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While we await the arrival of Winter, things certainly aren’t slowing down for the many community groups, sporting clubs, resident’s associations etc. Winter can be one of the busiest times of the year with many plans being put together for the following year as well as the weekly activities taking place.
The clocks may be going back this month but that doesn’t mean there’s less to do, how can we forget the truly-Irish festival time of Halloween!
Halloween is a time when children, and the big children, can enjoy themselves in equal measure with kids donning fantastic, and spooky costumes, while some adults will also go all out with decorating their houses to rival that of anywhere in the world. Afterall, Halloween, or Samhain, is a truly Irish event.
Fingal will have many events taking place over the coming weeks that will culminate with the amazing Fingal Festival of Fire that sees amazing firework displays being hosted throughout the county. Be sure to wear your best costume and enjoy the fantastic, and safe, pyrotechnic event!
So as we approach the winter months, be sure to take some time to take advantage of the decent October weather, but also, don’t forget to curl up beside the fire at home and take stock of all that has happened over the past year and make some plans to have an even more eventful 2025!
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The Locals Team
Malahide Lions Club 20th Art Exhibition and Sale 2025
The Malahide Lions Art Exhibition and Sale will take place this year in the Gaffney Hall, at the rear of St. Sylvester’s Church, Malahide, over the weekend of the October Bank Holiday.
The principal beneficiary of funds raised this year will be St. Michael’s House, Special National School, Baldoyle (www. smhbaldoyleschool.ie ), with support also to local charities.
Baldoyle Special National School enables pupils in our region to flourish in a caring and stimulating environment. Emphasis is on learning and achievement for all pupils with a focus on everyone’s level of ability, and all progress is celebrated and rewarded. Additional funds are urgently required to upgrade specialist developmental support equipment.
The Lions are so fortunate and indeed extremely grateful that the Art Exhibition and Sale is again receiving the wonderful support from many renowned artists and our own celebrated Malahide artists to provide a stimulating and entertaining collection for public viewing over the holiday weekend. Several artists have donated to a raffle which will take place on Monday 27th. For further information contact malahidelionsclub@gmail.com
All are welcome and admission is free.
Details:
The Art Exhibition will be held in The Gaffney Hall, at the rear of St. Sylvester’s Church, Malahide, K36 HR63, on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, 25-27 October 2025.
Hours are as follows -
Saturday 25th October, 5pm to 8pm. Sunday 26th October, 11am to 8pm. Monday 27th October, 11am to 5.30pm.
Portmarnock ICA Open Evening
Portmarnock Irish Countrywomen’s Guild is having an Open Evening on Wednesday 8th October at 8pm at The Arch Club in the grounds of Portmarnock church. There will be a crafts display, a raffle and tea/ coffee will be available with cakes. Our guild provides a warm welcome
for new members which offers friendship, fun activities (line dancing, chair aerobics, fitness to music, ceili dancing) and crafts (Christmas decorations, wreaths and cards, painting on silk, decoupage, knitted angels) and day and weekend away trips,
CommunityLocals.ie
Recipient of the Ardgillan Castle Studio award announced
Dublin-based visual artist, Maria Atanacković, has been named as the recipient of the Ardgillan Castle Studio Award 2025-26. This prestigious award provides a fully funded studio space for a professional artist for a one-year period, commencing on 1st October 2025.
The Studio Award covers all studio rental, utilities, and administration costs, offering the recipient a unique opportunity to develop their practice in a supportive and inspiring environment.
Fingal County Council and Ardgillan Castle
Ltd. currently support 15 studio spaces for artists and designers working across a diverse range of practices. This initiative, which began in 2020, continues to foster creativity and professional development within the local arts community.
Fingal County Council Arts Officer, Sarah O’Neil, commented: ‘We are pleased to announce Maria Atanacković as our Ardgillan studio award recipient. This funded year long residency provides an opportunity for professional artists to explore and refine their work in the historical grounds and castle of Ardgillan.’
Welcoming the studio award, Maria Atanacković said: ‘I’m delighted with this opportunity to scale up and develop my practice. I intend to use the dedicated time and space to translate the geometric visual language that I’ve developed through printmaking into more ambitious sculptural forms.’
Maria is a Dublin-based artist working across printmaking, assemblage and textiles. Through abstraction and experimentation, she constructs pieces that explore space, composition and form.
Midterm and Halloween Family Friendly Things To Do!
