Explore Fingal launched an impressive programme of events for Ireland Home of Halloween 2026 with more than 100 events in over 20 venues. The launch took place at one of those venues, Howth Castle, which is hosting several different events during October.
Now in its second year, Ireland Home of Halloween is a collaborative all-island programme led by Fáilte Ireland, Tourism Ireland and Tourism Northern Ireland that celebrates the island’s role as the birthplace of Halloween through festivals and visitor experiences inspired by Samhain traditions. Fingal is one of the seven counties chosen as Ireland Home of Halloween hubs.
Speaking at the launch, Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Tony Murphy, said, “Home of Halloween celebrates Ireland as the birthplace of Samhain and our 2026 events promote our very special connection to Halloween through performance, storytelling, spectacle and spooky experiences. There are events suited to all ages and stages of life whether you’re a foodie, a history fiend or seeking family fun. With vintage cinema screenings in Balbriggan, writer’s workshops in Howth, Harvest food and fine dining in Naul, ghost stories in Blanchardstown and Goddesses in Skerries, there truly is a unique experience for every person to enjoy.”
Highlights and key events for 2026 include:
Pumpkins After Dark
A spellbinding open air event running from 2nd to 31st October, Newbridge House and Farm on the dauntingly named Hearse Road in Donabate is transformed into a magical Samhain wonderland. Step into a breathtaking 1km long illuminated farm and walled garden walk where over 10,000 hand-carved pumpkins glow scarily in the darkness.
Festival of Fire
On Halloween night 31st October, the Festival of Fire takes place in three locations around Fingal –Bremore Castle, Swords Town Park and Millennium Park Blanchardstown. It kicks off at 7pm with a Scary DJ, an electrifying musical prelude setting the mood for an unforgettable night. Then fireworks displays will light up the night sky with explosions of colour and awe-inspiring light. It’s free and fun, the perfect way to celebrate Halloween with friends and family.
The Ardgillan Residents Return: Craic from the Crypt
Ardgillan Castle taps into its own shadowy history from 22nd October to 1st November for this atmospheric Halloween tour. During Samhain, when the veil between the living and the dead grows thin, the Taylor family return to Ardgillan Castle, Fingal, the home they once knew. Costumes encouraged!
Feast of Samhain
This Halloween, iconic Howth Castle will come alive with a full programme of events including shadowy Samhain tours with the Castle Historian with chilling tales of ghostly encounters and Castle folklore, a Foraging & Sorcery Workshop, a Feast of Samhain Candlelit Supper Club and a choice of seasonally appetising cookery classes in Howth Castle Cookery School. The successful Hooks and Reels writing workshop takes place over Halloween week.
A Traitorous Tale: A Ghoulish Feast
Malahide Castle’s hosts a one-of-a-kind immersive dining and interactive event including an after dark tour behind the velvet ropes. Guests are invited to sip deadly cocktails, indulge in an autumnal feast, and interrogate suspicious historical guests to unravel a centuries-old betrayal. Based on the Castle’s own history and hauntings.
Fingal-born singer-songwriter and producer Paul Redmond is bringing his original musical, The Promise Love Story, back to the stage in Balbriggan on Saturday, 24 October.
The special showcase concert takes place at The Lark Concert Hall at 8pm, following previous sold-out performances at The Helix in 2012 and Swords Castle in 2017.
The musical, inspired by five interconnected love stories set against a turbulent period of Irish history, explores love, loss, loyalty, secrets and forgiveness. It has been developed from its Fingal roots with ambitions for a major production during St Patrick’s Week 2027.
There is also an international element to the October event. The performance will be livestreamed, allowing Irish people and audiences around the world to experience the production. One of the original songs, Across Blue Waters, was inspired by the story of the Jeanie Johnston and Irish emigration across the Atlantic.
The creative team includes award-winning director Niamh McGowan, with musical direction from David Hayes, internationally recognised for his work with Riverdance, and Terry Merrick, co-musical director and founder of Origin Recording Studio.
Balbriggan-based banana distributor, Fyffes was twice on the winners’ podium at the National Parenting Product Awards gala ceremony held in Dublin recently when Bananas topped the list for Irish parents when it comes to choosing a snack food for their baby or toddler.
On foot of research conducted amongst parents and industry experts, first prize in both the ‘best baby / toddler snack’ and ‘best baby/toddler snack for on the go’ sections was awarded to the popular pre-packed bananas, ‘Freddy Fyffes’.
