On August 27th, Bracken Court Hotel 8pm Balbriggan & District Historical Society presents our own Jim Walsh with a talk titled: John “Jack’ Gaynor. 1898-1979: The Life and Republican Exploits.
Admission €5, Members free. All welcome
Reared and educated in Balbriggan, Jack Gaynor, having excelled as a minor Gaelic Footballer with Balbrigggan Commercials was involved with the foundation of O’Dwyers GAA Club in 1918. By then, he had been appointed Captain, in early 1917 of the first local Company of Irish Volunteers.In the following year of 1918, he was selected to join a squad, under the leadership of Cathal Brugha. Their intention was to eliminate British Cabinet. Members should King George sign the Act of Conscription in Ireland. After three stressful months spent in London, the squad were disbanded and returned to Ireland.
The year 1919 saw an escalation on the part of the Volunteer movement and in August of that year they agreed to be called The Irish Republican Army, answerable only to the Provisional Dáil Éireann. On Wednesday, 14th April, 1920, following a parade on Clonard Hill, Sgt. Patrick Finnerty, R.I.C., was mortally wounded and transferred to the Mater Hospital where he died on Friday, 16th April. Five months later, the infamous Sack of Balbriggan occurred on 20th September. This presentation will reveal the role played by Jack Gaynor in both seismic events.
Jim Walsh is a founding member and former Chairperson of Balbriggan & District Historical Society. He has a huge depth of knowledge on Balbriggan history and has presented many talks on the subject. Not to be missed.
Our Committee members are involved with a number of Heritage Week events – you can see full information on all events on www.HeritageWeek.ie
Ceol, Craic agus Gaeilge County Hall Swords – Bernie Kelly
Ceol Craic agus Gaeilge – Oíche Cheoil do Sheachtain na hOidhreachta – Join us for a live Heritage Week evening of Music, Irish and Fun Monday August 18th at 7 pm with Seán McElwain, Nollaig Ní Laoire, and Aedín Ní Dhurcáin. Ar mhaith leat oíche cheoil & craic saor in aisce? 
Bígí linn in Áras an Chontae Sord , Dé Luain 18 Lúnasa ag 7pm. Beidh soláistí ar fáil. Light refreshments served. For info contact eolas@fingal.ie
Fingal Libraries Exhibition Bremore Castle – Brian Kavanagh
150 years ago, the sale of the estate of George Alexander Hamilton took place at the Landed Estates Court on Inns Quay, Dublin. The estate was divided into 22 lots and included the entire town of Balbriggan itself. The sale is of particular historic significance due to the transfer of ownership of the town from the Hamilton family to a new entrepreneurial class. This new Fingal Libraries exhibition looks at the auction that became known as ‘The Sale of Balbriggan’. Open at Bremore Castle, Thursday 21st and Friday 22nd August 2025, 10am-4pm. Curator Brian Kavanagh from Fingal Local Studies & Archives will be onsite to answer questions on the sale and on Bremore Castle itself. All welcome
Dr Cora McDonagh will be presenting her talk ‘Castles, Churches and Cobblestones The Built heritage of Balbriggan” in Ardgillan Castle on Saturday August 23rd at 2pm for Heritage Week
‘Rev. Fee won a canary and Miss O’ Fibilley, Loreto Convent, won a chest of tea’ What has this to do with the built heritage of Balbriggan? Both were prize winners at the much-anticipated and widely supported weeklong Balbriggan Bazaar and Fete held in August 1895. This had been organized by the women of Balbriggan as a fundraiser for the new additions to St Peter & Paul’s church. Join our own Cora McDonagh in Ardgillan Castle for this fascinating talk on the built heritage of Balbriggan where you will hear more about this bazaar and the history behind some of the most iconic buildings in Balbriggan, who built them, how they were funded and what stories they can tell us. Balbriggan is rich in its built heritage from the site of the 7th century church of St Molaga to the 21st century Lark Theatre and so much in between.To book free ticket see https://fareharbor.com/…/items/653777/calendar/2025/08/
Cora McDonagh will also be speaking on the Smyco Medallions at the Heritage Network Night in St Sylvester’s Hall Malahide on Wednesday 20th at 7.30pm
John members of the Fingal Heritage Network for a night of short but interesting talks to celebrate the heritage of Fingal. From the churches of St Maur’s, Rush and St Macullin’s of Lusk to Clonsilla’s medieval pitfield and the memoirs of Andrew Kettle there is something to interest everyone.