It’s October….time for hot chocolates and snuggly pj’s. It’s chilly but not too cold; perfect for strolling in the fields with Andean Alpacas. These beautiful animals are calming and therapeutic. Andean Alpacas, in Westmeath, have packages where you can simply go walking with the Alpacas or you can choose their Halloween package, to spend time with the Alpacas and enjoy pumpkin carving and other Halloween activities. See https://andeanalpacas.ie/
My husband and I spent a few days in Farnham Estate Cavan recently, enjoying woodland strolls and the warm outdoor pool, which is surrounded by green fields. Farnham have great offers on breaks and spa days/treatments. We highly recommend Cedars Steakhouse Tomahawk steak for 2, it’s a memorable dining experience. See https://www.farnhamestate.ie/?src=mams
This month The National Concert Hall has
wonderful family friendly concerts and events, see www.nch.ie Wax Museum Plus has interactive events and kids can make a wax model of their hand to bring home! See https://waxmuseumplus. ie/
Adventure Light returns to Skypark this October. Wander the Magical Trail, Conquer the Maze, Bounce on Skynet, Hunt for clues and Make a Wish and Enjoy delicious street food. Bring the whole family to this interactive experience. See https://skypark.ie/adventurelights/
For a little treat, The Gem Treatery in Balbriggan is a must visit. Fluffy pancakes, yummy crepes, tasty sambos, delicious coffee, acai bowls and so many flavours of ice cream to choose from. Spacious and child/baby friendly, it’s perfect for catching up with family and friends. They also do kids birthday parties! See
https://www.gemtreatery.com/?src=mams
Fancy a scare? The new Conjuring movie is brilliant. Expect screams and popcorn flying everywhere! We saw it with our teens at Arc Cinema and really enjoyed it. There are lots of good kids movies on and kids clubs are excellent value during midterm. See offers at https:// arccinema.ie/
Now is the time when many of us succumb to colds and flus and it’s good to boost your immune system. For adults, Sentro Labs has excellent supplements for gut health and support women in perimenopause. I find them very good to help with sleep. For kiddies, Tonstix are absolutely brilliant. It’s a lollipop they suck that helps enormously with sore throats. Such a clever product range, see https://tonstix.com/
Stay safe and Happy Halloween from mams.ie!
New Options To Future-Proof Cover
By Dave Kavanagh
A difficulty that occurs when planning ahead to protect you and your family’s financial future, is the fact that we don’t know exactly what the future holds. Will jobs and income change? How long will I maintain good health? Will I win the lottery jackpot in the next 3 years? The uncertainty of the future means that we often plan for a variety of occurrences. One important aspect of this planning is deciding on a term for things like Life Cover. A life cover plan can either be done for a specific term or it can be done as a “whole of life” plan. One of the problems with the old way of doing these was that the premiums were reviewed after a few years and could result in constant, substantial increases, often forcing people to either cancel them or accept a much lower level of cover. With “guaranteed whole of life” plans, you at least know exactly what the premium will always be and the level of cover but planning that far ahead can be costly. A relatively new method of dealing with this issue was introduced from one of the life companies, and it is an addition called “Life Changes Option”. This option gives the policy owners a number of choices once they have paid premiums for at least 15 years. They can then choose to either; a) Stop paying premiums and reduce the level of cover which stays in place until the cover is paid out,
or b) Cancel the cover (if it is no longer required) and take a refund of up to 70% of all premiums previously paid, or c) Continue the plan as it is with the same level of cover and premiums. This option has become quite popular when people are looking to future-proof cover as it offers choices that can suit people’s changing circumstances. If they have cleared loans and have sufficient savings, a reduced level of cover might be ideal. If they have strong pensions and savings, they may no longer have a need for cover and can take back a lump sum. For more information on how this type of cover may suit you, ask your advisor or contact me for a free quotation.
Dave Kavanagh QFA has been advising people financially for over 25 years. For quotes or information (with no cost or obligation) he can be contacted by emailing info@ financialcompanion.ie or use the contact form on www.financialcompanion.ie or @Davekav_ advice on Twitter and Instagram. Combined with his previous role of gym/nutrition adviser, he regularly gives talks and workshops at seminars and events for groups, companies and government departments on financial wellbeing, positivity and motivation. As heard on RTE 2FM , LMFM and TV3. wellbeing, positivity and motivation. As heard on RTE 2FM , LMFM and TV3.
VITAL WELLNESS
Happy halloween!
Get ready for a Dazzling Halloween Extravaganza in Fingal!