We’re excited to announce that ‘Cilles Cubs’ along with all GAA teams, autumn schedule returns at St Colmcille’s, Balheary, Swords (K67H996)
Nursery is open to boys and girls aged 4 -6 of all skill levels – whether you’re brand new to Gaelic games or already a budding star, there’s fun, fitness, and skill-building for everyone.
Let’s get the kids active, having fun, and enjoying our great games. Spread the word and we’ll see you on the pitch!
Contact Cora, for more information 0833741305.
Along with our Nursery, we also offer GAA too all age groups- if you are looking to get involved, joining up is easily done! Just contact the relevant person.
Adult Men’s Football: Call Patsy 0857362992
Gaelic for Mothers and Others : Call Deirdre 0879309962
Juvenile Football: (All Ages): Call Marian 0876819540
or email secretary.stcolmcilles.dublin@gaa.ie
Gaelic Football is a great way for you to get involved with the community, team building, learning new skills, all the while keeping fit and healthy. Come along, get involved and get behind your local club
Local girl Manassanan Chanhiran known to her many friends as Manny has entered the Mrs. Ireland 2026 pageant as Mrs Swords. The competition’s chosen charity this year is Temple Street Children’s Hospital. All donations are very welcome and much needed and can be made using Revolut. When doing so please mention the name of our Swords contestant Manassanan (Mrs Swords).
Writing to her supporters on her gofundme page Manny wrote, “I’m a proud mother of two. This year I’m so honoured to be participating in Ireland Pageants as Mrs. Ireland 2026 finalist official Mrs. Swords proudly representing Swords Dublin Ireland.
he competition will be held on Saturday 3rd of October 2026 at Canal court hotel Newry and it’s not so long to go. It would mean so much to me to have your support and guidance as I continue my pageant journey. Your help with the preparation costs would be incredibly valuable to me, and I would be truly grateful for your kindness and support. Lastly, I look forward to embracing this Pageants journey with confidence, kindness, creativity and purpose to proudly representing as Mrs. Swords!”
To donate to Manny’s bid to become Mrs. Ireland she has set up a gofundme page to help with the costs, locals can visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/to-preparation-for-ireland-pageants-competition-2026?attribution_id=sl%3A1fc99fc2-a23c-457f-9136-f948d37d8a2c&ts=1787302086347&utm_campaign=natman_sharesheet_dash&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=copy_link
To keep up to date with Manny view her Instagram account by visiting https://www.instagram.com/manassananchanhiran_official?igsh=aHpucHhhMDhiNWc0
The Best Business Frontage Competition for 2026 was a collaboration between the Fingal Horticultural Society (FHS) and Swords Tidy Towns (STT). This year it was decided to have two categories; one for the Best Business Front Window and the other for the Best Public House Frontage. The judging and organising was carried out from beginning to end by our own Georgy Hughes (STT) and Matt Cullen (STT) they put in a trojan amount of work from beginning to end.
The businesses that were awarded by the judging panel are as follows: Perpectual Cup - Old Schoolhouse; Silver Cert - The Pound; Bronze Cert - The 44; Best Business Front Window Perpetual Cup - McNamara’s Pharmacy (Dublin Rd.); Silver Cert for BFF Cake Boutique; Bronze Cert – Greenstraw.
Many congratulations to this year’s winners. Georgy and Matt said the judging this year was hard as the standard this year was very high which was wonderful to see. A big thank you to all who entered, we look forward to seeing you all entering again next year.
Meanwhile the Swords Tidy Towns Best Presented Estates awards 2026, generously sponsored by Member First Credit Union saw the following estates taking home awards. 1st prize Carlton Court; 2nd prize Rivervalley; 3rd prize Brackenstown Road & Park Ave ; Best Small Estate: Seatown Terrace; Most Improved Estate: Castlegrange; Best Biodiversity Enhancements: The Nurseries
A big thank you to our member Grace Dunne who put in a trojan effort to bring it all together. And not forgetting Mary Maxwell, George Mongey and Michael Connolly for all their input and support.
Congratulations to all the winners. A wonderful community effort by all who entered was evident as our judges travelled all around Swords. Hope we will see you all entering again next year.
Swords Tidy Towns
When Catherine Bacik made a chance encounter with Swords Castle several years ago little did she know it would lead to something completely unexpected, it became her first published children’s book.
The Castle by the Stop Light: The Shepherd Boy and His Flute focuses on Michael who steps inside an ancient castle and discovers a remarkable tale that brings together two lives separated by time. Through Sean, a young shepherd boy from long ago, and the castle itself, the storyteller that binds their worlds, Michael learns that the most ordinary places can become extraordinary when viewed through the eyes of imagination.
