Balbriggan Local Volume 3 Issue 6

BALBRIGGAN LOCAL Your Community News Volume 3 Issue 6 - April 2018

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Twirlers return to parade

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Inside This Months Issue St Mary’s return to parade

O’Dwyers sleep out for homeless

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New link road could bring 900 jobs

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Local News

Twirlers return to Balbriggan parade

The highly successful St. Mary’s Baton Twirlers took part in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Balbriggan for the first time in more than 10 years. The weather was extremely cold but over 35 members of the Club braved the elements, the youngest being just 4 years old. The girls marched and twirled their way along the route of the parade and as the crowds clapped and cheered the young athletes performed with pride.

The Athletes, Club Directors and some Parents 4

BALBRIGGAN LOCAL-APRIL 2018

looked extremely smart in their new club jackets and teeshirts which were supplied by Richardson Promotional Goods, Unit 16, Balbriggan Business Park.

Back in the comfort of the Sports Hall this week the girls are busy preparing for the ABTI National Trials which will take place in Crumlin Dublin on the 7th April when the club will enter 20 events and hope to qualify for European Twirling Club Championships in June.

April is an extremely busy month for St. Mary’s Baton Twirlers as they will also compete in the ABTI National Championships on the weekend of 28th and 29th April where they will have over 300 performances over the 2 days.

Good luck ladies.

For more details about the club text 0863270636 or PM their Facebook page StMarys Baton Twirlers.”

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Local News

Fingal Heritage Plan 2018-2023 Fingal County Council has prepared a Draft Heritage Plan for Fingal covering the period 20182023 which deals with all aspects of our natural and cultural heritage.

The Draft Heritage Plan builds on the two previous heritage plans for Fingal and the results of an initial consultation process in 2017. It proposes 41 actions under the following four themes: Communicating our Heritage to a Wide Audience; Caring for our Heritage; Increasing the Level of Community Activity for Heritage and Supporting the Local Economy.

The Council also wants want to hear your views on the Draft Heritage Plan. The public are advised that they should be aware that the Draft Plan is available to view or download at https://consult.fingal.ie/en/ browse. A copy of the Draft Heritage Plan is also available for consultation at Council offices and local libraries. Submissions or observations on the Draft Heritage Plan can be made online. Alternatively, written submissions or observations marked Draft Heritage Plan 2018 – 2023 can be sent to the Heritage Officer, Planning & Strategic Infrastructure Department, Fingal County Council, County Hall, Swords, Co. Dublin K67 X8Y2. Submissions or observations may be made by email to heritage@fingal. ie.

Observations and submissions received before 5.00pm on Tuesday 3rd April 2018 will be taken into consideration by the Council in the final preparation of the Fingal Heritage Plan 2018-2023.

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Early Map of Fingal

BALBRIGGAN LOCAL-APRIL 2018

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Local News

O’Dwyers sleep out for Focus Ireland

The O’Dwyer’s adult men’s team organised a sleep out in aid of Focus Ireland on Saturday 10th March. Each team in O’Dwyers were asked to co-ordinate a team event to celebrate the centenary of the club which takes place on the 26th March. The Adult Men’s Team came up with the idea of a sleep out and raising much needed funds for charity.

The people of Balbriggan came out in their droves to support the lads and their generosity was amazing. The lads were well looked after by a number of local businesses who fed them and made sure they were ok. Our heartfelt thanks from O’Dwyers to the lads and everyone in the town for their overwhelming support 6

BALBRIGGAN LOCAL-APRIL 2018

Members of O_Dwyers who slept out for Focus Ireland

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Local News

100,000 attend St Patrick’s Day across Fingal St Patrick’s Day was celebrated in style across Fingal with large numbers braving the cold weather to attend the parades. Fingal County Council organised parades in Swords, Blanchardstown and Balbriggan while local groups arranged parades in Skerries, Lusk and Rush.

Approximately 12,000 people attended the Balbriggan Parade, 20,000 attended the Swords Parade and 12,000 attended the Blanchardstown Parade. A further 15,000 attended the parades in Skerries, Lusk and Rush.

There were a wide variety of community and volunteer groups taking part in the parades across the county. Over 2,000 people participated in the Swords and Blanchardstown Parades while 1,200 took part in the Balbriggan Parade.

Including the six parades and events taking place in the Seamus Ennis Centre, Malahide Castle, Ardgillan Castle and the Dublin Bay Prawn Festival in Howth, more than 100,000 people attended St Patrick’s Day celebrations across Fingal..