Get ready for a scorching Halloween night like never before! Events in Fingal proudly presents the “Festival of Fire.” Taking place on Friday 31st October, this thrilling event will ignite your Halloween spirit at four incredible locations across Fingal: Bremore Castle in Balbriggan, Swords Town Park, Malahide Castle, and Millennium Park in Blanchardstown.
Experience the Magic of Music:
The Festival of Fire kicks off with an electrifying musical prelude that will set the mood for an unforgettable night. From spine-tingling tunes to haunting melodies, our musical lineup will captivate your senses and keep you grooving.
Spectacular Fireworks Displays:
As the clock strikes 7:30 PM, brace yourself for an awe-inspiring spectacle! Our breathtaking fireworks displays will light up the night sky, casting vibrant colors and patterns that will leave you mesmerized. It’s the perfect way to celebrate Halloween with friends and family.
Event Locations: Bremore Castle, Balbriggan: Step into the enchanting world of Bremore Castle, where history meets the mystical allure of Halloween. 7pm Enjoy a Scary disco. 7.30pm Fireworks.
Please note No Parking is Available. Please walk or cycle.
Swords Town Park (Behind the Castle): Join us in the heart of Swords for a Halloween celebration like no other. The park will come alive with the spirit of the season. 7pm Enjoy a Scary Disco. 7.30pm Fireworks.
Malahide Castle: Explore the grounds of the magnificent Malahide Castle, surrounded by the magic of Halloween. 7pm Enjoy a Scary Disco. 7.30pm Fireworks.
Millennium Park, Blanchardstown: Get ready for an explosion of Halloween fun in Blanchardstown’s Millennium Park. 7pm Enjoy a Scary Disco. 7.30pm Fireworks.
Don’t miss out on this unforgettable evening of music and fireworks. Bring your family, friends, and a sense of wonder as we light up the Halloween night in Fingal. It’s a celebration you won’t want to skip!
Mark your calendars for Friday, October 31st, and join us at one of our four fantastic locations. Festival of Fire promises to be the highlight of your Halloween season.
There are even more Halloween-themed events planned for the month of October and to see what’s on in your areas please go to fingalcoco.ie.
Halloween in Malahide
Halloween at Bremore Castle
Halloween at Newbridge House
Halloween at Newbridge House
Samhain at Ardgillan
Pumpkin Carving in Ardgillan
VOLUNTEERS
Film Review: ‘The Long Walk’ (2025)
By Jack Shanley
The Long Walk (2025) is a masterful adaptation of Stephen King’s chilling novel, and director Francis Lawrence has delivered a film that is as relentless and hypnotic as its source material. This isn’t a blockbuster filled with explosive action; instead, it’s a profound, character-driven psychological thriller that explores themes of endurance and conformity. Set in a dystopian America, the film follows Ray Garaty, a 16-year-old boy who has entered the “Long Walk,” an annual televised event where 100 teenage boys walk non-stop until only one remains. If they drop below a certain pace, they receive a warning; three warnings and they’re “ticketed,” a euphemistic term for being shot dead by the military escort. The film captures the gruelling, almost meditative monotony of the walk, focusing on the subtle shifts in the boys’ mental and physical states. It’s a testament to the powerful performances from its young cast, who perfectly embody the mix of youthful naivete, and hardened resolve required to survive.
Lawrence’s direction is a triumph of atmosphere and restraint. He understands that the horror isn’t in the blood and guts, but in the slow, inevitable psychological toll. The camera often lingers on the boys’ faces, capturing the exhaustion, fear, and even moments of strange camaraderie. The sound design is a key player, with the constant, rhythmic thud of feet on asphalt serving as a metronome of impending doom. As a big fan of film scores, the lack of a traditional score in many scenes enhances the stark reality of their situation, making the silence and the sound of breathing even more potent.
The film’s most powerful moments are not in the deaths but in the quiet, poignant interactions between the walkers. The fleeting friendships, the shared jokes, and the desperate attempts to maintain a semblance of humanity in an inhuman contest are what truly resonate. The Long Walk is a thought-provoking, and at times, gut-wrenching experience. It serves as a stark metaphor for the relentless pressures of modern life, and the lengths people will go to for a fleeting chance at glory. It’s a powerful cinematic achievement that will linger in your mind long after the credits have rolled.
I’d recommend checking out ‘The Long Walk’ and see what you think of it; I shall give it a score of Three stars, after my first watch. You can watch it at your local cinema today: Director: Francis Lawrence – Rating: 16 –Genre: Horror/Sci-fi – Run Time: 1h 48m Language: English. For more film content please follow @movies4fanatics on Instagram.
