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Supervalu Balbriggan, Lidl Balbriggan Tesco, Millfield S.C, Balbriggan The Lark Theatre Balibriggan
We couldn’t have asked for a better start to Summer and although it may not have been completely dry, it’s the best start to the long-awaited warm weather season that we have had in a long time. Summer brings with it so many events taking place in Fingal and we are well and truly into the festival season!
There is always so much to cram into those dry summer days and when they come along things can get pretty hectic; especially when the schools finish and the endless hours of summer activities for the younger ones begin. But we are very lucky to have so much on our doorstep in Fingal. We are never stuck for something to do in this wonderful area of the country.
There’s no need to travel for hours on to find something to make memories that last for a lifetime when we have so much to choose from right on our doorsteps. We have some of the most beautiful beaches in the country; the sheer number of public parks, castle grounds and gardens accessible all year round is unrivalled; the community centres, state of the art libraries, music venues, cafés, restaurants, bars, the list goes on and on.
So while we enjoy all we have in our area, and hopefully along with some good weather, we must give a word of thanks to our wonderful volunteers throughout Fingal who give so much of their time in their respective groups, clubs and organisations to make our communities such beautiful areas to live in. We simply wouldn’t have such beauty in our areas if it wasn’t for our volunteers.
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STRICT DEADLINE FOR NEXT EDITION: Submissions by the 15th for inclusion in next months edition
www.affordableroofers.ie
Affordable Roofers Dublin is a team of highly qualified tradesmen with years of experience serving Dublin customers. They are on 24hours a day, 365 days a year, ready to respond to any type of roof repair work anywhere across Co. Dublin.
We also cover surrounding areas.
Whether it’s a leaking roof that needs to be fixed straight away, guttering that needs to be cleared, repair work to a chimney, or replacing broken tiles, we are here to help.
Our highly skilled tradesmen are available to investigate and pinpoint the cause of any water leak or roof defect and carry out the necessary repair works.
We provide affordable roofing services throughout the whole of Co. Dublin and further if needed.
Balbriggan Meals on Wheels was founded in 1975 to provide meals for people who are ill, recovering from a serious illness, or for some reason are unable to provide meals for themselves.
On May 8th, Balbriggan Meals on Wheels hosted a special 50th Anniversary event to celebrate serving the Balbriggan Community for the past 50 years.
Balbriggan Meals on Wheels would like to thank those who sponsored the celebration and all those who came along and joined on the night. Huge thank you also to all those members of the local community who have helped us out over the years, by volunteering, through sponsorship, by donating to our service and supporting our fundraising events. We are truly grateful to everyone who has supported us.
For more information on Balbriggan Meals on Wheels and their services, please contact 01- 8416743 (Mon – Sat between 9am and 1pm) or email mealsonwheelsbalbriggan@gmail. com.
Balbriggan’s Front Strand has lost its ‘Poor’ status in an Environmental Protection Agency report on Bathing Water Quality, with almost 20 samples resulting in ‘Excellent’ ratings.
Intensive works by Fingal County Council over five years, aimed at improving water quality at Balbriggan’s Front Strand, have paid off, it has been revealed.
Since a poor rating in June 2023, 23 samples have yielded 18 ‘Excellent’ ratings.
Now, the EPA has deemed Front Strand to have changed status and all-season notices advising people not to swim will be lifted.
Fingal County Council’s Balbriggan Beach Management Plan, introduced by the authority’s Environment section, and implemented with the help of Uisce Éireann, identified risks causing poor water quality at Front Strand.
And the authority introduced an action plan to mitigate against the causes of poor water quality, which included water misconnections, waste water accidental releases and wastewater stormwater overflows.
Other issues identified were agricultural
run-off, dog fouling, bird fouling, water pollution from oil leaks and challenges presented by heavy rain.
Dr David Begg, Chairperson of the Our Balbriggan Leadership Group, which oversees Fingal County Council’s Our Balbriggan Rejuvenation Programme, warmly welcomed the announcement.
“A lot of work has been done to address issues at Front Strand over the last five years and it is great to finally see this effort reaping positive results.
“Much has been accomplished, particularly around misconnections, and hopefully the improvement in water quality can be maintained.”
It is another boost for the Balbriggan Harbour area as work continues to deliver the major infrastructural elements of the Our Balbriggan Rejuvenation Programme.
Work is progressing on the plan’s flagship €15million project, the re-development of the Quay Street and Harbour area.
The €54-57million Our Balbriggan Rejuvenation Programme is led by Fingal County Council’s Economic, Enterprise, Tourism and Cultural Development Department.