Onlookers were entertained by the variety of floats at each parade today with 300 local community groups and 100 local businesses taking part. 150 members of St Finian’s GAA club dressed up as yellow minions from the film Despicable Me during the Swords Parade while 150 members from the North Dakota State University Marching Band took part in the Swords and Blanchardstown parades. 500 members of the Fingallians GAA club also took part in the Swords parade.

Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Mary McCamley said: “I am extremely grateful to the Events Team as well as the community and volunteer groups and who have contributed hugely to the St Patrick’s Day festivities. Fingal has one of the youngest and most diverse populations in the country so it was a great opportunity for people of all backgrounds to connect with their communities and celebrate Fingal’s rich culture and heritage.”

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Local News

Guide dogs visit schools in the North Dublin region

Guide Dogs visit St Sabinas

The Balbriggan\North County Dublin Branch of Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind on an ongoing basis are fundraising to collect up the money to train more guide dogs for blind people and more assistance dogs for families who have a child with Autism.

The branch also is a great believer in doing talks in schools all over the region and will give a talk to any group who would request one. The talks often begin with the person who has the guide dog talking a little about themselves and why they have a guide dog. Then it tends to go into talking about the National organization of which they are a fundraising and awareness branch. Then it’s open to the floor and the younger the audience is often where the good questions come from. Such as why do you wear glasses if you can’t see? Or how can you open a bag of dog food if you can’t see and do all blind people live in bungalows?

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BALBRIGGAN LOCAL-APRIL 2018

Depending on who is available there might be somebody giving the talk who has an assistance dog or a person who is puppy raising for the organization. All involved are all volunteers and give freely of their time and no money is ever looked for to do such a talk.Towards the end of the chat depending on the age of the audience there will be a discussion on how important it is to fundraise and why the national charity only gets 15% of its overall funding requirements for running the organization from Government The pictures attached come from Skerries Community School where after the talk the children ran a successful cake sale and raised some money for the local branch. Little Wonders play school invited Tom O’Neill and his guide dog in on Community Week and Tom’s grand daughters who are in that playschool took over and told everybody about his guide dog Gatsby.

Santa Sabina Dominican College Sutton is another school that the branch visits each year and Tom O’Neill Balbriggan with his guide dog Gatsby, Anna Giblin a puppy walker from Baldoyle and Andrew Green Balbriggan with his guide dog Nico visited earlier this year For 27 years now Tom O’Neill and one or other of his guide dogs have visited St Malaga’s N.S.Balbriggan and will again after Easter this year. Tom and Andrew have already this year been with the 3rd classes of St Teresa’s N.S. Balbriggan Should you, when reading this,want further information on the work of the branch or like to become involved as a volunteer or want that talk from a branch member for your group or school.

Please send an email to guidedogsbalbriggan@ gmail.com or ring 085 7663107.

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Local News

New link road could bring 900 jobs to Balbriggan and Fingal

Cllr Tom O_Leary with Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy

Cllr Tom OLeary has said he recently received a letter from Fingal County Council which may realise a 900 jobs potential in Balbriggan as the County Council invests in a new Link road at a 63 acre industrial lands site at Stephenstown Balbriggan.Cllr O’Leary says this highlights the fact that Fingal and Balbriggan are open for business.

The Fine Gael Cllr said , “Balbriggan is a great town with 7000 young bright students in schools there, scoring high in the BT young scientist competition every year. This announcement means Balbriggan and Fingal are open for Business and the IDA are working hard on plans to attract new investment and jobs into Balbriggan”

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9

Feature

Don’t procrastinate with your finances “Let’s go for a drink?”, “How about a nice meal out?”, “Shall we book a nice holiday?”, “How about an afternoon shopping?”, all questions that are (usually!) met with a positive response. “Shall we have a look through our finances and plans that we have in place?”, not usually met with the same enthusiasm or joy! For many reasons, people put off or avoid having to go through an exercise such as this, despite the fact that it can lead to them spending less and having more money left over each month! So, what excuses do they present to avoid this not-sodesirable activity and what are they really saying? Let’s have a look: “I’ll have a look at that after Christmas”. This is sometimes replaced with “after Easter”, “after the holidays”, “after the kids go back to school” and a host of others.

This is a bit like the “I’ll start the diet next Monday”. What you are actually saying is “I’ll name some time in the future, so I don’t have to face up to it or think about it now”. Let’s face it, you can make time to spend 30-60 minutes even once per year to look at something

this important. Every year will have Christmas, summer time, back to school time, etc. Once you do, you’ll be glad that you did!

“We have everything in order already”. Great. That is, if you’ve done this in the last few months but many people we’ve heard this from, on closer examination, haven’t looked at this area in years and are not really sure what they have.

