me time’ makes all the difference to busy Mammies!
For more ideas for Valentine’s gifting, head over to www.mams.ie
Rob O’Donoghue TD
Musings of an OAP
By Jon Kavanagh
Ah, February 2026: a grand stretch in the evenings, the daffodils battling their way through the soil, the birds making plans for nest construction, and a free travel pass winging its way towards my letter box. Yes, despite my mind strongly protesting, it’s not true, I am joining the ranks of the Old Age Pensioners. I think I prefer the term Third Agers, as I’m in denial about being old. Isn’t it strange how one’s perception of age changes throughout life. People we once saw as ancient were often only a decade or so older than ourselves. As I embrace retirement, my penchant for nostalgia takes me back to another time and place. Where do the years go?
Volunteer to make a difference
Remember us would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year and thank most sincerely everyone who supported us in 2025. It is appreciated by all our members and their families. We look forward to your continued support in 2026.
We are constantly looking for volunteers. Please see poster for day and times we require help. If you have an hour or two to spare, please contact us on 0860457003 or email us at hello@rememberus.ie for more information.
•
Seems like only yesterday I was a long-haired teenager with visions of a future that would make Walter Mitty look unimaginative. Times were different back then; assertiveness was frowned upon and my mother saw it as her duty to nip notions of grandeur in the bud, with the widely used reality checks: “Pride before a fall”, Self-praise is no praise”. and “You’re just a cog in the wheel”. My first teacher in primary school nicked named me ‘the spaceman’, because I was always looking out the window and day dreaming. Neurodiversity wasn’t recognized in those days. That lack of ability to concentrate, coupled with an undetected need for glasses guaranteed me permanent residency in the dunce’s corner. My greatest school achievement (and there weren’t many), came the day I pulled the wool over the headmaster’s eyes. For homework he gave us the task (which I completely forgot
about) of writing a composition about a dream we had. Imagine my horror when he asked me to stand up and read out my effort. Holding a blank copybook in front of me, I “read” a tale about being chased by a lion, for which he complemented me. School days in that era may not have been the best days of our lives, but I guess they made us who we are.
“How will you fill the time?”, people ask when I say I am retiring. Well, these days we are spoiled for choice with: Mens/Womens sheds, walking clubs, active retirement associations, bridge clubs etc. Across Fingal there are ample opportunities to volunteer; whether helping out the tidy towns, working in a charity shop, delivering the meals on wheels or indeed writing or taking photographs for the local magazine. Heres to the third age!
CommunityLocals.ie
By Dr. Carla Lluch, Veterinary Practitioner
February: The Month of Love and Fertility
St Brigid’s Day marks the beginning of spring and is linked to Brigid, the ancient fertility goddess and patron saint of Ireland. Just two weeks later, on the 14th of February, we celebrate love with St Valentine. For this reason, it feels like the perfect time to talk about reproductive health in our pets.
For many years, there have been different opinions about whether early neutering is always the best option. Recently, the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) published updated guidelines to help standardise neutering protocols worldwide, from our Emerald Isle to the beaches of Mexico and the cold fields of Greenland.
Here is a simple summary of the key points:
• There is no “one-size-fits-all” approach.
The decision to neuter should be individual, taking into account the pet’s species, breed, sex, size, lifestyle and environment.
• Timing matters
In some large and giant breed dogs, delaying neutering until skeletal maturity may reduce the risk of certain joint disorders. In other cases, earlier neutering may be beneficial.
• Benefits and risks must be balanced.
Neutering can reduce the risk of reproductive diseases and unwanted litters, but it may also be associated with changes in metabolism, weight gain.
• Behaviour and population control are also important considerations.
Neutering can help reduce roaming, hormonedriven behaviours and unwanted pregnancies, benefiting both pets and the wider community.
Ultimately, this is a very personal decision, and there is no right or wrong choice, only the right choice for your pet and your family.
At Village Vets Lusk, we are always happy to discuss neutering options openly during a consultation. These discussions are free of charge, and together we can create the most appropriate and informed plan for your furry family member.”
Susan
Discover
Havening I have been asked many times in my professional field what is Havening? So this month we are going to have a brief look at what Havening is and who can benefit from this wonderful treatment. Havening is a gentle, touch-based psycho-sensory technique used to help people reduce emotional distress and build resilience. It is often used alongside coaching or therapy rather than as a standalone medical treatment.
The following are the principal benefits of Havening.
1. It reduces emotional charges around past events: Havening aims to weaken the intense emotional “tag” attached to traumatic or highly stressful memories, so you can recall them with far less fear, shame, or distress.
2. This is an amazing treatment to help reduce rapid anxiety and stress relief: Many clients report feeling calmer, lighter, and more relaxed within or shortly after a session, as the soothing touch and structured process down-regulate the threat response in the brain.