MALAHIDE MENS SHED
St. Benedict’s Road Malahide
What is a mens shed?
It is a community based organisation open to all men regardless of age or background. Mens Sheds are grassroots, member focused spaces which offer men a pressure free environment in which to share skills, make new friends and connect with the community.
What Happens,
Everything and anything!
The activities are decided entirely by the members and participation is the decision of each member. At the shed, each man is a teacher and a learner, each having different
levels of skills, professional and practical, to share collectively or just come and have a chat and a cuppa if that is all you are looking for. Men can talk about things important to them, and can improve their own wellbeing by keeping physically, mentally and socially active.
Who runs a Mens Shed?
Each shed is run by it’s own members. The members elect a committee to manage the affairs of the shed. The shed is connected to all other sheds via the Irish Mens Shed association
Malahide Basketball Club receives award under Texaco Support for Sport Initiative
Malahide Basketball Club has been chosen winners of the Dublin County award in this year’s Texaco Support for Sport initiative. EUR5,000 has been presented to the Club to fund additional equipment and training sessions to cater for the increasing rise in membership numbers.
Founded in 1977, Malahide Basketball Club is one of the largest in the country, playing out of six gyms in the locality, with over 500 members and 32 teams. The only club to have attained the Basketball Ireland Platinum Award for best practice and governance, it caters for boys and girls of all ages from 8 upwards, along with a senior section too. With a 65% female
membership, one of its key goals is to keep teenage girls playing sport.
Congratulating the county winners on the immense contribution that they make to the heart of community life in Ireland, James Twohig, Director of Ireland Operations, Valero Energy (Ireland) Limited was particularly praiseworthy of the unstinting work of club officials and volunteers, and noted that “since its inception, we are proud to have distributed almost €650,000 to a variety of more than 125 sports clubs under the Texaco Support for Sport initiative.”
Overseeing the judging process was Texaco Support for Sport ambassador, former Irish
rugby international and well-known broadcaster, Donncha O’Callaghan. Describing the Dublin club as ‘a truly deserved recipient’, he went on to add: “Malahide Basketball Club is an amazing club with a fantastic membership base – reflected in the number of teams it produces. I’m delighted the Texaco funds will be used to purchase additional equipment that will leave a legacy in the Club for the next generation. Well done all, you slam dunked it!”
Entries for the 2026 Texaco Support for Sport initiative will open again in the New Year for all clubs, including those whose application may have been unsuccessful previously.
The presentation to Malahide Basketball Club members was made in Broomfield, Malahide. Pictured with them was Valero Area Sales Manager, Damien Burke (front, centre).
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Across
1. Felt a powerful desire for something. (6)
5. The world’s second largest country by area. (6)
10. Capable of resuming original shape after stretching. (7)
11. Pedal driven vehicle. (7)
12. Thin and fit. (4)
13. Sweet food from nectar. (5)
15. Send via the postal service. (4)
17. Scrape as if to relieve itching. (3)
19. A word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations. (6)
21. Not often. (6)
22. Previously, before now. (7)
23. Country which achieved independence from Sweden in 1905. (6)
25. Ancient Greek oracle. (6)
28. A short day! (3)
30. Youthful males. (4)
31. Take a husband or a wife. (5)
32. An inclined surface connecting two levels. (4)
35. Bring something to a destination. (7)
36. Relating to an area beside the sea. (7)
37. Produced by crossbreeding. (6)
38. Delivered a sharp blow. (6)
Down
2. The state of the world as it really is rather than as you might want it to be. (7)
3. Express one’s preference for a candidate in an election. (4)
4. A licensed medical practitioner. (6)
5. Evidence of a spider. (6)
6. Long part of a guitar or banjo. (4)
7. State emphatically and authoritatively. (7)
8. Beds on a ship or train; usually in tiers. (6)
9. Expression of doubtful interest or surprise. (6)
14. Questionable energy source. (7)
16. A person who is regarded as underhanded and furtive. (5)
18. Challenged to do something. (5)
20. Bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer. (3)
21. The colour of the Left. (3)
23. A person of little influence. (6)
24. Payment to a copyright holder for use of their work. (7)
26. Generic name for a credit card. (7)
27. African antelope with ridged curved horns. (6)
28. The opposite of profane and ungodly. (6)
29. Rough paths and roads. (6)
33. Finished in cricket. (4)
34. A poker hand with two cards of the same value. (4)
SUDOKU ANSWERS
