Balbriggan Local V9I6-APR 2024

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

Recent TV and Radio programmes have increasingly focussed on what the future may bring for our children and grandchildren. There is an increasing emphasis on Artificial Intelligence and how it can improve lives, but can it or will it ever manage to replace our community spirit? We think not, because any artificial intelligent being or machine has originally to be programmed by a human. and as we all put different, the emphases on what matters most in life will differ greatly. Now before you say we are dinosaurs who want to live in the past, just think for a moment of the effect on your community. Think of all those people in the community and voluntary sector in your area who use technology to help their group, then think of all the local charitable groups. Think of all the sporting organisations and the local retailers who support the community. Can those good people who give up their time and money to help blend us into a grouping that cares for each other in our different spheres ever be replaced? Can the love and caring attitude of those people in our areas ever be replaced by a very highly intelligent, unemotional, rational thinking machine that doesn’t understand feelings of sympathy, pity, love and empathy for a fellow man/ woman and the need to improve the lot of those less fortunate than ourselves. We think that can never be replaced. This month we are looking forward to a bright spring and an even brighter summer. We in “Local” magazines are also looking to the future with the arrival this month of our new “RUSH LOCAL” magazine which joins our other titles - Balbriggan, Donabate/Portrane, Lusk, Malahide and Swords Local, which are specifically designed to promote the activities of groups. societies, clubs, and charities across all these areas. We believe that community spirit is vital for the enhancement and growth of any area, and we will always support the people who work for these groups. We are proud to be part of this wonderful caring Fingal community and with the addition of RUSH LOCAL we will continue to promote our community spirit!

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€3.5 million Skerries Harbour Upgrade Plan Lodged

Cllr Tom OLeary said recently, “ I welcome the confirmation that Fingal Council has lodged a planning application to An Bord Pleanála to remediate and upgrade the pier at Skerries Harbour. Fishers and sailors use both Balbriggan and Skerries harbours.” (Fishers is the new term for Fishermen and Fisherwomen) It is hoped that a positive decision will emerge in 6 Months. Then, Foreshore licences/leases are also required from the Dept of Agriculture Food & Marine

and these typically can take up to 2 years from the date of application. Construction work should commence in 2026 after a tender process is completed. Local Skerries Cllr Tom O’Leary said, ” It’s very important for the Fishers at Skerries Harbour that facilities are improved for them to enable them to operate efficiently in a very tough business. So, Fishers require a crane to haul the fish boxes from the boats, to be installed at the

harbour, dedicated parking for Fishers, water and electricity services and new storage containers or sheds. We also need to cater for the very popular busy pleasure sailing groups and in particular look at installing a suitable pontoon for safe access to and from boats of all sizes,” said Cllr Tom O’Leary. The Plans are availabe to view at Skerries Library from 5th March to 16th April 2024 .Online at www.fingal.ie/news

More ways than one to follow Balbriggan/North Dublin Guide Dogs

The Balbriggan/North County Dublin Perpetual Trophy was given out this year to a very special recipient! To give a little bit of background if you are not aware, the award began due to one couple Ned and Máire Maguire from Dolahesy just outside of Balbriggan. The couple were great for our branch on the Facebook of the 80’s/90’s as they informed people as to what a guide dog is and what a guide dog does, they took part in sponsored walks and went door to door fundraising for our branch, to name a few of their amazing contributions. When Ned passed away, our branch sourced a trophy to represent a litter of puppies with their mother and each year, the trophy is given to a person or business that has done something that stands out to our Branch during the year. The latest recipient of the Perpetual Trophy was Patrick Baxter (Hucky) of Baxter’s Butchers, Clonard Street, Balbriggan who has volunteered at church gate collections, pub rambles and sells an amazing amount of our Christmas Cards and Calendars every year in his butcher shop on Clonard Street. A huge congratulations to Patrick and thank you for all that you do. Everyone