At a recent group talk to about 40 parents, who were all paying for some form of life cover, when asked if anyone knew the answers to: How much the premium was, how much and what type of cover they had and which company it was with?

Not one person of the 40 knew all of those details and yet they were paying hefty premiums every month for years! Circumstances change and it’s important that whatever you have in place is the most relevant for your own personal situation.

“Our bank has sorted all that out for us”. Your bank may have sorted a few things for you but in most cases, banks are tied to one company’s products which means a fair comparison cannot be done and you

Are you paying too much???

Look what you could be paying for the same cover: Premiums for €250,000 mortgage protection life cover for 20 years at the ages listed: Couple aged 30 - €14.03 per month total.

Couple aged 40 - €26.05 per month total.

Couple aged 45 - €39.19 per month total.

For personal, family cover of €100,000 life & serious illness cover, on a dual-life, convertible term plan for 10 years: Couple aged 30 - €32.79 per month total.

Couple aged 40 - €75.44 per month total.

Couple aged 45 - €111.41 per month total.

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See www.financialcompanion.ie for contact details. It could be the best few minutes you spend this year.

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may be paying way over the odds for whatever the bank put in place for you. Dealing with an advisor who is not tied to one company and can compare other options is the only way to make sure you are getting the best value for money.

“I’m busy at the moment, I’ll give you a shout in a few months”. Let’s face it, going through your finances is rarely on anyone’s favourite activity list. But the fact remains, if there is an activity you like, you can make time for it. The end result could leave you with more money left over each month and a much clearer idea of your current and future situation. Burying your head in the sand is rarely a successful solution to most problems!

“I’ve no spare money at present”.

This usually comes from thinking that a review is going to either cost them money or they will have to take out something new that will cost them more money.

The reality is, the strict Central Bank guidelines contained in the Consumer Protection Code, mean that a recommendation can only be made where a genuine need is identified in a client’s best interest.

The reasons why must be explained in writing. In most cases, the reason

is simple: the same plan can be done cheaper. The advisor is paid by the product provider for introducing the business and so there is no cost to the client and the client ends up saving money!

Considering practically everything you do, buy, choose, wear, eat or travel to are all in some way connected to your finances, it’s important to make the time to get it right. One hour is only 4% of your day. Spending this just once per year can be hugely beneficial, not only to your finances but also for your financial wellbeing.

Dave Kavanagh is a QFA (Qualified Financial Advisor) with over 20 years experience in the financial services industry (and a Gym Instructor/Nutrition Advisor prior to that). He has done numerous advice slots on RTE 2FM, has spoken at many seminars and also on TV3’s Midweek show.

He advises in the “Ask the Expert” section of Mumstown.ie, the parenting website and has been quoted in articles in The Sunday Business Post as well as other local and national newspapers. He has also spoken on Financial Wellness at all of Alison Canavan’s The Full 360 events around the country.

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Local News

Fingal’s Comhairle na nÓg receives €20,000

Minister Zappone with Comhairle na Nog members

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Katherine Zappone has announced that Fingal’s Comhairle na nÓg will receive €20,000 for the purpose of allowing young people to express their views to their Local Authority about policies which impact their lives.

This funding is part of €620,000 being made

available to the Comhairle na nÓg groups active across 31 Local Authorities in Ireland through the Department of Children and Youth Affairs.

Welcoming the funding, Chief Executive of Fingal County Council Paul Reid said: “With the youngest population in the country, Fingal’s children and young people are hugely affected by

decisions made by local government. It is essential that we interact with groups who represent young people to allow us make informed decisions about policies and services that are matched with the interests of young people.”

Comhairle na nÓg members are active on a wide range of issues. These include promotion of the Irish language, promotion of alternate sports, sexual health and education, raising awareness of mental health issues, health and fitness for young people, homelessness, LGBTI awareness campaigns and challenging stereotypes.

Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Mary McCamley said: “I look forward to seeing Fingal’s Comhairle na nÓg working with Fingal County Council to increase the participation of young people in local government. We have a diverse and vibrant young population in Fingal who have the potential to contribute positively to local government policy making.”

Many local agencies consult with their Comhairle na nÓg to get the views of young people on the development of relevant services and policies, such as Local Economic Community Plans (LECPs) and local development strategies, heritage plans, play and recreation policies, policing plans and the location or type of sports facilities in the area. Comhairle na nÓg are also often asked for submissions on local policies or to take part in public consultations.

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11

Local News

Seachtain na Gaeilge celebrated in style

Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin, Chief Executive Paul Reid, Mayor of Fingal Cllr Mary McCamley, Cormac Begley

A great evening was enjoyed by an enthusiastic audience at the annual Seachtain na Gaeilge Oíche Cheoil agus Amhránaíochta (Evening of music and song) in the Atrium County Hall Swords recently.

