Balbriggan Local Volume 3 Issue 1

BALBRIGGAN LOCAL Your Community News Volume 3 Issue 1 - November 2017

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Our Team Local News

Editor E. communitylocalseditor@gmail.com

Advertising

Sean Maguire T. 087 915 9052 E. seanmaguire@irishmediagroup.ie

Production

Tim Evans T. 086 856 8181 E. communitylocalsdesigner@gmail.com

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Balbriggan Local Magazine Email: communitylocals@gmail.com Facebook.com/BalbrigganLocal

Designated Pick up Points

Supervalu Balbriggan - Lidl Balbriggan Tesco, Millfield S.C, Balbriggan Dunnes Stores, Castlemill S.C Bank of Ireland, Balbriggan Published by

IRISHMEDIAGROUP publishing | design | print | web

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Editor’s Note Phew, we survived the national emergency that was ex-Hurricane Ophelia - even if (from a Fingal point of view) it seemed like a dry run for the real thing. For the record the county council dealt with a total of 60 calls on the day - mostly involving fallen trees.

This Month

Recipe of the Month

Speaking of which, and to show how bad things can get, a February 1903 storm devastated parts of Dublin with over 2,900 trees blown down in the Phoenix Park alone.

And, in 1839, the ‘Night of the Big Wind saw a quarter of the houses in Dublin destroyed and 42 ships sunk. Hundreds of Dubs huddled under the portico of the Bank of Ireland, College Green, in the belief that it was one of the few buildings that would survive. Memo to self: check out County Hall, Swords ... you never know!

November is definitely going to be an anti-climax ... a lull before the storm that is Christmas. It’s time to put a family plan into place to ensure that everything runs smoothly on the day - no presents still in the post, chimney checked to see if Santa can make it down (and an excuse prepared if you don’t have a fireplace!), all rellies sent suitable cards, get first dibs on the TV remote (a man can dream), and don’t forget the batteries!

11

Crossword & Sudoku

The Editor, Balbriggan Local Magazine, e: communitylocalseditor@gmail.com

Balbriggan Local Disclaimer

Every effort is made by Balbriggan Local Magazine to ensure that the information is correct and will not be held responsible for any advertisement errors. Balbriggan Local reserves the right to decline, suspend or omit any advertisement or article submitted. No liability can be accepted by Balbriggan Local for any printing errors in advertisements or otherwise.

STRICT DEADLINE FOR DECEMBER EDITION: 15th November for inclusion in our December edition.

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BALBRIGGAN LOCAL-NOVEMBER 2017

3

Local News

Kirbee hits the luxury note for toddlers New Irish Childrens wear brand “Kirbee”

by Designer Karen Kirby Autumn Winter 17 offering luxury timeless pieces for children aged 0 to 3 years with a contemporary style.

Originally from Portmarnock from a family of three girls and one long suffering brother, home is where my love of fashion began. My mum was a very talented seamstress, I would watch my mum for hours making beautiful pieces from eye, cutting and making garments with utter precision. I was fortunate enough to go onto study fashion and design in the prestigious Grafton Academy, and make my childhood dream of becoming a designer a reality. I have been very fortunate to have spent the past 17 years working in design in the Irish fashion industry, were I got to travel extensively, it was through this travel that I was exposed to the high standards in design and quality in European childrens wear. It was with these thoughts in mind I came up with the idea of creating Kirbee a luxury baby and toddler range.

Children and family are a huge part of my life, I am proud to say I am the mother to three beautiful children, two boys and a girl were we now reside in the beautiful seaside town of Rush Co. Dublin. This brand is a labour of love with full family support I have been able to create my own brand, a life long dream, hope you enjoy Kirbee as much as I enjoyed designing it.

Bremore Castle nears Completion

Independent Councillor Tony Murphy has welcomed the fact that work on Bremore Castle, Balbriggan is nearing completion.

The 14th century tower house, now reduced to a single storey, has been in a dilapidated state for over 200 years.

A 2106 Adopted Heritage Report identified the castle as part 4

of a wider regeneration plan which could open up the town, enhance its attractiveness with floral and arboreal landscaping and link the castle to the town economically and socially. €4m was put aside in the Fingal’s Capital Programme 2018-2020 for works on the castle.