will know that the Balbriggan/ North County Dublin branch of Guide Dogs has a Facebook page. However, you may be unaware and interested to know that we also have an Instagram and Twitter (recently rebranded as X) page. Instagram is a free photo and video sharing app where the branch regularly posts photos and videos of events and upcoming fundraisers. If you would like to follow us or have a look at our Instagram page, you can find us with the handle @balbrigganbranchguide. Twitter/X is a free social networking site where users can broadcast short posts known as tweets and repost to share other people’s tweets. These tweets contain text, photos, videos, or links which we also frequently update with the latest Branch information. If you would like to follow our page on Twitter/X you can find us with the handle @BranchGuide. If you are interested in volunteering with us, please feel free to contact us: Balbriggan/North County Dublin Branch of Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind, by phone/text: 085 7663107, email: guidedogsbalbriggan@gmail. com or you can find us on Facebook: Balbriggan Branch of Guide Dogs.

Patrick Baxter accepting the trophy from Tom O’Neill and his Guide Dog ‘Qeb’ outside Baxter’s Butchers.

When radio pirates roamed Fingal

by Jon Kavanagh

Ah, the 1980’s: Barry McGuigan thanking Mr Eastwood, Denis Taylor looking at the world through upside down glasses, a Geordie in a flat cap sparking soccer fever, Music Television USA and the proliferation of pirate radio stations across the land. Seeing an opportunity, Loughshinny man the late Brian Matthews, sets up CRF Community Radio Fingal (189 medium wave) in the Rockabill Hotel in Skerries. Brian, a natural broadcaster, assembles a motley crew to run the station. Soon, they build up a large, loyal listenership. In the innocent days before social media people love to hear a request played for them. Much to the embarrassment of my mortified mother (“Don’t be making a show of yourself!”, she urges), I begin penning onion letters to the station. In one such epistle I paraphrase Lincon to describe CRF as ‘A station of the people, for the people, by the people’. Impressed, Brian invites me to get involved and allocates me a Sunday afternoon slot to spin a few disks. In a Walter Mitty state of mind, I don my helmet, kick start my trusty Honda 50, load the white carrier box (a must accessory) with vinyl records and set forth to become the next Terry Wogan. Following a fire in the hotel, the station is now situated in Brian’s back garden. “The studio” is housed in a small shed that looks suspiciously

like a decommissioned outside convenience. The equipment is basic: a couple of turntables, a standard cassette player and a mike resembling a tennis ball that has been chewed by a bulldog. Like all pirates, CRF keep on the move in a bid to outrun Post and Telegraph officials who are launching raiding parties to seize transmitters.

Broadcast locations include the basement of the old Quinnsworth in Balbriggan and the newly opened Castle Shopping Centre in Swords. New

equipment including a small caravan for outside broadcasts is acquired as sister station Pulsar 98FM comes on air. On New Year’s Eve 1988 the era that demystified broadcasting comes to an end as all pirate stations switch off. You won’t be surprised to hear I didn’t become the next Terry Wogan. But thanks to Brian and the golden age of pirate radio I go on to work in licensed community radio.

Fianna Fáil candidate running to “amplify the lived experience of disabled people”

Acquiring a life-changing brain injury at 28 was not on Sinéad Lucey Brennan’s radar until one day in 2016 “the rug was pulled from under her feet”. Sinéad was unaware she had an AVM (Arteriovenous Malformation) until she experienced a haemorrhagic stroke. After surgery, she spent 3 weeks in ICU and on discharge realised that services were minimal for neurorehabilitation. She credits her partner, family, friends, healthcare professionals and Headway Ireland for supporting her physical and emotional recovery. Managing people’s expectations during her acute phase of recovery was tough. “I was told I would have no shortterm memory for 12 months which was correct and a pen and pad to write things down were essential. It did return but that acute period was tough”. She felt she couldn’t tell people at work about her disability initially. “I was anxious about the impact on my working potential. I tried hard to figure out how to share my story and I didn’t know