Acclaimed musicians Cormac Begley and Eoghan O Ceannabháin provided the entertainment, and as well as the beautiful music the audience were given a fascinating insight into the history of the songs and tunes as well as the instruments themselves.

Eoghan ÓCeannabháin , as well as playing flute, fiddle and concertina treated the audience to some wonderful songs from the ancient Sean Nós singing tradition in Conamara. Speaking about his recent album which has been described as “nothing short of spectacular” Cormac Begley explained that he wanted to use “ the full range of concertinas from bass, baritone, treble to piccolo, and to highlight some of the instrument’s possibilities spanning across seven octaves”. This was certainly in evidence in the wonderful music on the evening and the audience was left wishing that 12 BALBRIGGAN LOCAL-APRIL 2018

the evening wouldn’t end.

Seachtain na Gaeilge Irish Language Festival took place from 1 – 17 March and during this time as well as this concert there were events in local Libraries, in the Seamus Ennis Centre and many events organised by groups across the county. The Film Song of Granite came to the Seamus Ennis Centre in the Naul on Thursday March 15th. The film, in Irish with English subtitles, tells the story of internationally famous Sean Nós singer Joe Heaney from Carna in Conamara. Among the events in Libraries were Harp Recitals from the O’Donnell sisters Marie Louise and Theresa and bilingual talks from poet and screenwriter Celia de Fréine.

Children from local schools were also treated to Irish storytelling from Seosamh O’Maolalaí.

Fíbín Theatre group presents a new bilingual version of Diarmuid agus Gráinne called Tóraíocht in Draíocht, Blanchardstown April 17th and 18th, for information on this and other events see www.draiocht.ie.

Seachtain na Gaelige musicians Eoghan Ó Ceannabháinand Cormac Begley

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Local News

Fingal’s Summer Project funding launched

Fingal County Council has launched the Summer Project Funding Programme 2018 which offers €70,000 worth of funding to community and volunteer groups that provide recreational and educational services to young people during the summer.The programme was launched by the Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Mary McCamley on Monday, March 12, 2018 and will

be administered by Fingal County Council’s Community, Culture and Sports Division. The maximum funding available to Summer Project groups is €1,500 or €2,000 if the group is designated under the Activities Funding Scheme (Designation applies to projects with a client-base from areas of socioeconomic disadvantage and groups catering for those with a physical or

intellectual disability).

Applications are open to Community and Voluntary groups.

Single interest and membership based organisations must ensure their summer project is open to the public.A wide variety of childfocused activities are catered for across communities with varying socio-economic needs. Past summer projects have provided a range of

activities for young people such as arts, crafts, dance, drama, sports and other recreational events. In 2018, groups are encouraged to run programmes that reflect community awareness activities, environmental awareness activities and promote integration and social cohesion.

In 2017, 37 groups were successfully awarded Summer Project Funding to cover costs such as bus hire, insurance, venue hire, trainers and facilitator, project material and entertainment hire.

Welcoming the programme, Chief Executive of Fingal County Council Paul Reid said: “Fingal has the youngest and most diverse population in the country and so it is essential to the future of Fingal that we provide sufficient outlets and resources that allow them to pursue their interests and connect with people in their community.” Closing date for applications is April 16, 2018. For more information or to reserve a place at the workshops, please contact Sinead Wiley at 018905105 / 0868123070 or email sinead.wiley@fingal.ie

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Local News

1,000 take part in Enterprise week

This year’s Fingal LEO Enterprise Week was the biggest ever, with over ten thousand business owner/managers and aspiring entrepreneurs attending more than 300 business events throughout the country. The Fingal Enterprise Awards took place at the end of the week which saw Castleknock based WeBringg Ltd securing the overall winner award, which comes with €5,000 prize out of the total prize fund of €15,000.

There were over 1,000 people participating in the Fingal business events during which they could network and learn from business experts.

In Fingal, a series of more than twenty events took place. These included seminars, clinics and

workshops in business as well as networking and pitching events.The runner-up prize was split between two companies: Dropchef Ltd. of Sutton; and ScoobyBox/BusterBox Ltd. of Baldoyle.

Chief Executive of Fingal County Council Paul Reid expressed his delight at the range of activities: “Well over 1,000 people have booked places at our events this week and this is indicative of the appetite among Fingal based entrepreneurs to improve their own management ability to explore their opportunity for growth, their management ability as well as their networks. It also demonstrates that our Local Enterprise Office here in Fingal has its finger on the pulse of the real needs of our small business

community.”