As Ireland readies itself for the summer bathing season, Fingal County Council is delighted to announce it has once again been awarded Blue Flag and Green Coast Awards in 2025.
The beaches at Portmarnock (Velvet Strand) and Balcarrick Beach in Donabate have each retained their Blue Flag status, reflecting their outstanding water quality, safety, and environmental management. In addition, Balcarrick Beach has once again received a Green Coast Award, which recognise beaches for their natural beauty, clean environment, and high-quality bathing water.
Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Brian McDonagh, welcomed the news, saying: “The Blue Flag
and Green Coast Awards are a reflection of the hard work by council staff and our communities to keep our beaches clean, safe, and welcoming for everyone. As someone who has been swimming on Portmarnock Beach my whole life, I am delighted that we have yet again retained our flag. I want to particularly thank all the Tidy Towns and Clean Coast groups for the work they do on our beaches.”
Director of Operations in Fingal, MaryT Daly, added: “These awards are not only about water quality but also about community engagement, environmental education, and sustainability. I want to sincerely thank all the community groups, volunteers, and residents whose ongoing efforts play such a vital
role in keeping our beaches clean, safe, and environmentally sound. I encourage everyone to enjoy all of our beaches responsibly and continue supporting efforts to protect our natural coastline.”
Fingal would also urge dog owners to clean up after their pets. Just one instance of dog poo can contaminate an area the size of a tennis court, posing a serious risk to public health. To highlight this, see this informative animation that illustrates the real impact of not picking up after your dog: https://youtu. be/7bas6zvBmM4.
For details on locations along Fingal’s 88km of coastline, visit: https://fingal.live/2p8rdrrw.
Taisce announces 2025 Blue Flag
Green
Awards
Coast Award
Make way for something different, there’s a new band in town, and they’re setting the stage alight with timeless charm. Meet “Let’s Be Frank,” a Frank Sinatra cover band founded by a group of jazz students at Dublin City University, led by the velvet-voiced James Gallen.
Formed in late 2023, Let’s Be Frank are on a mission to rekindle the soul of the Rat Pack era, delivering fresh takes on Sinatra classics with youthful energy, sharp arrangements, and a deep respect for the musicality of the greats, pre the auto-tune era.
By Jon Kavanagh
As I turn the calendar page to June, memories of Summers long gone wave from the corridors of my aging mind. Was the weather really better with long days staying bright till nearly midnight? Or has my optician been a bit heavy handed with the rose-coloured tint on my spectacles? Back when we baby boomers were chewing bubble gum, our schools weren’t the embracing places of learning we know today. The long summer break came as a great reprieve from a strict educational system that was not far removed from
“Our goal is to capture the elegance and swagger of Sinatra, but give it a modern heartbeat that feels relevant today,” says frontman James Gallen, whose smooth vocals and magnetic stage presence are earning attention well beyond the lecture hall. Band members include Joey Leamy, Theo Johnson, Sean Crehan and Jarlath Byrne. The band, all trained in jazz performance, are gearing up to record their debut album, a curated blend of faithful renditions and daring reinterpretations of Sinatra’s most beloved hits. Expect to hear new life breathed into timeless
Dickensian days. No summer camps or theme parks as we explored the world around us, taking risks that would cause Evel Knivel to shield his eyes. Favourite pastimes included climbing trees, rapidly descending steep hills on our ‘truck’ – a hazardous, breakless Go Car manufactured from the chassis and wheels of an old pram, and fishing for pinkeens on a slippy river bank with a jam jar and length of string. The words health and safety were not in the vocabulary when like proverbial sardines in a tin we were crammed into a Morris Minor, driven by a neighbour who did hand combat with a steering wheel that appeared to have a mind of its own. Destinations included
tracks like Fly Me to the Moon, My Way, and The Way You Look Tonight, all with a modern twist.
With a string of live performances around the capital under their belt, already drawing jazz aficionados and newcomers to date, Let’s Be Frank are proving that the classics aren’t just alive — they’re thriving.
The Debut Single “Fly Me To The Moon”, from Let’s Be Frank was released on Saturday May 10th on all digital platforms, and it’s sure to be swingin!
Skerries, Balbriggan, Donabate, Malahide and Rush beaches where we had soggy sandwiches seasoned with sand, washed down with warm lemonade.