BALBRIGGAN LOCAL-NOVEMBER 2017

Social Housing figures

According to figures supplied to Cllr. Darragh Butler By Fingal County Council there have been 766 social housing units provided in the Balbriggan/Swords since 2015. 3,804 applicants have expressed a preference for the Balbriggan Housing Area and 6,962 applicants have expressed a preference for the Swords Housing Area. It should be noted that applicants are entitled to express a preference for up to a maximum of three areas of choice when they apply for social housing support and may be included on multiple lists depending on the number of areas of preference selected.

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The perfect Christmas needs a little preparation Place your order today.

For locally-reared, and free-range bronze turkeys; hams smoked the old fashioned way; mouthwatering beef from our own farm; and gorgeous gift hampers filled with the best of Irish artisan produce, look no further than the Country Crest Farm Shop.

Country Crest Farm shop at Jones Garden Centre, JunCtion 4, m1. open 7 days a week. Free parkinG. www.CountryCrestFarmshop.ie phone: (01) 810 7493 f o

Local News

Balbriggan Heritage Trail Balbriggan Heritage Trail is on the way and will be installed in the town in the near future.

Balbriggan Heritage Trail brochure which was launched during Heritage Week this August is available free of charge from Balbriggan Tourist office on George’s Square.

The brochure gives an overview of the rich and varied local heritage and historical events and proves to be an excellent document not only for tourists and visitors to the town but also for local schools.

Balbriggan is one of the most multi-cultural towns in Ireland with 25% of the population being non-native Irish but also much of the Irish population of the town is not originally from the local area.

The authors of the Heritage Trail and brochure, David Sorensen and Petra Skyvova, are hopeful that their project will foster and boost an interest in the local heritage. Each of the 11 primary and 5 postprimary schools in the locality received a batch of the brochures for their pupils.

The brochures were gladly received by the Deputy Principal of Scoil Chormaic, Alan Weston who noted that it will be an excellent aid for the local history part of the school curriculum.

Fingal Heritage Plan 2018 -2023

Fingal County Council is preparing the Fingal Heritage Plan 2018 -2023, a strategy to protect, manage and promote our heritage. As part of the process, we want to hear from people and organisations with an interest in Fingal’s heritage.

Fingal has a rich heritage dating back thousands of years, from the passage tombs of Bremore to medieval church settlements such as Swords and Lusk and castles like Malahide and Ardgillan. Fingal also has a unique natural heritage of coastline, waterways, landscape and wildlife, and a culture of local history, music and folklore.

Whether you’re from Blanchardstown or Balbriggan, Swords or Santry, Porterstown or Portmarnock, heritage gives each local area in Fingal its identity and sense of place. Our heritage not only has a strong conservation and amenity value, but also contributes to the economy through tourism and by making Fingal an attractive place to work and locate a business.

Our heritage is there to be experienced and enjoyed as part of everyday life by everyone in the community.

Fingal has one of the largest, fastest growing, most ethnically diverse and youngest populations in Ireland. Our heritage is a valuable asset that needs to be cared for and managed and everyone has an important role to play. So why not have your say on the Fingal Heritage Plan 2018-2023?

To have your say on the Fingal Heritage Plan 2018 -2023? Visit https:// consult.fingal.ie/en/surveys and complete the survey by 16 November 2017.

The current Fingal Heritage Plan 2011-2017 is available at http:// www.fingalcoco.ie/planning-and-buildings/development-plans-andconsultations/fingal-heritage-plan/ 6

BALBRIGGAN LOCAL-NOVEMBER 2017

Contact us: communitylocals@gmail.com

Local News

Fingal Local Community Development Committee approves funding

The Fingal Local Community Development Committee.

The Fingal Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) approved Community Facilities Funding of €64,500 to 58 community groups.

The vast majority of grants approved by the Fingal LCDC were for €1,000 with a limited number receiving €2,500 including three Men’s Sheds from Swords, Balbriggan and Portmarnock; Balbriggan Youth Service and Mountview Family Resource Centre.

The Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Mary McCamley, praised the scheme and added: “I am delighted to see this level of funding being given to such a diverse selection of community groups. From Mens’ Sheds to Youth Centres, the funding will contribute to benefiting Fingal citizens of all ages and backgrounds. The voluntary community groups and the volunteers who run them do tremendous work across the county and their work is much appreciated.”

The Chief Executive of Fingal County Council, Paul Reid, said: “The list of groups being funded shows the diversity that exists within our communities and highlights the fantastic work they do to positively contribute to their communities.”

The Capital Grants scheme was launched in March by the Minister of State for Communities and the National Drugs Strategy, Catherine Byrne TD, who said at the time: “By making funding available through programmes like this, the Government is showing its belief in the value of communities, the importance of voluntary community groups and the hard work of their volunteers throughout the country.”

The Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government (now the Department of Rural and Community Development) allocated €2 million overall for this Scheme. The funding is to be used for small scale capital expenditure to help grass roots community groups to get projects underway or take the next step towards completion. The initial scheme is running from June to December 2017.

The Scheme is administered by the Local Community Development Committees (LCDC) under the remit of the Local Authorities such as Fingal County Council.

Dr. Pat O’Connor, Chair of Fingal LCDC, said: “The funding will help community groups complete small scale capital expenditure projects which will enhance communities further, address disadvantage and improve social cohesion at a local level.”

Projects which have been approved for funding are closely aligned with strategic objectives and actions from the Local Economic and Community Plan 2016-2021.

The scheme, which is set to be repeated in 2018, was heavily oversubscribed with 125 applications in total from all aspects of community development.

The Fingal LCDC consists of 19 members and includes three councillors among a broad representation of public and private interests including the business, local development, education, enterprise, agriculture, voluntary sectors.

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BALBRIGGAN Fingal Orienteers

€1000

Genesis Psychotherapy & Family Therapy GLG

€1000

MIND - Ireland

€1000

I-Smile International

€1000

Flemington Community Centre

€800

Balbriggan Men’s Shed

€2500

Foróige WEB Garda Youth Diversion Project

€1000

Remember Us Special Needs Group

€1000

Foróige Balbriggan Youth Service

€2500

Fingal Horticultural Society

€1000

Balbriggan Community Playground Group

€1000

Sophia Housing Assoc

€1000

Balbriggan Integration Forum

€1000

Balbriggan Tidy Towns Association

€1000

St Luke’s Community Choir

€1000

BALBRIGGAN LOCAL-NOVEMBER 2017

7

Local News

The Bell Tolls for Balbriggan!

Cllr. Grainne Maguire, Cllr. Malchy Quinn, Cllr. Tony Murphy

The return of the Balbriggan Library Bell was marked by a visit to the library by the Mayor of Fingal, Cllr. Mary McCamley on 12th October.

Also in attendance on the day were Chief Executive of Fingal County Council Paul Reid as well as Local Councillors Gráinne Maguire, Malachy Quinn and Tony Murphy as well as members of the Balbriggan community.

Local Historian and former Librarian Jim Walsh delivered a presentation detailing the history of Balbriggan library and its Bell. The

Brian Kavanagh (Balbriggan and District Historical Society, Mayor, May McKeon(BDHS), Jim Walsh (BDHS)

Balbriggan Bell and clock mechanism was built in 1906 by W.H. Bailey & Co, Salford. The bell was removed from its external position on the building during renovation work in 1980, and was put on display in the Library when it reopened. While the next renovation took place in 2007 the Bell was removed for safe keeping to storage in Swords. As a result of a campaign led by Balbriggan and District Historical Society and The Balbriggan Community Group the bell and clock mechanism have being renovated

and returned to its rightful home in Balbriggan Library where it will remain on permanent display.

Speaking about the return of the bell Librarian Patricia Brady said “It is appropriate that the return of the bell coincides with the 10th anniversary of the refurbishment of Balbriggan Library and I would encourage the Balbriggan community to call in and visit Balbriggan Library and see the renovated bell and clock mechanism on display.”