Congratulating the winner of the Fingal Enterprise Award this year, Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Mary McCamley said: “I am so impressed with the extraordinary entrepreneurial talent in this competition. Speaking at the end of a long but exciting week, Head of Fingal Local Enterprise Office, Oisin Geoghegan said: “Enterprise Week is now over for this year, but our work goes on throughout the year and our doors are always open to entrepreneurs who have a good idea for a business, and to our established businesses that are seeking support services”.

Balbriggan Local Magazine NEEDS YOU!

VOLUNTEERS WANTED

PHOTOGRAPHERS , LOCAL WRITERS, LOCAL REPORTERS NEEDED!!

If you’re a Local and have some free time please email us on: communitylocals@gmail.com 14 BALBRIGGAN LOCAL-APRIL 2018

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Local News

International Women’s Day celebrated in the Penninsula

International Womens Day speakers with Mayor Mc Camley

March 8th last which was International Women’s Day was celebrated with aplomb by women from across the region on the Donabate/Portrane Peninsula.

The Mayor of Fingal Cllr. Mary McCamley launched the event and praised the organisers for their efforts. The large group in attendance had a visit from Emmeline Pankhurst (Debbie

Breslin) and Hanna Sheehy Skeffington (Breda Dockrell) who gave the audience a short and humorous account of the road to the vote for women.

Ukulele United entertained everyone with an uplifting selection of songs and in the evening celebrations continued with a very well received talk by Peig McManus

on “Celebrating Your Life” followed by songs, music and stories.

The committee wish to thank everyone who attended and all involved for a most enjoyable day. We also wish to say a big thank you to Fingal County Council Community Officer Louise Edmonds and Rhatigan OHL who part sponsored the day.

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15

Fashion

Safety the key to enjoying equestrian sports

By Fashion Editor - Carina Cunningham

Hi readers this month’s article is all about the Equestrian World in North County Dublin.

We really are very lucky to have so many horse riding facilities to choose from right on our doorstep, For instance in Swords we have Monksfield Equestrian Centre, Killronan Equestrian Centre, Thornton Park Equestrian Centre, Drynam Riding Stables, Balcultry Stables, Forrest Equestrian Centre and Dympna’s Equestrian centre. In Malahide we have Kinsealy Riding centre. In Donabate we have Kilcrea Equestrian centre and Corballis farm. That’s ten fantastic riding schools to choose from. It doesn’t get much better than that. If your looking for riding lessons they all provide a fantastic service and what an exciting sport to get your children involved in!.

This month I am promoting BÊTA Safety Week in the equestrian world from 28th of April to the 6th of May. The importance of safe riding attire and equipment being fitted and fastened correctly and up,to standard is essential. Owner Declan Gaffney of Horse Mad Store has provided these fabulous outfits for this months fashion article. He and his dedicated staff will be providing fittings in his shop in Swords for both children and adults who need to wear back protectors and hats for comfort and safety.

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All beginners really should be wearing both plus good quality riding boots. Most yards will have a few spare hats for you to use for your first time experience and then if your hooked you should get the proper fittings and your own personal gear. Safety first is the motto of anyone working with ponies or horses and it should be yours too.

Our lovely mum this month is Olivia SampsonGiles pictured here with her two beautiful daughters Amelie Giles age 10 and Freya Giles age 5. Joining them in his debut Shoot is Tayto my 6 yr old miniature horse who lives with us. That is to say, sometimes in the kitchen but most of the time in his deluxe stable in my back garden. We have made a video of TAYTO and his lovely ladies in our shoot. It’s very funny so if you have the time look up my page it’s open to the public Carina Cunningham owner Cherie Styling Studio where we did the shoot. Hope you enjoyed the article as much as we did bringing it to you. Oh and keep a look out, we could be in your area next time.

Credits Horse Mad Store unit A1 Metro Business Park Kettles Lane Swords ph 01-8084609.

Photography Taz Smith. Make up by Momy Kay ph 0831738930, Hair by Virginia-stylist 085773629..

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Fashion

Style Warriors -Ardgillan Castle fundraiser shoot in May

By Fashion Editor - Carina Cunningham After meeting with Ardgillan Castle Manager Tom Reilly last month we are very excited to announce that we are running a photography fundraiser Photoshoot. This is to help with stage and production costs for our coming show in October. Style Warriors Fashion and Entertainment Show will be held in Wrights Venue on sat 6 th Oct 2018. This year it’s in aid of NECRET North East Cancer Research & Education Trust. This very cutting edge Charity is headed by the very we’ll respected professor Bryan Hennessy. He and his dedicated teams are working in Beaumont Hospital and Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda. I feel so passionate about this charity as they are really making changes and trying new drugs and treatments. So to help make some hard cash to Contact us: communitylocals@gmail.com