how to articulate what I’d been through. I masked for too long and this led to burnout. “The office environment had sensory challenges and I educated my HR team to help with the office set up and was accommodated with remote work too.” She worked with Headway Ireland to help routine, planning, organising, and rebuilding her life. Nearly 8 years on, she is a mother to a baby daughter which she “couldn’t have imagined” during her experience. She is running in the local elections for Fianna Fáil in Balbriggan to amplify the lived experience of disabled people. “It’s both the small and the significant issues. It’s access to amenities, public buildings and areas, footpaths and lighting that don’t work for disabled people and with some consultation, they would. It’s the lack of school places and general services for disabled children and adults that spurred me to run. Through her work as a disability advocate, she backed the Neurological Alliance of Ireland’s Brain Awareness Week campaign this month.”

Sinéad Lucey Brennan

Ryan selected to run in Balbriggan LEA in Local Elections in June

Councillor Brendan Ryan has been selected to contest the Local elections in June for the Labour Party in the Balbriggan Local Electoral Area. Members of the Balbriggan and Skerries branches, as well as family members and other supporters, gathered in Balbriggan, on the 22 nd February, to finalize the selection process. The meeting was chaired by the National Organiser, Aideen Blackwood, and Duncan Smith TD and Councillor Rob O’Donoghue were also in attendance. In his speech on the night Ryan stated that once he accepted the nomination for co-option to replace Cllr. Seana O’Rodaigh in May last year, it was always his intention to contest the Local Elections in 2024. He also stated that he has no regrets about his decision to get back into a more formal role

on the political scene again.

“I have really enjoyed being a Councillor since June of last year” he said. “Many people are surprised when I tell them that I had never previously been a Councillor, and that I had taken a different route into politics, starting in the Seanad and then being elected to the Dail on two occasions” he added.

“My clinics in Balbriggan and Skerries, which I love doing so much, are up and running and going well every Saturday morning. The people in Balbriggan seem to like the idea of having somewhere to drop in without having to make an appointment, and I will continue to provide that service” he said. Ryan thanked the members and friends for turning out in such numbers and looked forward to the work ahead.

Professor McCraith steps down from Our Balbriggan Leadership Group

Warm and heartfelt tributes have been paid to the work of Professor Brian MacCraith following his stepping down as Chairperson of the Our Balbriggan Leadership Group. Professor MacCraith has overseen the work of the Our Balbriggan Rejuvenation Programme since its inception in 2018. As Chairperson of the Balbriggan Leadership Group, Professor MacCraith oversaw the inception and development of the Our Balbriggan Rejuvenation Programme. Having worked tirelessly on the project for more than five years, Professor MacCraith announced his departure from the role to coincide with the current mid-project review stage. His replacement will be announced shortly, along with details around renewal of the project. The ambitious vision contained in the programme was the result of an historic community engagement which saw more than 25% of residents outline their preferences for the future of the town. The project is transforming Ireland’s youngest town and Professor MacCraith steered substantial progress across a range of objectives. “The €50million Our Balbriggan Rejuvenation Programme has made and will continue to make huge progress on key infrastructure and social projects central to this massive initiative,” said Professor MacCraith. The Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Adrian Henchy, thanked Professor McCraith for the leadership he has brought to the Balbriggan project. “He was the

right man in the right place at the right time and has brought all his experience to bear in leading the Balbriggan Rejuvenation Project to the mid-project review point.” The Chief Executive of Fingal County Council, AnnMarie Farrelly, paid tribute, saying it had been a pleasure to work alongside Professor MacCraith. “Brian’s work has had, and will continue to have, a very positive impact on Balbriggan. I warmly thank him for his endeavours,” she said. “There has been huge

progress to date, and I look forward to further outcomes which will have an incredibly positive impact. “The Our Balbriggan Rejuvenation Programme will benefit the people of the town, ensuring a great place to live, work visit and do business. ”The Our Balbriggan renewal, which is currently being finalised, will include the restructuring the various local pillar groups which input to and support the overall project

Pictured at the selection convention is Duncan Smith TD, Cllr Brendan Ryan, Aideen Blackwood and Cllr Rob O’Donoghue

Marking the service of Professor Brian MacCraith (c) as Chairperson of the Our Balbriggan Leadership Group, were AnnMarie Farrelly, Chief Executive, Fingal County Council and John Quinlivan, Director Economic, Enterprise, Tourism and Cultural Development. (Pic: Shane O’Neill.)