Patricia Brady Balbriggan Library and Mayor of Fingal Cllr. Mary McCamley

€2,950

Alice Davies, Mayor of Fingal, Cllr. Mary McCamley

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BALBRIGGAN LOCAL-NOVEMBER 2017

Contact us: communitylocals@gmail.com

Local News

Shedding a Light on Blindness

Tom, Billy, Johnny McLeer & Gatsby

Sir Peter Cosgrove Governor General of Australia and his wife, Lady Lynne Cosgrove spent some time recently with representatives from the Irish Men’s Shed in Balbriggan.

The Men’s Shed concept originated in Australia and according to Sir Peter, who is patron of the Australian Men’s Shed movement, the growth of clubs across Ireland was important to improve mental health standards in the country.

“It’s vital to identify that men, particularly in their middle years and onwards, can often find themselves searching for a sense of community and purpose,” Sir Peter said. “This provides exactly to those needs and offers a sense of fellowship, involvement and the opportunity to produce things which are beautiful and useful”.

Tom O’Neill, Guide Dog Owner and Co-Chair of the Balbriggan\North County Dublin branch of Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind, a while earlier had approached the local Men’s Shed

team with the idea of using the small model of a guide dog which appears on the top of all their charity boxes that can be seen all over North County Dublin in premises that are willing to have one.

The counter boxes do get tatty, broken etc. so the local group recycle the model dogs and the Balbriggan Men’s shed have found some beautiful donated wood and created several of the doggie plaques which tom got the opportunity to present one of them to Sir Peter and his wife Len at their visit to the Men’s shed in Balbriggan.

The local branch of guide dogs will be selling their Christmas Cards and calendars plus a range of merchandise inside of Supervalu Balbriggan from 9 am to 8 pm on Friday and Saturday November 24th and 25th. Should you want to contact the local branch of guide dogs or volunteer to help send an email to guidedogsbalbriggan@gmail.com or text or ring 0857663107

Funds sought for growers Autism Info Seminar

Senator James Reilly has called for a special fund to assist Horticultural Growers - especially those in North County Dublin.

Fingal is Ireland’s primary horticultural region, producing over 50% of the national vegetable output and 75% of all glasshouse crops grown in the country.

“Many food growers cannot access Insurance for glasshouses and poly tunnels, so I am calling on the Government to step and arrange funding via the EU Solidarity Fund mechanism for natural disasters to assist these growers in repairing damage after recent storms,” he said.

The EU Solidarity Fund (EUSF) was set up in 2002 to respond to natural disasters including storms in EU Member States. It has been used for 76 disasters across Europe since then.

Contact us: communitylocals@gmail.com

Friends of Autism/ADHD have organised an Information Seminar on the new Special Educational Needs model. The Seminar will be hosted by Ms Marianne Henry, Principal of Scoil Sinead - Pelletstown.

Topics to be covered include: the new model; Reasoning and purpose; School profiles - what are they and how they impact; Standardised Test Results - how they are to be used; Social Context impacts; Enrolments of SEN children; Role of Clinical Assessments; NCSE advice to schools; Baseline supports; How schools are now to identify pupils for Support; Role of Teacher and additional supports; Parental involvement; Student support.

The seminar is open to all Teachers, SNAs, Parents and Carers and will take place on Thursday, December 14, in the Bracken Court Hotel Balbriggan at 7pm. A booking fee of 6 euro applies.

To reserve a place phone 01 8495670 or send an email to adhdfingal@gmail.com. Payment of the booking fee can be posted to the offices at 102 Strand Street, Skerries. Co. Dublin or payment can be made by paypal - https://paypal.me/friendsautadhd

BALBRIGGAN LOCAL-NOVEMBER 2017

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Crossword & Sudoku

Across

Down

1. A slangy electrician. (6) 5. Simmer to thicken. (6) 10. Informal credit card. (7) 11. Imp believed responsible for faulty machinery. (7) 12. A series of six balls in cricket.

(4) 13. A small, juicy, fleshy fruit. (5) 15. Ballet dress. (4) 17. An informal father. (3) 19. An equal-sided rectangle. (6) 21. A troubled or rebellious state.