“I first saw the castle while standing at a bus stop on a cold, rainy night in Swords,” said Catherine who is a children’s author and photographer from Virginia in the United States. “Across the road was an illuminated stone wall sitting right beside an ordinary modern stop light. As an American who certainly wasn’t accustomed to finding castles beside traffic lights, I was completely captivated. I returned to Ireland the following year and made Swords Castle one of my first stops. I spent time photographing and exploring it, wondering about all the stories those old stone walls might hold”, she explained further.
Written for children ages 4–10 and the families who read with them, it invites readers to look beyond the ordinary and discover the stories waiting all around them.
“Since publishing the book, one of my goals has been to bring the story back to the community where it began. I thought the journey from a rainy Swords bus stop to a published children’s book might be a story of interest to your readers. In November 2025, I also had the wonderful opportunity to share my story with Kieran Carrick in a featured segment on Mornings with Kieran on Spirit Radio Ireland,” Catherine added. Whether writing stories, capturing photographs, or speaking about the creative process, Catherine hopes to remind others that there are remarkable stories waiting to be found all around us—if we simply take the time to look.
The Castle by the Stop Light: The Shepherd Boy and His Flute, is currently available on Amazon.com.
Mental Health Ireland in association with Malahide Lions Club are launching a Malahide Connect Café. It will give the community an opportunity to connect, support your mental health and wellbeing and chat over a cup of tea/coffee. It will be run every two weeks covering various topics and commencing on Wednesday 9th September until the end of December 2026. The Connect Café will be taking place upstairs in Malahide Library (lift available).
Everyone is welcome and bring a friend. For further information:
malahidelions@gmail.com
www.mentalhealthireland.ie
malahidelibrary@fingal.ie
The 3rd annual Fingal Sports Festival welcomed thousands of Fingal residents to Malahide Castle & Gardens on 9 August. Attendees partook in a variety of sports and activities ranging from rugby and basketball to weightlifting, disc golf, and GAA handball. A total of 25 Sport Ireland National Governing Bodies represented their sport at the festival, which provided the Fingal community with endless free sporting opportunities at none other than Dublin’s biggest sports activity day.
The Fingal Sports Festival transformed Malahide Castle into a place of sport, wellness, and fun. This free, inclusive event was open to all ages and abilities, with something for all children, parents, and athletes.
Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Tony Murphy, attended the event and engaged with many of the festival goers and NGB representatives. “It’s fantastic to see Malahide Castle and gardens come alive with sport, energy and community spirit. The Fingal Sports Festival gives people of all ages and abilities the chance to try something new, get active and have fun together. It’s a wonderful example of how sport can bring communities together, and I want to congratulate the Fingal Sports Office for making it such a successful event.”
As well as many sporting activities, the festival offered a Pedal Parade which started at New Street, courtesy of the Fingal Active Travel Department. Throughout the day, live classes took place including; a ParkFit demonstration, Yoga as Gaeilge, Family Fitness, and Dance Fit.
For the third consecutive year, the Fingal Sports Festival was a huge success, Fingal Active Cities Coordinator Nuala Casey said: “This is now the Fingal Sports Office flagship event and gives us a chance to showcase the activities Fingal has to offer and what better way to conclude our outdoor Summer Series of programmes for 2026 with this fantastic event!”
Lusk AC is delighted to inform our members that work on the new all-weather facilities at the Hub, Rathmore Park will commence shortly. After many years of collaboration, works are scheduled for completion by July 2027. The project will include:
An 8-lane athletics track, long jump, high jump, pole vault, shot put, extended car parking, teen space, landscaping, storage and bicycle parking. Thanks to our committee, Fingal County Council, the local sports clubs and the wider community for their support and patience throughout the development of this much-needed facility.
Marathon training is now in full swing with many club members following a programme. We have plans to suit all abilities designed to achieve a range of target times. Well done to everyone who has participated in races so far this year and a big thanks to those who have volunteered at events.
Some of our club members were at Dublin Airport to welcome Rhasidat Adeleke back from the European Championships in Birmingham. Rhasidat was part of the successful Irish team and came home with a Silver medal.
The club organised a successful Man O War Round 7k race on a balmy August evening. This has now become a regular event in the race calendar.
Return to training for all juvenile groups is Tuesday 1st Sept. Please keep an eye on our Socials for locations.