Deep End (1970) An Exploration into the Sexual Awakening

By Jack Shanley

Deep End is about British culture in London when the optimism of the “Swinging Sixties” started to fade. It’s a fantastic film that delves into the perspective of a young boy named Mike (John MoulderBrown) and his obsession with not just women but essentially one woman in a coworker named Susan (Jane Asher). There is this infatuation that grows to pure obsession that I can’t help but get lost in. For me most of the truly great and rather interesting films all delve into the topic of obsession. It’s this mentality that someone is so focused on something or someone for instance that it becomes compulsive as they lose control of their emotions and never is it more evident than in Skolimowski’s Deep End. Most movies from the 70s showed the 60s as a bubble of shining positive thinking and star-studded youth developments. Skolimowski reveals the dark side of young peoples lives, how their lives are not important, and a sexual desire. Mike throughout the movie thinks about investigating

the broken life and relationship of Susan, but it leads to his pure frustration getting him nowhere. When watching the film, you spend a lot of time taking in all the gorgeousness Skolimowski has on offer. His use of texture is fantastic. There is an amazing scene, towards the end of the movie, where Mike and Susan are lying on a bed of towels and sheets that are placed in such a way to foreshadow an underwater swirling effect seen later in the film The director’s diligence is amazing. The costumes in this film are also excellent. Deep End is a remarkably interesting movie. It is surprising that Skolimowski’s movie was not a big success at the time, although the studio didn’t promote it well enough. It’s a film that holds up to this day as an underrated classic. In all truth I’d recommend checking out Deep End and see what you think of it, I shall give it a score of Five Stars. You can buy Deep End for €10 on eBay. Director Jerzy Skolimowski – Rating: R –Genre: Romance/Comedy – Run Time: 1h 30m Language: English. For more film content please follow @movies4fanatics on Instagram.

It’s Communion season and we’ve got some top tips to help your budget!

For Communion children there is no need to spend a fortune on a dress or suit. They will only wear this for a few hours so don’t feel pressure to spend hundreds of euros. We had a ramble around Ilac SC and found that TK Maxx have very affordable dresses, Dunnes Stores, has a wonderful Communion collection for boys and girls and Dealz are great for decorations, plates, paper cups, balloons etc. Charity shops are a treasure trove for dresses and suits; with amazing outfits from as little as €15! For Mammies who want to dress without spending a fortune, Mykindofdress. com has a huge range of dresses at their flagship store Unit 1, Fashion City Ballymount. Open

11-4, Mon-Sat and no appointment needed. I picked up a beautiful dress on their website for my daughters Confirmation and used discount code MAMS30 for 30% off. The dresses are reasonably priced already but the discount code, makes them even more affordable! For Dads and siblings, Penney’s is great. From cute dresses for girls to snazzy chinos, shirts and waistcoats for boys and Dads. As always, plenty to choose from and budget friendly. On the day itself, if hosting family and friends at home, don’t be afraid to ask family members to bring a dish or dessert along. We always do this in our family. My sister-in-law brings her yummy homemade profiteroles, and

my aunt brings her famous lasagna. It eases the burden on parents a little. If you would rather go out; look for well-priced Communion packages. Bracken Court Hotel Balbriggan have a few different Communion menu options to choose from, depending on your budget and you can rest assured the food, service and atmosphere will be great. We have had many family events there throughout the years and always find them accommodating. Most of all, enjoy the day and try not to stress. The most important thing is that the child enjoys their special day! For more helpful tips, go to mams.ie