(6) 22. Simplest. (7) 23. Unpretentious, not flashy. (6) 25. One or the other. (6) 28. Small magical creature. (3) 30. A small unpretentious restaurant. (4) 31. The head of government of a city. (5) 32. Brought to a desired maturity, cheese perhaps. (4) 35. Natural process by which material is worn away. (7) 36. An unlicensed drinking premises. (7) 37. Met a bet in poker with raising it. (6) 38. Distance from end to end. (6)

2. An elevated level expanse of land. (7) 3. Decays, decomposes. (4) 4. Worthy of respect, venerable.

(6) 5. Hold in esteem or respect. (6) 6. A composition for two. (4) 7. Conspire together in planning a crime. (7) 8. Kitchen garments. (6) 9. Not fair. (6) 14. Speedily, quickly. (7) 16. The highest point of a wave.

(5) 18. Undo a knot. (5) 20. Consume food. (3) 21. Put into service. (3) 23. Treated with ridicule or contempt. (6) 24. Thaw the freezer. (7) 26. Loftiest, at the top. (7) 27. Mouse or rat. (6) 28. Gained through work. (6) 29. Remnant of an organism from a past geologic age. (6) 33. Sympathy aroused by the suffering of another. (4) 34. Type of light for signs. (4)

ANSWERS

Across: 1. Sparks, 5. Reduce, 10. Plastic, 11. Gremlin, 12. Over, 13.

Berry, 15. Tutu, 17. Dad, 19. Square, 21. Unrest, 22. Easiest, 23.

Modest, 25. Either, 28. Elf, 30. Cafe, 31. Mayor, 32. Aged, 35. Erosion, 36. Shebeen, 37. Stayed, 38. Length.

Down: 2. Plateau, 3. Rots, 4. Sacred, 5. Regard, 6. Duet, 7. Collude, 8.

Aprons, 9. Unjust, 14. Rapidly, 16. Crest, 18. Untie, 20. Eat, 21. Use, 23. Mocked, 24. Defrost, 26. Highest, 27. Rodent, 28. Earned, 29. Fossil, 33. Pity, 34. Neon.

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Healt

hy

Fabulous Festive Mincemeat Ingredients

• 100g raisins • 100g sultanas • 100g currants • 100g dried apricots, chopped up into small pieces • 2 apples, remove skin, core & chop up • Juice of 2 oranges • Juice of 1 lemon • 1 teaspoon cinnamon • 1 teaspoon nutmeg • 1 teaspoon ginger • 1 teaspoon cloves Contact us: communitylocals@gmail.com

Home Cook Recipes

Method It can be quite nutritious with the range of dried fruits loaded with fibre which helps to keep our bowels moving during all the meals and munching over Christmas. Some dark coloured dried fruits such as raisins, sultanas and currants provide a nice supply of iron for our energy levels over the holiday season while dried fruits such as oranges, figs and apricots provide useful amounts of calcium to help keep our bones and teeth strong during frosty weather. Dried and fresh fruit can also be high in Vitamin C to ward off colds, flu and infections so that we can enjoy the festive season in full might! See ideas below for alternative ways to use mincemeat.

1. Soak the dried fruits (not apple) in the lemon and orange juices and all of the spices overnight.

2. Add the chopped apple and gently cook the mixture in a pot on a low heat on the hob for 35 minutes, stirring occasionally.

3. Allow to cool then fill sterile empty glass jars or containers with the mixture.

4. Store in the fridge for up to 4 weeks.

Use it.....

1. with natural yogurt, pumpkin seeds and oats toasted in the oven 2. spread onto oatcakes/rice cakes on top of a layer of a nut butter 3. mix into a dough to make festive feeling scones or banana bread 4. add it when making a fruit pie/crumble 5. stuff baked pears/apples with it 6. make mincemeat muffins or cookies 7. add nuts and apple to make Strudel 8. use in the centre of a steamed pudding instead of jam 9. make mincemeat teacake AND OF COURSE the obvious.....make mince pies!

Follow ‘Biabites’ on Facebook and Twitter for more health and fun foodspiration!!

For nutrition and health talks at schools, events/festivals, workplaces, sports and community groups please email Niamh at: niamh@biabites.net “ Míle míle buíochas agus le meas, Niamh Arthurs, Sláinte Poiblí agus Bia-eolaí Cliniciúil www.biabites.net, Facebook/Twitter: Biabites BALBRIGGAN LOCAL-NOVEMBER 2017

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