help them I’m running a fundraiser photo shoot in Ardgillan Castle. I’ve received fantastic feed back and bookings so far for this date in May. The theme is a Masquerade Ball and the outfits will be a mix of designers and shops. AB formal Wear from Swords will be styling some of the male models with their morning suits and Sensational Clothing will be portraying some gothic style menswear. The ladies will be wearing some period style gowns by Kat Condon, Oxana Hefferon will also have a few dresses and my designs will be there also. We have some amazing hairstylists creating period up styles Veronika Hair ,Byrne Kiaran, Kirill Oleogovich plus a few others are styling Victorian wigs for this fabulous shoot. We will also have around ten make up artists including

Gillian Stapleton, Mua with Momy Kay and her team. I’m honoured to have TV and Burlesque Sugar Club star Grim Squeaker modelling as a creepy Ghost. He’s currently looking for votes on the Ireland’s got Talent semi finals. We will also have Stacie Ellen Murphy model/ fire dancer for special effects and atmosphere on the day.. Super Togs assisting on the day are David Stanway and Ben Sollis. There are still a few places for photographers if anyone is interested. Please contact me on Facebook or email carinacunningham@ gmail.com I have 25 female models and 17 male models, so it’s going to be hectic and a lot of fun. That’s it for now folks, tune in next month for more exciting info.

Bye for now,

BALBRIGGAN LOCAL-APRIL 2018

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Local News

Fingal Stakeholders - Healthy Ireland Initiative

Chief Executive of Fingal County Council, Paul Reid and Chair of FCYPSC, Eilidh Mac Nab at the Stakeholders meeting

Fingal’s Local Community Development Committee and Fingal Children and Young People’s Services Committees (FCYPSCs) held a Healthy Ireland Stakeholder Day in the Crowne Plaza in Blanchardstown to assist with the formation of a strategic plan for the Fingal area.

In 2017, Fingal Children and Young Peoples Services Committee and Fingal County Council were jointly granted €138,400 of funding by the Department of Health and Department of Children and Youth Affairs as part of its Healthy Ireland Fund to be distributed across nine projects designed to improve the health and well-being of Fingal residents. One of the actions is the development of a Healthy Ireland Strategic Plan for the Fingal area.

The day was opened by Paul Reid CEO Fingal County Council and Eilidh Mac Nab Tusla area manager for Dublin North and Chair of FCYPSC.Ms Mac Nab said: “It was a pleasure to welcome colleagues from the Voluntary, Community and Statutory Sectors coming together and working together to improve health across Fingal County.”

The stakeholder day had over 60 people in attendance from various service providers and agencies who participated in thematic workshops relating to mental health and well-being; healthy weight for Ireland, physical activity, drugs and alcohol, tobacco and sexual health.

Welcoming the funding and the initiative, Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Mary McCamley said: “I am delighted to see the implementation of such a comprehensive health and well-being initiative and look forward to the positive impacts it can potentially bring about for Fingal residents. It is essential that we invest in the future of our residents and this requires the development of a health plan that educates and assists them in leading healthier and longer lives.”

A century of challenge and change for Women’s Rights

Mayor Speakers and Staff

The Blanchardstown Europe Direct Information Centre and Fingal Libraries hosted ‘A Century of Challenge and Change’, a conference to celebrate the centenary of women achieving the right to vote on Tuesday March 13 in Castleknock Hotel.The conference

18 BALBRIGGAN LOCAL-APRIL 2018

also formed part of Fingal County Council’s Creative Ireland Programme and was designed to highlight the evolving role of women in Irish politics and society. Speakers included Dr Theresa Reidy, Political Scientist in the Department of Government at University

College Cork; Senator Ivana Bacik, Barrister and Reid Professor of Criminal Law and Criminology at Trinity College Dublin; Professor Diarmaid Ferriter, Professor of Modern Irish History at UCD; Louise Bunyan, Digital Marketing Specialist with Smartfox and Ciairín de Buis, CEO of Women for Election.

While introducing the conference, Mayor of Fingal Cllr Mary McCamley said: “The tireless efforts of women’s rights activists in the last 100 years have had a huge influence in the growing contribution women are making to Irish politics and policy making.”

The challenges faced by women’s rights activists and the changes they achieved in the last 100 years were the major themes of this conference. A wide range of topics were covered including gender equality in political representation to the way forward for women’s rights. The increasing influence of social media on the political process was also discussed.

The 230 people present enjoyed the conference with a spirited debate taking place during the question and answer sessions.