New plan to ensure Fingal is progressive and Climate resilient

Fingal County Council has recently unveiled a new Local Economic and Community Plan (LECP ), presenting an energetic and forwardlooking framework for one of Ireland’s most rapidly expanding areas. This plan is the result of collaborative efforts involving local communities, individuals, businesses, organisations, and other significant contributors throughout the county, all aiming to steer Fingal towards a flourishing future. Building on the positive developments of the initial LECP launched in 2016, this latest iteration looks to maintain momentum but also introduces significant enhancements. It also serves as an important checkpoint to review targets from that initial plan and the measures that were in place to reach them. Mayor of Fingal,

Cllr Adrian Henchy said: “This LECP provides a strong, evidence-based strategic framework for Fingal. It is essential that as we begin to take this forward, that we work together to help deliver future certainty for all the communities who make up one of Ireland’s fastest growing regions. In doing so, we can ensure that Fingal will be a vibrant, sustainable, progressive and climate resilient county, underpinned by inclusive, healthy, empowered communities and a dynamic economy. Reflecting priorities to help build the economy and community elements within Fingal, the LECP is built around six core themes: Sustainability & Climate Action; Prosperous Economy; Skills for Life & Work; Healthy Inclusive Connected Communities; Rich Arts

Table Quiz in aid of Balbriggan Meals on Wheels

Balbriggan Meals on Wheels will be holding a Table Quiz on Thursday 9th May upstairs in the Milestone Inn. Get your teams together and save the date! More details will be posted on our Facebook page nearer the date or contact us by calling 01 8416743 or emailing

mealsonwheelsbalbriggan@gmail.com

Balbriggan Meals on Wheels has been providing meals to the most vulnerable members of our community since 1975 and was awarded the Community Heros of the Year at the 2023 Balbriggan Town Awards.

Culture & Heritage; Safe Accessible Vibrant Places. Helping to launch the plan, Minister for Community Development, Joe O’Brien TD said: “Fingal is in a strong position to ensure positive development economically, culturally and environmentally. Along with providing a supportive business environment that encourages innovation, the Council has a vision for the future growth and prosperity of the county that will engage rural communities, help with the transition to more sustainable business practices and ultimately create a better natural environment in which people can live and work.” A copy of the LECP is available on the website now at fingal.ie/council/service/local-ecnomic-andcommunity-plan-lecp

How Long Is Your Income Paid

By Dave Kavanagh

A question I usually include when helping clients with their finances, is, how long (if at all) their employer will pay them if they are out of work long term due to illness or injury. In some cases, it is standard and can be something like 3 months at full pay, then 3 months at half pay and then a pensionable rate of pay. For many, they are not sure and when they look through their employment contract, it states “at employer’s discretion”. Many people realised how vulnerable they were when the pandemic arrived, dropping some incomes from €600 or €800 per week down to €350 of PUP. Many don’t give much consideration to how they would cope if they suffered a loss of income for an extended period because they think “it’ll never happen to me”. Sadly, many find out the hard way following an injury or illness that keeps them out of work for months or even years. This is where having Income Protection in place, can be the difference between maintaining a level of income that keeps your lifestyle virtually unchanged, or dropping to a level that could force you to use up any savings and also get into financial difficulty.

So how does it work? Depending on your circumstances, you choose an appropriate level of cover. This is based on not exceeding 75% of your salary, less any state income entitlement. You also

choose a “deferred period” which refers to how long you are off work before payments commence. The premiums are based on factors like your age and occupation, as some occupations would leave you more at risk of not being able to work. There is also tax relief on premiums paid for income protection, which could mean up to 40% of your premium is refunded by way of adjusting your tax credits. If dropping from your current income to the current state benefit is something that would impact badly on you, perhaps it is time to consider.

Dave Kavanagh QFA has been advising people financially for over 25 years. For quotes or information (with no cost or obligation) he can of course also be contacted by you by emailing info@financialcompanion.ie or you can also 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.