Most towns and village around Fingal had their own summer festival; usually incorporating a field day where the eager tried their hand at tug of war, egg and spoon racing, horseshoe throwing, a glamorous granny competition and a hairy legs contest for the men, to name but a few delights on the day. In the evening crowds would flock to a marquee for a night of music and dancing. I some cases revellers would have spent quality time in the local tavern before deciding to trip the light fantastic. By in large
peace prevailed. But occasionally one word would borrow another, offence would be taken and the ancient battle cry “Step outside!” would be issued, resulting in a melee, that would make the fight scene from The Quiet Man look like The Teddy Bears Picnic. In a pre-computer world, we were easily amused with simple things that broke the mundane routine of those barmy days. All too soon the summer would grow old; the All-Ireland Finals would draw near and it would be time to visit Clarkes and Taylors shops in Swords (both long gone) for a new winter coat, shoes, school bag, copy books and pencil case. We didn’t know then that we were the last of our kind.
The internationally touring American comedy show, Scriptless in Seattle, brings its one-of-akind musical improv to the Lark in Balbriggan on 4th June at 7pm, where a show will be written and performed for the first (and last) time anywhere!
No two shows are ever the same. “I’ve been touring with this show for years, and not one performance has ever been like another,” says tour manager and emcee Justin Folger. “We like to say the show the audience sees has never been performed before—and will never be performed
again. And we mean it.”
Folger, who’s been on stage without a script for over seven years, is joined by a team of seasoned improvisers known for their quick wit, crowd work, and unpredictable hilarity.
“I love looking out at the audience and seeing everyone from families with young kids to couples who’ve been together 55 years,” says longtime performer James Trombka. “Everyone leaves smiling.”
Performer Eli Popik adds, “We’re thrilled to be
bringing this show to Ireland. It’s a perfect family night out. It’s affordable, clean, and interactive— you might even end up on stage!”
Scriptless in Seattle specializes in familyfriendly sketch-style improv that’s fully unscripted and shaped by audience suggestions. The tour includes stops in over a dozen cities across the U.S. and two this summer in Ireland.
Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at ScriptlessInSeattle.com. Get yours while you can!
By Jack Shanley
After a string of increasingly convoluted cosmic sagas, ‘Thunderbolts’ offers a refreshing change of pace for the MCU. Director Jake Schreier smartly grounds this tale of reluctant anti-heroes in a gritty, espionagetinged reality, delivering a film that’s as emotionally resonant as it is actionpacked.
The narrative centres on a group assembled by Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), a shadowy figure with her own agenda. Each character is a volatile mix of personalities and skill sets. They also carry their own baggage, making them far more complex and compelling than the average superhero.
The strength of Thunderbolts lies in its character work. Each member of this unlikely team is given ample screen time to develop, showcasing their individual traumas and reluctant camaraderie. The dynamic between Yelena and Bucky, in particular, crackles with a fascinating mix of suspicion and begrudging respect. Harbour’s Red Guardian steals several scenes with his boisterous charm and surprisingly poignant moments of vulnerability.
While the action sequences are well-choreographed and impactful, they serve the narrative rather than overshadowing it. The film wisely avoids large-scale CGI battles for a more intimate and grounded approach to conflict. The plot, while straightforward, keeps the audience engaged with unexpected twists and turns, exploring themes of redemption, trust, and the blurry lines between good and evil.
However, the film isn’t without its flaws. At times, the sheer number of characters can feel slightly overwhelming, and some subplots could have been explored in more depth. Nevertheless, Thunderbolts ultimately succeeds in delivering a compelling and surprisingly mature entry into the MCU. It proves that superhero stories don’t always need world-ending stakes to be engaging; sometimes, the most captivating battles are fought within. This is a welcome return to form and a promising direction for the future of the franchise.
I’d recommend checking out “Thunderbolts” and see what you think of it; I shall give it a score of 3 and a ½ stars. You can watch it at your local cinema today. Director: Jake Schreier – Rating: 12A – Genre: Action/Sci-fi – Run Time: 2h 6m Language: English. For more film content please follow @movies4fanatics on Instagram.
Pictured at the UCD/BSTAI Awards Night at the UCD Lochlann Quinn School of Business are [L–R]: Ciara O’Riordan, President, BSTAI; Students Muireann Bagley; Nikola Bodrova; Zara Bradvica; Unain Browne-Donnan; Sarah Farrell; Robyn Foster; Sophie Mohan; Aisling Murphy; Aoife Doherty, Director, UCD Quinn School of Business; Paula Gartland, Business Studies Teacher, Loreto Secondary School, Balbriggan.
This prestigious event recognised the outstanding achievements of secondary school students who excelled in the Junior Certificate State Examinations in 2024.