Contact us: communitylocals@gmail.com

Local News

National champs and Pee-Wee Twirler of the Year To tremendous applause Phoenix Baton Twirler’s very own Aleica Flanagan aged 4 took a step forward to accept her award for Pee Wee Twirler of Phoenix Twirler Aleica Flanagan the competition for achieving the highest scores within her category at the recently held National competitions.

The Baton Twirling Association of Ireland National competitions 2018 took place over Saturday February 11th and Sunday February 12th in the National basketball arena in Tallaght.

This year Phoenix Baton Twirlers took to the floor with each athlete taking on new challenges and many progressing to more advanced levels within the sport. Some newer athletes taken on the world of competition for the first time and for all, new events within the competition were entered .To say that they did themselves and the coaching team and there club proud is an understatement.

This year Ireland host the European competition which will see competitors from all over European descend on Ireland to compete for the coveted title of European Champions This year Phoenix Baton twirler have two athletes that are going forward for Trials on April 1st hoping for the opportunity to represent Ireland this coming July in the European competition to be held in Dublin. All the athletes preparation for the Wicklow competitions will be held in Early April. We are also currently welcoming new members.

Our training venues are : O’Raghallaigh’s GAA Club Dublin Rd Drogheda on Mondays from 5pm - 7pm and Thursdays 6pm- 8 pm Gormanston college Aras sports complex -Tuesdays 5.30pm - 7pm Flemington Community Center Balbriggan -Monday 7pm - 8pm

Contact us: communitylocals@gmail.com

Fingal Libraries Bi-lingual Poetry Competition To celebrate the theme, Fingal Libraries have put together a selection of poems by Irish poets (in English and Irish) and invite you to respond to one of them with your own creative work in any digital medium: image, video clip, GIF, song, sound sequence new poem or prose piece (Word, PDF). We invite you to look not just at the themes of the poems, but also at their shapes, types of movement, images, sounds, phrases, single words, parts of speech, etc.

Feel free to respond to any aspect of the poem that appeals to you.

Your contributions will go live on our Tumblr page on 26th April.

They will be displayed on a screen in the Atrium, Fingal County Hall, Swords, for the duration of the day. Contributors and members of the public are invited to attend a reception in the Atrium, Fingal County Hall, Swords, at 7 p.m. on Poetry Day, for the presentation of prizes to winners in the three age categories and a performance on the theme of poetry appreciation by poet, Máighréad Medbh, who conceived this project.Full details and how to enter are at this web page: The theme for this year’s Poetry Day Ireland is Poetry Surprises! Contact us at http://www.fingalcoco.ie/community-and-leisure/libraries/what’s-on/ poetryday/

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Easter Recipes

il pr A of se ca e th in d an ics cn pi , gs outin y da , ys da li ho r te as E g in br ay m e tim g “Sprin n! ai ag t ou ck ba p ho to g tin ai w le hi w s or do fun in ng hi et m so do to ed ne e th s ap rh pe s, er show rnoon. te af y il m fa a r fo od fo y th al he d an n fu me Here are a few ideas that will provide so

Bunny Bread

Fun-Flower

1. Get an adul t to cut out a la rge circle usin sharp knife on ga 2 slices of brea d, basically cu ting off the co trners. Use a ro und cereal bow cut around on l to the bread if ne eded.

Slice 1 of thes e circles in half to make 2 sem circles and slic ie off the tips of these to make the bunny’s ea rs. The other ci rcle of bread w make the bunn ill y’s face.

2. Spread crea m cheese or co ttage cheese on the face and ea rs and assembl e on the plate with the ears to uching the face at the cut ends as shown in th e picture.

3. Place 2 smal l slices of cucu mber on the fa for the eyes an ce d tiny pieces of beetroot onto the center of th e cucumber fo r the pupils in the eyes. Cut a cherry tomato in half for the nose and use ei ther strips of be etroot, carrot or grated cheese as the whisker s coming out of the nose.

4. Slice strips of ham or smok ed salmon into an arch shape and place on to p of the semicircle slices of bread to compl ete the bunny’s ears.

top and midce blueberries between the 1. For the flower petals, pla dle of a plate. s in bethe blueberries and almond 2. Put slices of banana around tween the banana slices. rower end at stick of celery with the nar 3. For the stem place a small als. the bottom of the flower pet segments , place 2 mandarin orange 4. For the leaves on the stem petals and er flow the s ard upwards tow in half moon shapes facing k. ry stic about half way along the cele

Cute Chicks

te. /seeded crackers onto a pla 1. Place 2 round multigrain r cheese dda che of es slic o ont kie cutter 2. Place a round scone/coo ckers. cra the cheese to place on top of and cut out circle shapes of plate. the on rs cke es underneath the cra 3. Place some spinach leav at ce pla and les circ all sm rot; cut 2 4. Using a raw or cooked car e shape of ngl tria all sm a cut t, fee for the the bottom of the cracker e, strips of n on the cracker for the nos dow ide ups ce pla and rot car s. eye the for t troo pieces of bee carrot for the hair and 2 tiny

For more fun foodspiratio n and events ‘Biabites’ on please follow Facebook an d Twitter.