Fingal Hubs Connected has the ‘craic’ with How to Gael Podcasters

To highlight the three Fingal Hubs Connected locations in Mulhuddart, Drinan in Swords and Balbriggan, the Hubs’ creative studio at Drinan recently had the ‘craic’ playing host to Doireann, Louise and Siomha of How to Gael, Ireland’s new and extremely popular bilingual podcast. Fingal Hubs Connected are based in Fingal County Council’s three Enterprise Centres, BASE in Mulhuddart, Dublin 15, Drinan Enterprise Centre in Swords and BeAt Balbriggan. Studio Drinan allows for podcasts or webcasts, ideal for anyone looking to market goods or services. How to Gael are the new generation of Irish speakers who are living, working, socialising, and reviving an Ghaeilge in a way that is suimiuil, spraoiúil agus just good craic with weekly catch ups where current affairs, popular culture and just general gossip will also bí á bplé. Louise Cantillon is the new presenter of the lunchtime slot on Today FM while Doireann Ni Ghlacain and Siomha ni Ruairc are presenter and producer respectively on TG4. Their two lively podcasts recorded at the Swords hub covering everything from how to have self-discipline, how to Hygge and, to celebrate Seachtain na Gaeilege, five things you should never say to Gaeilgeoirí, will be released on 12th and 19th March 24. They can be heard on Spotify, Podtail, Apple, Google and Acast. Fingal Hubs Connected list their available desks and meeting rooms on connectedhubs.ie The website is run by the National Hub Network, an Irish government initiative that allows individual

hubs to come together under a shared identity to maximise the economic opportunity of remote working. Users can also rent desks, meeting rooms and host events at other hubs across the country. The Hubs are central to Fingal County Council’s aim to promote a dynamic, sustainable and inclusive economy that is enabled by strong

infrastructure, collaboration and skills under its recently adopted economic development strategy. For more information and to book your space, visit connectedhubs.ie How to Gael is holding its first-ever show at Liberty Hall Theatre in Dublin on Monday 8th April 2024. For tickets, visit mcd.ie/artists/how-to-gael or ticketmaster.

New Leader Rural Development Programme 2023 -2027

Following the outcome of the Local Development Strategy (LDS) selection process, Heather Humphrey’s TD, Minister for Rural and Community Development and Minister for Social Protection signed the LEADER Funding Agreement for the implementation of the 2023-2027 programme in the Dublin sub-regional area on 26th January 2024. Dublin Rural LEADER’s implementing partner Fingal Leader Partnership CLG and Fingal County Council as the Lead Financial Partner, is approved to deliver the 2023 – 2027 LEADER programme in the sub-regional area of Dublin Rural which includes rural areas in Fingal, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown and South Dublin. Dublin

Rural LEADER was allocated €4.7 Million to invest in the development of the area through economic, social, and environmental initiatives. The LEADER programme uses a community led approach, empowering local rural communities to be involved in finding innovative solutions to address local needs. The selection process was conducted over two stages; the first stage was an ‘Expression of Interest’ by eligible groups followed by a more detailed stage which saw them develop their LEADER strategy. Welcoming the signing, Mayor of Fingal, Councillor Adrian Henchy said, “The LEADER (Rural Development) Programme in the Dublin sub-regional area has worked alongside communities and individuals

with funding, supports and resources to assist in the development of stronger, better connected and resilient communities and I welcome the appointment of Fingal Leader Partnership CLG to deliver this major programme over the next five years. AnnMarie Farrelly, Chief Executive of Fingal County Council said “I’m delighted that Fingal Leader Partnership CLG will be implementing the new LEADER Rural Development Programme 2023 – 2027 for Fingal County Council, a hugely capable organisation with tremendous local knowledge and committed staff. Their capacity to deliver this ambitious programme is evident in their previous record of local service delivery.”

