Before we get into this week’s local news, let’s start with something more important.

The Paddocks in Clonee is hosting a charity weekend in aid of Grace Lynch, who tragically lost her life this week.

🗓️ Saturday 31 January & Sunday 1 February
💶 €5 entry at the door
📍 The Paddocks, Clonee

All funds raised will go towards supporting Grace’s family with funeral costs during an incredibly difficult time.

If you’re in the area this weekend, it’s a simple way to show support and stand with the family and wider community.

After 25 years, TGI Fridays in Blanchardstown has announced it’s closing its doors.

For so many locals, this place wasn’t just a restaurant but a Blanch icon and the host for so many:

In their own words, rising costs made it impossible to continue, but they thanked Blanchardstown for decades of memories and support.

If you’ve ever had a birthday candle brought out there (or worked a shift 👀), this one probably stings.

🗣️ Did you have a TGI Fridays memory? Hit reply — we’d love to hear them.

If you haven’t been to Luky’s Cakes yet, this is your sign.

Tucked away in Coolmine Industrial Estate, this underrated bakery is doing:

Perfect for birthdays, confirmations or “sure we’ll get a cake” Fridays.

Local businesses worth shouting about 👏

Worth the short spin if you like good coffee and pastries.

Baked & Bottled has opened on Pelletstown Avenue, Royal Canal Park, run by pastry chef Eojin Lee.

What’s on offer:

📍 Find them on Instagram at @bakedandbottled_dublin

If you’re involved in a community or voluntary group, this is important.

Fingal County Council is offering small bursaries (up to €300) for events celebrating International Women’s Day 2026.

🗓️ Deadline: Friday 30 January
📍 Events must take place 2–8 March
🎯 For workshops, talks, screenings, networking events & more

Theme this year: “Give to Gain”

👉 Applications & event registration via Fingal County Council
📧 Queries: Angela Buckley – [email protected]

A really important local service to highlight.

Parslickstown House has launched a confidential, judgement-free cocaine support programme for anyone affected by cocaine use.

🕕 Out-of-hours service
📅 Mondays & Wednesdays
⏰ 6pm – 8pm
📍 Parslickstown House, Ladyswell Rd, Mulhuddart

Support includes:

📞 Contact:
D15 Community Drugs Team: 01 821 6601
Lorraine: 087 244 8278
Keith: 087 288 5298

If this could help someone you know, pass it on.

Whitestown’s own Flynn Johnson is supporting Wallfella at the EP launch of The Coop Is Full.

🗓️ Friday 30 January
📍 Whelan’s Upstairs

A big night for Dublin hip-hop and a proud local moment 👊

A special moment happened last night in Sacred Heart of Jesus NS, Huntstown.

Back in 1999/2000, pupils wrote letters and created drawings for a Millennium Time Capsule, which was sealed in January 2000 and left untouched for 25 years.

It was officially opened in November 2025, and last night past pupils and families gathered in the school to:

Even better — inspired by the original capsule, current pupils have written new letters, which will now stay sealed until 2050, continuing the story across generations.

If you attended the school around 1999/2000 and couldn’t make it last night, the school is still contacting past pupils and families where possible, and scanned copies can be shared.

If the kids (or yourself) haven’t had one last go yet — Blanchardstown Ice Rink closes on 2 February.

We hope you liked it and if you have any feedback or stuff you’d like added we’d love to hear it!

Alternatively, if you have:

- a local business to promote 🔊

- a news story or review 🗞️

- or someone who’s story deserves to be told 📖

Reach out to us here with the details and we can discuss getting it into the next issue.

Thanks {{first name | Blanch}} - enjoy the banker and stay safe! 😊