The ceremony celebrated the hard work and dedication of 123 students who achieved a Distinction in their Higher Level Business Studies exam, which represents the top 3% of students. This marks an exciting milestone for these students, many of whom are now in their Transition Year and visiting UCD for the first time.
Each student was formally presented with a Certificate of Achievement by the President of the BSTAI, Ciaran O’Riordan, and Director of UCD Quinn School, Associate Professor Maeve Houlihan, in recognition of their academic excellence.
By Dave Kavanagh
Something that crops up when people are planning ahead to protect them and their family’s financial future, is the fact that we don’t know exactly what the future holds. Will jobs and income change? How long will I maintain good health? Will I win the lottery jackpot in the next 3 years? The uncertainty of the future means that we often plan for a variety of occurrences. One important aspect of this planning is deciding on a term for things like Life Cover. A life cover plan can either be done for a specific term or it can be done as a “whole of life” plan. One of the problems with the old way of doing these was that the premiums were reviewed after a few years and could result in constant, substantial increases, often forcing people to either cancel them or accept a much lower level of cover. With “guaranteed whole of life” plans, you at least know exactly what the premium will always be and the level of cover but planning that far ahead can be costly. A relatively new method of dealing with this issue was introduced from one of the life companies, and it is an addition called “Life Changes Option”. This option gives the policy owners a number of choices once they have paid premiums for at least 15 years. They can then choose to either; a) Stop paying premiums and reduce the level of cover which stays in place
until the cover is paid out, or b) Cancel the cover (if it is no longer required) and take a refund of up to 70% of all premiums previously paid, or c) Continue the plan as it is with the same level of cover and premiums. This option has become quite popular when people are looking to future-proof cover as it offers choices that can suit people’s changing circumstances. If they have cleared loans and have sufficient savings, a reduced level of cover might be ideal. If they have strong pensions and savings, they may no longer have a need for cover and can take back a lump sum. For more information on how this type of cover may suit you, ask your advisor or contact me for a free quotation.
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.
April and May were busy months for our Balbriggan/North County Dublin Branch of Guide Dogs. On April 12th our Branch was presented with two cheques from the Tesco Balbriggan and Tesco Rush Community Fund. There were many doggies in attendance, Qeb the working guide dog, Lulu the guide dog puppy in training, Marco the assistance dog, Gigi the assistance dog and Adel the ambassador dog who were all very grateful to Tesco Balbriggan and Rush for their kind donation. Of course all the humans were at the cheque presentation too and we want to give a big thank you to all the residents of Balbriggan and surrounding areas who took the time to place their tokens in the Irish Guide Dog Tesco Community fund box.
On April 13th our Branch fundraised at Hers Upstairs at Mrs O’s craft fair and a great day was had by all. Keep your eye on our social media pages to see when the next craft fair will be and you might just see us there. Of course, May was a busy month with Guide Dog Day on the 23rd May! Fundraising kicked off on the 22nd May as Skerries Community Choir held a summer concert in Holm Patrick Church who made a generous
donation from the proceeds to our Branch. We can’t thank the Skerries Community Choir enough for their support. Our Branch then fundraised at Millfield Shopping Centre, Balbriggan for Guide Dog Day where we sold merchandise along with raffle tickets at €5 to potentially win a luxury holiday worth €5,000! We also fundraised on Saturday the 24th May in SuperValu, Balbriggan. A great day was had by all and a big thank you to anyone who came along and said hello and supported us.
If you would like to come and support us, you can find us next at the Balbriggan Summer Fest on Sunday 1st June, where we will have raffle tickets for €5 each to win a holiday, along with other merchandise and perhaps a Guide Dog or two will be there to say hello.
If you would like to get in touch with us, you can contact the Balbriggan/ North
County Dublin Branch of Guide Dogs by phone/text 0857663107, email: GuideDogsBalbriggan@gmail.com or find us on Facebook at Balbriggan Branch of Guide Dogs.
Every year, on the last Sunday of April, Phoenix Park transforms into a lively celebration of Japanese culture during the Experience Japan Hanami Festival. Visitors from across Ireland gather to enjoy authentic food, live music, traditional and modern dance performances, cultural workshops, art displays, and martial arts demonstrations. Families picnic on the grass, children try their hand at calligraphy and origami, and performances on the main stage bring Japan’s rich heritage to life in the heart of Dublin. The festival takes its name and inspiration from Hanami, the Japanese tradition of admiring cherry blossoms. In Japan, sakura blossoms are more than just beautiful flowers — their brief blooming period is a powerful symbol of the fleeting nature of life. This awareness of impermanence, and the calm acceptance of it, is deeply woven into Japanese culture. The same philosophy shaped Bushido, the code of the samurai, where martial arts were not merely for combat but for cultivating discipline, resilience, and clarity of mind. These old values remain central to Japanese society even today.