BALBRIGGAN BASKETBALL WE TRAIN - WE WIN

The Senior Men’s team named ‘Dragunz’ have just completed their 1st year in the Dublin Men’s Basketball League in the 6th Division. Currently sitting at 3rd on the table with a possible drop out of the top 4 positions, which depends on remaining games from other teams. The season started at the end of September 2023 and ends at the start of May2024, Through this time the team succeeded to win half (9/9) of their scheduled games inthe league. Scheduled games are usually on Friday nights in Bremore ETNS, Balbriggan.The senior team is multinational, with a core membership from within the Balbriggan community. Our club members who come from other areas include, Skerries, Rush,

Lusk, Drogheda and Dunleer. Congratulations to the Senior Men’s Team of the Balbriggan Basketball ‘Dragunz’ for completing their 1st year as a topflight Basketball team. A huge round of applause and appreciation to the coaching staff, volunteers, parents and members who assisted, supported and participated in the sporting activities through the season. Balbriggan Basketball operates a Youth Academy that trains young people to participate in the sport of Basketball. The goals are; knowing how to play the sport, team building exercises, active participation in sports, and a fun place to make new friends. The inclusive club caters to anybody (Boys & Girls) interested in taking part in

the sport and ages start from 6 to 15 years old for our junior members, and trainings are either on a Wednesday evening or Sunday morning. Proposed League Teams for 2024/2025 season -Senior Men (16years and above) Dragunz - Senior Women (16years and above) Phoenix Flames - U16 Boys team (from 12-15years) Falcons. We require more members, coaches, referees, volunteers, and community support to fulfil the aspirations of this admirable club. Testimonial Brandon Lengenhager - “I feel like we played well this year, there is room for improvement, just like everything in life. I cannot wait to get in the gym, and I know we will be better next year to get the top spot for sure.”

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

Across

1. Laugh like a witch. (6)

5. The capital city of Colombia. (6)

10. Question a soldier or spy about a completed mission (7)

11. Moved something downward. (7)

12. A place where a wild animal lives. (4)

13. False bird used by hunters. (5)

15. A flightless New Zealand bird. (4)

17. Governmental rules to regulate behaviour. (3)

19. A gesture used to convey information or instructions. (6)

21. Moves forward slowly, like a part of a foot! (6)

22. Divests of a weapon or weapons. (7)

23. Avoided something by a sudden quick movement. (6)

25. Tighten the lips before a kiss. (6)

28. Ask for as a charity. (3)

30. Traditional hand-sized Mexican filled tortilla. (4)

31. A brief records of points or ideas written as a memory aid. (5)

32. Actually existing, genuine. (4)

35. Become less intense, violent or severe. (7)

36. Enters a country to subjugate and occupy it. (7)

37. The most northern State in the USA. (6)

38. Cold dishes consisting mainly of raw or cooked vegetables. (6)

Down

2. Walking at a slow, relaxed pace. (7)

3. Make clothing by connecting yarn into rows. (4)

4. Famous Paris tower. (6)

5. Roar like a bull. (6)

6. A long dress, especially one for a formal occasion. (4)

7. Make metal become less bright. (7)

8. People or animals that have grown to full size and strength. (6)

9. Agrees that something is true, especially unwillingly. (6)

14. Entertainment held in a nightclub or restaurant while the audience eat and drink. (7)

16. A student who is training to be a military officer. (5)

18. To happen after something else, especially as a result of it. (5)

20. A cover for the top of a container. (3)

21. A small, mischievous devil or sprite. (3)

23. Dislike intensely. (6)

24. A unit used to measure the intensity of a sound. (7)

26. Worked moistened flour. (7)

27. A piquant sauce eaten with plain food to add flavour. (6)

28. A wine shop in a Spanishspeaking country. (6)

29. A person who has very great and rare natural ability, particularly in science or art. (6)

33. Little lies. (4)

34. Shaped like an egg. (4)

Dublin’s Fairy Godmother of Pantomimes