It helps the nervous system by the following ways
A. Shifts the brain out of threat mode: The repetitive, gentle touch appears to stimulate slow delta brain waves and calming Neuro-chemicals (chemicals in the brain) such as serotonin and oxytocin, which support a sense of safety and reduce the response we call fight or flight or panic,
B. Supports the nervous system by helping to “rewire”: By pairing a previously distressing memory with a deeply relaxed state, Havening is proposed to reduce synaptic strength in the circuits that kept that memory highly charged, so
triggers lose their impact over time.
I’ve been asked what are the everyday uses of Havening
A. Emotional difficulties: Practitioners use Havening with issues such as phobias, trauma memories, grief, humiliation experiences, and persistent anxiety or suffers of panic attacks.
B. Performance and wellbeing: It can also be used for confidence, performance blocks, unwanted cravings, and general emotional regulation, helping clients feel more resourceful day to day.
The biggest benefit from a practitioner’s perspective would be
A. Non invasive and client centred: The touch is gentle, the client remains fully conscious and
is in complete control, and the technique can be adapted or slowed easily, which can support a strong sense of safety and empowerment.
B. While teaching this in my clinics over many years it is an incredibly easy technique to be taught as a self-care treatment. Clients have learned self Havening techniques to use between sessions, giving them a concrete tool to regulate stress and support ongoing integration of therapeutic work.
C. All that is required from the client is for them to share just a bit about their story as to why they would require this treatment, that way it can become a more tailored fitted session and can be applied for the individual. In wellness Susan If there are any specific topics, diseases or disorders that you would like me to cover in further issues please feel free to email me at. info@ susangrahamcoaching.com
Community organisations -We are here for you and it’s free!
Calling all community and voluntary groups in this area! We are here to facilitate you and help publicise your organisations. We are a community based magazine therefore there will be no charge for publicising your group, whether its a chess club or small pastime group, a support group or a big community or sporting organisation. So if you want to publicise your organisation every month just send us an email to communitylocalseditor@gmail.com..We look forward to hearing from you.
us
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WE WANT YOUR LOCAL NEWS!!
• Do you run a Local Sports Club or Team?
• Are you a new business or a business celebrating an anniversary?
• Are you running or hosting a Local event or Fundraiser? • Do you have a story to tell?
• A Special Birthday, Christening, Communion..
Send us your pics.. We Want it ALL.. Contact us today: communitylocalseditor@gmail.com Be Part of Your Community News
This is easy… we are offering you the chance to win €50. All you have to do is correctly fill in the crossword and discover the name of an area in Fingal spelt out in the coloured squares. Then send the completed crossword and your answer by email, with your name, address and telephone number to communitylocals@ gmail.com before 5pm on the 16th of this month. The first correct entry to be drawnwill win €50..Good luck Across
1. A place for old things. (6)
5. Atoll and swimwear. (6)
10. This economic sector employs over 200,000 people in Ireland. (7)
11. Said something unproven. (7)
12. Expression of petulant annoyance. (4)
13. Fruit with green rind and acid juice. (5)
15. Move swiftly and lightly. (4)
17. The colour of anger. (3)
19. Aid in time of danger, particularly from a siege. (6)
21. The largest city in Spain. (6)
22. A brief account covering the main points of something. (7)
23. Coarse, crude, common. (6)
25. Stinging antiseptic. (6)
28. Proposal at an auction to buy at a specified price. (3)
30. A narrow thin strip of wood used as backing for plaster. (4)
31. Recreate something on a smaller scale. (5)
32. Long poem about a hero’s deeds. (4)
35. Any of the four substances air, water, fire, and earth. (7)
36. Liquorice-flavoured seed or oil. (7)
37. White mineral used to make cement. (6)
38. Join the military. (6)
Down
2. Out of the ordinary. (7)
3. This land is our land. (4)
4. Written account of a life. (6)
5. Made stronger with wood or iron. (6)
6. Curly Brassica. (4)
7. Someone who constantly criticises in a petty way. (7)
8. A state of near-unconsciousness. (6)
9. Prepared for publication. (6)
14. Half woman, half fish. (7)
16. Took a filed test again. (5)
18. First citizen of Dublin. (5)
20. Dense coat of a mammals. (3)
21. Tissue scanner. (3)
23. A silky densely piled fabric with a plain back. (6)
24. Government organised gamble. (7)
26. Make a deep impact on someone. (7)
27. Pre-Euro currency in Portugal. (6)
28. The lowest side of anything. (6)
29. Ten years. (6)
33. Fixed charges for professional charges. (4)
34. Last legal document. (4)
SUDOKU ANSWERS