For nutrition talks/worksh ops in presch primar y and ools, post-primar y schools, wo sports clubs rkplaces, and commun ity group ple niamh@biab a se contact: ites.net Have an ‘egg -travagant’ E aster!!!

Niamh Arth urs Public Healt h and Clinic al Nutrition ist

Local Sports

Roganstown Golf & Country Club – Busy year ahead!

Roganstown Golf Club is set to have a very busy year ahead with The PGA Pro Am on the 14th of May with a list of celebrities from the world of Football and TV as guests on the day and of course the top PGA professionals.Here is the timetable: AM SHOTGUN START 08.30AM - €390.00 Breakfast before golf.Goody bags sponsored by Brightwater recruitment.

Buffet lunch after golf.

PM SHOTGUN START 14.00PM €420.00.

Buffet Lunch before golf,Goody bags sponsored by Brightwater Recruitment,4 course meal after golf then Presentation of Prizes.

CHARITY EVENTS THIS YEAR INCLUDE: May 25th Beaumont Hospital Renal Department { sold out}.Ronnie Whelan Charity day June 8th Details can be got from ciaranf@ roganstown.com There is a new event in July with American Golf which is new to Ireland and is going to be a big hit and also hosting The Irish Girls Stroke play {under 18] which attracts the best of Europe’s future golf stars . April 13th – April 15th. The club are doing the 2 course special for societies, which has proven very popular and a great success.

Swords Golf Club are doing great membership deals for 2018, and if you are interested contact Ciaran or Orla on 01 8433118 or The Junior club is flying and we have 3 coaches looking after all lessons which is sponsored by the junior club committee. Or email ciaranf@gmail. comk or mcguinnessorla1@gmail.com If any of our readers want to come up and have a look they can contact the club anytime on 087 6886092.

Contact us: communitylocals@gmail.com

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Crossword & Sudoku

WIN €50 !!! WIN €50 !!! WIN €50 !!! WIN €50 !!!

To celebrate Easter 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 April 15.

The first correct entry to be drawn will win €50..Good luck Across

Down

2. Hangs around aimlessly. (7) 3. Metal fastener. (4) outpatients. (6) 4. Hot drink made from roasted 5. The capital of Lebanon. (6) beans. (6) 10. Court official. (7) 5. Famous Hungarian composer. (6) 11. Tool for tennis. (7) 6. Imperial measurement. (4) 12. Irish dance. (4) 7. Rare and strange. (7) 13. The man for a fable. (5) 8. The King of the Fairies. (6) 15. Castro’s island. (4) 9. A narrow channel linking two 17. Large deer. (3) larder bodies of water. (6) 19. Settle snugly and comfortably. (6) 14. Gracefully thin. (7) 21. The paper used to vote. (6) 16. Where Davy Crockett and Jim 22. Withdraw assistance when it is Bowie died. (5) 18. Devoid of freshness or originality. needed. (7) 23. Self-confident assurance, poise. (5) 20. The movement of the tide out to (6) sea. (3) 25. Cowboy of the pampas. (6) 21. Turf provider. (3) 28. Church bench. (3) 23. Ireland’s largest island. (6) 30. Break into someone’s computer.

24. The sugar in milk. (7) (4) 26. It’s used as a moth repellent. (7) 31. Lowest rank in British nobility.

27. A strong protest or objection. (6) (5) 28. Walk with bare feet in shallow 32. Leave out. (4) water. (6) 35. Mr. Bloom’s first name. (7) 29. Sway unsteadily. (6) 36. To talk nonsense. (7) 33. Percussion instrument and medal.

37. Small and sturdy hunting dog.

(4) 34. A young sheep. (4) (6) 1. Hospital department for

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SUDOKU ANSWERS

38. The remains of a fire. (6)

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Malachy Griffen Master Butcher Country Crest Farm Shop

From our Farm to Your Table The team on our farm and at our farm shop work hard to bring you the best of ingredients.

We’re particularly proud of our beef, all from cattle reared on our farm. It’s well loved for its fabulous flavour due to the home grown diet and expert animal welfare.

The next best thing to eating food, is talking about it, so do drop in and have a chat on the best cuts of beef for everyday family meals, a Sunday roast, or a special occasion.

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