That’s why martial arts demonstrations became an organic part of the Experience Japan Festival. This year’s performances featured both classical and modern disciplines — from Kashima Shintoryu, a traditional sword style, and Naginata, a polearm-based art, to Karate and Aikido, which adapt centuries-old principles to the modern
world. Despite their differences, all these arts share the same core values: self-awareness, control, and respect.
Takemusu Aikido Society, a local club, proudly represented the Balbriggan community at this year’s festival. We train weekly at the Balbriggan Clubs Community Centre, and it was a pleasure to bring our practice to a wider audience in Phoenix Park.
Our 20-minute demonstration didn’t just display Aikido techniques — it guided the audience through the art’s structured progression, offering insight into how Aikido is studied and internalised over time. Aikido, though modern, is rooted in older forms of Jujutsu and swordsmanship, and it carries forward the samurai spirit: composure under pressure, centred movement, and profound respect for both partner and opponent.
The demonstration followed the traditional structure of Aikido studying: starting with swordwork, moving through empty-handed techniques, and concluding with staff practice. We began with solo and paired sword forms, demonstrating how Aikido movements originate from classical swordsmanship. Sword exercises form the foundation of Aikido, training balance, focus, coordination, and a refined sense of timing — all essential skills that underpin the entire art.
We then transitioned to empty-handed techniques, demonstrating how throws progress
from basic to more advanced forms, including powerful hip throws. In Aikido, effectiveness doesn’t come from brute force, but from blending with an attack and redirecting it using wholebody movement. To highlight this principle, a 12-year-old boy performed clean, precise throws on a well-built adult partner — a beautiful illustration of how skill, timing, and connection outweigh size or strength.
We then moved on to staff techniques, the third pillar of Aikido practice. These exercises blend the principles learned through sword and emptyhanded practice, building precision, rhythm, and responsiveness.
To conclude, our head instructor demonstrated how the same movements could be applied across all situations — empty-handed, disarming a sword, or neutralising a staff. This final sequence illustrated the universality of Aikido’s principles, regardless of weapon or context.
The demonstration ended with a dramatic staff-versus-sword defence, bringing everything full circle: from sword, to body, to staff — all connected in one seamless flow.
It was an honour to represent Balbriggan at this celebration of Japanese culture. We welcome new members of all ages and backgrounds to join us on the mats and explore the depth, clarity, and grace of Aikido for themselves.
To learn more, visit www.aiki.ie or find us on social media.
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 drawn will win €50..Good luck
1. Paintings on walls. (6)
5. Division of a diocese. (6)
10. The real material. (7)
11. Likely to perform unpredictably. (7)
12. Skewer for meat and a disgusting habit. (4)
13. The first fruit. (5)
15. Case from which playing cards are dealt one at a time. (4)
17. A long period of time. (3)
19. Old man is a nut! (6)
21. Put to death. (6)
22. Protective glasses set in a flexible frame. (7)
23. Porter gives a short account of the news. (6)
25. Could be belly, pages or fever. (6)
28. Lightly strike the faucet. (3)
30. A fit of often silent anger or bad temper. (4)
31. Melon is another fruit. (5)
32. A confused murmur or flurry of activity. (4)
35. Make troops hard or harder. (7)
36. Tears up the inventor of partial sterilisation of a substance. (7)
37. Valuable stones. (6)
38. An assistant with power to act when a superior is absent. (6)
2. Radioactive element. (7)
3. A dull and persistent pain. (4)
4. Gather money together with difficulty. (6)
5. Spanish dish. (6)
6. Of meat only cooked a short time. (4)
7. Bag for school books. (7)
8. Sarah Palin was Governor here. (6)
9. A smooth final surface of a substance, such as concrete, applied to a floor. (6)
14. You run it on a computer. (7)
16. Severely inflamed and painful. (5)
18. Sires for salary increases. (5)
20. A small spot, a speck. (3)
21. Opener. (3)
23. Far away, secluded. (6)
24. Fresh fruit and vegetables grown for the market. (7)
26. Tousled is the noisiest. (7)
27. A male magician or sorcerer. (6)
28. A game involving love. (6)
29. Slangily exhausted. (6)
33. Fit a horse with an outer foot covering. (4)
34. An invitation to reply. (4)
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